--- title: "The Inspired Garden — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-inspired-garden-pfvwus-pf~1736453260 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1736453260.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "The Inspired Garden" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/dce3513e0f07d8bf_5275-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "601 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040, United States" latitude: 40.7279 longitude: -74.2656 phone: "(973) 986-1603" website: http://www.theinspiredgarden.com rating: 4.8 review_count: 34 best_of_houzz_awards: 4 followers: 30 last_updated: 2026-09-21 --- # The Inspired Garden Original Houzz profile: [The Inspired Garden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-inspired-garden-pfvwus-pf~1736453260) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Maplewood, NJ - **Serves:** West Orange, Montclair, Livingston, Westfield, Maplewood, Summit, Millburn, South Orange, Short Hills, Verona - **Houzz rating:** 4.8 out of 5 (34 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2021–2024), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - High-end - Offers Custom Work Laura has left her mark on the cottage garden landscape design scene, recently winning the 2023 Houzz Best in Design award for her work in the New York area. Driven by the belief that “flowers feed the soul,” Laura sees gardens as more than simply outdoor spaces – they are living, breathing sanctuaries that feed the soul and awaken the senses. At the heart of Laura’s design philosophy lies the concept of “imperfectly perfect.” With a blend of creativity and mindfulness, each of her designs has a sense of magic and wonder that makes her gardens both luxurious and inviting. Laura paints with flowers in her signature style, using color, texture, and movement to evoke emotion and create spaces that are as dreamy as they are unique. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Organic Gardens - Containers - Garden Planting - Landscape Maintenance ### Areas Served - West Orange - Montclair - Livingston - Westfield - Maplewood - Summit - Millburn - South Orange - Short Hills - Verona ### Typical Job Cost $2,000 - 25,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | The Inspired Garden | | Address | 601 Ridgewood Rd, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040, United States | | Phone | (973) 986-1603 | | Website | http://www.theinspiredgarden.com | | Followers on Houzz | 30 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/myinspiredgarden/ - Blog — https://www.instagram.com/the\_inspired\_garden/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [The Inspired Garden](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-inspired-garden-pfvwus-pf~1736453260) - **Website:** http://www.theinspiredgarden.com - **Phone:** (973) 986-1603 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - 2023 Houzz Best in Design - **Best of Houzz:** 4 awards (2021–2024), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 — 34 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 47.0 - Communication: 46.0 - Value: 46.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — lindaberkowitz, Nov. 2022** > Inspired Garden is beyond amazing! They take the time to visit my home and evaluated what style and colors > suits my taste and house best. The customer service is outstanding, the team comes by to do maintenance and make sure the > plantings and flowers are doing well. I am very grateful to have them in my life, every time I come home the flowers make me smile! **★★★★★ — Milissa Tarquini, Nov. 2022** > I worked with The Inspired Garden to create a flower garden in my back yard. They worked with me on the design, switching out some plants I didn’t like and working around a Japanese maple and a tree peony I already had. They have been back to perform maintenance— weeding, dead heading, replacing spent annuals etc— twice so far and will be back to do a refresh for fall and plant spring bulbs. The garden is full of color and will have winter interest as well— I couldn’t be happier! It went so well that I have already asked them to create a design for my front yard! Laura, Lucinda, and the team have been very responsive to my questions and make sure I know how to care for the garden in between their visits. I’m a very happy customer! **★ — HU-395242745, Nov. 2022** > I Hired The Inspired Garden to do an overhaul of an English Garden and a corner area. Unfortunately we never got past the corner area, they came and installed sun scorched, dying, dried out diseased shrubs, (confirmed by two separate arborists ) One of the plants wasn't even planted in the ground all of the way (See photos) The 6/8 foot maple that was promised was 3 foot at best and also in poor stressed condition . When I called to ask about this they said, give the shrubs a year to recover. Seriously! They charged me $2700 for these 8 poor plants no offer to replace or refund... needless to say I canceled the rest of the job, lesson learned Photos are from the day they installed the plants! > > After expressing my concerns no attempt was made to come back to site to go over issues just a text message telling me wait until next season to see if they come back and a bill for 2700 dollars complete robbery I feel bad they must really need the money consider this a gift **Comment from The Inspired Garden:** > We are sorry you weren’t satisfied with your shrub installation. At The Inspired Garden, we take pride in our work and don't leave a site unless we're confident that the job was done right. When our crew lead left the site after answering all of your questions and discussing the plants in detail with you, including following up via text, we believed we had honored your wishes for your garden. The shrubs we planted were deciduous and some have already lost their leaves which is normal for this time of year. The below photos show that the plants and tree were in good condition when installed. > > When you expressed concern about plant quality we advised waiting through fall for the roots of each shrub to establish, and we could better address any concerns in the Spring when the plants leaf out. In case of a damaged plant and