Design-Build Landscaping for the Gulf Coast
We handle every phase of landscaping from design through installation. No subcontractors. No handoffs. One team plans your landscape, prepares the site, installs the plants, and finishes with mulch and cleanup.
Our design-build approach means your project moves faster and costs less than splitting design and installation between separate companies. We know exactly what works in Northwest Florida's sandy soil, salt air, and subtropical climate because we install here every day.
Whether you need a full property transformation, new foundation plantings, or a backyard overhaul, we start with your vision and deliver a finished landscape that looks established from day one.
Plants That Thrive in the Florida Panhandle
Plant selection makes or breaks a landscape in Northwest Florida. We choose species proven to handle Zone 8b/9a conditions: salt spray within 5 miles of the coast, sandy soil with almost no organic content, and summer temperatures that regularly hit 95 degrees with 90% humidity.
Our go-to plant palette includes:
- Foundation shrubs: Loropetalum, Indian Hawthorn, Dwarf Yaupon Holly, Podocarpus, Walter's Viburnum
- Accent plants: Sago Palms, Bird of Paradise, Agave, Ornamental Grasses, Coontie Palm
- Groundcovers: Asiatic Jasmine, Liriope, Perennial Peanut, Juniper
- Trees: Live Oak, Crape Myrtle, Magnolia, Sabal Palm, Bald Cypress
- Coastal-specific: Saw Palmetto, Muhly Grass, Dune Sunflower, Sea Oats, Coontie
Every plant we install comes with a care guide specific to your property's sun exposure, soil type, and proximity to the coast.
Our Landscape Installation Process
Consultation
On-site property assessment including soil evaluation, sun mapping, drainage analysis, and discussion of your style preferences and budget.
Design Plan
Detailed landscape plan with plant selections, placement, quantities, grading notes, and a clear line-item estimate.
Site Preparation
Existing vegetation removal, grading, soil amendment, bed edging, and irrigation coordination before anything gets planted.
Install & Finish
Plant installation at proper depth and spacing, 3-inch mulch layer, thorough watering, and a complete walkthrough with care instructions.
Bed Preparation and Soil Work
Florida panhandle soil is almost pure sand. It drains fast, holds no nutrients, and provides zero structure for root systems. Every landscape bed we install gets amended to give plants a real chance at long-term success.
We mix composted organic matter into the top 6-8 inches of soil in every planting bed. This adds nutrient content, improves moisture retention, and gives roots something to grip. For heavily sandy lots, we add expanded shale to improve drainage structure without compacting over time.
Proper grading is critical. We grade all beds to slope away from foundations and toward designated drainage paths. Standing water kills more landscape plants than drought in this climate because root rot thrives in wet, sandy soil.
Bed edging options include aluminum landscape edging for clean, modern lines, stacked stone for a natural border, or concrete curbing for a permanent edge that doubles as a mowing strip.
Mulching and Seasonal Considerations
Every landscape installation includes a 3-inch layer of premium mulch. Mulch retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, regulates root temperature, and gives the finished landscape a clean, polished look.
We use pine bark mulch as our standard — it is locally sourced, affordable, and decomposes slowly in Florida's heat. For premium projects, we offer cypress mulch, red cedar, and decorative stone options.
Northwest Florida's planting calendar runs year-round, but timing matters. Fall (October through December) is the ideal planting window because cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress while roots still grow actively. Spring plantings work well but require more irrigation to survive the first summer.
We avoid installing new landscapes during July and August unless the project has a functioning irrigation system in place. Summer heat stress combined with transplant shock kills even well-selected plants without consistent water.
Landscaping Projects
Services That Enhance Your Landscaping
A great landscape is more than just plants. These services complete the picture and protect your investment.
Sod Installation
Fresh sod for a perfect lawn that complements your new landscape from day one.
Learn More →Irrigation
Automated watering systems that keep your new plantings healthy without wasting water.
Learn More →Landscape Lighting
Highlight your new landscape at night with strategic uplighting and path lighting.
Learn More →Drainage Solutions
French drains and grading to manage water and protect your landscape beds from erosion.
Learn More →Landscaping FAQ
Landscaping costs vary widely based on scope. A basic foundation planting refresh (bed prep, 15-20 plants, mulch) typically runs $2,000 to $5,000. A full front-and-back landscape installation with grading, soil amendment, 50+ plants, mulch, and edging ranges from $8,000 to $20,000+. We provide detailed, line-item estimates after the on-site consultation so there are no surprises.
Fall (October through December) is the best planting window in Northwest Florida. Cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress, lower water requirements, and roots continue growing through winter. Spring works well too, but plants need more irrigation to survive their first summer. We can install year-round with proper irrigation support.
Yes. Most projects include removal of existing overgrown or dead plantings. We remove old plants, roots, and debris before amending soil and installing new material. If you have existing plants worth keeping, we will work around them or relocate them within the property. Removal costs are included in your project estimate.
We design and install at 80% of mature size so your landscape looks full from day one, not sparse with years of growing to do. Most installations look established within 6 to 12 months as plants fill in. Trees take 2-3 years to reach a significant canopy. Proper watering in the first 90 days is the single biggest factor in how quickly your landscape matures.
We strongly recommend it. New plants need consistent water for the first 90 days to establish roots. Hand watering is possible but unreliable — one missed week in July can kill an entire planting bed. An irrigation system with dedicated zones for landscape beds ensures your investment survives and thrives. We can install irrigation as part of your landscape project.
Ready to Transform Your Property?
Get a free landscape consultation and estimate. We serve Pensacola, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, 30A, and communities across the Gulf Coast.