Hidden Gems: Meet Shireen Zia of EcoGardens Landscape Design, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shireen Zia.

Hi Shireen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started by following a simple curiosity, taking horticulture classes at a community college. My mom’s love for gardening planted the seed, but I wasn’t sure where it would lead. Landscape Design and Horticulture Program at Foothill College gave me the confidence to transition from a hobbyist to a professional. Over the years, I built EcoGardens from the ground up, focusing on regenerative, thoughtful design. Now, looking back, every project feels like a piece of that journey—from a hobbyist to someone who’s now creating spaces that bring together people, nature, and purpose on a much larger scale.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It might seem smooth, going from a stay-at-home mom to a professional, because design was always my passion and my calm. But balancing family life and now the business side of my company continues to challenge me. While creativity is my comfort; operations, timelines, and leadership are still things I’m growing into. But each hurdle, whether personal or professional, has shaped me into the designer I am today.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business, EcoGardens Landscape Design, is all about designing sustainable and regenerative residential landscapes. I specialize in ecological design—whether it’s creating water-wise gardens, habitat spaces for wildlife, or transforming ordinary yards into climate-resilient havens. What sets me apart is the way I blend aesthetics with sustainability. I’m most proud that my brand stands for both beauty and responsibility. I want readers to know that when they work with us, they get more than a design. They get a landscape that gives back to the environment while reflecting their own story.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have many childhood memories, but the one closest to my profession is of the Lawrence Garden ( now Jinnah Garden) in Lahore, Pakistan. As a child, I played among its mature trees, surrounded by local flora and fauna, not knowing how deeply it would shape me. Growing up in Lahore, the “City of Gardens,” I was immersed in beauty. Those childhood moments of wonder have stayed with me, and today, I design landscapes that evoke that same feeling I experienced back then.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ecogardens.design
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ecogardens.design?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shireen-zia-719a7013?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app