when watering directions are followed, we are always willing to work with our clients and provide replacements. > > Somewhere between our efforts and your expectations something was misunderstood. We apologize for this lapse and hope you find a company better suited for your desires. **★★★★★ — madelynmcclammy, Jan. 2022** > Laura and her team brought our very sad gardens to life! We had two beds in the backyard that were overgrown and several areas of our front yard that were barren. Laura spent an afternoon studying the areas in need to see how much sun they get, what amount of watering would be necessary, and which plants would thrive in the different places. She then had an in-depth discussion with us as to learn about our likes and dislikes and came up with a plan for our consideration. What I especially love about Laura is that she did not push anything on us. On the contrary, she easily let us know that we may not need something we had asked for or that it wasn't the best use of our resources. Then the magic happened. The gardens she created were absolutely stunning! Very vibrant colors, diverse flowers and greenery, and unique combinations. Laura and her team came regularly to prune, water and upkeep the plantings throughout the seasons. She even created container gardens for our house entry that were amazing! What sets her apart from the others is the passion she brings to every project. Laura genuinely loves what she does, and loves to bring that joy to the families she works with. It shows in her work and in the nature of the relationships she forms with her clients, who also become friends. **★★★★★ — Jill Abramson, Dec. 2021** > Laura and the Inspired Garden team were incredible to work with!! We wanted to redo our front yard and give it a more modern look, and Laura’s impeccable taste and vision turned our front yard into a garden oasis. She worked within our budget and found the most spectacular plants, shrubs and flowers. I also signed up for the maintenance program so my garden would stay beautiful all year long. I can’t say enough about the professionalism and creativity of this talented team. I’m looking forward to seeing the bulbs blossom again in the spring!! Highly recommended! **★★★★★ — melon99, Dec. 2021** > My house is so much prettier to look at since I've started working with The Inspired Garden in 2021! Their work is beautiful, pricing is fair and their responsiveness is an A+. The planters they have filled for me over the last few seasons have brought real joy every time I come home and I could not recommend them more. We are looking forward to seeing what they have in store for Spring! **★★★★★ — Dawn Y., April 2021** > Laura is a true visionary. She helped me with my front and back yards and knew exactly what it would take to transform them into my dream gardens. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable about plants and flowers and what is needed to create a gorgeous cottage garden, she really listens to what your goals are so that your final plan is manageable and practical and not overwhelming to maintain. She has the experience to know which flowers not to bother with and which flowers will bring years of happiness. **★★★★★ — Barbra Parlin, April 2021** > We rely on Laura and her team at the Inspired Garden for everything from indoor house plants and beautiful planters to completely redesigning the plantings in front of our house. She is professional and responsive, has great ideas and is always helpful. We love The Inspired Garden! **★ — HU-361484603, April 2021** > I wanted to redo my entire perennial bed so contacted Laura this past fall. She came to my house with her assistant Lucinda and we discussed our space. She ripped out the garden we had so we could start fresh. I finally got a plan during the winter which had none of the plants I said I wanted and was too structured for the look we were trying to achieve. I explained what I wanted and the next plan was just a lesser version of the first. I’ve sent pictures of what we like and asked if they could come back and discuss the space. They told me they wouldn’t do another plan and they were too busy to come back to talk with me but would do it over the phone. I sent more pictures to both Laura and Lucinda and haven’t heard from either one by email or phone. I’ve spent almost $600 and they can’t even be bothered to respond to emails. I’m extremely disappointed and now have a totally empty plot with nothing planned. **Comment from The Inspired Garden:** > I am sorry we weren't able to make you happy with either of the two garden plans we produced for you. As with all of our garden plan customers, we took feedback from you before creating your first plan. At that time you let us know that it did not meet your needs and identified specific plants that you did not want to see which contradicted our previous discussions. We reset, spent more time with you and took detailed notes to ensure we completely understood your requirements before producing a second plan which you initially approved of before changing your mind. While unusual, this was not the first time we have had to redo a plan for a customer, but it is the only time the second plan has also been a disappointment. As discussed we were willing to review yet again over the phone but you chose not to respond. > > We take pride in our plans which offer a photo quality visual representation of your new garden, a catalog of all the plants and shrubs that go into it, and a schematic so that customers can take the DIY approach or provide the plan to their landscaper if they choose not to have us install it for them. We regret that we were not able to produce a satisfactory plan for you and wish you the best of luck in getting the look you want in your garden. **★★★★★ — edourte, Sept. 2020** > Laura has helped me finally replace my fake plants with the real beauties! She and her team have kept my front porch ready for each season with beautiful planters - I've been so happy with the designs she creates when the most direction I can give her is "something pretty." I also really appreciate her communication and her patience with me when I message her at random hours panicking about when I should water...! **★★★★★ — carabehar, Sept. 