We take a holistic approach to quality, embracing the idea that every small thing matters. That has enabled us to grow extraordinary projects from a thousand small, carefully-planned decisions.
We achieve this through our work and craftspeople, who are some of the highest skilled experts in all of the Puget Sound. Over the years, we’ve built a company capable of attracting the best of the very best in artisan talent. From skilled carpenters to master masonry experts, our people take great pride and care in their work.
In 2004, landscape architect Kenneth Philp and estate gardener Samantha Idle founded Greenbank Gardens with a shared vision – to create a company that would take a comprehensive approach to garden design and care. They chose the name Greenbank, inspired by the memory of Ken’s grandfather, who was a gardener and chauffeur at the Greenbank Gardens Estate in Scotland.
In the early days, Greenbank relied on outside contractors to construct their designs. A leader among those was Mark Kihlstrom, an experienced contractor who built several of Greenbank’s designs. Mark approached Ken with the idea of expanding the company’s skillset to bring landscape construction in-house. He soon joined the firm in 2010 and is now the general manager of our construction division.
THE GREENBANK TEAM
Vice President | Construction Division General Manager
mark@greenbankservices.com
425.681.3130
Mark has been in the construction business for 22 years specializing in high-end residential landscape construction. He has worked as both an arborist and horticulturalist and has experience procuring plants, sourcing exotic plant material, and propagating plants. Mark has managed landscape construction projects from a small front yard re-do to 12 acre estates. Mark’s expertise includes all facets of landscape construction including earthwork, drainage, masonry, carpentry, irrigation, low-voltage lighting, planting design, transplanting large trees, and installation of pools, spas, ponds, and water features. Mark lives in Kenmore.
Vice President | Maintenance Division Manager & Seasonal Color Specialist
samantha@greenbankservices.com
206.391.9664
Samantha Idle holds an Associate’s Degree in Landscape Contracting from the State University of New York at Delhi. She is also a certified Organic Lawn Care Accredited Professional (OLCAP). She was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but has lived in Washington since 1998. Samantha has been working in the landscaping industry for over 30 years and has been with Greenbank since its inception in 2004. She began her career as a teenager in her family’s landscaping business and as a designer in the family flower shop. With Samantha’s many years of experience and as a former arborist, she has a broad knowledge of proper pruning techniques, lawn maintenance and restoration, and perennial and shrub care. Her passion and specialty is designing and installing seasonal color plantings that provide year-round interest. Samantha resides with her husband and their three children on their acreage in the outskirts of Monroe.
Controller
marcy@greenbankservices.com
206.783.5840 ext. 105
Marcy, like John, joined the Peace Corps as an agro-forester extensionist, living in Paraguay for two and a half years. After a career in forestry she switched her focus to accounting. At Greenbank she has paired her position with her passion for landscaping.
Superintendent
Leo@greenbankservices.com
206.571.6039
Leo is a native Washingtonian originally from the Tri-Cities area. He has over 10 years of experience in building some of Seattle’s finest gardens. Since 2012 Leo has been creating beautiful masonry for Greenbank. Combining his broad range of landscape construction knowledge with his innate management skills Leo has become a superintendent valued by Greenbank and clients alike. He guides each project with a high degree of professionalism and a quick smile. Leo currently lives in Black Diamond with his wife and four children and can be found fishing for steelhead in his spare time.
