---
title: "ELM Garden Design — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/elm-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~1099666475
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1099666475.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "ELM Garden Design"
category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/cff3d0c104e75e3b_9084-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Livingston Manor, New York 12758, United States"
latitude: 41.8778
longitude: -74.827
phone: "(845) 439-1005"
website: http://
rating: 5
review_count: 5
followers: 19
last_updated: 2026-08-22
---

# ELM Garden Design

Original Houzz profile: [ELM Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/elm-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~1099666475)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers
- **Location:** Livingston Manor, NY
- **Serves:** Liberty, Bethel, Loch Sheldrake, Hurleyville, Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Jeffersonville, Eldred, Ferndale, North Branch, Parksville, White Sulphur Springs, Youngsville
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

ELM designs and installs residential gardens in the Catskill region of Sullivan County, New York. Our intent is to design for you while keeping nature in mind. ELM Garden Design incorporated in the spring of 2008, but my partner Paul and I bring years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to the firm. My love has always been for the arts with my current passion being painting with flowers. I have a degree in Art & Art History, a Masters of Fine Arts, and have worked as an illustrator, art director and photographer. I have been gardening in the Catskills since 1992, became a Master Gardener in 2003 and received a Certificate of Landscape Design from the New York Botanical Gardens in 2005. Paul Blanton is a skilled mason and woodsman with a degree in Natural Resources and Conservation along with 28 years of practical experience landscaping in our area. We strive to develop gardens with distinct identities which express both the client's style and ideas and reveal the potential of each individual property. We specialize in creating sustainable garden habitats using indigenous plant communities and materials that are in harmony with the local ecology and geology.

### Services Provided

- Landscape Design
- Garden Design
- Hardscaping
- Patio Design
- Site Planning
- Custom Fire Pits
- Custom Water Features
- Drafting
- Masonry
- Trellis Construction

### Areas Served

- Liberty
- Bethel
- Loch Sheldrake
- Hurleyville
- Livingston Manor
- Roscoe
- Jeffersonville
- Eldred
- Ferndale
- North Branch
- Parksville
- White Sulphur Springs
- Youngsville

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | ELM Garden Design |
| Address | Livingston Manor, New York 12758, United States |
| Phone | (845) 439-1005 |
| Website | http:// |
| Followers on Houzz | 19 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [ELM Garden Design](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/elm-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~1099666475)
- **Website:** http://
- **Phone:** (845) 439-1005

## Credentials

**Affiliations**
- [The New York Botanical Garden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-new-york-botanical-garden-pfvwus-pf~813697435)
- [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 5 reviews**

### All 5 reviews

**★★★★★ — yann mabille, Feb. 2018**

> Eustacia and Paul are extremely good at what they do. Firstly they are great individuals, Eustacia is basically a living encyclopedia in terms of plants and wildlife. She also has a great sense of space and proportions as well as a focused vision and has a keen eye for color combinations and overall garden layout. Paul is simply a master with stone work, incredibly fast and precise. The fine stone work he has done adds a sense of detail and finish that was lacking on the exterior of our house. Eustacia and Paul designed a stone patio on the side of the house which is linked by a path surrounded by plants that leads to the front of the house. One of the challenges was to consider the previous walkable stone layout at the other side of the house to create a natural walking flow around the house which leads to the new patio while adding flowers and plants as well as stone seating areas which frame the new patio. The work they have both done at our house surpassed our expectations, not only in the craft, but also attention to detail as well as overall follow up and maintenance. It has been a great please working with them both and to be guided by their expertise and acute recommendations is always welcome. We are very proud of what they have added to our house.

**Comment from ELM Garden Design:**

> Thanks Yann! We thoroughly enjoyed working with you on your project. Getting folks outdoors and up close with nature is our goal. Seeing the first butterfly land in a new garden is always so rewarding, but we were really thrilled when you took 'ownership' by planting your own herbs in the bed. Thank you for that.

**★★★★★ — Ira Gelinson, Aug. 2017**

> ELM Garden Design is the premier Design Center to use in the Hudson Valley Region. Over the past 10 years ELM Garden Design has transformed our entire property into a lush perennial garden that increases in enjoyment each year.  The work has been extensive and unbelievably beautiful.   ELM Garden and Stone Designers are professional, knowledgeable & always with in our budget. The success of ELM Garden Design is a direct result of their ability to tap into the customers vision of their dream garden.

