Green Jay Landscape Design

Green Jay Landscape Design

(914) 560-6570

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We have noticed a trend over the last year: a growing appreciation for natural areas, time spent outside, and of course, a hyperawareness of our personal health. Undoubtedly influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and a realization that a healthy environment contributes to human health, our clients are seeking the benefits of a nature preserve, in the privacy of their own backyard.

A client’s mature woodland in Bedford Hills, NY was incorporated into the design with seating areas and walkways immersed throughout.

Beyond the usual landscape design requests — foundation plantings, leveling, screening — these clients want to emerge themselves in an environment that feels natural, alive, safe, and therapeutic. 

Not so coincidentally, these are our favorite types of landscapes to design! In this post we’ll explore how to create these wild and vibrant spaces on your own property.

Landscaping vs. Designing Landscapes

Too often people think of landscaping as an accessory to the house – how best to accentuate an entrance, hide an air conditioner, screen a neighbor’s home – instead of the actual value the landscape itself can provide. Ecological landscaping recognizes that each plot of land, no matter how small, can impact the local ecosystem. 

A mostly-native, part shade landscape in Rye, NY featuring a naturalistic waterfall, stream & pond system.

Designing with plants that are regionally native, that have evolved over thousands of years with local insects, birds and other wildlife has a direct, noticeable effect.  As soon as the plant delivery arrives, we see the bees, butterflies and moths delighting in their new pollen and nectar sources. 

Swallowtail butterfly on Monarda, one of our favorite native perennials!

These insects are integral in the plants’ reproduction – spreading pollen from plant to plant, enabling seed production and dispersal – and foundations in the food chain for higher up wildlife like birds and mammals. Picking the right plants is the first step in creating a vibrant and lively landscape ecosystem.

A note from a client. We designed a bird and butterfly garden in prominent view for their young children to observe.
Email from a client whom we designed a Bird Sanctuary for. This was only a week after our installation.

Nothing brings us more joy than notes like these from clients. Seeing more birds on their property than ever before. Using their pollinator garden as a teaching opportunity to explain metamorphosis – the beautiful transformation from caterpillar to butterfly – to their children. Or the client that takes on amateur entomology, determined to identify every new insect that now arrives on their landscape.

Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is a host plant for the Monarch butterfly caterpillar; its nectar attracts many other Lepidoptera as well.

Designing Access: Pathways & Viewing Areas to Enjoy Your Nature Preserve

Hidden patios and walkways. Mixing natural hardscape materials to delineate spaces and seamlessly blend in with the wild aesthetic.d

Our design philosophy is simple: create natural landscapes that invite both wildlife and human engagement. A static landscape viewed from afar is simply boring! 

A simple rectilinear flagstone pathway leads from front yard to backyard.

We always strive to integrate meandering garden paths that allow our clients to slow down, take a stroll, notice the changes in their surroundings, listen to the sounds, smell the scents and reconnect to their own wild nature.

A central patio with naturalistic fire pit invites respite and relaxation in your landscape.

Some of our favorite ways to invite human interaction with the landscape are garden stroll walkways, woodland paths, hidden seating areas with framed viewpoints, and unexpected gathering spots – like a firepit, fountain or swing nestled into the nature preserve.

Designed waterfall with shallow areas provides critical water and bathing areas for birds. Nectar & pollen-rich perennials line the stream.
Stairs leading to a small patio to observe the fish, turtles and pollinators in this designed pond ecosystem.

Reduce Your Lawn Area

If this type of landscape environment sounds appealing to you, wonderful!! As mentioned earlier, properties of any size can be designed to emulate your own private nature preserve. However, don’t expect to achieve dazzling results if you restrict your design area to typical foundation plantings surrounded by huge expanses of lawn.  Not only is this intimidating to birds, pollinators and other wildlife, it restricts the number, size and diversity of plants we can work with.  

Plant diversity at its finest! An explosion of color, nectar and pollen for our essential pollinators.

Pollinators are both specialists and generalists. Some can feed on many pollen/nectar sources, others are highly evolved to feed and reproduce on only certain plants. Both specialists and generalists need consistent food sources throughout the seasons. That means a strategic planting plan that achieves successive blooms during the growing season, followed by seed and berry production for the fall and winter months. Diversity of plants is key!

Monarch butterfly on native Agastache.

So, we always encourage clients to think hard about what they actually use their lawn for.  Does it a serve a specific purpose, like a play area for children? Or is it really just landscape filler? Reducing your lawn area allows us to develop a layered plant composition, from native trees to berry-producing shrubs to pollen-rich perennials and groundcovers. Design, plant, and the wildlife will come!

