About Promised Greenland
A landscape practice grounded in people and place.
Promised Greenland is a San Jose landscape design and horticulture practice led by Jing Yan. We use design, horticultural knowledge, and drawing to understand each site and the life unfolding around it.
How the practice operates
One site-led process, with clear decisions along the way.
Promised Greenland brings design, horticultural knowledge, and drawing together to turn a site's conditions into a practical next step.
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1. Understand the site and scope
We begin with how the landscape is used, alongside light, soil, water, movement, existing plants, timing, and the questions that need to be answered.
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2. Develop a landscape direction
Design, horticultural knowledge, and drawing make priorities and possibilities visible, so the direction can be discussed and refined before it becomes work on the ground.
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3. Coordinate the next useful step
The practice clarifies what should happen next—whether that is a deeper study, phased improvement, ongoing care, or bringing in the right specialist expertise.
What you can expect
Three commitments that keep the work grounded.
These principles keep the conversation practical as a project takes shape.
The site before the style
Planting, materials, and form follow the conditions, rhythms, and care a particular place can support.
Clear scope and coordination
We name the question, trade-offs, responsibilities, and next decision in plain language so the work can move forward with confidence.
Care that lasts beyond a reveal
A direction should consider water, seasonality, maintenance, and the ways a garden can keep evolving with its people.
A clear place to begin
Begin with the questions you already have.
You do not need a finished brief. A little context is enough to see whether a first conversation would be helpful.
What should I share first?
Your location, what you notice about the site, how you hope to use it, and any change or timing you are considering. Photos are welcome but not required.
What happens after I get in touch?
We review the note and follow up to understand the site and question more clearly. Together, we can identify the most useful next step before assuming a scope.
Can other specialists be involved?
When a site benefits from additional technical or construction expertise, the right trusted collaborators can be brought in while the landscape direction stays connected.
Have a site or a question in mind?
Tell us about your garden, location, and the change you are considering. We will begin by identifying a sensible next step.