Shannon Robbins
Growing Guidance
Rooted with experience and grown with care
Welcome to Growing Guidance
With over 30 years of experience in Horticulture and garden design. Shannon offers a seasoned practical approach and skilled eye that honors sustainable plant care and practical design solutions.
Services Offered:
1:1 On-site Garden Consultations:
On site visits are your chance to ask away! Plan to take notes as I will be sharing a lot of information offering practical and thoughtful suggestions for your goals and the garden's health, form, function, and creative solutions tailored to your garden's specific needs.
(Fill out intake form at bottom of page)
Horticultural Pruning:
• Seasonal shaping of flowering & fruiting plants
• Older or overgrown shrubs needing renewal
• Fine-tuning established plants to bring out the best
• Restoring structure and vitality to plants with history and enhance their beauty, health, and longevity. Edible, native and flowering shrubs, perennials, small trees, and heritage plants through skill, artistry, horticultural knowledge, and care. Gardens flourish after just a thoughtful pruning sessions.
Horticultural Garden Designs: Plant lists, design for enhancing existing gardens or new spaces. I offer plant lists that are site and biome specific to your goals. The right plant in the right place considering form, function, cohesiveness and flow.
Learn to garden! Personalized Garden Coaching:
1:1We start where you are. No pressure or judgement. 1:1 Supportive guidance. Including: pruning, dividing, transplanting, planting, soil health, watering, and seasonal care.
Empowerment through learning.
*I don't offer standard yard maintenance, installation of large gardens, clearing, mowing or hauling.
I listen closely to your goals, observe your space, and offer guidance that honors your unique vision. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned gardener, I'll meet you where you are and help you move forward with confidence and a fresh holistic perspective.
Gardening and caring for your landscape is about more than just plants- it's about fostering connection between you and your garden, creating space that not only nourishes your plants but your well-being. I am here to empower you with the skills and confidence to care for your landscape and deepen your connection with the natural world.
Testimonials:
"We have been working with Shannon for the last 8 months starting last spring in preparation for a large outdoor event. She evaluated our existing landscape, offering great solutions many of which we could do on our own or have implemented by our weekly gardener. We love the plants she suggested adding and subtracting to create cohesiveness, beauty and flow. She continues to return a few times each season to ensure that our garden is performing at its best with health and vitality being the goal. From initial consultation to completion, every step in the process has been promised."
Sue B.
Scotts Valley, CA
"Shannon Robbins is a Master Gardener who has become an invaluable resource to me and my gardens. Shannon has exceptional understanding of plant care, and her deep knowledge of each plant's specific needs- whether it's watering, soil type or pruning requirements- has transformed my garden into a thriving and healthy space. I appreciate her ability to approach each plant's needs individually ensuring that my garden flourishes throughout the seasons. Whether its recommending the right watering schedule or advising on soil amendments, Shannon's expertise has been instrumental in maintaining the health and beauty of my plants. She is especially skilled at fine hand pruning. She has a keen eye for detail and an innate understanding of how each plant should be shaped and maintained. I'll admit that sometimes I question whether trimming is needed as much as she suggests, but every time, I am amazed at the results. Her pruning is always carefully considered, and the plants respond with remarkable growth and vitality. I am extremely happy with all the work Shannon has done for me. She approaches every task with professionalism and her knowledge and expertise are clear in every interaction. She is dependable, thoughtful, and a true expert in her field. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, skilled and professional. She is much more than a gardener, her artful eye adds so much to her skill. Thank you Shannon for all of your hard work and dedication. My garden is thriving because of you!"
Sincerely,
Jacqueline G.
Ben Lomond, CA
About Shannon:
My Roots in the Garden
I fell in love with plants as a young child. During college where I became a Certified Master Gardener, lived on an organic farm and cared for many residential gardens.
After a formative summer with Alaska State Parks implementing a Native Plant Trail— I returned to further study Horticulture and Landscape Design at Merritt and Cabrillo Colleges. I worked for a senior garden designer and a landscape contractor before working on my own creating vibrant, healthy and resilient gardens from Santa Cruz to Los Gatos.
For the last 20+ years we've been building a modern homestead in the Santa Cruz mountains filled with—fruit trees, vegetables, native plants and a landscape full of life: pollinators, birds, healthy soil. Every part of our property tells a story of observation, care, pruning, composting, companion planting, and learning directly from the land and tuned into nature’s cycles—and in the quiet power of tending things slowly over time.
Helping others grow their own garden sanctuaries—spaces that nourish both people and the planet—is not just my work, it’s my passion.
Lets get growing! Scroll down to fill out the new client intake form.
Pricing & Availability
Garden Design Services & Plant Lists
Custom curated plant lists and garden design suited to your unique garden Biome(s) including onsite evaluation of your property including sun exposure, slope, existing plants, trees, access and function.
Garden Consultations
Personalized 1:1 garden consultation walk through, includes on-site Horticultural support answering your concerns, plant health, design flow and demonstrations. Ongoing detailed guidance, seasonal care, and progress support.
Seasonal skilled hand pruning
Shrubs need renewal. Seasonal pruning of flowering, fruiting, native and ornamental plants. Fine-tuning established plants to bring out their best. Restoring structure and vitality to plants while naturally honoring their beauty.
Pricing Philosophy:
Growing Guidance offers personalized, on-site garden consulting, coaching, design guidance, and skilled hand pruning.
Because every garden is different, I begin with a conversation to understand your space, goals, and the type of support that will be most helpful.
I work privately, intentionally, and professionally. All visits, including initial consultations, are paid, hourly consulting appointments. Time spent walking the property, answering questions, offering guidance, or demonstrating pruning and plant care and design is part of the consultation. Advanced design work is done on site and in office.
Rates typically range from $80–$120 per hour, depending on the type of support involved.
My work focuses on plant, health, form and function, design, thoughtful pruning, teaching and long-term garden health — not rushed labor or generic solutions.
Most clients begin with a short phone conversation, followed by an on-site consultation. Pricing and expectations are discussed in advance.
Contact Shannon to begin the conversation.
Gardening is a relationship, not a race.
Let’s grow something beautiful—together.
Proudly staying local in Bonny Doon
(limited Westside Santa Cruz, Felton/Ben Lomond appointments based on availability)
(Please provide 24 hours' notice for cancellations)
Shannon Robbins text or call 831-247-2654
Growing Guidance License# BL-111798
Ready to Begin growing?
I work with DIY-minded property owners and garden enthusiasts of all abilities to create beautiful, natural and functional outdoor spaces. To get started, please fill out the 2025 Client Intake Form below.
This helps me better understand your needs and determine if we're a good fit. Once I review your form, I’ll reach out to schedule next steps.
Your answers are kept private and help me tailor support that fits your land, your goals, and your lifestyle.