Learn more about designing your own private nature preserve by scheduling a consultation with us. We offer free 15-minute discovery calls and paid professional, on-site consultations. 914-560-6570.

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Green Jay Landscape Design

Where Design Meets Ecology

We LOVE our native ferns. There is something so soothing about a colony of ferns – the texture, the form, the smell – they are an iconic symbol of forests of the Northeast. Ferns do not produce flowers—no nectar or pollen for pollinators—and their foliage does not provide much food for wildlife.  However, colonies of ferns provide essential cover and nesting sites and nesting materials for wildlife.  Ferns can also grow in inhospitable environments – deep shade, wet soils, and soils with extreme pHs – playing an important role in soil stabilization where not many other plants can succeed.

We consider native ferns essential to any shade garden or woodland garden — we feature native ferns in nearly all of our ecological landscape designs! Below we explore our favorite go-to ferns for landscape installations in the tri-state area.

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

2-5’ Tall

Deciduous

Native to the continental US and Alaska, Lady Fern naturally grows in wet meadows, moist woodlands, and (less commonly) swamps. It is considered a pioneer or early succession species.  In the mountainous parts of the country, Lady Fern fronds are a food source for Grizzly Bears and Elk. Distinguishable by the darker green to purple stems and delicate lacey foliage. Cultivar ‘Lady in Red’ has red stems and light green fronds.

New York Fern

Thelypteris noveboracensis or Parathelypteris noveboracensis

1-2’ Tall

Deciduous

New York Fern can tolerate a range of habitats, from full sun to part shade, dry to wet soils (a facultative plant, great for rain gardens!). Naturally found in dappled sunlight in mixed forests, swamps and riverbanks.

Caterpillars that feed on New York Fern foliage include Pink-shaded Fern Moth, and American Angle Shades, Closebanded Yellowhorn Moth.

Distinguishable by its tapering fronds – instead of a triangular shape, NY Fern fronds are widest in the middle and tapered at both ends.

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

1-3’ Tall.

Evergreen!

Distinguishable by its darker green, leathery foliage and stocking-shaped pinnae (leaflets). Fiddleheads that emerge in spring are silver. Can take dry to moist soils and does well in part shade to full shade. Grows in a clump, fountain-like shape.

Cinnamon Fern

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

2-3’ Tall. Up to 5’ tall in ideal conditions!

Deciduous

Cinnamon fern is distinguished by its central, cinnamon-colored spikes – new fronds that quickly turn brown.  These fibers are actually used to pot orchids! Plus, the fiddleheads of Cinnamon Fern are edible! Average to wet soils; rich in organic matter is best. Part shade to Full Shade. In the winter, fronds are eaten by ruffed grouse and wild turkeys.

Maiden Hair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

1 – 1.5’ Tall

Deciduous

Maiden Hair Fern has uniquely wide, fan-shaped and scalloped leaflets. Stems are wiry and thin. Red fiddleheads. Native to Eastern & Central US. Grows well in part shade in rich moist soils. 

Marginal Wood Fern

Dryopteris marginalis

1-2’ Tall

Evergreen

Naturally grows on rock outcroppings in forests. Fronds are leathery in texture and grey-green in color. Grows best in slightly acidic, rich, moist soils in part shade to full shade. Often found in the understory of oak trees – genus name originates from the Greek word dryas meaning oak. 

Royal Fern

Osmunda regalis

2-3’

Deciduous

Grows well in wet to medium soils. Part shade to full shade. Prefers slightly acidic, rich soil. Can reach up to 6’ tall in ideal growing conditions! Pinnae are large and well-separated. Brown clusters at the end of the fronds hold the spores. A great fern for stream edges, ponds, bogs, and wetlands.

Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

3-6’

Deciduous

Naturally grows in moist soil along streams and riverbanks. Grows fast and colonizes quickly through rhizomes. Best in medium to wet soils, rich in organic matter, in part to full shade. Namesake comes from the large, feathery-textured fronds, not unlike those of an ostrich. The fiddleheads are edible and considered a delicacy! 

Native Plants & Invasives FAQs

Q: Why is it important to use native plants?
A: Native plants have co-evolved with wildlife in our local environments for thousands of years. They are well-adapted to live in our local site conditions and provide immense habitat for insects and wildlife. Native plants create rich biodiversity that make our ecosystems more resilient to stress and change.

