---
title: "Sun or Shade Garden Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sun-or-shade-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~152903831
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~152903831.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Sun or Shade Garden Design"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/03434fd206942a95_9745-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Des Moines, Iowa 50311, United States"
latitude: 41.601
longitude: -93.6729
phone: "(515) 777-8031"
website: https://sunorshadegardendesign.com
rating: 5
review_count: 1
followers: 7
last_updated: 2026-09-11
---

# Sun or Shade Garden Design

Original Houzz profile: [Sun or Shade Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sun-or-shade-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~152903831)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Des Moines, IA
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (1 review)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

As a graphic designer,  a gardener, and an employee at a national garden magazine for nine years, I developed a strong interest in annual and perennial plants, especially those that do well in the Des Moines, Iowa area. 

 I acquired  knowledge of garden design through working on various garden stories, learning he best way to care for gardens, including how to successfully divide and prune a variety of perennials. Every issue profiled at least one local or nationally known gardener or grower. From these experts I learned a variety of useful gardening tips, and gained valuable hands-on experience. 

My understanding of garden design was also developed from scouting hundreds of gardens for use in the magazine. I saw great garden ideas as well as ideas to avoid. I also created gardens for use in the magazine and helped to develop and layout garden plans for multiple articles.

Researching newly introduced perennials was one of the best parts of my job. This research included using these perennials in the corporate test garden as well as in my home garden. 

My wife, Carole, and  I have worked on our garden for over 16 years. We've redesigned our garden at least every couple of years to try out new plants and plant combinations. We have gained a good understanding of which plants are successful in the Des Moines area and which plants to avoid. The last couple years we have designed a number of gardens around the Des Moines, Iowa area and are looking forward to helping both experienced and new gardeners with garden advise, or a helping hand, to create an enjoyable garden.

### Typical Job Cost

$300 - $3000

Cost to consider: Garden design/research, installation, plants, labor - Non-plant items such as water features, container, structures and the time to find or build these items.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Sun or Shade Garden Design |
| Address | Des Moines, Iowa 50311, United States |
| Phone | (515) 777-8031 |
| Website | https://sunorshadegardendesign.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 7 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Sun or Shade Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sun-or-shade-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~152903831)
- **Website:** https://sunorshadegardendesign.com
- **Phone:** (515) 777-8031

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- 2015 Top Five Landscape Design site on Thumbtack.com

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 1 review**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 50.0
- Communication: 50.0
- Value: 50.0

### All 1 review

**★★★★★ — Front yard beds/pots, Nov. 2020**

> Kevin and Carole have done my spring/fall cleanups for several years now, and it’s always perfect. They also help me move/split/trim whatever is needed and make solid suggestions for changes and new plantings. I can’t say enough great stuff about them!

## Selected projects

- [Small Garden Beds](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-garden-beds-pj-vj~6414596)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
- [Pederson Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pederson-garden-pj-vj~2142670)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 4
- [Thumbtack Best of 2015 Award](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/thumbtack-best-of-2015-award-pj-vj~1506568)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: Sun or Shade Garden Consulting was awarded a BEST OF 2015 badge for being one of the top five landscape/garden design businesses in the Des Moines, Iowa area listed on Thumbtack
- [Taylor Front Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/taylor-front-yard-pj-vj~1498399)
  - Location: Des Moines, IA
  - Photos: 4
- [Container Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/container-gardens-pj-vj~1498679)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
- [Side yard path to back yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/side-yard-path-to-back-yard-pj-vj~1498590)
  - Location: Des Moines, IA
  - Photos: 5
- [Desination Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/desination-garden-pj-vj~1498552)
  - Location: Des Moines, IA
  - Photos: 2
- [Venhaus Front Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/venhaus-front-yard-pj-vj~1498516)
  - Location: Des Moines, IA
  - Photos: 3

[See all 8 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/sun-or-shade-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~152903831)

## Ideabooks

- [kcvenhaus's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59491782/list/kcvenhaus-s-ideas) — 9 ideas

[See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/kcvenhaus)

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-11.*