Frequently Asked Questions

We are a full service landscape design and install company that is able to complete 2D designs, 3D renderings, native garden installations (including rain gardens), and hardscaping projects. In addition, we can also help source native plants for people looking to complete the planting themselves.

For a more detailed description of what we can do for you and how we can help, please visit our services page here: Services

Yes! Native plants are very low maintenance once fully established. They usually do not require fertilizers, pesticides, or frequent watering or pruning.

Trimming grasses and perennials once a year along with adding mulch in the late winter can help keep gardens looking neat and tidy, but it is not required.

After the initial planting, gardens may need some watering or weeding until plants grow and begin to fill in the garden spaces.

Here is a general outline of our process:

1. Initial Consultation / Site visit - In person or virtual. We talk with you and take notes, photos, and measurements of your yard or garden.

2. Proposal - We will send you a proposal that outlines everything related to the project and the cost of the job.

3. Contract - Once everything in the proposal has been agreed to, we will share a contract for you to sign and begin working on the design.

4. Design - We will create a customized design for you that meets all of your preferences and needs. You can be as hands on (or off) as you desire.

5. Scheduling - After all aspects of the design are to your satisfaction, we will begin ordering all of the materials and scheduling out our crew.

6. Install Day! - We complete your project and hand you an informational guide about your new native landscape, including care tips.

7. Follow ups - We will check in with you periodically to make sure you are 100% satisfied. We are happy to listen to any feedback you may have.

Our prices will vary from project to project, as each job is unique and there are many factors to consider when pricing a project.

That being said, industry standard pricing for landscape installation and conservation landscaping is between $12 and $18 per square foot. Most of our projects will fall in that range.

Designs cost between $90 and $120 per hour, depending on the type of design. Design costs can be credited back to you if you go with us for the installation.

Native garden weeding projects are $75 an hour per crew member, with a small fee for debris removal and disposal.

Our two main planting seasons are in the spring and fall. Our spring season is usually from early April through mid June, while our fall season starts at the end of September and runs until around Thanksgiving. Fall is just as good a time to plant as spring.

We have completed projects outside of these peak seasons, and while planting can be done anytime the ground is not frozen, we feel spring and fall are the best times to plant. The milder weather offers more favorable conditions for plants to begin establishing themselves.

Consultations and designs can happen year-round.

For flowering perennials, ground covers, ornamental grasses, and ferns, we order in quart and gallon size pots.

Quart pots are usually around 3" x 3" and 4" deep and gallons are usually slightly larger and deeper than that. Occasionally we order plugs in certain situations, but they won’t have root systems that are as large or established as the other sizes.

For shrubs, we order them in 3 or 5 gallon containers. This offers the balance of having established plants while also reducing the severity of potential transplant shock. They are usually around 2 to 4 ft in height at the time of planting (depending on species). Trees are usually in 7 to 10 gallon pots and can be 5 - 6 ft (or taller) at the time of planting. 

It depends on what style you are going for! There is a misconception that gardens with native plants are always “unkempt” or “wild”. While many of our clients like the look of naturalistic gardens (cottage style gardens that resemble nature), we have also designed for more formal spaces where gardens stay more neat and tidy. We can create spaces that are tailored to your preferences, and our gardens will not look out of control (unless you would like that).

Yes, all of our initial consultations are free! For clients inside our serviceable range, we offer in-person or virtual consultations. Outside of this range, we offer free virtual consultations.

If you are outside our serviceable range but would like an in-person consultation, we are happy to visit you, but there is a $50 travel fee (credited back to you if you sign with us).

Our Maryland location is based in Montgomery County and services the DMV, including parts of Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Our California location is based in Santa Clara, and services the greater San Jose area and Contra Costa County.

Please see our locations page for a full description of our serviceable area: Locations

For designs, we are able to complete projects for the majority of the Eastern United States as well as the entirety of California.

We periodically offer discounts on our design and installations, so please reach out to us to see what we have available.