Thoughtful designs, optimized for your space

The design process begins with a site analysis of soil textures, sun and shade patterns, view points, existing vegetation, microclimates, and circulation patterns as well as a general review of grading and drainage. This is followed by a design questionnaire and a phone, video, or in-person meeting.

Written design plans outline the design vision, planting design approach, plant selection, and preparation details for your space. A plant image slideshow is provided, organized by plant type, growing condition, and bloom succession. 

For some spaces, it is best to begin preparation work before design work in order to gain a deeper understanding of site conditions.

Sourcing and growing custom plants

Our designs focus on creating balanced plant communities in order to build resilience, lower maintenance needs, and promote ecological processes. Vertically layered and abundant plantings will best achieve this, so to be cost-effective, we recommend planting plugs.

Plugs are small, young plants. They are typically only a few inches tall, but have strong, healthy root systems.

Once your design is finalized, we develop a detailed installation planting plan to guide plug sourcing. We custom grow or custom order your plugs from our own micro nursery or specialist nurseries in Ontario and Quebec.

For herbaceous plants, most designs recommend an average of 1.2 to 2 plants per square foot. Plug costs range from $2.50 to $8 each. Both design and souring can be approached to keep plant costs minimized or to more quickly create an established garden.

Preparing your space for new plantings

Preparation may include removing existing plants, expanding garden beds, suppressing or removing sod, installing rain gardens, diverting downspouts, adjusting grading, creating paths, adding soil amendments, and installing edging.

Invasive species removal can be a significant part of preparation work. We follow the Best Management Practices from the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, consider plants as invasive if listed by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health’s EDDMapS, and use the Society for Ecological Restoration Ontario’s rankings to prioritize removal. More details below.

For some types of preparation, we work closely with specialized sub-contractors such as arborists and hard landscapers.

A one-time shredded or composted bark mulch application will be recommended after preparation or after installation.

In-situ design and planting

Final design decisions are made on site. We lay out and install plants in a specific order according to their design function to visualize the planting design and make micro-adjustments to the plan.

This approach blends the ecological needs of each plant species with the artistry of planting design, resulting in a design that feels authentic and deeply connected to its place.

Two follow up visits and a garden care guide on short-term and long-term garden stewardship are included.

For existing clients, post-installation, establishment, and annual maintenance is available.

Design management is also available beyond the establishment phase to gently manage and refine plantings as needed.

For some properties, invasive species removal can be a significant undertaking.

We offer consultations where we identify ecologically disruptive plants and develop for you a prioritized plan for their removal.

This can be followed by our invasive species removal services. We have a small, trained team who follow the Best Management Practices from the Ontario Invasive Plant Council to eliminate ecologically harmful plants using proven cultural and mechanical methods.

Alternatively, consultations can include demonstrating optimal removal techniques.

For community groups, we offer a 30 minute to 2 hour workshop on ecologically disruptive plants.

For buckthorn specifically, we worked with the Ottawa Valley Buckthorn Network to develop evidence-based recommendations available here.