Garden Design

Thoughtful, Plant Forward Garden Design

Our garden design services focus on planting design that is informed by site conditions, plant behavior, and long term care. We create gardens that are grounded in horticultural knowledge and designed to grow successfully over time, not just look good at installation.

Each design is tailored to the specific property, considering soil, light, exposure, existing plant material, and how the space is used throughout the year. Our goal is to create gardens that feel intentional, balanced, and deeply connected to place.

What Garden Design Is

Garden design at Solid Roots centers on planting. We develop site specific planting plans that support healthy growth, seasonal interest, and long term success in the landscape.

Because we maintain the gardens we design, our approach is informed by how plants perform over time. We understand spacing, maturity, and placement, and we design with future growth in mind to avoid common issues like overcrowding or plants being placed in unsuitable locations.

Who This Service Is For

Garden design services are well suited for:

Homeowners planning new or redesigned garden areas
Estate properties seeking cohesive, long term planting plans
Clients looking to refresh existing landscapes thoughtfully
Property owners who value plant health and longevity
Our design services are ideal for clients who are interested in a considered, horticulture driven approach rather than trend based solutions.

What’s Included

Garden design services may include:

Site evaluation and observation
Assessment of soil, light, and exposure
Plant selection suited to coastal Maine conditions
Thoughtful placement based on plant maturity and growth habits
Designs informed by long term maintenance and care

Design scope varies by project and is tailored to the needs of each property.

Collaboration & Installation

We frequently work alongside landscape architects, designers, and builders, providing planting design and horticultural input as part of a larger project team. When appropriate, we also install the gardens we design, ensuring plants are placed correctly and established with care.

Because we are involved in ongoing maintenance, we are able to support gardens well beyond the initial installation phase.

Service Area

Our garden design services are available throughout coastal Maine, including Bangor, Holden, Ellsworth, Hancock, Bar Harbor, Mount Desert, Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, Tremont, and nearby communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you design hardscaping or landscape construction?

Our garden design services focus on planting design. We do not design hardscaping, but we regularly collaborate with landscape architects and builders as part of a broader project team.

Can you design a garden even if you are not installing it?

Yes. We can provide planting design services independently or as part of a full design and maintenance relationship, depending on the needs of the project.

Do you only design gardens that you maintain?

While many of our design projects lead into ongoing maintenance, this is not a requirement. However, our long term care experience strongly informs our design work.

How involved is the design process?

The level of involvement depends on the scope of the project. We work closely with clients to understand priorities, site conditions, and long term goals for the landscape.

If you’re interested in thoughtful, plant focused garden design informed by long term care, we’d love to learn more about your property.

Testimonials Praise From Our Clients

Alex /
Maine

Solid Roots Gardening transformed my outdoor spaces with creativity , care, and professionalism from start to finish. Their attention to detail and deep knowledge of plants and design made the entire process effortless and exciting. Every part of my landscape, whether it be the Maine Savings Amp in Bangor, our offices in Old Town or our seasonal residence for the artists, every aspect of their work feels intentional, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. The team was punctual, communicative, and genuinely passionate about said work — it shows in every facility . I couldn’t be happier with the results and wholeheartedly recommend Solid Roots Gardening to anyone looking for top-notch landscaping services that truly elevate your outdoor living spaces!

Kim & Jim /
Hancock, Maine

We have worked with Solid Roots Gardening for years and are very pleased with their work. While they certainly have the staff, equipment and knowledge to manage large, complex estate gardens on MDI, they give equal attention to those of us who just need some seasonal help opening and closing our gardens. It is always a huge relief to see Lacey and her crew arrive after the snow has melted and some of the spring ephemerals are just waking up! The pricing is fair, employees work hard and are knowledgeable. One of the aspects of Solid Roots that distinguishes them from other companies is their flexibility - they are equipped to do as much, or as little as property owners need or want. They are sensitive to client preferences and have great connections for soil amendments and plants. Every client is treated well regardless of the scope of their project. Solid Roots seems like an apt name - the company is grounded in the values that make Maine such a great place to live!