Garden Consultation Services

Experts, Not Psychics

We are thrilled to offer site consultations with garden design, plant lists, and in some cases, garden installation. While we try to be as helpful and available over the phone and via email as our small business schedule will allow, there is no substitute for in-person consultations.

As we are a small business with many irons in the fire, we ask that unscheduled phone calls be limited to 5–10 minutes per customer. Longer conversations require a scheduled consultation.

Our Team

  • Eli Likover

    As General Manager of Larner Seeds, Eli is excited to assist in designing and installing gardens beyond the Larner Seeds Display Garden. She is passionate about native plant food gardens and gardens that utilize a Combination of Shrubs, grasses, perennials, and annuals for a balance of structure, longevity, texture, and color. As an artist, she enjoys using plants as a living palette.

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  • Twila Newey

    Twila Newey is a plantswoman, professional gardener, and native plant consultant, who draws upon her formal training as a UC Certified Naturalist and her extensive experience with California native plants to provide a nature-led approach to California native garden consulting and design.

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  • Mark Cummins

    "Mark has a degree in affability from the university of Larner Seeds and a natural affinity for California’s native flora. If he were a flower he would be a poppy, a dependable bright spot and hard worker. He consults with the earth regularly so you can’t go wrong hiring him to help you design your garden." -Twila Newey

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Consultation Options & Rates

Flat Rate: $600 includes a garden design, plant list and site visit for about 200 square feet.

For smaller or larger projects, our rate is $100 an hour plus paid travel time.

Phone Consultations

  • By appointment only for calls longer than 10 minutes
  • $50 per half hour

In-Office Consultations (Bolinas)

  • $100 per hour

On-Site Consultations (Northern California)

  • $100 per hour, plus travel costs
  • Travel time billed at $50 per hour (On-site visits outside of Bolinas)

Garden installation rates depend on the specific needs, but generally is the same rate plus an additional $50 per additional staff (if required.)

If interested, please fill out the provided questionnaire. We look forward to serving your garden needs.

Please note: while we do our best to accommodate requests, we cannot guarantee availability for consultations.

How to Get the Most from Your Consultation

To make the best use of our time together, we strongly encourage you to bring or send:

  • Photos of your site
  • Sketches or maps
  • Plant lists or seed mixes you’re considering
  • A clear list of questions or concerns

Being prepared allows us to focus on what matters most and provide the most thoughtful, practical guidance possible.

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