Landscape design & build for Burlington, NC

Burlington landscapes tend toward a traditional style, albeit in a casual, naturalistic way. Yards tend to be fairly roomy, and planting areas tend to be interspersed with large gaps, typically blanketed in grass. Front lawns commonly give way to foundation plantings of shrubs, with floral highlights every so often.

Tree cover varies from one neighborhood to the next, though in general, trees are abundant. The formality of landscapes varies as well, from symmetrical colonial-inspired designs to homespun cottage gardens.

Front yard landscapes tend to be decorative, while functional outdoor spaces tend to cluster in backyards. Hardscape spaces are often edged with long, graceful curves, as are planting areas. These organic lines pair nicely with the natural feel that comes with the abundant greenery throughout the city.

Burlington landscape designs frequently feature amenities for outdoor living, from outdoor kitchens and dining areas to lounge spaces for entertaining friends and designated play spaces for kids or pets.

Shade is a top priority in Burlington landscapes. For many, existing trees do the trick. For others, pergolas, shade sails, or new shade trees are go-to strategies to keep outdoor spaces cool and comfortable. Swimming pools big and small, along with simpler decorative water features can also offer a cooling encounter, whether or not you actually get wet.

Landscape lighting is another popular strategy for beating the heat. By creating a pleasant environment after the sun has gone down, lighting helps residents make the most of cool summer evenings (just remember to turn the lights off when you head back inside).

Decorative boulders, along with stone paving, edging, and walls are all popular for the natural feel they evoke.

Planting designs seek four-season appeal, including fall color and winter interest via evergreen foliage, winter berries, showy bark, and sculptural branching. Bulbs and early bare-branch blooms are popular for getting a jump on spring color.

No matter where you live, native plants are an excellent choice for your landscape. As lovers of the local climate, native plants typically require fewer inputs of water, fertilizer, and maintenance than species introduced from elsewhere. With natives, you can get great plant performance with less expense and fuss.

Native plants also offer unmatched habitat value for local wildlife, and help designed landscapes feel connected to the broader regional landscape.

Looking for a few natives to get you started? Here are a few of the many local favorites:

→ Wood Anemone

→ Eastern Blue Star

→ Carolina Phlox

→ Swamp Milkweed

→ Butterfly Weedthis list of North Carolina native nurseries

→ Carolina Lupine

→ Northern Maidenhair Fern

→ Coral Honeysuckle

→ Flowering Dogwood

→ Southern Magnolia

Ready to pick up some natives for your garden? Take a look at this list of North Carolina native nurseries.

Burlington landscape designs must accommodate the climate, offering spaces to keep cool in hot weather and cozy as the seasons turn colder. This can be done in many ways, but typically involves a blend of planting and hardscape interventions, from shade trees and evergreen windbreaks to pergolas and fire pits.

With many young families and commuters, Burlington landscapes must also be low maintenance. This is Yardzen’s wheelhouse—we’ll make sure you get a planting design that looks good with minimal fuss.

Any landscape design must focus on achieving a client’s particular goals, providing the look, feel, and function they are dreaming of, whatever the style, whatever the budget.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project.

When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase – this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer.

If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.