History

There’s always an origin story. For Lotus Landscapes & Arboriculture, it all begins with founder Hoda Sheikh.

Hoda’s twin passions for the outdoors and entrepreneurship were fostered by her family; in particular, her father who encouraged out-of-the-box thinking and the exploration of new ideas.

Despite a life-long passion for the natural world, Hoda actually began her career working in marketing for the music industry. Eventually, Hoda would combine her music background with her environmental science studies in a position as a Forest Liaison for Greenpeace, as a part of their Tour Project program and toured with musical acts to benefit the organization.

Soon after, it became clear to Hoda that her heart thrived out-of-doors. She traded in her backstage pass for days digging in the dirt at the famed Heronswood Garden on the Kitsap Peninsula. This is where she met and began work alongside Heronswood’s founder Daniel J. Hinkley, a well-regarded horticulturalist, plantsman, and garden writer. It was Dan who would encourage Hoda to strike out on her own.

From the start, Hoda wanted to build her business around the idea that she was providing “protection” as much as “creation.” Close to two decades later, through Lotus Landscapes & Arboriculture, Hoda continues to bring her unique and creative perspective to landscape design, helping clients understand that they can live their values around sustainability while enjoying beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.