Q: How do you remove invasives organically?
A: That depends on the plant and the site! We have several strategies including cutting at the base, removing from the root, spot treating with organic herbicides and burning.

Q: Can I keep non-native plants in my landscape?
A: Yes! As plant people, we know the sentimental value plants can hold! Please communicate any heritage plants you would like to keep, and if they are non-invasive, we can incorporate them into your new landscape.

As a mission-based landscape company, we aim to support all players in the natural, native, ecological landscaping realm.  Unfortunately, ecological landscaping is still the minority.  Through collaboration, cross-promotion, referrals and knowledge exchanges, we hope to build this minority industry into the standard for land care and design. As such, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite sustainable landscape players in NY and CT. Leave us a comment if we left anyone out!

Native Plant Nurseries 

NATIVE: A Native Plant Nursery 

Fairfield, CT

NATIVE is a retail plant nursery located in Fairfield, CT that supplies regionally-native trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, ferns and vines. They offer delivery, basic design services and installations. The nursery is the sister company of William Kenny Associates, a well-known ecologically-based landscape architecture firm specializing in wetlands.

Earth Tones Native Plants 

Woodbury, CT

Earth Tones is owned by Lisa and Kyle Turoczi, whose collective education and experience spans from landscape design to resource management, restoration and horticulture. Kyle has an MS in Resource Management & Conservation and Lisa has a degree in Landscape Design. They started Earth Tones nursery because sourcing native plants for their design projects was difficult. Read their full story here.

Native Landscaping

Pawling, NY

Native Landscaping is both a garden center for native plants and a design build company, run by Pete Muroski. Native Landscaping has been in business for nearly forty years! Pete is a lifelong environmentalist and outdoorsman, and it’s reflected in is naturalistic, ecological designs. 

Ecological Landscape Design & Maintenance Companies

PLANitWILD

Westchester, NY

Of course, we love PlanitWild’s mission of rewilding residential and commercial properties to create more habitat and sequester more carbon. We’ve collaborated with co-founder Amanda Bayley before and can vouch for her ecological knowledge and design talent. Amanda has amassed a team of diverse specialists at PLANitWILD and they have already made waves in the design and public outreach realm!

Reflections of Nature

Dutchess County, Columbia County, Northern Westchester County NY and Western Fairfield County, CT

Michael Gulbrandsen, of Reflections by Nature, designs beautiful landscapes that honor the magical connection between humans and nature.  Michael is known for his walking trail designs and use of native plants. Having worked with Michael before, we can attest to his talent and effectiveness as a designer! Learn more 

Hudson Valley Native Landscaping

Hudson Valley, Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene and Orange Counties, NY

Hudson Valley Native Landscaping specializes in woodland restoration, invasive species removal, native landscaping and tree care.  They approach everything ecologically and aim to restore local woodland habitats and support pollinators through native landscaping. Started by John Messerschmidt in 2009, they are leaders in ecological landscaping serving Dutchess, Ulster, Columbia, Greene and Orange counties in New York.

Thanks to all of these entrepreneurs for leading the way in ecological landscaping and responsible land stewardship. It takes a village!

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Green Jay Landscape Design

Where Design x Meets Ecology

Contact Us

914-560-6570

Earth Day is officially April 22nd, but Fairfield County, CT is celebrating all month long! We’ve compiled a calendar of local events, ranging from kid-friendly activities to community clean ups to virtual expert panels. If you know of any additional Fairfield County Earth Month events we should add to the list, let us know!

Conservation Norwalk: A Present Day History | Virtual Panel

Thursday April 15, 2021 | 5:30 PM

“This panel discussion will include guest presenters from Norwalk’s leading conservation organizations including the Norwalk Land Trust, Norwalk River Valley Trail, Norwalk River Watershed Association, Norwalk Tree Alliance and Oak Hills Park Nature Advisory Committee. Discover each organization’s history in preserving land and open space in Norwalk, as well as their past, current, and future endeavors. The discussion will conclude with a Q & A moderated by Norwalk Historical Society Executive Director, Diane Jellerette.”

Registration is required, sign up & more info here.

Spring Trail Fix with Darien Land Trust

Sunday April 18th 2021 | 11 AM – 1 PM

Selleck’s and Dunlap Woods

3 Parklands Dr Darien, CT

Bring gloves and whatever tools you have (rake, fork, wheelbarrow) for an annual trail repair & clean up in Darien. Learn more here.

