Transform your Columbia landscape with professional plant installation from Greenlawn Inc. Expert selection, proper planting, and guaranteed establishment. Shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and more. Serving Howard County since 1986.
Professional plant installation for beautiful, thriving landscapes
Call for FREE ConsultationPlant installation seems straightforward—dig hole, put plant in, fill with soil. However, successful establishment that leads to thriving plants requires understanding proper depth and spacing, soil amendment needs, watering requirements during establishment, and most importantly, selecting appropriate plants for your specific site conditions. Poor plant choices or improper installation lead to struggling plants, wasted money, and disappointing landscapes that never achieve their potential.
At Greenlawn Inc, we've been installing plants throughout Columbia and Ellicott City since 1986. Our 39 years of experience means we understand which plants thrive in Howard County's clay soils and humid climate, how Maryland's weather patterns affect plant performance, proper timing for installation to maximize establishment success, and techniques that give plants the best start in your landscape. Professional installation transforms landscapes with plants that establish quickly and perform reliably for years.
Common DIY planting mistakes that cost Columbia homeowners money and frustration:
We install a wide variety of plants suited to Howard County landscapes:
Flowering shrubs provide seasonal color, structure, and screening for Columbia properties. Popular choices include azaleas and rhododendrons for spring color in shade, hydrangeas for summer blooms and fall interest, roses for continuous flowering in sun, butterfly bush for attracting pollinators, and lilacs for fragrance and spring display. We select varieties proven to perform in Howard County conditions and position them for optimal sun exposure, mature size compatibility, and visual impact. Proper initial planting ensures shrubs establish quickly and bloom reliably for years.
Evergreens provide year-round structure and winter interest crucial for Maryland landscapes that can look bare from November through March. Boxwoods create formal hedges and foundation plantings, hollies offer berries and screening, junipers provide drought-tolerant groundcover or upright accents, and yews tolerate shade while maintaining dense form. Evergreens are backbone plantings that anchor garden design through all seasons. We ensure evergreens receive proper winter protection during first year and adequate water during establishment so they survive critical first winter successfully.
Perennials return year after year, providing color and interest with less replanting than annuals. Our perennial installations include hostas for shade gardens, daylilies for low-maintenance color, coneflowers and black-eyed susans for native plant gardens, sedums for drought tolerance, and ornamental grasses for texture and movement. We design perennial combinations that provide sequential blooms from spring through fall, appropriate scale for bed size, and complementary colors and textures. Proper spacing allows perennials to reach mature size without overcrowding while creating full appearance within 2-3 seasons.
Ornamental grasses have become increasingly popular in Columbia landscapes for good reasons—they're low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, provide texture and movement, and offer four-season interest including winter structure. Varieties like Karl Foerster feather reed grass, little bluestem, switchgrass, and fountain grass work beautifully in Howard County. We position grasses for maximum impact as specimens, mass plantings, or mixed border companions. Fall planting is typically best for ornamental grasses, allowing root establishment before hot summer stress.
Small ornamental trees (under 25 feet mature height) provide scale and focal points without overwhelming residential properties. Japanese maples offer stunning fall color and elegant form, dogwoods provide spring blooms and fall berries, crape myrtles deliver summer flowers and exfoliating bark, and serviceberries give multi-season interest. Tree installation requires particular care—proper depth is critical, staking may be needed initially, and adequate water during establishment is essential for survival. We select trees appropriate for planting location considering overhead utilities, mature size, and sun requirements.
Proper installation gives plants the best possible start in your Columbia landscape:
We begin by evaluating your planting sites—sun exposure throughout day, soil conditions and drainage, existing plants and spacing requirements, and design goals for color, texture, and seasonal interest. This assessment guides plant recommendations appropriate for your specific conditions. We discuss your preferences for maintenance level, mature size expectations, and aesthetic goals. Then we recommend specific plants proven to thrive in similar Howard County situations, providing variety choices with photos and descriptions so you can make informed selections.
We source quality plants from reputable wholesale nurseries serving the Maryland market. This ensures healthy, well-grown stock acclimated to regional conditions. We select individual specimens carefully—checking root systems for health, inspecting foliage for disease or damage, and choosing well-shaped plants with good branching structure. Quality sourcing dramatically affects long-term success. We avoid stressed, pot-bound, or diseased plants that struggle regardless of planting care.