**Comment from ELM Garden Design:**

> It has been a pleasure working with the two of you and we love that, whenever we need you, we know where to find you- out in the garden!

**★★★★★ — asnesb, March 2016**

> Elm Garden Design has most creatively and originally designed our garden
> from scratch ( or from the ground up ), providing a blueprint of patios and
> pathways, always undulating and never static or boring.
> These have been surrounded by colorful clusters of perennials from May to
> October while pots of annuals have recently provided surprise.
> Although Elm clearly has it's own beautiful plan it has never been more
> important than providing us with personal opportunity for our participation
> in ideas and donations of our own treasured specimens from home.
> While design is of primary significance, also important has been maintenance
> of the garden and grounds.
> The designers are extraordinarily knowledgeable about fauna as well as flora
> and can make sense of all manor of life on our considerable property. Their
> willingness to respect and work around all living things is admirable.
> Inviting Elm's designers into your garden will enhance it's beauty and
> variety providing you with pleasure and gratification each year.
> The designers' special talents lie not only in design but also in
> constructing various garden sculptures, gates and other artistic details
> that will contribute to making your outdoor home uniquely yours.=

**★★★★★ — Zone4 Landscapes Ltd., Jan. 2016**

> I have worked with Eustacia and Paul of ELM Garden Design on numerous occasions over the years.  There are not many of us, landscape designers, in our rural, but very special Catskills, so it is great to have like-minded creative and responsible colleagues for collaboration.  We consult on designs and various challenges and help each other out on occasion.  Eustacia has deep knowledge of plants and excellent eye for reading the land and Paul is an excellent mason with and incredible feel for stone and what works.  They are both great resources when I need some reinforcement or to talk through a problem. ELM does beautiful designs that are sensitive to the environment and integrity of the surroundings while going to great lengths to meet the clients’ needs and create beautiful solutions.  In addition to being a pleasure to work with, they are very organized and attentive to meeting budgets and schedules.
>
> For one concrete example, I subcontracted them to help me with a masonary project for a public space and it was an excellent experience.  I needed a couple stone benches buit in an interesting configuration around a flagpole.  They helped me shape the design and Paul built the benches and helped install the flagpole (a nice little extra :-).
>
> I now look for opportunities to collaborate just in order to have the pleasure of working with them and taking advantage of their deep skill and creativity.

**★★★★★ — bjacob56, March 2015**

> Working with Eustacia from ELM Garden Design was a distinct pleasure. Eustacia's professional training in, and knowledge of, landscape design combined with her knowledge of every type of plant and tree conducive to the geographic location of the project in Sullivan County, NY, made for a successful collaboration between homeowner and contractor. Eustacia and her partner Paul (a master craftsman in his own right with stonework and masonry, and all things requiring building and tools!) were always accessible and responsive. They truly were "hands-on", from selecting specimens from a nursery that met their high expectations to doing and/or supervising the actual plantings. Prior to using ELM, I had used other landscapers whose work was acceptable & functional but in retrospect paled in comparison both as to imagination and the ability to work in an environment in which the elements of nature needed to be considered and incorporated.  ELM basically took over a landscape design that was functional but lacked imagination. By the time we sold the house, one of the top selling points were the beautiful plantings and gardens, along with certain stonework, created and maintained by them. Eustacia's design vision also is very keen, but she was also a good listener as to what as homeowners we wanted and envisioned, which she was able to articulate both in a design plan and then in the finished project. And on top, Eustacia and Paul are "good people"; a pleasure to have worked with them for so many years. The project date listed is an estimate of when we began, as the length stretched over 5 or more years, and involved annually adding additional elements as we began to see how certain aspects of the project developed and matured (which accounts for the wide range of project cost, which was spread over a number of years, the total closer to the lower end of the scale stated). We worked with them continuously until we sold the property.  I give them the highest recommendation.

