Landscaping reviews in San Francisco, California

It was a big complicated project involving a neighbor, a large retaining wall, and structural engineering. The end result was beyond my expectations. There were hiccups along the way, but none were the fault of Madrono. Geoffrey is a good communicator and his crew were excellent. Not only is an old and failing retaining wall replaced, but I have a beautiful California native garden and more usable space in my yard.

We hired Madrono Landscape Design to implement the redesign of the Miraloma Park Improvement Club native plant garden. Geoff met with us multiple times at the project site to go over the detailed goals that we required including staying within our limited budget. Geoff offered many suggestions and was always responsive by phone and email. He prepared a detailed contract, general site, drainage, elevation and planting plans for the project. The lead foreman Daniel and crew were very professional. The extremely hard soil conditions made the project much more challenging to (1) grade the soil, (2) install a lot of drainage pipes, (3) install a crushed gravel path and circle, (4) created a walking path, (5) installing new plants and (6) removing a huge amount of old pavers installed in the 1940s and repurposing them to redirect rainwater runoff from our adjacent parking lot into the garden. The crew also removed a huge amount of dead vegetation and trimmed many trees which allowed a lot more light. Geoff later helped us to identify which of the existing and new plants would be best for educational signage. We are very happy with the results.

An excellent experience. Geoff's patience with clients who don't garden (and therefore could not tell him exactly what we wanted) was amazing. The team was responsive to questions and feedback, offered ideas and solutions, and clearly took pride and ownership of what they were creating. Throughout the experience--design through substantial demolition through the creation of a beautiful, livable, relaxing space--it was clear that everyone from the top down cared about making our back yard the best it could be. 10/10 would hire again.

For a long time, I wanted to have a professionally landscaped backyard garden to serve as a special retreat for me. I finally decided on Madrono Landscape Design, and the owner, Geoffrey Coffey was very helpful in laying out a landscape that reflected the type of garden I had envisioned, sort of a "controlled jungle". I didn't cut corners finance wise, but I am very happy with the results. Geoff suggested various flowers and shrubs, plus incorporating what plants I did have already into the new design, including a drip irrigation system. Now I just have to wait for the shrubs and vines to grow to maturity to get the garden that I've always wanted.

Geoffrey and his team did an awesome job with my back patio. I had some drainage problems during a major rainstorm where the small patio drain got clogged by leaves and flooded the patio leading to flooding the ground floor of the house. Geoffrey and his team came and recommended a comprehensive solution, including a complete redesign of the drainage system to feed from a large channel drain running the length of the house, a new gutter on a storage shed to feed water from the roof directly into the drain, and changing the slope of the pavers to prevent pooling. The project was completed on time and within the estimate range originally given, despite me being out of the country and 8 time zones away during most of the work. The finished work is very clean and high quality and the drainage problem was completely solved. I highly recommend Madrono if you have a problem and want it solved the right way the first time.

We were so pleased with Madroño’s 2022 design and installation of a waterfall, koi pond, landscaping, and lighting in our small down-sloping front yard that we had them come back to do a very big job in our large, ugly, neglected down-sloping back yard. They replaced multiple old crumbing retaining walls with engineered, permitted walls and installed beautiful perimeter fencing, paths, landscaping, and lighting. We are delighted with the result in terms of both the design and the execution. Madroño has its own crew of extremely hard-working employees with impressive integrity, honesty, and expertise. The quality of their work was outstanding and everyone was great to work with. We highly recommend Madroño Landscape Design Studio.

Madroño took a backyard that was fully paved over and turned it into a lifesaving refuge for us. They did the technical work installing irrigation and lighting, the creative work of designing the new space, and then worked with us on a plant list. We ended up with a perfect blend of plants that we wanted (vegetable garden area, purple Ceanothus, a few fruit trees, a California native meadow area) and new-to-us suggestions. They thought through details we wouldn't have considered, like having plants with different flowering times and flowers with different scents so there's always something happening in the garden. It takes a while to establish plants in a yard, and from concrete breakup to several years later Geoffrey and team were careful, considerate, and responsive. I'd highly recommend them for any landscaping, garden or yard project, from design to maintenance.

We had a great experience with Madrono. Geoff designed and his team installed plants for our front yard and trees for our sidewalk basin, taking into account San Francisco microclimates and our personal preferences. Knowledgeable, flexible with scope changes, and willing to take on our smaller project when many landscapers wouldn’t. Generally responsive and easy to work with—our yard looks great!

When we needed to replace leaky roof decks, Madroño delivered. We're thoroughly delighted with the end result.

Geoffrey and his team, including Daniel and Tomas, were exceptional to work with. Beyond fixing the structural problems, we wanted to enhance our outdoor space. We had a few ideas before we started, but Geoff’s very practical recommendations and design additions really elevated the end result from usable space to “show stopper.”