Before planting, we prepare sites properly for each plant type. For trees and large shrubs, we dig holes 2-3 times wider than root ball but no deeper—proper depth is critical. For perennials and small plants, we prepare entire bed area if multiple plants are going in. Soil amendments are added based on needs—compost for organic matter in heavy clay, sulfur if pH adjustment needed, or drainage material for poorly draining sites. We create proper soil environment for root establishment rather than just digging holes.
We plant at correct depth—root flare of trees and shrubs at or slightly above grade, perennials at same depth they grew in containers. Root balls are loosened to encourage outward growth rather than circling. Plants are positioned for best viewing angle and proper orientation. Backfill soil is firmed gently to eliminate air pockets without compacting excessively. We create shallow basin around plants to hold water during establishment. Each step follows best practices developed through decades of experience installing thousands of plants throughout Howard County.
After planting, we apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture, moderate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Mulch is kept away from stems and trunks to prevent rot. Plants receive thorough initial watering to settle soil and eliminate air pockets around roots. This first watering is critical for establishment success. We water deeply, ensuring moisture reaches entire root zone rather than just wetting surface.
We provide detailed written care instructions specific to plants installed—watering frequency and amount during establishment, fertilization timing and products, pruning needs and timing, and signs of problems to watch for. Establishment typically requires consistent watering the first growing season—we emphasize this critical period when plants need regular attention. Many failures occur not from planting problems but from inadequate establishment care after installation. We're available for follow-up questions and can schedule maintenance visits if desired.
Expert installation for thriving, beautiful plants
Schedule ConsultationTiming significantly affects establishment success:
Fall is excellent timing for most plant installation in Columbia. Cooler temperatures reduce stress on transplanted plants, adequate rainfall typically provides moisture without constant irrigation, roots establish during fall and winter while tops are dormant, and plants are ready to grow vigorously when spring arrives. Fall-planted shrubs and perennials often perform better than spring-planted equivalents because they have months of root establishment before facing summer stress. The exception is marginally hardy plants that benefit from full growing season before first winter.
Spring planting works well for most plants, particularly those that need full growing season before winter. Trees and large shrubs establish successfully spring-planted with proper watering through first summer. Spring gives you immediate gratification seeing plants leaf out and bloom during installation season. The challenge is ensuring adequate water during potentially dry spring and through first summer—irrigation is often necessary where fall planting can rely more on natural rainfall. Spring planting also means waiting nearly full year for plants to really show their potential.
We can plant during summer if necessary, but heat stress makes establishment challenging. Container-grown plants handle summer planting better than balled-and-burlapped specimens. Irrigation is essential—new plantings may need water daily during hot, dry periods. Summer planting works for tough, drought-tolerant plants but isn't ideal for finicky species. When possible, we recommend waiting for fall rather than forcing summer installation.
Deciduous plants can be installed during dormancy (late fall through early spring while ground isn't frozen) with good success. The key is planting early enough for some root establishment before ground freezes, or late enough that roots can grow immediately. Mid-winter planting when ground is frozen solid doesn't work. Dormant season planting causes minimal transplant shock since tops aren't actively growing, but provides limited establishment time before spring growth begins.
Professional installation pricing includes plants and labor:
We provide detailed written estimates after site consultation and plant selection. Investing in quality plants and proper installation costs more initially than DIY attempts with discount plants but delivers results that establish and perform rather than struggle and disappoint.
Plant selection depends primarily on sun exposure, soil conditions, and moisture availability at your specific site. During consultation, we assess these factors and recommend plants proven to thrive in similar Howard County situations. Sun-loving plants need 6+ hours direct sun daily and fail in shade. Shade plants scorch and struggle in full sun. Most Columbia gardens have heavy clay soil requiring plants tolerant of these conditions or proper soil amendment. Some sites stay constantly moist while others drain quickly—plants must match moisture regime. Our 39 years of local experience means we've seen what succeeds and what struggles in various Ellicott City conditions. Rather than guessing or hoping, we recommend plants with proven track records in situations similar to yours. This science-based selection dramatically improves success rates compared to choosing plants based solely on appearance at garden centers.
