Sustainable Landscaping
Every member of our design team is certified as a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional and our install crews are committed to helping build more sustainable, earth-friendly landscapes by changing how we think and act.
We are experts at using best practices in sustainable landscaping to help restore air and water quality, and also help reduce the environmental impact created by modern housing construction. We thrive on creating eco-friendly designs that not only protect the regional Chesapeake Bay watershed, but also deliver stunningly beautiful yardscapes.
Water Management: Smart project design begins with how to direct, capture, filter and reuse water on-site. Many solutions can be combined to solve poor drainage around foundations, flooding concerns or mushy spots around your yard.
Beauty: By featuring native plants, a sustainable garden design can thrive in the local climate conditions (wet spring/fall seasons, dry and humid summers with occasional 4pm flash thunderstorms) and requires very little maintenance.
New Technology: Permeable patio and driveway paver installation, rain harvesting systems, LED lighting upgrades, sustainable irrigation
Stormwater Programs = Free Money: We are well versed at working with local and state government agencies as part of their sustainability reimbursement programs. We can help you navigate through the red tape regulations and possibly recoup thousands of dollars on your landscaping investment
Rain Gardens
A rain garden offers the opportunity to manage rainwater runoff from hard surfaces after downpours by planting an attractive, low maintenance, wildlife-friendly space.
These colorful gardens are actually shallow catch basins designed to capture and filter rain water runoff from areas around your yard. Different zones of deep rooted native plants and wildflowers are well adapted to the local climate and help serve as natural filters for the ecosystem.
Plus as an added bonus, native rain gardens create an attractive habitat for wildlife to visit your yard, such as birds and butterflies!
Rain Harvesting Systems
The rain captured by the typical home roof can send thousands of gallons of water into municipal sewers every year. Many homeowners are looking to reduce their pollution impact on the local Chesapeake Bay watershed (and also save some money each month by reducing their fresh-water utility bills!).
By utilizing small pumps, a Rain Harvesting System becomes integrated into other yard features, such as professional irrigation sprinklers, water features and fountains
Example of a comprehensive rain water collection and filtration system that reuses captured water as recycled inputs for other yard features, plants and shrubs
3-Step Process
A simple philosophy that creates a valuable amenity for your backyard garden and also serves as a huge community asset.
Capture the water coming from rooftops, sump pumps, patios and driveways; Upgrade to permeable hardscape products/solutions
Filter rain water naturally via plantings, gravel/rock beds and underground holding tank areas
Re-use the water on-site
Permeable Pavers
Eco-friendly permeable pavers are rapidly growing in homeowner popularity. This type of paver system has a series of small openings that allow rainwater – even heavy rainfall – to drain and infiltrate the soil surface below. Contaminants are naturally filtered during this process and helps recharge local groundwater supplies.
By allowing storm water to safely stay on-site and out of local sewer systems, this prevents polluted rain water runoff from entering creeks and lakes further downstream. Paver driveways can also be incorporated into rain water harvesting systems, which further reduce storm runoff from your property. The captured water can be reused to maintain your lawn and gardens, plus it also reduces your monthly utility bill.
Water Management
Dry Creek Beds
Simple yet very effective strategy in managing storm water on-site during heavy rain events. These creek beds can become an integral and beautiful part of the overall planting design. Often we combine creek beds with other sustainable solutions, such as rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.
Drainage Issues
Soil compaction, poor site grading and mismanaged rain water collection paths are just some of the reasons that lead to marshy yard conditions. We can help you mitigate these issues with an attack plan to help solve erosion issues and help direct water to more advantageous locations
Erosion Management
Heavy duty problems call for robust solutions and commercial grade products. With a smart plan of attack, we can help mitigate erosion issues on your property caused by storm events, sparse vegetative cover and other soil stabilization issues.