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Do you know of a great landscape designer in Long Island?

19 years ago

Looking for a nursery/landscape designer to give me ideas for my front yard gardens. I already have one beautiful design that a fellow gardenwebber designed for me but I was looking for a few more ideas before I decided what my final plans are.

I heard that Atlantic Nursery is good, and Paul's in Greenlawn.

Any others that have an awesome design team?

Comments (19)

softfurn
19 years ago
Uh...what type of style are you looking for??? Are you looking to hire a private designer or one that works at a nursery? Are you looking for them to just do a design , or planting as well. And do you have a budget in mind? Susan
maureenpm00
Original Author
19 years ago
HI Susan. I don't know exactly what style I want. I prefer informal over formal. I love perrenials / roses and I would like to incorporate some type of a walkway into my front yard also. I hate all of the shrubs that are already in my yard - they are getting yanked. It would include a small weeping cherry which I love. I want to use up as much grass space as possible without overwhelming my very small house.

I would consider going either route, private designer and plant myself. Or a designer through a nursery.

Since I have a limited budget, what I would like to do is have a "grand plan" designed and then do it in stages over 2 years.

My budget over the 2 year period is in the 6,000.00-8,000.00 range.

Hope I answered all of your questions.
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I'm going to go back to Inkognito's comment, which (as per his usual) is certainly somewhat sarcastic and cryptic, but always worth thinking about. The way I would put it is this: why are you "landscaping?" This is a spectacular house, the oaks are fabulous, you don't want a lot of maintenance. As far as I can see, you have the perfect landscape for this house and for your stage of life. Why on earth would you mess this up? Before you write me off as not understanding the issue, let me assure you I am a total plant nut; I grow probably a thousand plants on a property the size of just your front yard. So believe me, if I thought plants were called for here, I would say so. Adding a whole lot of plants to this yard will mess up its clean lines visually, will create a maintenance nightmare due to the leaves alone not to mention the grooming the plants themselves need (and weeding), plants may not grow well due to the tree roots, and you will totally negate and possibly damage the magnificence of the trees, which you have come into ownership of at almost the perfect time in their lives. Trees spend most of their lifetimes being not quite big enough or too big; you are enjoying the period of their lives that was intended when they were planted. The trees are your landscaping. They are amazing; their trunks and root flares need no accessorizing and if you've had them pruned someone's done a nice job. Now, I'm not here to rob you of a gardening experience if that's what you want - it's your place, obviously. But if you are wanting to enhance the look of your property, I personally think that almost anything you add will take away from the appearance of what you now have. Plus, nothing is less work than grass, other than perhaps concrete. So if you want to garden AND have the the place look good, I would lay out and edge some beds where they do not impede the grace of what you have, and plant away with whatever you like. If it were me, given my plant collecting itch, I would actually probably lay out paths and beds on, and plant up, the hellstrip (next to the road) and leave the front yard itself alone. By all means freshen up the grass. And in another perhaps 20 or 30 years, or sooner, the trees will be too big and someone may take them down. I'm a big fan of doing that when the time is right. That will be the time for a new, busier, conventional, modern landscape. Likely with new trees, that will outlive their companion plants and then eventually stand alone, like sentries, in an otherwise serene front yard. My 2 cents, anyway :-) KarinL
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Once again, thank you for all of the comments. I have made some revisions based on suggestions to the original plan and have attached the layouts below. I have not yet ran these by the landscaper yet but figured that I would post the changes on here for additional feedback. #1 - I got rid of the Blue Spruce and substituted them for Gold Rush Dawn Redwoods. #2 - I removed two of the Purple Prince Crabapples from the SW corner and moved the Red Maple down near that corner. I think the landscaper had placed it in the original location to create some shade in the backyard. #3 - Removed the Wine & Roses Weigela, moved the Knockout Roses to the back row and put My Monet Weigela in the front row since the weigela will be smaller. #4 - Removed the Redbud and substituted it for a Kwanzan Cherry Tree. Other Notes: - Someone stated that the Sea Green Chinese Junipers get rather large. Are these easy to keep trimmed down to size or should I swap them out for something else. If you think they should be swapped out then what do you suggest? - Someone stated that the Compact Hinoki False Cypress may block the stone pillars. Any other suggestion of an evergreen shrub to use? - Any suggestion on what to substitute the Sandcherry for that is along the side of the front porch? - Landscaper original proposed blueberry bushes along the side of the house instead of the Arctic Fire. Any preferences on what to use there?
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seawind
19 years ago
Sometimes nurserys will supply a design for "free" if you agree to buy your plants from them. It's not at all free but if you are willing to buy a certain amount of plants from them they will help you out. It depends on whether you want to install yourself or not.
mfoxjackson
19 years ago
Hi Maureen,
Most nurseries that provide 'design help' because you buy the plants from them are not employing actual Landscape Designers to work their nursery yards, they are nursery staff with or without a degree in general hort, but no training or education in design. On the other hand people with real design training and education dont usually give people ideas without charging some type of fee. Paul's and Atlantic will charge you one way or another. Your best bet would to work with an independent landscape designer and ask him or her for a few different ideas based on your wants and needs and then take it from there.
All the best,
marg
skygee
19 years ago
Are you by Oceanside? Do you know Dee's on Atlantic Avenue? Their old water garden specialist (one of the son's - Jim) just started his landscaping design business (which I do believe he earned a degree in. He just wanted to branch off from the family business)

