Best Landscape Design in New York Ranked

Creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space in New York requires a thoughtful approach that balances aesthetics with the state's unique climate and regulations. Professional landscape design transforms your property by integrating resilient plants, durable materials, and creative layouts tailored to your lifestyle. This guide will help you understand the key considerations for a successful project, from selecting hardy plants to navigating local permits, so you can effectively connect with skilled professionals who bring your vision to life.

Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist

213 Broad St, Keyport, NJ 07735

Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist is a landscaping and hardscaping company based near New York, NY, offering a wide range of services including sod installation, artificial turf, landscape lighting, yard drainage, tree services, and hardscaping features like pavers and retaining walls. They provide landscape design and commercial maintenance, with capabilities such as grading and drainage solutions. The company has received multiple service awards and maintains a strong reputation for detailed and attentive work. Scenic View Landscaping & Design Specialist serves the New York, NY area and surrounding communities.

5.0

367 Reviews

Old Mill Sprinkler Company

1862 Newbridge Rd Suite B, Bellmore, NY 11710

Old Mill Sprinkler Company is a landscaping and irrigation service provider based in New York, NY. They specialize in sprinkler installation, sprinkler repair, landscape lighting installation, and landscape design. Their team is trained to handle both residential and commercial irrigation systems, offering services such as routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and system monitoring that can adjust watering based on weather conditions. The company emphasizes using premium equipment to ensure long-term functionality and supports healthy plant and tree care through proper irrigation. They also provide landscape design and planting services.

5.0

154 Reviews

Hicks Landscape Design

100 Jericho Tpke Suite 102, Westbury, NY 11590

Hicks Landscape Design is a landscape design and installation company serving New York, NY. They offer a range of services including backyard living spaces, outdoor kitchens, patios, garden paths, retaining walls, and custom pool designs. As a sixth generation family business with roots dating back to 1853, Hicks Landscape Design combines tradition with expertise to create award-winning landscapes. Their experience includes detailed planning for plantings and hardscaping elements to enhance both curb appeal and outdoor functionality.

5.0

125 Reviews

Hillsdale Landscaping & Construction

27 Legion Pl, Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Hillsdale Landscaping & Construction is a landscaping and hardscaping company based near New York, NY. They provide landscape design, yard drainage solutions, grading services, and installation of paver walkways, patios, and driveways. Their services include water management to address issues like basement water and yard puddles, as well as plantings and garden design to enhance privacy and rejuvenate properties.

5.0

103 Reviews

Zadlock Outdoor Services

37 McCaffery Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726

Zadlock Outdoor Services is a landscaping company based near New York, NY, offering a range of services including landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, and general landscaping. They provide customized landscape solutions tailored to clients' ideas and budgets, with services extending to commercial maintenance, plant health care, and outdoor living installations. Their team serves the New York area and nearby locations, focusing on efficient project management and clear communication. Zadlock Outdoor Services emphasizes upfront pricing and timely responses to inquiries, helping clients understand their projects fully.

5.0

88 Reviews

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Understanding New York's Climate for Plant Selection

New York's diverse geography results in a range of USDA Hardiness Zones, from Zone 4 in the Adirondacks to Zone 7 in parts of New York City and Long Island¹. This variation dictates which plants will thrive. A successful design must account for freezing winters, potential summer droughts, and periods of heavy spring and fall rain. The key is selecting trees, shrubs, and perennials that are not only cold-tolerant but also resilient to these fluctuating conditions for year-round appeal¹.

Implementing good drainage solutions is non-negotiable, especially in areas with heavy clay soils or significant rainfall. Beyond survival, the most sustainable and low-maintenance approach incorporates native plants or non-invasive species well-suited to the region. These choices are naturally adapted to local pests and weather patterns, reducing the need for supplemental watering and chemical treatments while providing better environmental benefits¹.

