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 garden beds add curb appeal, frame your home, provide seasonal color, and create outdoor spaces that enhance your property value and enjoyment. Whether you're starting from scratch on a new construction home or renovating existing landscaping, professional garden bed installation ensures results that look great and thrive for years.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been designing and installing garden beds throughout Ellicott City and Columbia since 1986. Our 39 years of experience means we understand Howard County's soil, climate, and growing conditions. We know which plants thrive in Maryland, how to prepare beds for long-term success, and how to create designs that complement your home's architecture and your lifestyle.
Professional garden bed installation involves much more than digging and planting. Here's our proven process:
We meet with you at your Ellicott City property to discuss your vision, preferences, and budget. We assess your property's conditions: sun exposure, soil quality, drainage, and existing features. We discuss style preferences (formal vs. natural, high-maintenance vs. low-maintenance, seasonal color vs. evergreen structure) and develop a design that matches your goals.
Proper preparation is critical for long-term success. We remove existing grass, weeds, and unwanted vegetation. We excavate to proper depth (typically 8-12 inches) to accommodate soil amendments and provide good root depth. For beds adjacent to foundations, we ensure proper grading for water drainage away from the house.
Howard County's native clay soil requires amendment for most ornamental plants. We incorporate compost, aged manure, and other organic matter to improve drainage, aeration, and fertility. For specific plants with special needs (azaleas preferring acidic soil, Mediterranean herbs wanting lean soil), we customize amendments accordingly.
Clean edges separate beds from lawn and hardscapes while preventing grass encroachment. We offer various edging options: metal landscape edging for clean modern lines, stone or brick for traditional looks, or natural edges maintained through regular re-edging. Proper edging makes long-term maintenance easier and keeps beds looking sharp.
We source quality plants appropriate for your specific conditions and design. Plants are spaced properly for mature size (a common DIY mistake is over-crowding). We plant at correct depth, ensure good root-to-soil contact, and water thoroughly during installation. Each plant is positioned for optimal display and growing conditions.
We apply 2-3 inches of quality mulch throughout beds. Mulch suppresses weeds, conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and provides a finished appearance. We offer various mulch options: hardwood mulch, cedar mulch, or dyed mulch in colors that complement your home and plantings.
We provide detailed care instructions for your new garden: watering schedule, fertilization needs, pruning timing, and maintenance tips. New plantings require attentive watering for the first growing season to establish strong root systems. We're available for questions as your garden establishes and grows.
We create custom designs to match your property and preferences:
Foundation beds frame your home and soften the transition between house and lawn. We design layered plantings with evergreens for year-round structure, flowering shrubs for seasonal interest, and perennials or annuals for color. Foundation plantings are scaled to your home's size and architectural style.
Free-standing beds create focal points in lawns, define spaces, and add dimension to flat properties. Island beds are visible from multiple angles, so we design them for 360-degree appeal. These beds work beautifully around specimen trees, mailboxes, or as stand-alone garden features.
Border beds line property edges, fences, walkways, or driveways. These long, narrow beds can screen views, create privacy, define property boundaries, or soften hardscapes. We design borders with varying heights and textures for visual interest along their entire length.
Many Columbia properties have mature trees creating shaded areas where grass struggles. We design shade gardens featuring hostas, ferns, hellebores, and other shade-loving plants that thrive under tree canopies. Shade gardens turn problem areas into beautiful landscape features.
Increasingly popular in Howard County, pollinator gardens feature native plants that support bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These gardens are ecologically beneficial, require less maintenance than traditional beds, and provide constant interest as different pollinators visit throughout the season.
Our 39 years in Ellicott City has taught us which plants thrive in Maryland's climate:
Azaleas and rhododendrons for spring color, boxwoods for evergreen structure, hydrangeas for summer blooms, and viburnums for multi-season interest all perform excellently in Howard County. We select varieties proven reliable in Maryland's zone 7a climate with hot summers and variable winters.
Daylilies, hostas, coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and ornamental grasses are workhorses for Columbia gardens. These tough perennials handle Maryland's weather extremes, provide years of performance with minimal maintenance, and offer diverse colors and textures. Learn more about our perennial planting services.
