Top Landscape Design in Frederick, Maryland Ranked

A well-conceived landscape design transforms your outdoor space into a functional extension of your home, tailored to your lifestyle and the unique environment of Frederick. It's more than just planting flowers; it's a strategic plan that considers climate, soil, sun exposure, and how you want to live outdoors. Whether you're looking to create an entertainment hub, a peaceful retreat, or a vibrant garden, finding the right local expertise is key. This guide will help you understand the elements of great garden design in Frederick and what to consider as you explore local professionals.

Modern Concrete & Hardscapes

14609 Nadine Dr, Rockville, MD 20853

Modern Concrete & Hardscapes is a landscaping and hardscaping company based in Washington, DC. They offer a range of services including custom concrete driveways, patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire features, outdoor steps, landscape design, lighting, and yard drainage solutions. Their work combines durable materials with elegant design to create functional and attractive outdoor spaces. The company specializes in engineered retaining walls and integrated lighting to enhance both safety and ambiance.

5.0

55 Reviews

Silver Spring Landscaping

17040 Clear Creek Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20905

Silver Spring Landscaping, based in Washington, DC, offers comprehensive landscaping services including lawn care, landscape design, hardscaping, drainage solutions, and outdoor lighting installation. Serving Silver Spring and surrounding cities, the company specializes in creating and installing patios, walkways, retaining walls, and decorative driveways using materials like brick and stone. With over 32 years of experience, owner Don Thurber leads a skilled team focused on transforming outdoor spaces with personalized design and expert craftsmanship.

4.9

80 Reviews

L&C Grounds Company, LLC

752 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066

L&C Grounds Company, LLC is a landscaping and lawn care provider based in Washington, DC, serving both residential and commercial clients. They offer a wide range of services including lawn mowing, sod installation, artificial turf, landscape lighting, tree removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, hardscaping with pavers and retaining walls, and comprehensive landscape design and maintenance. The company emphasizes a personalized approach, working closely with clients to create and maintain outdoor spaces that reflect their needs and preferences. Located in Great Falls, VA, L&C Grounds Company serves the Washington, DC area and Northern Virginia, including Great Falls, McLean, Vienna, North Arlington, and Leesburg. They employ full-time, year-round trained crews to ensure consistent quality and clear communication. Their capabilities include site work, landscape construction, and installation, supporting both new projects and ongoing maintenance plans.

4.9

72 Reviews

Rossen Landscape

768 Walker Rd Suite A, Great Falls, VA 22066

Rossen Landscape is a landscaping company based in Washington, DC, offering tailored lawn care, landscape design, and maintenance services. They focus on creating custom outdoor spaces that are both visually striking and easy to maintain, using eco-friendly and sustainable methods. Their services include design-build, installation, and year-round maintenance to meet diverse landscaping needs.

4.6

30 Reviews

Earth Design Services, LLC

washington

Earth Design Services, LLC is a lawn care and landscaping company based in Washington, DC. Founded in 2014 by Joe Colletta, the company offers a range of services including lawn mowing, lawn fertilization, weed control, sod installation, artificial turf installation, and landscape design. They specialize in chemical-free turf care and provide solutions for equine properties, combining their expertise in equipment operation and landscape technology to serve both residential and commercial clients.

5.0

3 Reviews

See more providers in Frederick, MD

Understanding Frederick's Landscape Environment

Successful outdoor design in Frederick begins with a deep understanding of the local conditions. The climate and soil here present specific opportunities and challenges that shape every project.

Climate Considerations: USDA Zones 6b/7a

Frederick sits in a transitional area between USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 6b and 7a ¹. This means you can expect hot, humid summers and cold winters with the potential for significant snowfall. A resilient landscape plan must account for this range, selecting plants that can withstand summer heat and humidity as well as winter frost and freeze-thaw cycles. This climate also supports a long growing season, allowing for a diverse palette of plant materials when chosen correctly.

Working with Frederick County Soils

A defining characteristic of the area is its heavy clay soil ¹. While nutrient-rich, clay soil can drain poorly, leading to waterlogged conditions that harm many plant roots. A foundational step in any garden design is addressing soil health. This often involves amending the soil with organic matter like compost to improve structure and drainage. Alternatively, a savvy design will incorporate plants that are naturally tolerant of "wet feet," such as Red Maple or River Birch, turning a potential challenge into an asset ¹.

