We are Exterior Designers, and we do what Interior Designer do, only outside. That means that we consider your entire outdoor space in terms of how you will see it and feel when you're lounging about and relaxing, as well as showing it off to your friends. So in addition to creating beautiful low-maintence plantings, we'll be certain that the A/C is discreetly covered, the neighbor's unsightly fence will never be seen, the shadows from the shade sail dance over your Morroccan seating, etc. In addition, all things organic will blend seamlessly with the new surroundings without ever looking matched- simply beautifully paired.

Our first core value is to improve people's lives by creating spaces they'll never want to leave, and to do so with the least amount of impact to the environment as possible. One way we do this is by planting nearly all perennials. It just makes sense that if the plant material travels the least distance (think local) and returns year after year, two things are accomplished. 1. The new gardener has much less work, and can anticipate the arrival of the new growth each spring. (Fun!) 2. The new gardener spends much less money and time, as they don't need to replace the plants.

Yes, we can help you cool down on your rooftop, terrace or backyard by designing Pergolas and Shade Sails. We are licensed and insured in the state of Pennsylvania.

Yes, we can! Rooftops Gardens, above all else are in desperate need of irrigation. Once we install your irrigation system, we'll be back at least twice to make sure the settings are just right for the season ad each individual plant. As designers, we'll make sure to hide any evidence of the system as much as possible, so it all looks lush and self-contained.

Generally, we're able to complete a makeover project (depending whether there is customization, and how much) in about 4-6 weeks from the site visit. This largely depends on how quickly the approval process moves. So if you'd like your new garden ASAP, your best chances are to be very responsive when it comes to design approval.

We design for back yards, rooftops and terraces. We provide, and are big fans of both Container Gardens and Raised Beds. We don't design conventional in-grounds gardens for several reasons. Containers and Raised Beds work exceptionally well in row house yards because, especially when the house is small. They feel more intimate and hug the sight lines, so beautiful blooms are about eye-level when sitting down. This is even more enjoyable with aromatic plants like lavender, rosemary and mint. We're in Philadelphia, and as with any urban area, we really don't know what's in the soil, and more often than not, it's not good. In many cases, builders have dumped and buried their materials around the house, and so it's extra difficult to un-do that work, and more work to amend it. Where vegetable gardens go, so go the raised beds. Raised beds are very controllable and easier to tend as well being easy on the back. I cannot recommend them enough.

A Complementary 15 Minute Phone Chat- This is a way to find out your needs, including budget, to see whether we're a good fit for your project. A Full Site Visit- This is a paid, more in-depth conversation and includes a sun analysis, measurements, possible solutions etc. General design ideas are shared for a style compatibility analysis.

Yes! Urban gardening has its own set of challenges, and shade can be one of them, but through experience we've found some stylish and textured shade plants that have color that can turn your backyard around.

Absolutely. Trees improve life for everyone, and we happily partner with arborists to select and plant the most well-suited tree for your outdoor space. We do this in tandem with the rest of our services however, but not as a stand alone service.

The things that will most impact your budget are these: 1. Rehabbing an old space. Taking anything down or repairing it in a major way will increase your costs, but should add real value to your home. If your place is a "blank canvas", that will reduce your costs. 2. Surroundings such as fencing, brick or stucco walls that need to be addressed will add cost. 3. Shade solutions are probably one of the most costly and most sought-after products, but provide most of what you'll need to enjoy your rooftop or sunny backyard. 4. How much work is being done on the ground? Gravel? Pavers? Clover? 5. Size really doesn't matter, what matters is how much labor and materials are being used. It's not uncommon for a 100 sq. ft. patio to cost more than $15K simply because much work was necessary to cover the neighbor's area or there was much rehab to be done.

Because we're holistic exterior designers, our work is very comprehensive, and takes more time than those who offer container plants for patios or non customized products, therefore our minimum investment budget starts at $10K.