Yes, we can identify existing plants and source matching specimens to expand or repeat throughout your landscape. Repeating successful plants creates cohesion and ensures new additions perform as well as established ones. If you have plants you particularly love, using more of the same is often smart strategy. However, we also introduce variety to prevent monotonous appearance and reduce risk from disease or pest problems affecting single species. During consultation, we photograph and identify your favorite existing plants, then recommend whether repeating them makes sense or if complementary alternatives would create better overall design. Sometimes homeowners are attached to struggling plants that really should be replaced with better-suited varieties—we provide honest assessment of what's working and what isn't.
Soil amendment depends on plants being installed and existing conditions. For trees and large shrubs, we typically amend backfill soil moderately with compost—too much amendment creates "bathtub" effect where amended soil holds water causing root rot, but no amendment makes establishment harder in pure clay. For perennial beds, we often amend more extensively since we're preparing entire planting area and perennials need better drainage than most woody plants. Some plants like river birch, bald cypress, and certain natives actually tolerate or prefer clay soil without extensive amendment. The key is matching amendment level to plant needs and site realities rather than either ignoring clay soil or going overboard trying to completely replace it. Our site assessment determines appropriate amendment strategy for your specific situation.
Newly installed plants require consistent watering throughout first growing season—typically the most critical factor for establishment success. General guidelines are 1-2 inches of water weekly for most plants (from rain or irrigation), provided through deep soaking 1-2 times weekly rather than frequent light watering. Trees and large shrubs need deep watering focusing on root ball area. Perennials in amended beds may need more frequent watering initially. Hot, dry periods require increased attention. Fall-planted material needs consistent water through fall but less during winter dormancy. By second growing season, established plants require much less supplemental irrigation except during drought. We provide specific watering schedules for plants we install based on their needs and Columbia conditions. Following these instructions during critical establishment period ensures survival and thriving rather than struggling or dying.
We typically offer one growing season warranty on installed plants with proper homeowner care. This covers plant failure from installation problems or inherent plant defects but not neglect, environmental extremes, or damage from animals, accidents, or improper care. The warranty requires you to follow provided care instructions—particularly establishment watering—and notify us promptly if problems develop so we can assess and potentially intervene. Extended warranties beyond one season are available with maintenance contracts where we provide ongoing care ensuring plants receive proper attention. We want your landscape investment to succeed and stand behind our work, but we can't warranty against factors beyond our control. During installation, we emphasize critical care requirements and remain available for questions throughout establishment period to help ensure success that makes warranty claims unnecessary.
We can install customer-supplied plants on labor-only basis, though we recommend letting us source plants for best results. When homeowners bring plants from retail garden centers, we sometimes encounter pot-bound root systems, diseased specimens, or inappropriate varieties for their intended sites. We can't warranty plants we didn't select since we have no control over quality or appropriateness. Labor-only installation typically costs $35-75 per plant depending on size and site preparation needed. Many Columbia homeowners discover that our installed pricing including quality plants from wholesale nurseries costs comparable to retail plants plus labor-only installation, with better plant quality and full warranty. We're happy to install your plants if you prefer, but recommend getting our full-service pricing for comparison before purchasing plants elsewhere.
Transform your Columbia landscape with professional plant installation from Greenlawn Inc. Our 39 years serving Howard County means we understand which plants thrive in local conditions and how to install them for maximum establishment success. From site assessment through plant selection, proper installation, and establishment support, we guide you through the process ensuring your landscape investment delivers beautiful, thriving results.
Whether you're adding a few accent plants, creating complete perennial borders, installing privacy screening, or renovating entire landscape beds, we provide expertise and quality that transforms ordinary properties into beautiful gardens. Our plant sourcing ensures healthy specimens, our installation technique gives plants the best possible start, and our care instructions help you maintain them through critical establishment period.
Expert plant selection and installation for thriving landscapes
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Trusted by Howard County families since 1986
Family Owned • Expert Selection • Professional Installation
About Greenlawn Inc: Since 1986, Greenlawn Inc has provided professional plant installation services to homeowners throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, and Howard County, Maryland. Our experienced team selects plants proven to thrive in local conditions and installs them with proper technique ensuring establishment success, creating beautiful gardens that enhance your property and bring lasting enjoyment.