Transform your Ellicott City property with custom garden bed design and installation from Greenlawn Inc. Creating beautiful landscapes in Howard County since 1986.
Free design consultation for Ellicott City homeowners
Call for FREE ConsultationGarden beds are the foundation of beautiful landscaping. Well-designed and properly installed beds add curb appeal, frame your home, provide seasonal color, create outdoor spaces that enhance property value and enjoyment. Whether starting from scratch on new construction or renovating existing landscaping, professional installation ensures results that look great and thrive for years.
Meet at your property to discuss vision, preferences, budget. Assess conditions: sun exposure, soil quality, drainage. Develop design matching your goals.
Remove existing grass, weeds, unwanted vegetation. Excavate to proper depth (8-12 inches). Ensure proper grading for water drainage away from house.
Howard County's clay soil requires amendment. Incorporate compost, aged manure, organic matter. Customize for specific plants (azaleas need acidic soil, herbs need lean soil).
Clean edges separate beds from lawn, prevent grass encroachment. Options: metal landscape edging (clean modern lines), stone/brick (traditional), or natural edges.
Quality plants appropriate for your conditions. Proper spacing for mature size (avoid overcrowding). Plant at correct depth, ensure good root-to-soil contact, water thoroughly.
Apply 2-3 inches quality mulch. Suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature. Options: hardwood, cedar, or dyed mulch in complementary colors.
Detailed care instructions: watering schedule, fertilization needs, pruning timing, maintenance tips. New plantings require attentive watering first growing season.
Frame your home, soften transition between house and lawn. Layered plantings: evergreens for year-round structure, flowering shrubs for seasonal interest, perennials/annuals for color.
Free-standing beds create focal points in lawns, define spaces, add dimension. Visible from multiple angles—designed for 360-degree appeal. Work beautifully around specimen trees, mailboxes.
Line property edges, fences, walkways, driveways. Screen views, create privacy, define boundaries, soften hardscapes. Designed with varying heights and textures.
Mature trees create shaded areas where grass struggles. Feature hostas, ferns, hellebores, shade-loving plants. Turn problem areas into beautiful features.
Native plants supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds. Ecologically beneficial, require less maintenance. Provide constant interest as different pollinators visit throughout season.
Recommended shrubs: Azaleas/rhododendrons for spring color, boxwoods for evergreen structure, hydrangeas for summer blooms, viburnums for multi-season interest. Proven reliable in Maryland's zone 7a.
Top perennials: Daylilies, hostas, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses. Handle Maryland's weather extremes, provide years of performance with minimal maintenance.
Seasonal annuals: For constant color, install in spring and fall. Provide immediate impact and consistent bloom but require seasonal replanting. Many choose mix of permanent perennials supplemented with seasonal annuals.
Spring planting season is perfect for new gardens
Schedule ConsultationMost Ellicott City residential installations: $1,500-$5,000 depending on size and scope. Detailed estimates during free consultation. Many phase installation over multiple seasons to spread costs.
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are ideal. Spring gives plants entire growing season to establish. Fall allows root development in cool weather before dormancy. Summer possible but requires more intensive watering. Winter possible for hardscaping/bed prep, with plant installation scheduled for appropriate season.
Consider lifestyle, available time, gardening interest. High-maintenance: annuals requiring seasonal replanting, regular deadheading/pruning, intricate details needing constant attention. Maximum seasonal color but demand regular care. Low-maintenance: perennials, evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses returning annually with minimal intervention. Basic seasonal cleanup, occasional pruning. Many choose hybrid approach.
Both scenarios. Many projects involve renovating existing beds while preserving healthy, desirable plants. Assess current landscaping, identify plants worth keeping, redesign around them. Saves money, preserves mature specimens. For severely neglected/poorly designed landscaping, starting fresh often delivers better long-term results. Free consultation recommends best approach.
New beds look attractive immediately but achieve truly "established" appearance over 1-3 years as plants fill to mature size. Annuals provide instant color. Perennials: sparse first year, better second year, full potential third year ("sleep, creep, leap"). Shrubs establish over 2-3 years. Space for mature size rather than immediate fullness. For immediate impact, specify larger specimens or closer spacing.
Transform your Ellicott City property with professional garden bed design and installation from Greenlawn Inc. Our 39 years serving Howard County means we understand Maryland gardening intimately. We create beautiful, functional landscapes that enhance your home and provide years of enjoyment.
Free consultation shows you what's possible
Call for FREE ConsultationFamily Owned · Expert Design · Since 1986
Greenlawn Inc has provided professional landscaping and garden services throughout Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County since 1986.