Reviews—
"After languishing on plans for my back yard with a few different landscape designers, I was lucky enough to get referred to Don. What a difference. In no time he had an amazing design for my yard, and when it came time to execute, he had the plants there and worked with my install people. He truly made it efficient and seamless, start to finish. Don's one of those professionals that actually cares about your space, and wants you to enjoy it—I highly recommend him! And thanks again Don!"
—Brent, Santa Cruz—
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"It was my lucky day when Designs by Don was recommended to me. My backyard was a blank slate after removing a fruit orchard. I had some thoughts of what I wanted my yard to look like, but I wasn't sure how to proceed with plants, concrete, Pavers and cost. Don arrived for our first appointment and listened to my concerns. He walked me through step by step in a timely fashion, ensuring that my vision was clear. In three visits, Don had my plans completed with drought tolerant plants, concrete and easy maintenance for my family. I am more than impressed with the ease of working with Don, his dependability, and his commitment to my project. I have and will continue to recommend Designs by Don to my family and friends."
—Regina/San Jose—
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"Don was thorough, organized and creative. Best of all, he listened carefully to what wanted before he began the design.
Then, he walked us through every step of the process, from measuring our lawn, to choosing appropriate plants, to getting the rebate for going with low water landscaping.
"I would highly recommend Designs by Don for anyone's landscaping project."
—Julie (and David), Morgan Hill—
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"We are happy homeowners who worked with Don Schneider in 2023. We got his contact information through Valley Water District. Don was very easy to work with, professional and responsive. Our communication was smooth and he always responded promptly. He listened carefully and understood our needs and wants. He made quite a few changes on the drawings until we were totally satisfied. We loved his website that provided details on all kinds of plants and flowers. Therefore we could fully understand the plants and flowers before we made our decision. This made our process easy and efficient. He continued his service even after our yard was done. We had a lot of questions on how to water and maintenance. He always responded to us promptly. We highly recommend him to anyone who needs to redo your yard."
—Alan & Rachel, Menlo Park—
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"I had a great experience working with Don for the landscape design of both my front and back yards. He is someone with great knowledge and skills and really cares about the final design to my satisfaction."
—Cynthia, Saratoga—
"Working with Don was a pleasure from start to finish. His expertise in garden design is truly impressive, and he possesses a wealth of knowledge about plant selection and sustainable gardening practices. What particularly stood out was his ability to listen to our vision and translate it into a beautiful, functional garden that exceeded our expectations. Throughout the process, Don was incredibly responsive and communicative. He promptly answered our questions and ensured that we felt informed every step of the way. The end result is a garden that not only enhances the beauty of our home but also provides a tranquil and inviting outdoor space. We are incredibly grateful for Don's expertise and dedication, and we highly recommend him to anyone looking for a skilled and passionate garden designer.​"
—Khoa, Morgan Hill—
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"My new garden is coming to life now, in the first spring after it was planted, and it's wonderful to see in person what Don clearly saw in his head a year ago.
"Don was a great choice. He was very clear on what to expect, and he delivered. The installation contractor he recommended did a good job also."
—Steve, Sunnyvale—​
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About
Designs by Don
Don Schneider

After working 4 years for several of the larger and more prominent nurseries (Symon's Nursery in Willow Glen & Yamaguchi's Nursery in the Santa Teresa area) in the San Jose, California area post-college, I went on to start and successfully operate my own landscape company (Quicksilver Landscape Company) for over a decade. During those years of providing service to the Santa Clara Valley and beyond as a licensed landscape contractor (C-27), my landscape designs became an integral part of both residences and businesses throughout the Santa Clara County area north, from Mountain View all the way down to the Almaden area in South San Jose.

Don now lives in and works from
the Santa Cruz area
My years of professional experience with both installation and maintenance afterwards provides both extensive experience as well as an evolved artistry that work together to provide designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but eminently practical for both homeowner or contractor.

Professional Connections

The Association of Professional Landscape Designers (headquartered in Harrisburg, PA) is dedicated to advancing the profession of landscape design and to promoting the recognition of landscape designers as qualified and dedicated professionals. APLD encourages all members to adhere to a code of professional standards, to actively participate in continuing education and to be current with state-of-the-art developments and trends throughout the field.

Begun in 1952 and focusing on C-27 (landscaping) licensees, the association’s core goal is to support CLCA members as they create beautiful, enduring landscapes that improve the quality of life.

Begun in 2014 in response to California's ongoing water supply issues, the program includes both residential and commercial customers. The Santa Clara Valley Water District began their Landscape Rebate Program to help their customers transform high water-use properties into beautiful water-wise landscaping through the use of more efficient plant choices and irrigation equipment.

The Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper training presents an affordable, proactive, local approach to reducing landscape water demand. QWEL provides graduates with knowledge in water efficient and sustainable landscape practices, including water management and preservation of other valuable resources.