Landscape design in Charlotte, planned and built

Landscape design in Charlotte, from first sketch to planted beds

Our landscape design in Charlotte covers the whole job: we plan the beds, choose the plants and install everything with our own crew. Some homeowners want one new bed along the front walk. Others want a complete front yard or back yard makeover, with new beds, planting and paths tied together into one plan.

Because Marcus Hale is on every job and one crew does the work start to finish, the person who drew the plan is standing there when the plants go in. Small changes on the day are easy to make, and nothing gets lost in a handoff.

We design for homes across south Charlotte, Ballantyne, Myers Park, Dilworth and SouthPark, and in nearby towns like Matthews, Huntersville and Fort Mill. Older neighborhoods often bring mature trees and deep shade to plan around, while newer ones tend to have thin topsoil over clay and very few established plants.

• New planting beds with clean curved or straight edges
• Layered shrubs, perennials and groundcover
• Foundation planting that frames the front of the house
• Full front yard and back yard makeovers
• Plans that bring in a patio, wall, lighting or drainage when the yard needs it

How we plan a yard around the way you use it

The plan starts with how you live outside. Where do you walk, sit and park? What do you want to see from the kitchen window? Which parts of the yard get hot afternoon sun, and which stay shaded and damp? We also note views you would rather hide, like a neighbor's shed or the air conditioning unit.

From there we lay out beds, paths and planting areas and pick plants for the light and the soil in each spot. We choose plants with a track record in the Piedmont climate and set them out in layers: taller shrubs at the back, mid-height shrubs and perennials in front, and low groundcover at the edge. That way the beds look full from the first season and better every year after.

We also plan for upkeep. If you want a yard that asks little of you, we lean on evergreen shrubs and fewer, larger drifts of perennials. If you enjoy gardening, we leave room for seasonal color you can change over the years.

Get a free estimateor call (704) 555-0142

What does landscape design and installation cost in Charlotte?

Most of our design and install projects run from $8,000 to $40,000. A single front bed with new shrubs sits toward the lower end, while a full back yard with new beds, paths and a patio sits toward the top. These are the things that move the number.

Your estimate itemizes plants, soil work and any hardscape, so you can see what each part adds and decide what matters most.

• Total bed area, and how much old planting or turf has to come out
• Number and size of plants: bigger shrubs cost more but look finished sooner
• The soil preparation needed to make the clay plantable
• Hardscape in the plan, such as a patio, wall or walkway
• Access, and how far material has to be moved by hand

Planting in Charlotte red clay

Red clay holds nutrients well, but it packs down hard, drains slowly and bakes in a dry August. Plants set straight into it often sit in water after a storm and then struggle in the heat. We dig new beds deep, break up the clay and mix in compost so roots can spread and water can move through.

Beds are shaped to shed heavy summer rain rather than hold it, and on sloped lots we choose plants whose roots help hold the soil. Fall is often the best time to plant shrubs here, since roots settle in over the cooler months before the next summer arrives.

Where a bed sits at the bottom of a slope or beside a downspout, we check how water moves before anything is planted. Sometimes a short drain, a gentle change in grade or plants that tolerate wet roots solves what would otherwise be a bed that never thrives.

Get a free estimateor call (704) 555-0142

Included work and how the plant warranty works

An install includes the plan, removal of old turf or plants in the new bed areas, soil preparation, planting, a cut bed edge, a fresh layer of mulch and clean-up. We walk the finished yard with you and go over watering for the first few weeks.

When we also look after the yard through our maintenance service, new plants carry a 1-year warranty. We tie the two together because watering, mulching and pruning in the first year decide whether a plant takes, and we can only stand behind plants we are caring for.

The warranty covers replacing plants that fail in that first year while we are maintaining them. Ask about maintenance at the estimate so it is part of the plan from day one.

How long an install takes and caring for new plants

A bed or two can often be finished in a day or two. A full yard makeover takes longer, especially when a patio or wall is part of the plan, and your estimate includes a schedule. Expect digging, deliveries of soil and plants, and a crew working through the day; we clear driveways and walks every evening.

New plants need regular deep watering through their first summer, and more during hot, dry spells. Keep mulch a couple of inches deep and pulled back from the stems, and tell us early if a plant starts to yellow or wilt.

Some plants look a little tired for a week or two after planting while their roots adjust. That is normal, and it is why the first month of watering matters most.