Out with the Bad: In with the Native | Virtual Panel

Monday April 19th 2021 | 7-9 PM

Hosted by Wakeman Town Farm and Westport Pollinator Pathways, this workshop will delve into editing non-beneficial or invasive plants out of your garden and replacing them with highly ecologically beneficial native plants. Plant it and the pollinators will come! Read about the event here and register here.

Designing Biodiversity at McKeon Farm: Meadows and Hedgerows as Opportunities for Pollinators 

Thursday April 22nd 2021 | 7 PM – 8:30 PM

Ridgefield Library 472 Main Street Ridgefield , CT

“For the past year, the Ridgefield Conservation Commission has worked in close collaboration with landscape designer Evan Abramson, Principal of Landscape Interactions, to transform McKeon Farm in Ridgefield, CT into a regional biodiversity hotspot for pollinator species. Join Abramson, Pollinator Systems Designer, and Ridgefield Conservation Commissioner, Kitsey Snow for an in-depth exploration of the landscape design process at McKeon Farm.

Gardeners, farmers, landscape designers, conservation organizations, and local governments all play a vital role in strengthening, expanding and enhancing regional biodiversity, ecological health, and climate change resilience. On conservation properties, residential landscapes, farms, roadsides, schools, and solar projects, functionally diverse native pollinator habitats can serve as building blocks for linking intact natural areas across a fragmented landscape.

But what to plant, when to mow, where to focus on first and how to measure the results? Abramson of Landscape Interactions will present on methods and practices that lead to successful pollinator projects.”

Program description from Ridgefield Public Library. Event limited to 150 people, register on their site.

Earth Day Trivia Night at Earthplace

April 22nd 2021 | 5 PM – 7 PM

Spend the evening at Earthplace’s outdoor amphitheater to test your nature knowledge in trivia! Come with your team and compete against other teams! Entry fee is $40/team. More about the event & registration.

Earth Day 2021: Spring Into Nature | Darien Nature Center

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 10 AM – 3 PM

120 Brookside Road, Darien, CT

Darien Nature Center is hosting an environmental fair with local organizations and activities to inspire sustainable living.  Kid-friendly activities include art projects, animal encounters, a children’s story walk, building a bird feeder, planting herbs and a puppet show!

The event is outdoors, at Cherry Lawn Park, and requires advanced ticket purchase.  $50 per vehicle. No walk-ins. More info here. 

Live Like Luke Beach Clean Up At Tod’s Point

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Second annual Live Like Luke Beach Cleanup will take place on Saturday. Bring your own mask, gloves, and bucket, and make sure to register for a timeslot. The event honors Luke Meyers, an environmentalist and GHS student who lost his battle to cancer in 2019. Sponosred by Greenwich Green & Clean.

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Green Jay Landscape Design

914.560.6570

Happy Earth Month! We’ve compiled a list of fabulous community Earth Day events taking place across Westchester County, NY and Dutchess County, NY. Events range from family-friendly kid events, to community clean ups & plantings, to tips and resources for healthy yards and sustainable living. Let us know what you plan on attending!

Community Pollinator Planting & Clean Up Day

Saturday April 17, 2021 | 9 – 11 AM

Volunteers will visit five locations in different towns of lower Westchester to help clean up and beautify the space with pollinator plantings! See the list of participating towns and locations below. All locations will be active from 9 -11 am.

Rye Town – Crawford Park

Rye Brook – Village Hall

City of Rye – Rye Town Park

Port Chester – Train Station

Mamaroneck – Station Plaza

More information here.

A meadow at Old Field Preserve.

Bedford Audubon Bird Walk at Oldfield Preserve

Saturday April 17th 2021 |8-9:30 AM

Old Field Preserve, Waccabuc, NY 

Bedford Audubon in partnership with Lewisboro Land Trust will be hosting a bird observation walk in a rare shrubland habitat. Over 100 species of birds have been observed on-site, and the walk will focus on identifying early migrating songbirds. Free admission. Space is limited and registration is required by emailing Susan at info@bedfordaudubon.org or by calling 914-302-9713.

Green Ossining’s 10th Annual Earth Day Festival

Saturday April 17 – 25th 2021

Throughout Ossining – see calendar of events. 

This year’s festivities run throughout a week, allowing the festival to accommodate numerous events of different scales, to ensure safety and social distance. Events include community-wide cleanup, a petting zoo, events at local farms, healthy eating & cooking classes, hands-on kids’ activities, art & artisanal goods sale, New York farm beer tastings, composting classes, tree plantings in parks, and live music events. Register for specific events on their website.