Popular Landscape Design Styles for New York Homes

Your property's architecture and your personal taste will guide the style. Here are several popular approaches that work well across the state:

• Cottage Garden: This romantic, informal style features dense, layered plantings of bright flowering perennials and shrubs. It aims for a naturalistic, abundant feel and often includes plants like Coneflowers, Hydrangeas, and Lavender¹.
• Modern or Minimalist: Characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and a limited plant palette, this style often focuses on hardscaping elements like stone, concrete, and wood. Plantings are used as architectural accents, typically featuring ornamental grasses, structured evergreens, and specimen trees¹.
• Native or Naturalistic: Emphasizing local ecology, this style uses native plants to create habitats for pollinators and birds. It is inherently low-maintenance and environmentally supportive, utilizing species such as Asters, Milkweed, and various Ferns¹.
• Formal Design: Symmetrical layouts, clipped hedges, defined planting beds, and structured pathways define this elegant style. Common elements include Boxwood, Yews, and precisely laid stonework¹.
• Informal and Relaxed: Focused on comfort and usability, this style uses soft curves and natural materials to create inviting spaces for gathering, often incorporating patios, fire pits, and easy-care planting beds¹.

Navigating Local Regulations and Permits

Before breaking ground, understanding local rules is crucial to avoid costly delays or violations. Regulations vary significantly between New York City and other townships.

Across New York State: Always check with your local town or city building department. Common projects that may require permits include building decks, installing fences over a certain height, constructing retaining walls, and significant grading or land disturbance. Zoning laws will dictate setbacks from property lines and height restrictions for structures². Many municipalities also have environmental regulations concerning wetland buffers and tree protection ordinances.

In New York City: The requirements can be more detailed. The NYC Department of City Planning has specific Landscape Plan Guidelines for certain applications, such as those related to Privately Owned Public Spaces (POPS)². These plans require detailed site drawings showing features like paving, lighting, planting, seating, and accessibility routes. Whether in the city or suburbs, a knowledgeable professional will help you navigate this essential paperwork^{2 3}.

Project Scope and Associated Investment

The cost of a landscape design project in New York varies dramatically based on size, complexity, materials, and plant selections. Understanding typical investment ranges can help you plan and communicate effectively with service providers.

• Small-Scale Refresh: For updates like new mulch, refreshing perennial beds, or a small patio area, investments typically range from $2,000 to $10,000¹.
• Medium-Scale Project: A project involving a new patio, walkway, defined planting beds, and basic low-voltage lighting often falls in the $10,000 to $30,000 range¹.
• Large or Complex Installation: Comprehensive transformations including full master planning, extensive hardscaping (like an outdoor kitchen), integrated irrigation systems, significant plantings with mature specimens, and custom features generally start at $30,000 and can go much higher¹.
• Design Fees: Professional design services may be charged hourly (typically $100-$250+ per hour) or as a flat fee, which is often 10-20% of the total projected installation cost^{1 4}. This fee covers site analysis, concept development, detailed master plans, and often project oversight.

The Value of Professional Planning

Engaging a professional for the design phase provides immense value, regardless of project size. They conduct a thorough site analysis, assessing sun exposure, soil quality, drainage, and existing vegetation. This informs a cohesive master plan that unifies your home's architecture with the garden, ensuring spatial harmony and logical circulation⁵.

A professional designer also helps you prioritize phases for your budget, selects appropriate materials for durability and aesthetics, and can foresee potential issues with grading or utilities. Their knowledge of plant combinations ensures four-season interest, with elements like evergreen structure, spring blooms, summer color, and fall foliage or winter bark^{1 5}. Ultimately, a good plan is an investment that saves money by preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the project is built correctly the first time.

Key Design Principles for Lasting Beauty

Several timeless principles guide effective landscape design. Unity is achieved by repeating plants, materials, or colors to create a cohesive feel. Balance can be symmetrical (formal) or asymmetrical (informal) but gives the space a sense of equilibrium. Focal points, such as a specimen tree, sculpture, or water feature, draw the eye and create interest.

Rhythm and line are created by the flow of pathways and the arrangement of beds, guiding movement through the space. Proportion ensures that the size of landscape elements relates comfortably to your house and to each other⁵. Finally, a successful design always considers sustainability-managing water through rain gardens or permeable pavers, improving soil health, and reducing maintenance needs through smart plant choices.

Frequently asked questions

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