Mapping Sun and Shade Patterns

Before placing a single patio stone or plant, a professional will analyze the sun and shade patterns across your property throughout the day and across seasons. This analysis is critical for both the hardscape and softscape plans. Sunny southern exposures are ideal for patios, vegetable gardens, and sun-loving perennials. Shadier northern or tree-covered areas become perfect spots for relaxation nooks and shade-tolerant plantings like hostas and ferns ¹. Proper placement ensures your outdoor living areas are comfortable and your plants thrive.

Core Elements of a Frederick Landscape Plan

A comprehensive landscape architecture plan weaves together several key components to create a cohesive, beautiful, and usable outdoor space.

Creating Functional Outdoor Zones

Think of your yard as a series of outdoor rooms, each with a dedicated purpose. This zoning approach is central to modern landscape design ¹. Common zones include:

• Entertainment Zones: Designed for hosting, these areas often feature patios, outdoor kitchens, dining spaces, and built-in seating.
• Relaxation Zones: Quieter areas for unwinding, which may include secluded seating, a hammock, a fire pit for evening gatherings, or a meditation garden.
• Play Zones: Dedicated spaces for children and pets, such as open lawns, play structures, or sport courts.
• Utility Zones: Practical areas for composting, vegetable gardening, tool storage, or trash and recycling enclosures, often screened with attractive fencing or plantings.

Incorporating Hardscape Features

Hardscaping refers to the non-living, structural elements of your landscape. In Frederick, these features create the "bones" of your design and define your outdoor rooms ^{1 2}.

• Patios & Walkways: Materials like pavers, natural stone, or flagstone provide durable and attractive surfaces for foot traffic and furniture.
• Retaining Walls: Essential for managing sloped properties, these walls can create level planting areas and add dramatic visual interest.
• Fire Features: A fire pit or outdoor fireplace serves as a natural gathering point, extending the usability of your yard into cooler evenings.
• Structures: Pergolas, arbors, and gazebos provide shade, architectural height, and can support climbing vines.

Selecting the Right Softscape (Plants)

The plantings, or softscape, bring color, texture, and life to your plan. For a sustainable, low-maintenance garden in Frederick, the emphasis is on native and adapted species ^{1 3}.

• Trees: Native oaks and maples provide majestic shade and structure, while flowering trees like Dogwoods offer seasonal interest.
• Shrubs: Evergreens like boxwoods provide year-round structure, while flowering shrubs such as Hydrangeas and Rhododendrons add vibrant blooms.
• Perennials & Grasses: Plants like Coneflower, Black-Eyed Susan, and ornamental grasses are drought-tolerant, attract pollinators, and provide long-season color with minimal care.

Adding Special Features

These elements elevate a good design to a great one, enhancing ambiance, convenience, and enjoyment.

• Landscape Lighting: Low-voltage LED lighting is a transformative addition ^{1 4}. It highlights architectural plants and trees, illuminates pathways for safety, and allows you to enjoy your outdoor space after dark.
• Water Features: The sound of moving water from a fountain, pond, or waterfall adds a serene, cooling element to the garden.
• Irrigation Systems: An efficient drip or sprinkler system ensures your investment in plants is protected, delivering water directly to the root zone and conserving resources.

Investment and Value in Landscape Design

The cost of a landscape design project in Frederick varies significantly based on the scope, materials, and complexity. Understanding typical investment ranges can help you plan and prioritize.

Project Cost Ranges

While every project is unique, here are some general frameworks based on common installations ^{1 2}:

• Planting Beds & Garden Installation: Establishing new perennial beds or shrub borders can range from $1,000 for a small, simple area to $5,000 or more for extensive, mature plantings.
• Paver Patio: A standard 15' x 20' patio can range from $3,000 for a basic installation to $7,000+ for complex patterns, multiple levels, or premium materials.
• Fire Pit Installation: A simple kit installation may start around $1,000, while a custom-built stone or block fire feature can reach $4,000 or more.
• Outdoor Kitchen: A basic setup with a built-in grill, counter space, and lighting typically starts around $5,000 and can exceed $15,000 for high-end appliances and finishes.
• Comprehensive Makeover: A full property transformation that integrates multiple hardscape elements, extensive planting, lighting, and other features often represents an investment starting around $10,000 and can extend to $50,000+ for large, complex properties.

Emphasizing Long-Term Value

A professional landscape design is an investment that pays dividends beyond immediate beauty. By focusing on native, drought-tolerant plants suited to the local clay soils, you reduce long-term water usage and maintenance needs ^{1 3}. Quality hardscaping built with proper techniques and drainage will last for decades. Ultimately, a well-designed landscape enhances your daily quality of life, increases your property's curb appeal and value, and creates a personal sanctuary tailored to the character of Frederick.

Frequently asked questions

Sources