Marilyn's Garden Design

I am writing on behalf of Marilyn Guidoz who planned and designed a new patio/deck area for me. I found her to be very pleasant, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. She is professional but warm in her people skills. The most exciting thing about Marilyn is her creativity. She has lots of good ideas, keeps them all in perspective relative to your property and home style, and doesn't forget to keep it all in a reasonable budget. I seriously enjoyed working with her and recommend Marilyn without reservation.

My husband and I contacted Marilyn to design a water wise front yard. We had applied for a Turf Rebate and needed to complete the project by a specified date. Marilyn was so helpful and easy to work with!! She really listened to our needs and designed a beautiful area, staying within our budget. She was present during the construction phase and continues to visit to make sure the plants, and we, are happy. The project was easily completed to take advantage of the Turf Rebate. Also, our water use has significantly reduced. I would highly recommend Marilyn for any project, large or small.

We really enjoyed Marilyn. She gave us a whole new outlook for our yard. Ideas we never would have thought about without her expertise.

Marilyn was referred to us by a client of mine, who said she had done a wonderful job on his landscape project. He showed me the detailed drawings she put together before the work was started, and I was very impressed. My husband and I met with Marilyn, and she was knowledgeable, professional, and easy to work with. I think the price was reasonable for the great result we got. We now have a beautifully designed yard that uses much less water, and looks much better! We get complements often, and I would highly recommend Marilyn.

We have worked with Marilyn on 2 projects in the last year and have been very happy with her work. She is very comprehensive in getting to know the property as well as the client's wishes. She is very friendly, yet professional and very knowledgeable about the plants that she recommends. We had one garden that we needed to change plants at the last minute and she was so respectful our change and eager to show us new ideas. I have not had time to see the final project, as we will need to let it grow for 1-2 years, but am comforted to know that she will follow up with us and be available for future consultation. I highly recommend Marilyn.

Marilyn is a consummate professional, an encyclopedia of plant knowledge, and an artist with a vision. She can transform any outdoor space into a haven of beauty and life. I have collaborated with Marilyn on at least five large projects (including one on her Houzz page), and have always been delighted with the creativity of her designs, the quality of her work, her high level of integrity. She has also graciously mentored me and is always willing to share her knowledge. Plus, she is just a joy and so fun to be around!

Marilyn is extremely knowledgeable about natives and drought tolerant plant material. Her dedication to her work combined with her integrity makes her an outstanding professional. She loves for her craft and is able to transmit her love when working with clients. I have had the pleasure of working with Marilyn providing consultations during many Home/Garden Shows and all the clients really appreciate her help and expertise.

Marilyn provided the landscape design for our new home construction project. Our decision to engage her in the project was based upon referrals, her amiable personality, and knowledge of native plants. My request for a low maintenance, water conscious, and bee friendly design was met in all regards. She coordinated well with the architect and builder on the project, and played an active role in the execution of the landscape design.

Marilyn has helped us with two properties. The first was a large home on 6.5 acres in Valley Center. We hired her to help us re-design the landscaping around our home, both front and back. It was a very extensive project as most of the plants we'd originally put in grew much too large for the space. Although beautiful at first, when things started to grow the yard looked overcrowded and didn't have a sense of style. Marilyn was very cost conscious and educated us about plants that would give us the peace, beauty and tranquility that we desired. She is extremely knowledge about various types of irrigation and plants to conserve water, proper soil conditioning, plant growth patterns, etc. She is delightful to work with and is also an excellent listener. Not only did she give us a complete design but she recommended people who could help us carry it out. She helped in every phase; marked all the places and the plants that were to be given away, moved and/or purchased. We hired her again when we downsized to a home on a half acre lot. The grass and most of the plants were dead or very stressed when we moved in. She created a plan that gave my husband a place for the fruit trees he wanted and had us extend a wall in the back to frame a huge palm tree that needed to be integrated instead of looking out of place. Her design eliminated the grass in the front, and enhanced the rather plain exterior of the house with a new stone entry way. With both properties she helped us to stay within our budget. Our new yard is quite lovely and is easy to maintain. We'd definitely hire her again.

Marilyn designed our landscape and did a good job of listening to us and providing guidance and suggestions that resulted in a garden scape that we truly enjoy. Marilyn gave us an opportunity to design what we wanted as opposed to being shoe-horned into the typical set ideas that those who make a living installing; i.e. concrete, drains, softscape, etc., typically deliver in terms of design. Our garden is different than most in our development and provides diversity in appearance.

Marilyn was referred by several people in our community. We found her to be personable, professional and a highly talented landscape designer. While our initial design was not approved by our local HOA, she redesigned our project to meet both the HOA's and our satisfaction. The end result is beautiful. I will recommend her again and again.

We were referred to Marilyn having noticed several remarkably well designed grass removal projects in our neighborhood. She visited free of charge and took the time not just to look over the potential project but to hear our thoughts and wishes. After then taking photos and measurements she produced an extraordinary, large, multicolored, annotated plot plan for what she proposed be done. We loved it. We love it even more now that it is accomplished and the plantings (70 or more) are becoming established. Marilyn typically works with an installation contractor, equally talented at what he does. Under her direction and according to her plan, this included removing all grass from the entire yard, preparing the soil, building a low retaining wall of attractive natural stone, installing a drip irrigation system throughout, purchasing all plants and planting them. Both continue to be generous of their time and continue to follow up. I have worked with and as a contractor for many years during my career. I can truthfully say that in addition to her unique talent, Marilyn is a professional in every sense of the word. Edward and Janice Hall Escondido CA