For properties wanting constant color, we install annual flowers in spring and fall. Annuals provide immediate impact and consistent bloom but require seasonal replanting. Many Ellicott City customers choose a mix of permanent perennials supplemented with seasonal annuals for maximum color.
Spring planting season is perfect for new gardens
Schedule Your ConsultationGarden bed installation pricing varies based on several factors:
Most Ellicott City residential garden bed installations range from $1,500-$5,000 depending on size and scope. We provide detailed estimates during our free consultation, ensuring you understand all costs before work begins. Many customers phase installation over multiple seasons to spread costs while building toward their ultimate landscape vision.
Spring and fall are ideal for garden bed installation in Howard County. Spring installations (April-May) give plants an entire growing season to establish before winter. Fall installations (September-October) allow root development in cool weather before winter dormancy, and plants emerge strongly the following spring. We can install beds during summer, though newly planted material requires more intensive watering during hot weather. Winter installation is possible for hardscaping and bed preparation, with plant installation scheduled for appropriate planting season.
Consider your lifestyle, available time, and gardening interest. High-maintenance gardens feature annuals requiring seasonal replanting, plants needing regular deadheading and pruning, and designs with intricate details requiring constant attention. They provide maximum seasonal color and visual interest but demand regular care. Low-maintenance gardens emphasize perennials, evergreen shrubs, and ornamental grasses that return annually with minimal intervention. They require basic seasonal cleanup and occasional pruning but thrive with less frequent attention. Many Ellicott City homeowners choose a hybrid approach with low-maintenance perennial structure supplemented by strategic annual plantings in high-visibility areas.
We handle both scenarios. Many Ellicott City projects involve renovating existing beds while preserving healthy, desirable plants. We'll assess your current landscaping, identify plants worth keeping, and redesign around them while removing tired or problematic material. This approach saves money and preserves mature specimens that would take years to replace. For properties with severely neglected or poorly designed existing landscaping, starting fresh often delivers better long-term results. During your free consultation, we'll recommend the best approach for your specific situation.
New beds look attractive immediately after installation but achieve a truly "established" appearance over 1-3 years as plants fill in to mature size. Annuals provide instant color from day one. Perennials typically look sparse the first year, better the second year, and reach full potential by the third year (gardeners say perennials "sleep, creep, leap"). Shrubs establish over 2-3 years, gradually filling their space. We space plants for mature size rather than immediate fullness, preventing overcrowding as plants grow. If immediate impact is critical, we can specify larger specimen plants or closer spacing with the understanding that future thinning may be needed.
Yes, we offer comprehensive garden maintenance programs for Howard County properties. Services include seasonal mulch refresh, weeding, pruning, fertilization, deadheading, and seasonal cleanup. Many customers who invest in professional installation choose ongoing maintenance to protect their investment and ensure beds remain beautiful year after year. Maintenance can be scheduled seasonally or monthly depending on your garden's needs and your preferences. We also provide one-time services like spring cleanup or fall bed preparation if you prefer handling routine care yourself but want professional help with seasonal tasks.
We stand behind our work and use quality plants, but understand that plant establishment depends partly on post-installation care. We provide detailed watering and care instructions at installation completion. Plants that fail due to installation issues or inherent problems will be addressed—contact us if you notice declining plants. However, plants that decline due to inadequate watering, animal damage, extreme weather events, or other factors beyond our control are not covered. The first growing season is critical for new plantings, and consistent watering is essential for establishment. We're always available to troubleshoot problems and help ensure your garden's success.
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.
Whether you're starting fresh with new construction or renovating tired existing landscaping, we have the experience and expertise to bring your vision to life. Call us today for a free design consultation at your property. We'll discuss your goals, assess your site, and develop a plan that fits your budget and exceeds your expectations.
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Creating beautiful Howard County gardens since 1986
Family Owned · Expert Design · Quality Installation
About Greenlawn Inc: Since 1986, Greenlawn Inc has provided professional landscaping and garden services to homeowners throughout Ellicott City, Columbia, and Howard County, Maryland. Our experienced team specializes in garden bed design and installation, plant selection, ongoing maintenance, and all services needed to create and maintain beautiful landscapes in Maryland's climate.