Custom Landscape Design in Oakland County
Professional landscape plans created with purpose, precision, and 39 years of Michigan expertise.
Landscape Design Built Around Your Vision
Professional landscape design transforms your property from ordinary to extraordinary. At Earth Art Landscaping, every design begins with a detailed understanding of your goals, your property's unique characteristics, and the specific growing conditions across Oakland County, Michigan.
Founder Joe Hagen has spent 39 years refining a design philosophy rooted in purpose and timelessness. After studying classic gardens for inspiration, Joe developed an approach that balances aesthetic beauty with practical function. Every plant, stone, and grade change serves a purpose in the overall composition.
Using professional landscape design software, we create scaled, detailed plans that let you visualize your finished landscape before any work begins. This precision eliminates guesswork, reduces costly changes during installation, and ensures every element works together as a cohesive outdoor environment.
Designed for Oakland County Conditions
Michigan's climate demands landscape designs that account for freeze-thaw cycles, clay-heavy soils, and dramatic seasonal changes.
Climate-Smart Plant Selection
Oakland County sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, with winter temperatures dropping to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. We select plants rated for Zone 5 or colder to build in a safety margin. Native Michigan species like Eastern Redbud, Black-Eyed Susan, and Ninebark form the backbone of our designs because they thrive in local conditions without excessive maintenance.
Soil and Drainage Planning
Southeast Michigan soils are predominantly heavy clay, which retains water and compacts easily. Every Earth Art design accounts for soil amendment needs, proper grading, and drainage solutions. We incorporate French drains, dry creek beds, and strategic grading to move water away from foundations and prevent pooling in planted areas.
Four-Season Interest
A well-designed Michigan landscape provides visual interest across all four seasons. We layer spring-flowering trees, summer perennials, fall color specimens, and evergreen structure to ensure your property looks compelling year-round. According to the National Association of Realtors, professional landscaping increases property value by 10-12% on average.
Our Design Process
A structured, transparent process that takes your project from concept to completion with no surprises.
On-Site Consultation
We visit your property to assess existing conditions: soil type, sun exposure, drainage patterns, grade changes, and existing features worth preserving. We also discuss your goals, lifestyle, and budget during this meeting. This consultation is free and typically takes 60-90 minutes.
Site Analysis & Measurement
We take detailed measurements and photographs of your property. For complex projects, we assess elevation changes and identify utility locations. This data feeds directly into our professional design software for accurate, to-scale plans.
Custom Design Development
Joe creates your landscape plan using professional design software, showing plant placement, hardscape elements, grading, and drainage solutions. You receive a detailed, scaled drawing that makes the finished result easy to visualize before any installation begins.
Design Review & Refinement
We walk through the plan together, explaining every element and the reasoning behind it. This is your opportunity to request changes, adjust plant choices, or modify the scope. We refine the design until it perfectly matches your vision and budget.
Installation & Follow-Up
Once approved, our crew executes the design with precision. Joe personally oversees installation to ensure the finished landscape matches the plan. After installation, we provide care instructions for every plant and a maintenance schedule tailored to your specific landscape.
What Our Landscape Designs Include
Every project is different, but our design capability covers the full spectrum of outdoor features.
Residential Design
Complete front and backyard landscape plans for Oakland County homes. Foundation plantings, garden beds, privacy screening, shade trees, and outdoor living integration. We design for properties of every size, from compact Troy lots to expansive Bloomfield estates.
Commercial Design
Landscape design for office parks, retail properties, and HOA communities. We create professional, low-maintenance designs that enhance curb appeal and property value while meeting budget requirements for commercial and municipal properties.
Hardscape Integration
Patios, walkways, retaining walls, fire pits, and water features designed as part of a unified landscape plan. As a Techo-Pro certified installer since 2018, we integrate Techo-Bloc products seamlessly into every design.
Drainage Solutions
Grading plans, French drains, dry creek beds, and rain gardens engineered for Oakland County's clay-heavy soils. Proper drainage is not optional in Southeast Michigan. We design it into every project from the start.
Lighting Design
Low-voltage LED landscape lighting planned as part of the overall design. Path lighting, accent lighting, and security lighting positioned to enhance your landscape's best features after dark while improving safety and curb appeal.
Renovation Design
Redesigns for existing landscapes that have become overgrown, outdated, or damaged. We assess what to keep, what to remove, and what to add, then create a phased renovation plan that works within your timeline and budget.
Why Choose Earth Art for Landscape Design
Choosing a landscape designer is a significant decision. The right designer creates a landscape that increases your property value, reduces maintenance costs, and provides years of enjoyment. The wrong one creates problems you live with for decades.
- 39 years designing Michigan landscapes
- Professional design software for accurate plans
- Techo-Pro certified since 2018
- Deep knowledge of Oakland County soil and climate
- Native plant expertise for low-maintenance designs
- Design and installation under one company
- Licensed and fully insured
- Free on-site consultations
Landscape Design FAQ
The design process typically takes 2-4 weeks from initial consultation to final plan delivery. Complex projects with extensive hardscaping or grading may take slightly longer. We schedule the on-site consultation within one week of your initial call, and design development begins immediately after the site analysis is complete.
A professional design saves money in the long run. Without a scaled plan, installation crews estimate quantities and placement on-site, which leads to material waste, drainage issues, and designs that do not function as intended. Our design process ensures every plant, stone, and grade change is planned with precision before any work begins. The design fee is typically offset by the savings in materials and avoided rework.
We recommend starting the design process in late winter or early spring (February through April). This allows time for design development and refinement before the ideal installation window opens in late April. However, we accept design projects year-round. Fall and winter consultations allow us to plan for spring installation without the seasonal rush.
Yes. Earth Art designs landscapes for residential homes, commercial office parks, retail properties, HOA communities, and municipal facilities throughout Oakland County. Our commercial designs prioritize professional appearance, low maintenance, and long-term cost efficiency. Residential designs focus on personal style, outdoor living, and property value enhancement.
Start Your Landscape Design Today
Schedule a free on-site consultation with Joe Hagen. We will assess your property, discuss your goals, and outline a design approach tailored to your vision.