For Garden Planting Plans, which are completed without a site visit to your home, we offer services throughout central Ohio.
For Landscape Designs, which include a site visit to your home, our service area is within the Columbus beltway and communities including Plain City, Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, Delaware, Westerville, Grandville, Grove City, West Jefferson and Blacklick. If you are outside of this area, email [email protected] for a quote.
In general, plants native to our region for thousands of years, thrive in the soil, moisture and weather of our region, which means less supplemental watering and fertilizing. Many also have deeper root systems which help to manage rainwater runoff and maintain a healthy soil structure. Native plants are essential host plants for many insects, including caterpillars of butterflies and moths, which birds rely on for food. For example, a native oak species can support over 500 caterpillar species, while a non-native ginkgo tree supports around five.
Scioto Gardens installation team, Sites, takes a limited number of clients every year. If Sites is not available, we put you in touch with local contractors with appropriate experience to install your design.
Use these handy garden bed calculators provided by Garden Gate and see examples of bed measurements on our Garden Planting Plan and Nursery Consultation and Sketch pages.
We recommend taking time-stamped photos at least five times throughout a sunny day (e.g., 7am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, 7pm). Be sure to stand in the same spot each time you take a photo to maximize accuracy. Make sure there is no cloud cover when you take the pictures.
You can send your soil to a lab for professional analysis including pH, or follow these simple DIY steps at home to determine your soil type.
In addition, after the next rain, pay attention to the area you would like to landscape. Make note of how long it takes the water to soak into the ground. Also during dry periods, does the soil look cracked and crusty? Does it look dark or pale? Perform a finger test and insert your finger into the soil a few inches. Does it feel cool and moist or dry and gritty? Make note of how it feels and looks, and also how long since the area has received water.
When you buy a house you may receive a property survey, which includes property lines, restrictions, easements, location of your home and existing hardscapes (e.g., walkways, driveway, etc.). You can also ask your mortgage company for a copy of your property survey or check your local tax assessor’s office.
- Rain gardens and infiltration trenches
- Raised bed layouts, food forests, fruit tree guilds
- Nature playscapes
- Patios, deck layout and other outdoor living areas
- Steps and retaining walls
- Fence layout, arbors, pergolas, trellis
- Walkways and paths
There are a lot of design styles that can feature native plants and our team works with each client to determine their style preferences. We want to ensure your design is not only beautiful to you, but is also functional for how you will use the space. You might even be interested in blending styles to achieve the look you want.
A majority of our work falls into these planting styles:
Matrix
A matrix planting approach mimics patterns found in nature with elements of a meadow and often depends on self-sowing plants. It has a freer aesthetic than a traditional garden design. Matrix designs start with a groundcover, such as sedges and grasses that acts as a “living mulch,” which discourages weeds because the plants are placed close together. Within the groundcover are repeating drifts and masses of plants that will bloom throughout the season. Lastly, a smaller number of taller structural plants are added to serve as focal points.
This style of garden involves assessment and fine-tuning as the plants grow and spread but once established, matrix gardens are fairly self-sustaining and a lower maintenance option.
Modern Cottage
Cottage style gardens have a relaxed charm and may include winding pathways that invite exploration. Instead of plants in regimented lines, the cottage garden has a more informal (yet thoughtfully planned) feel. Signatures of a cottage style are masses of plants and fullness. It may include edible plants, climbing vines, and natural materials such as wood and stone. Perfect tidiness is not the goal of a cottage style garden.
Formal
Formal landscapes are characterized by a sense of order and symmetry. Incorporating native plants into a formal landscape can be achieved by planting densely in bold masses and layers, using clean lines in hardscapes and bed edges and incorporating evergreens. To keep a tidier look, formal landscapes may require more maintenance than other design styles.
