Landscape Architect

With spring 27 days away, I would like to get a head start on planning out my backyard. We moved to South Orange a year ago and wanted to live in the space before planting. We are now ready. Can anyone recommend a landscape architect? Thank you! Lauren

I am in a similar boat.

I think I know what I want in terms of massing, screening, etc but want to hire a Landscape Architect to challenge/affirm my ideas and develop a planting scheme.   

I don't know enough about plants to decide what species would meet my design goals.

If your project involves just garden/planting plan, you would be better off with a landscape designer rather than an architect (who tend to be more expensive). Although some landscape architects also do design work, they would be more suitable if you are doing regrading, hardscaping and other kinds of structural reno of your property.

I used County To County, right here in Maplewood, when I had mine done, it was a few years ago though, still looks good. 

I probably just need a designer. 

Judy Halesky.

Holly Scalera.

Joan of Acer Garden Design.

http://acergardendesign.com/

Very good with design and with plant recommendations.  She's an advertiser on MOL, I believe.

did not have a great experience with Joan @ Acer.  Got her info off MOL last year and though she is or was an advertiser she did not do the job she was hired to do in a professional or timely manner

Dean Weiss Landscape. He did ours maybe 8 years ago and as I continue to add this or that and watch how things have grown, I am constantly reminded that he made some very good choices for our property.

I had a good experience with Judy Halesky: 

http://www.landscapeinspirations.com/

Helen Kensinger , who lives in MW , is great.

Paul Blizard of Blizard Landscaping did a great job for us.

Reviving this thread because I have a question: does Joan at Acer or Judy Halesky, etc. only do garden-type work, or do they deal with landscape architecture stuff, like paver patios, etc. We are having some redesign work done on our yard and have contacted a few landscape architects like Dean Weiss, and I was wondering if it Joan, Judy, etc. were worth talking to about this kind of stuff. 

We had a good experience with Birch Hill Landscaping last spring, who did a large job for us - planting, drainage work and laying a new patio.

TarheelsInNj said:

We had a good experience with Birch Hill Landscaping last spring, who did a large job for us - planting, drainage work and laying a new patio.

Second for Birch Hill.  A number of years ago, we used Birch Hill to revise our front and side yards.  They improved the slope [edited to add - it's more level, not made steeper, just to be clear], installed drainage, and put in a new stone walk.  It was what I learned is called "hardscaping", changing the physical structure of the yard, not just the plantings.  The work is good, it's held up, and we recommend them to others for that type of work.

Anyone use Oriental Gardeners?

Great thank you very much for the information. I'll give Birch Hill a call.

we have an appointment with Birch Hill on Saturday 

Joan, from Acergarden does all that and drainage.  Give her a call (973) 903-1305, that is the best way to get a sense of what you need and what she could do. Call now because  the busy season is starting. 

relx said:

Reviving this thread because I have a question: does Joan at Acer or Judy Halesky, etc. only do garden-type work, or do they deal with landscape architecture stuff, like paver patios, etc. We are having some redesign work done on our yard and have contacted a few landscape architects like Dean Weiss, and I was wondering if it Joan, Judy, etc. were worth talking to about this kind of stuff. 

Xavier67 :  I think you misunderstand what landscape architecure is, and have the areas of expertise of those professionals exactly backwards. It would seem that you are misled by the word "architect."  It would be more accurate to say that, while some landscape architects have the capability and desire to do "hardscape,' their major function is to design esthetically and biologically with plants and water.

Maybe I wasn't clear but I've worked with both garden designers and a landscape architect and I wouldn't hire the designers for a project that involved extensive regrading, hardscaping or other structural reconfiguration. Yes, landscape architects' broader job is "to design esthetically and biologically with plants and water." But they are more likely to have the knowledge and experience on the above elements than garden designers.