If you ask there, I'm sure they would pass on his card. Really nice guy!
ctinajones
19 years ago
You might want to use a design/ build contractor. Most would welcome the fact that you actually have a budget and some of your own ideas. It's not as expensive as you think, and you won't have to schlep around on your own trying to find the best retail deals for yourself. Ask Atlantic to recommend someone to you-
jazzmom516 (Zone 6b, MA)
19 years ago
Martin Viette Nurseries has Ireland-Gannon as their landscape designers, you might try them also for comparison.
GardenFrouFrou
18 years ago
If you want to do it yourself- Atlantic Nursery in Freeport has what they call a free in yard consultation where you bring in pictures and measurements and one of the nurserymen will layout a small area for you based on your preferences.
marienye
18 years ago
Try Gary Duff Designs. The website is www.garyduffdesigns.com They design and build, from walkways to pools, game courts and putting greens. Not the least expensive but your property will look like you spent much much more...
Mark_Pappalardi
18 years ago
I had a masonry and planting project designed and installed by Gary Duff Designs. The speed and quality is unlike any other I have seen. If you are looking for something different that no one else has on Long Island give them a call. Or check out their website (www.garyduffdesigns.com)

Here is a link that might be useful: Incredible poolscape
marienye
17 years ago
30 years in business speaks volumes. Award winning Gary Duff Designs has now added landscape lighting to his extensive repertoire. Think of these buzz words...fast, smooth, efficient. 631-737-4229

Here is a link that might be useful: Gary Duff Designs
gardenguyli
15 years ago
seems like i am late to the game in responding to this but in case someone is still looking for landscape designer. Earlier this year, I used island associates. I thought they were great from start to finish.

They have a website - http://www.island-associates.com
riaorl
15 years ago
Try Peter Anthony Landscaping. They were great. He gave me a free computer imaging design of my property before he started. He was the winning designer on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge. Very nice to work with. Here is the web address. http://www.landscapeimaging.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Peter Anthony Landscaping, Inc.
gardenguyli
15 years ago
Back in early July I had mentioned how I used Island Associates- http://www.island-associates.com

I wanted to share that another member of my family also used them and they had a fabulous experience...

Island-Associates - thanks again... here is their website- www.island-associates.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Island Associates Landscape Design
ideasshare
15 years ago
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Here is a link that might be useful: hope you share and like my ideas
ideasshare
15 years ago
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Here is a link that might be useful: share other some ideas
seawind
15 years ago
We finally hired a landscape designer after interviewing several companies. We were so happy with everything - friendly, extremely hard working and paid attention to every detail. We are so happy with the way the plan and installation came out. Here is a link which could be useful.

Here is a link that might be useful: Landscape Design By Lee
gwc11713
15 years ago
I would wholeheartedly recommend Designscapes for all of your landscaping needs. They are a wonderful landscape design/build firm that can handle it all. They service ALL areas of Long Island & the staff & crew are top notch.

Designscapes is an award-winning, full service, one-stop for all your outdoor living needs. They do pools & spas; masonry work including paver patios & walkways, walls & entry piers; carpentry decks, pergolas & cabanas; and a complete design & install service.

They also offer seasonal maintenance programs to take care of tree & shrub pruning, dead heading of flowering plants, mulching & cleaning out of planting beds, fertilizing & weed control, etc.

I've always found them to be reasonably priced compared to other landscaping companies here on Long islandÂ and they are very reputable & stand behind their work. You can visit their website for more information.

Here is a link that might be useful: Designscapes - Long Island Landscape Design and Installation
anfltp
14 years ago
I highly recommend Topaz Design Group. They did my whole property - front & back! I am soo happy with the results! I also looked into a few different companies but Topaz was the most professional, creative, and knowledgeable. I LOVE my home now - it's beautiful, it's perfect for entertaining, & it's perfect for relaxing!

The crew was wonderful! Polite, experienced, and clean! the owner is an incredible designer with years of experience and very knowledgeable. Also, an important note, they are very reliable and do quality work! How many contractors can you say that about?!

They serve all of Long Island and they do amazing work! Call them! (516) 536-1383. I also interviewed several other contractors, but Topaz had the best designs, was very professional, and they stand behind their work! Great customer service also!

Here is a link that might be useful: Topaz Design Group - Long Island Landscapes & Outdoor Spaces

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