Geoff was respectful of our budget. He provided an array of cost-conscious options, helped us understand tradeoffs, and was a supportive thought partner throughout the design process.

The renovation has significantly increased our usable space, and it's now a favorite spot for our family and friends to hang out.

Thanks to Madroño for a fantastic experience and outstanding results!

Geoff and his team at Madroño transformed our overgrown backyard, once dominated by invasive blackberries and vines, into a beautifully landscaped, terraced garden. The project included building a hardwood deck, stairs, and fences, as well as terracing the sloping garden into distinct areas connected by meandering paths. They also constructed retaining walls to create a flat, functional space.

From the outset, Geoff’s meticulous attention to detail stood out. He ensured a surveyor marked the property lines, designed the landscaping to harmonize naturally with the slope, and carefully considered our concerns, including cost.

We wanted a low-maintenance garden, and Geoff’s expertise in local flora proved invaluable. He recommended drought-tolerant native plants, including a local grass variety that thrives without watering. When unexpected issues arose—such as aligning the deck with the house—Geoff resolved them efficiently, even pouring cement to achieve a seamless result.

Geoff also thoughtfully incorporated spaces for our children, designing areas for a sandbox and a playhouse. Throughout the project, he remained highly accessible and committed to delivering his best work.

The transformation has dramatically enhanced our garden’s aesthetics, usability, and even the resale value of our home. Beyond his exceptional skills, Geoff is one of the kindest people we’ve had the pleasure of working with. His knowledge of Bay Area flora is remarkable—he once owned a nursery specializing in native plants and has even published on the subject.

Madroño is truly one of a kind. You simply cannot go wrong with them!

Rock and Rose Landscapes has provided thoughtful, professional and excellent garden care for us for many years now. From yard cleanup, to plant maintenance, pruning and feeding, as well as planting new and transplanting older, the gardeners are great communicators and take care and pride in their work. Customer service with staff and office has always been superior, easy to schedule meet with to discuss garden needs and care. They take great care of my garden, and listen carefully to any special instructions. Having been in business for 30 years, and have also done amazing work for City-funded parks and stairway streets and gardens. Equitable, reasonably priced, trustworthy and great gardeners, highly recommend this landscape service company.

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Great landscaping company that fits to each individuals needs and price

Great landscapers and installers. Staff are well knowledgeable.

Friendly and consistent gardening service. Always have good ideas for keeping our garden healthy and nice looking.

Rock and Rose did amazing work on our backyard. They executed on schedule and on budget and the results were fantastic. Thanks!

The folks at this landscapr compay are some real professionals!!
Needed help with a project i cldnt finish in sf because i broke my foot neat the completion of z med size backyard remodel. Jeff with the install group handzled the last irrigztion hook ups and was acomidating even with their busy schedule.

Very very unimpressed with them. Cannot commit to timeframes promised, outsourced design work to someone because they were so busy, not customer centric and you'd be better served going else where.
After 5 months of working with them, just had to move on. Forced me to pay for plans that did not meet my original requirements, perhaps to make more money on design phase... When I disputed not wanting to pay for the plans, they issued an intent to put a lien on my property vs. negotiating something fair. As a courtesy the refunded me back $250 of $3100. Be sure to get details like- use of their staff vs. contractors and timelines in your contract. Nothing but headaches and exhaustive banter as they tried to justify their 30 years of experience. Never in my life have I experienced anything like this...

A San Francisco icon. Rock and Rose has been an excellent local business for many years. I love seeing their trucks in the neighborhoods maintaining gardens and installing new ones. It's such a comforting feeling seeing that familiar logo parked in front of my house or down the street at my neighbor's. And that name, Rock and Rose, evokes warm memories of San Francisco summers past. Thank you.

While I am not able to comment on the quality of their work, I am able to
comment on the professionalism of their staff. Gardeners servicing our neighbor's property were actively rude and aggressive when we asked them to move their vehicle as it was blocking access to our driveway.

As a member of the community, I expect anyone I bring into my neighborhood to treat anyone they encounter with respect. This did expectation was not met by Rose & Rock.

We hired Rock & Rose to landscape our backyard, and from day 1 the team was focused on delivering a high quality product and a top-notch customer experience. Our job was not easy - all materials had to be hauled through a narrow tradesman’s ally, including 30 yards of top soil - but Rock & Rose navigated each challenge with dexterity. It’s been a good six months since our job was completed, and Rock & Rose is still responsive when we have questions about plants, our irrigation system, etc. I’ve been so impressed with the quality of service and would recommend the company to friends and family in a heartbeat.