Signs of Spring Educational Hike

Sunday April 18th 2021 | 2-4 PM

Onatru Farm Park | 99 Elmwood Rd, South Salem, NY

Naturalist Taro Letaka will lead a moderate hike through the Onatru Reservation, teaching us the signs of spring from ephemerals to migrating birds. Registration is limited to 30 attendees. Secure your spot here.

Virtual Panel: The Ecological Value and Sustainability of Yards

Wednesday April 21st 2021 | 6-7 PM

Hosted by Amanda Bayley of PLAN it WILD, this community conversation will delve into how residential yards can be part of the climate change solution. Expert panelists include:

  • Peter Groffman Ph.D., Professor, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, Environmental Science Initiative.
  • Midge Iorio, Executive Director, Bedford 2030.
  • Peter McCartt, Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability, Westchester County.
  • Andy Reinmann Ph.D., Assistant Professor, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center.

Virtual admission is free with RSVP and valid email address. To register and learn more about the PLAN it WILD mission, please visit www.PLANitWILD.com/news or facebook.com/PLANitWILD.

Cranberry Lake Clean Up

Friday April 23rd 2021 | 10 AM – 1 PM

Cranberry Lake Preserve, West Harrison, NY

Westchester Parks Foundation and Westchester County Parks are hosting a cleanup event at Cranberry Lake as part of the Pitch In for Parks Initiative. Volunteers will help rake, weed and remove trash. All tools will be provided but please arrive with a face mask! More info here.

Walking the Trail Workshops

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 10 AM – 4 PM

World Peace Sanctuary | 26 Benton Road, Wassiac, NY

Michael Gulbrandsen, a “Listener of Nature’s Whispers,” guides us on two meditative Earth Day nature walks. The day begins at 10 AM with a Morning Tranquility Walk – a wellness walk focusing on how to immerse yourself in nature and receive all of its healing benefits. After lunch, the Afternoon Fairy Walk starts at 1:30 pm – a perfect activity for kiddos, as they will be picking locations for fairy houses! The day culminates in Nature’s Sound Circle – a music circle to celebrate the sounds of nature! Suggested donation for each walk is $20. See below for full details.

Weinberg Nature Center Earth Day Celebrations

Saturday April 24th 2021 | 9 AM – 6 PM

455 Mamaroneck Rd, Scarsdale, NY

The Weinberg Nature Center Earth Day event will feature three programs:

  • 9-11 AM Rise & Shine! At Weinberg Nature Center: Led by Weinberg’s Director and Village Naturalist, Same Weinstock, and Marua Mandrano, a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator, the morning program will discuss spring bird migrations, observations of local wildlife, and making a camp fire!
  • 1-2:30 PM Spring Mindfulness: Tuning Your Observations and Enjoying New Leaves: Rob Lieblin, outdoor and environmental educator, will lead the group in ecology activities to help us better observe, appreciate and identify with nature.
  • 4-5:30 PM Reconnecting with Our Planet: Cindy Olsen, certified Kripalu Mindful Outdoor Guide and founder of Cindy By Nature, will speak about how humans have historically moved against and away from nature.  She will explore how to reconnect with the planet during a nature walk packed with engaging discovery activities. 

In between events, attendees can visit with the farm animals, engage with instructors, or picnic on the grounds! Cost of admission: $45 for the day. More info here.

How To Start a Community Garden | FCWC Student Steering Committee | Virtual Presentation

Saturday April 24th 2021 |12 PM – 1 PM

A presentation by the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County Student Steering Committee.  This program explores how community gardens can mitigate habitat destruction, loss of biodiversity and pollinators, and promote healthy soil conservation. Join the presentation here.

Mount Kisco Earth Day Celebration

Saturday April 24th 2021 |11 AM – 2 PM

Mount Kisco Village Hall

Mount Kisco’s Earth Day event features keynote speaker Nigel Sizer, a local resident and Chief Global Alliance Officer of the Rainforest Alliance. The event will include live music from 12-2 and feature many local environmental organizations including Mt. Kisco Pollinator Pathways, Healthy Yards, Sustainable Westchester and more! Learn more on the Facebook Event Page.

Healthy Yards / Bedford 2030 Earth Day Celebration 

Sunday May 2nd 2021 | 12 PM – 4 PM

Bedford Hills Train Station, Bedford, NY

Bedford 2030’s annual Earth Day event is back! Highlights include a plant swap & plant sale, composting tutorials, compost for sale (made from Bedford food scraps!!), activities for kids, live music and more!!

