Landscape design & build for Greenwich

Greenwich landscapes are overwhelmingly traditional, calling upon classic elements of the English Colonial style, including hedges, symmetrical evergreen accents, and, importantly, large lawns. Flowers are presented with restraint – large blocks of white are more common than mixed displays of bolder color. Green is the overwhelming color. Elements of the natural landscape mingle with designed features – regional maples, birches, oaks, and other trees make for excellent specimens.

Evergreen hedges are a staple in Greenwich landscapes – low hedges near the home as a part of foundation planting, tall hedges around the perimeter to ensure privacy. Boxwoods are the classic low option, but hollies, including the native Ilex glabra, are popular choices as well.

Maples grow abundantly in Connecticut, Greenwich included, and make for fabulous specimen trees that link designed landscapes to the regional plant community.

Hemerocallis is a classic floral selection, though the eastern purple coneflower, blue-stemmed goldenrod, and New England aster are all excellent native alternatives.

Climate tolerance is the primary concern when selecting plants for a Greenwich landscape – plants must be able to tolerate the significant swing from summer heat and humidity to winter chill and snow. Deciduous and herbaceous plants will be common within these conditions.

Plants that tolerate seaside conditions are an added bonus when working on properties near the Long Island Sound.

Don’t forget to consider winter interest. Look for plants that bloom late in the fall and early in the spring, incorporate trees and shrubs with colorful or architectural branches, and be considerate with placement of evergreens such that they can command the scene when other plants are in winter dormancy.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project.

Utilizing the winter to work through the design phase sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer.