WOODSTREAM LANDSCAPE INC. OFFERS THESE QUALITY SERVICES
1) LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Most of the landscapes done today are simply a collection of favorite shrubs grouped in odd numbers but with no overall coherent design. These landscapes seem to be an improvement initially but they almost always grow up and become a hodgepodge of different sized meatballs that don't relate to the house or each other. Build your landscape solely around flowers and color and what you will eventually have is a high maintenance mess.
Take a drive through any housing tract built in the 80s, 90s or 00s and you can see this for yourself. Simply removing the plantings on these jobs actually improve the homes appearance dramatically. The homeowners must wonder what they paid for in the first place when their property actually looks better once the planting is gone.
The reason for this is because most of the contractors or "designers" you will talk to have almost no training or knowledge in the actual art of landscape design. They know plant names and they can tell you about each plant, but this trade knowledge has very little to do with the actual art of landscape design.
It is the way in which you combine plants and hardscapes to harmonize with each other, as well as the home and site features that really determines how beautiful and lasting the project becomes.
MY LANDSCAPE DESIGN APPROACH
The actual design is without question the Major factor in determining the outcome of your landscape and outdoor living environment.Underlying a beautiful landscape design is the skillful use of art elements (color,line,form, and texture)and design principles ( such as scale, proportion, repitition, rhythm, focalization, and contrast ). These tools form the basis of all visual design and their creative application is what has set my work apart.
My designs are based on creative hardscapes that are reinforced by lush colorful plantings. My strong but simple planting style will unify the landscape and provide a minimum of maintenance.
THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN PROCESS
I typically do not charge for a first time on site visit. During this visit I will discuss your landscape project. I will try to give you a ballpark estimate of what it might cost to do what it is you want to do. If a design is needed, the charge is usually about $200-$300 ( Except for off season) for most landscape designs. If after reviewing my plans you decide you don't like what I came up with then I would not charge you for the plan. Also, having a plan done does not committ you to having me do the work. However, I think you will be pleased with my design work as well as my fair prices.
2) PLANTING INSTALLATIONS
Buying a plant is different from other purchases because plants are living things. Each plant has a particular cold hardiness which determines it's ability to survive our Rochester winter. We purchase northern grown plant material which is cold hardy for our area.
Each plant also has its own preferences for sunlight,ph and moisture. At my initial meeting I inventory drainage and sun exposure for your property and match the proper plant species for your site.
At the start of a project we bring in organic topsoil and sometimes till in soil amendments if needed. The long term success of your planting depends on good soil preparation and proper plant selection.
Whether it is one tree or an entire landscape call us for a free quote.
3) HARDSCAPE INSTALLATIONS
Hardscapes are the walkways, paths, stonewalls, patios & courtyards, arbors and fencing within the landscape. It is the hardscapes that move people through the landscape and create outdoor spaces. Successful hardscape design harmonizes the home with these outdoor living spaces. It is the design of the hardscape that will really define the "look" of your garden.
4) PRIVACY PLANTINGS
Most homes today lack privacy in the backyard. By providing privacy screening your backyard will take on a whole new function and "feel". What you get is thousands of square feet of private living space that will create real dollar value for your home as well as an improved quality of life for you.
I can estimate and sketch a border planting for free at our initial meeting. I typically start with an evergreen backdrop and then add colorful low maintenance plantings in front.
If you prefer I can create a full design that includes hardscapes and plantings for your entire back yard. This project can be installed in stages as your budget allows. A plan like this typically runs from $150-$300.
5) LANDSCAPE RENOVATIONS
Your landscape can actually take away from your homes beauty and value.
If your bushes hide much of your homes facade then your landscape is diminishing your homes beauty both inside and out. When we remove the overgrown shrubs on our landscape renovation projects the thing that most surprises people is the amount of additional sunlight they receive inside their home. The effect of light on your mood is well documented.
The second thing that our renovation customers see is all the hidden beauty that comes back from the removal of poorly placed shrubs and trees. This is because much of the architectural detailing of their house was lost. This is costing you money. Study after study has determined that attractive landscaping adds to your homes value( up to 15% ) and unattractive landscaping will lower your homes value.
All those benefits from just removing a poorly planned landscape even though it was done professionally. In fact, it makes you wonder what you paid for in the first place when the property looks better once the planting is gone.
I assure you that once we implement the new design and it grows in, you will be amazed at the transformation.
6) GARDEN MAINTENANCE
We offer landscape maintenance on projects that we've installed. We typically spruce things up in the springtime by mulching,re defining bed lines, fertilizing, pruning and applying weed control.
7) LANDSCAPE LIGHTING
If you have invested in creating lovely outdoor spaces such as gardens, arbors, patios or watergardens, you will be amazed at what a properly designed lighting job can do to increase your enjoyment of this space. While many people envision exterior spaces or landscape under the assumption of full sunlight, specialty outdoor lighting can add an entirely new dimension to your site. Imagine lustrous gardens that flourish magically beneath the moonlight, ancient trees that glow luridly as you pass them in your midnight stroll, or fountains that bubble with luminous crystalline water, spraying starry droplets into the sky. These are a few fanciful images that can be made into a reality by an artfully designed outdoor lighting system.