Know of an Earth Day event taking place in New York that should be on our list? Let us know, we’d love to promote it!

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Green Jay Landscape Design

914-560-6570

It’s been a busy start to 2021, planning and designing a slew of ecological landscapes and slotting construction dates for the spring and summer. After a year stuck at home, it’s no surprise that the home improvement industry is booming, particularly for those in landscaping. It seems the pandemic has shed new light on the value of serenity at home – safe outdoor spaces to relax, reconnect with nature, and recreate with family. We’ve compiled some recent Landscape Design Plans and Proposals from projects in Westchester County as examples. If you are considering renovating your landscape in 2021, contact us to schedule your consultation.

Certified Wildlife Habitat & Pollinator Pathway in New Rochelle 

Jay titled this project, ReWilding for the Love of Nature and the Advancement of Civilization, and the design goals are no less ambitious! This New Rochelle property needs “editing” of plants that lack ecological and ornamental value (like the English Ivy that got a little too comfortable).  In lieu, we selected a range of native shrubs, perennials and ground covers that will create a cohesive habitat on the property. As with all of our organic properties, success starts with the soil.  For this project, we plan to construct berms for some plantings, and enhance all planting areas with organic compost and soil amendments. Redirecting stormwater pipes will also improve growing conditions. 

An excerpt from the design proposal:  

No one knows better than you how proximity to nature enriches your life. The Earth nourishes and provides. Through mindful, caring rehabilitation of your existing landscape, we will create a vibrantly verdant eco-scape which will encourage and invite a tremendous biodiversity of life into the landscape, from the soil food web (which is the basis for all biological life) to the leaves of the treetop canopy.

To support, promote, and nurture nature, we will disturb the land with purpose and good intentions. The soil base will be improved, enhanced and amended by the addition of premium quality compost, engineered soil, biochar and bio stimulants, etc. Topsoil will used for terraforming a low berm retained with stone to elevate tree and shrub roots above the existing root mass.

The existing PVC pipes which discharge onto the lawn will be diverted to a sub grade Flow Well (NDS) to allow for infiltration and ground water recharge. This also contributes to and supplements the irrigation system for ease of maintenance.

Natural Stone Masonry & Pollinator Habitat Design in Hastings on Hudson, NY

This client desired a more conducive play area for their family.  We proposed some minor grading of the rear lawn, using a rip rap boulder retaining wall to support the new elevation.  An organic eco-blend lawn will be installed to form a lush play space. Sweeping native plant garden beds will disguise the new wall, and natural stone steps will allow you to explore the woodland garden below. A natural bluestone garden path guides you from the front yard landscape to backyard playscape. 

Excerpts from the design proposal:

We intend to create a naturally beautiful, peaceful landscape which will increase your enjoyment of your home and outdoor space. Installation of a sustainable organic lawn will compliment your large patio. The landscape planting will create a relaxed, colorful composition providing color, fragrance and interest through the seasons. An essential benefit of ecologically based design will establish a healthy biological ecosystem to attract beneficial wildlife. Birds and pollinators will happily inhabit your flowering native perennial flowers and fruiting shrubs. 

Shambala: Lakeside Paradise in Peekskill, NY

We will create a beautiful, natural landscape which will flow from the upper hillside to the lakefront in a gentle sweep of vibrant colors, varied shapes and textures. A dramatic progression of bloom will accompany the seasons of your life, caressing the breeze with sweet flowering fragrance. The diversity and variety of predominately native plants will thrive in your newly invigorated landscape, bringing together all creatures of land & sky to find sanctuary and refuge in the loving arms of your inviting hillside habitat, secure in the generous bounty propitiously provided.

Can you picture it? Sounds heavenly.  Unfortunately, there is much remediation work to be done before the lovely landscape install. From the Letter of Intent for Ecological Restoration 

The land surface has suffered significant erosion, scouring and loss of sediment along slope and lakeshore due to stormwater impacts and lack of adequate vegetative cover. Restoration, soil stabilization, stormwater management and bio habitat will be achieved by restoring the property to the original, life sustaining soil conditions without significant change in the grade of the slope.

The scope of work includes:

  • Removal of exotic, invasive weed species
  • Amending and refurbishing with engineered soil (80% mineral based, 20% high grade organic compost)
  • Soil stabilization via bioengineering with vegetated swale terraforming
  • Strategic placement of natural stone boulders (partially submerged for retention)
  • Biodegradable Jutte netting, mulch and straw blankets to be employed during mass planting of predominately native plants selected for adaption to mesic environment.