Ava Gardener Landscape Design Studio

We called Ava in the midst of a do it yourself landscaping project in Redmond, Wa. She joined us after our front yard retaining wall had been replaced by an outcropping of large rocks and all lawn stripped away. We needed a visionary who could design a unique, extraordinary garden within a relatively small budget and help us implement. I found Ava on Insiderpages.com and after the first phone call with her, I knew that we had found that person! Ava's design has it all---colorful but not gaudy, seasonal highlights, a sense of flow, easy maintenance, skillful integration of the rock outcropping, wildlife friendly, and attractively different within our neighborhood. Ava's plant knowledge is amazing, her suggestions meticulous and her written design plan very clear and complete.
Did I mention her personality? She is lively, intuitive, considerate, fun and truly client focused. I highly recommend Ava and look forward to working with her as we continue our project.

Ava has helped us with the landscaping for our new home from the very beginning. We especially appreciate her honesty and experience. Her follow up is great and she is able to give us practical suggestions and specific ideas that we can take with us as we continue to work on our landscaping. I would easily recommend Ava to anyone needing help with a small project or complete over haul of their yard.

Our troubles began after removing 2 glorious, tall evergreen trees from the front yard of our rambler in Bellevue, WA. Suddenly we were very aware of the ugly view from our living room & from the street. I was lucky to find Ava Gardener as a consultant. With great concern for the budget, she incorporated my requirements into a vision so clear that I could picture it perfectly. Ava recommended Earl Grasey of B & E Specialty Landscaping. Earl's men did an outstanding job implementing Ava's vision of the hardscape. To level the yard (my requirement), they constructed a significant rock retaining wall with stone steps thru it to a lovely stone path leading to the porch, installed an irrigation system & 12v lights along the path, created 2 berms for the specimen plants & lawn areas of grass seed elsewhere. Meanwhile Ava guided me toward specimen plants that are interesting & beautiful year-round. Ava's consults at significant points through the project were essential, and her passion for this work is contagious. I never would have tackled this project without Ava's help. I simply can't thank Ava & Earl enough for the view from my living room, & my neighbors are clearly grateful for their new improved view from the street :)

Our condo building of four units used Ava as a consultant for improvements to our common sideyard. She was knowledgeable, delightfully enthusiastic, and very willing to work with our "group"...a challenging situation. Though we did not move forward with the work at this time, we were very happy with her plan and enjoyed her positive and creative input.

Ava is not only knowledgeable but also extremely passionate about her work. We had trouble selling our downtown Kirkland condo, so we employed her assistance. With her expertise and keen eye for design, we sold our condo just one day after we executed all her plans!!! She is one of a kind and adds that special touch to all the projects she is involved in.

I would recommend Ava to anyone interested in improving their physical, mental, and spiritual gardens!!! Ava is finely attuned to listening to your gardening goals and utilizing her years of experience with plants and knowledge of the local terrain to create an inspired garden at a very affordable cost. She not only puts you back in touch with the soil; she does it in a way that puts you in touch with your soul as well. She is an integrated and compassionate individual who will help you design a vibrant yard that can grow with you. If my yard and I flourish half as well as Ava, I'll have come a long way, baby!

You can't beat a name like Ava Gardener, so of course that is how I chose her out of the phone book! To my delight Ava helped me create my oasis in the city. She always knew exactly what I wanted and her knowledge and creativity helped us get our garden on the Landscape Architect's Garden Tour in Denver as well as a spread in Colorado Homes and Lifestyles and the best is the upcoming January '08 issue of BH& G's Gardens, Decks & Landscape Magazine.
I would highly recommend Ava. She is a delight to work with and has a true passion for her work.

When I bought my West Seattle cottage in 1991 the yard was beautiful. 15+ years and several renters later I had pretty much taken out all the plants for ease of care as a rental property. After moving back in and paying a lot of money for a yard plan with plants I either could not find or that actually did not work, I was depressed about and had very little interest in my yard as it was bare and sad. Then, ALONG CAME AVA!!! Within a couple of hours I was hopeful and inspired! I have a way to go before my entire yard is finished but it is a work in progress and as money permits I am once again, loving my yard! Not only did Ava have wonderful ideas from the minute she stepped into my yard, but she listened to my ideas and/or suggestions, so that in the end it was more of a collaborative effort. Ava continues to help me as I need via email. Her sensitivity to my budget constraints has enabled me to stay well within it. It was evident from the first minute that Ava is passionate, loves what she does and loves to share it. I have enthusiastically recommended Ava to my friends, as everyone who has seen the progress loves it too! For me Ava is a God send!!!

It took me several years of procrastination to start and complete the project. And still ... I believe I would not have done it if I haven't given Ava a call. She was very quick to understand my "artistic" vision, support it and change it appropriately as my understanding of my own needs matured. Together, we installed a garden that in its originality stands out within your-typical-in-front-of-townhouse installations.
My little garden (its a patch of land in front of a townhouse) is in its second year and I am looking forward to its spring transformation and to a chance of cultivating it beyond its initial design. Ava has given me a garden and inspired in me a joy of having it.
PS. I found Avas rates, structured variably and accordingly to the type of job she was doing very reasonable.

My wife and I chose to work with Ava Blum (Ava Gardener Landscape Design) to redesign our West Seattle home's existing L-shaped front and rear landscape. We wanted a plan that allowed for different entries, a space for our children, a place to entertain, a fountain and interesting plants. We wanted to use some of the existing plants and to stay within our budget. Ava's clear presentation and communication skills made for an excellent working relationship. Her ideas, along with what we envisioned combined well. We got what we wanted, and within our budget. We spend much more time outside and enjoy it far more than we imagined. We are now working with Ava to redesign the front area of our business. We highly recommend her!Added 7/19/06Ava designed our residential garden in West Seattle. We decided to use her services again for our office building located in an industrial zone. She suggested fragrant, seasonal plantings in window boxes and containers for the front entry. What a difference! My customers as well as my employees, comment how great it looks now. Her design ideas worked well within our budget too. Ava transformed this industrial space into a place that is warm and welcoming. I highly recommend her. Ballard Refinishers

We are retired living in Santa Fe. With a limited budget, Ava Blum created a front erntry garden filled with color all season long. We enjoyed working with her because she is patient and very knowledgeable. We love her work and know you will also.

Ava Blum quickly invisioned the perfect solution for my
recently bulldozed land on Vashon Island. She turned my naked expansive property into a tropical garden. Ava very clearly and poetically communicated her ideas to me in our initial consultation.
In addition to understanding our needs and budget she gave us practical ideas and utilized much of what we already had.
she also had wonderful sources for top quality plants.
Ava's wonderful manner, wealth of knowledge and great communication skills make her a winner. I highly recommend her service.

Ava Blum created a lasting landscape solution for my three-unit Victorian apartment house in central Denver. Her design for the front and back areas included water conserving techniques, plantings for seasonal interest, ease of care, and unifying flagstone pathways. The use of boulders and installation of two small water features, created a natural setting and place for our urban wildlife. The design inspired activity along the block by drawing attention to this fragrant, colorful and surprisingly calm setting. My neighborhood also received great benefit from her practical, informed, and diligent landscape design. Ava provided what I needed, within my budget, and beyond my expectations. I highly recommend her.