## Selected projects

- [Perch Patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/perch-patio-pj-vj~956767)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: This project entailed hardscaping for a rustic cabin in a wooded glade. It included a bluestone patio accented with inset river rocks and mossy nugget borders, boulder retaining walls with split rock steps, and a perch patio for two tucked into the woodland edge.
- [Storybook House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/storybook-house-pj-vj~998345)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
  - Description: The removal of three large old spruce trees along the road left a barren front yard with no privacy for this cute little cabin. A meandering border of shrubs, grasses and perennials now directs the eye and leads the feet around to the pond side of the cabin where a spacious bluestone patio with a firepit and porch swing allow for quiet viewing or entertaining neighbors.
- [Serenity Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/serenity-garden-pj-vj~999831)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: Deer had decimated all but the upper limbs of this old rhododendron grove. Fencing was installed then gradually over the course of a couple of years understory trees, shrubs and perennials were planted to create a lush textural backyard paradise for this avid gardener. Later, a shady perennial border was added to the front foundation hedge and a grass garden now graces the walk to the mailbox.
- [Hillside Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hillside-meadow-pj-vj~997577)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: This hillside meadow of perennials, grasses and shrubs is constantly changing colors and is alive with bees and butterflies throughout the growing season. A small entry walkway with matching side beds unites an oval bed with a favorite Japanese maple which is featured through the kitchen sliding doors. At the bottom of the hill, a pergola has been added to the Club house.
- [Laketop Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/laketop-cabin-pj-vj~994807)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: This secluded lakeside cabin is nestled in the woods. Having been cleared for construction the idea was to bring a sampling of the surrounding forest back to the immediate perimeter of the house to integrate it with the site.
- [Rememberance Pond](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rememberance-pond-pj-vj~989364)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 20
  - Description: This project has a long narrow property along a rather busy road. The clients wanted separation between the road and their house and pond without building an aesthetically harsh fence. We decided on a living fence using more formal shrubs and perennials in front of the house and a looser more meadow like combination beside the pond.
- [Woodland Ramble](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodland-ramble-pj-vj~987631)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 27
  - Description: Overgrown corner edge of lot transformed into a magical colorful tapestry of woodland perennials and shrubs in which to wander and contemplate.
- [Woolsey Corner](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woolsey-corner-pj-vj~986931)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 25
  - Description: A living fence of shrubs and perennials add privacy and colorful beauty to this corner residence. A cutting garden and raised beds keep vases and plates full of flowers and vegetables.
- [Hunting Lodge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hunting-lodge-pj-vj~957753)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: This secluded hunting lodge nestled in the middle of wooded acreage had access to an old bluestone quarry from which all the steps, walkways, landings and patios were harvested. Boulders and border nuggets were also collected from the property.
- [Peninsula Point](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/peninsula-point-pj-vj~939471)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 16
- [Manor Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manor-meadow-pj-vj~936605)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 17

[See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/elm-garden-design-pfvwus-pf~1099666475)

## Ideabooks

- [Dallal](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67884752/list/dallal) — 66 ideas
- [Beaverkill](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57022841/list/beaverkill) — 23 ideas
- [Mabille](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72302945/list/mabille) — 31 ideas
- [Palmer](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/61914059/list/palmer) — 23 ideas
- [Fences](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/94681217/list/fences) — 1 idea
- [Walls](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80874302/list/walls) — 5 ideas
- [Steps](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/61912406/list/steps) — 19 ideas
- [Fried](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57022474/list/fried) — 36 ideas
- [BO Pergola](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46863426/list/bo-pergola) — 7 ideas
- [Aikey](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/78702844/list/aikey) — 11 ideas
- [Curch](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/84236592/list/curch) — 1 idea
- [Krinick](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72205947/list/krinick) — 3 ideas
- [Orchards](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80872696/list/orchards) — 4 ideas
- [Pollock](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55825277/list/pollock) — 45 ideas
- [Waterfeatures](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/80729921/list/waterfeatures) — 7 ideas
- [Krinski](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79853936/list/krinski) — 1 idea
- [Allee](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79466694/list/allee) — 23 ideas
- [SilentG](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/60486386/list/silentg) — 14 ideas
- [DK](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79152747/list/dk) — 1 idea
- [FoxBath](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/46808307/list/foxbath) — 39 ideas

[See all 38 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/eumagirl)

## Community Q&A

**Q: What are the groundcovers?** *(in Photo Questions)*

What are the low-growing groundcovers on front left, front right, and far back left next to the ferns?

A: Hello Sapphire. On the front left is Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum), front right is Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), and in front of the fers is periwinkle (Vinca).

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-22.*