2020** > Love love The Inspired Garden. Laura is so easy to work with. Each season is better than the last. She is creative and listens to my individual needs. **★★★★★ — jewfr0jewfr0, Sept. 2020** > Laura was a pleasure to work with. Our front pots have never looked more beautiful. She also gave me some great pointers on keeping them looking lovely throughout the whole season. I especially enjoy reading her new blog. It inspires me and I love that she is willing to share her knowledge. ## Selected projects - [Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gardens-pj-vj~6325635) - Location: Maplewood, NJ - Photos: 34 - Description: More than just a garden, an Inspired Garden will reflect your personality and style. We’ll consult with you to create an outdoor space with flowers, plants, and decor that will bring you joy and peace day after day. Your home is your centralized space – it’s your safe place, your place of rest, the place you go when you need to decompress and reset. The best thing you can do for yourself and your space is to add living elements. The life and color that flowers and plants can bring to your outdoo… - [The Showstopping Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-showstopping-garden-pj-vj~7700346) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: We set out to create a show-stopping display to make jaws drop. Sweeping beds at the entrance with drifts of agastache, Russian sage, and yarrow for a soft, textured backdrop. Then we layered in dense plantings of zinnias, snapdragons, angelonia, and splashes of orange cosmos to steal the show. - [Meadow Magic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/meadow-magic-pj-vj~7700379) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: This expansive home called for a landscape that would soften the stone façade and make guests feel welcomed. We filled the front beds with drifts of soft shrubs and perennials, creating sweeping borders that anchor the space. We drew the eye to the entryway with airy annuals and shorter perennials, allowing muted pastels and gentle pops of color to play together for impact. The result? Landscaping that feels fresh, inviting, and evokes that cottage vibe. - [The Majesty Blooming Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-majesty-blooming-garden-pj-vj~7700352) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: Victorian homes are known for their lavish gardens, and this one deserved a true showcase. To highlight the new artistic walkway, we created soft layers of blooms that overflow the borders. Muted shades create a gentle backdrop, while pops of magenta and orange ensure both the house and its pathway stand out. The result is a garden as majestic as the home itself. - [The Wildflower Vibrance Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-wildflower-vibrance-garden-pj-vj~7700387) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - Description: This client dreamed of wildflower-inspired curb appeal, so we embraced the look with a mix of vibrant perennials—like gaura and yarrow—alongside more structured flowers such as veronica and the rounded blooms of rudbeckia. Then we layered in mounds of zinnias, snapdragons, and angelonia to keep pops of color going all season long. The result: a bold, inviting front garden that feels free-spirited but artfully designed. - [Expansive Charm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/expansive-charm-pj-vj~7503264) - Location: Maplewood, NJ - Photos: 4 - Description: This expansive length and width of this home in Maplewood, NJ, create an ideal canvas for a picturesque cottage garden. We strategically placed vibrant blooms in shades of purple, pink, peach and white around the charming pink door to create a warm and welcoming entrance for guests. - [Lavender and Lace Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lavender-and-lace-garden-pj-vj~6812838) - Location: Maplewood, NJ - Photos: 4 - Description: A garden makeover using a purple and white palette proved to be exactly what was needed to promote the natural beauty of this home’s facade. - [Modern Elegance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-elegance-pj-vj~7501079) - Location: South Orange, NJ - Photos: 7 - Description: Our client, who owns this modern home, sought to reimagine its tiered landscape. Recognizing its potential, we decided it was the ideal canvas to feature one of our favorite mid-spring blooms: the allium. With their impressive height, alliums bring a dramatic flair to the setting. We complemented these with perennial bachelor buttons and woodland phlox. Starting in early spring, our palette of pink and purple tulips alongside white daffodils transitions seamlessly to the mid-spring blooming alli… - [Romantic Woodland Wedding](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/romantic-woodland-wedding-pj-vj~7506965) - Location: Millburn, NJ - Photos: 10 - Description: Love is in the air! Mom wanted flowers in a soft and elegant purple and white color palette to grace the space and greet guests as they milled about and mingled. We chose fresh, light, airy elements at peak bloom, the crème de la crème of what the season had to offer. Our goal was to use florals to create a lovely, romantic ambiance in several spaces on the property, each “room” with its own distinctive feel. We clustered rustic cottage containers around a well-loved wooden bench for a picture-p… - [The Inspired Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-inspired-meadow-pj-vj~7700397) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: Inspired by meadows, this client wanted to reimagine her front landscape in a natural, flowing style. We planted mounded shrubs and airy trees, then layered perennials such as catmint, salvia, agastache, and Russian sage for a gentle haze of blue, lavender, and peach along the brick path. In summer, annuals like zinnias and snapdragons provide bright pops of color and extra dimension. The result is a relaxed, meadow-like garden that highlights the home and draws the eye from the street. - [Dreamy Wildflower Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dreamy-wildflower-garden-pj-vj~6812806) - Location: West Orange, NJ - Photos: 11 - Description: This client desired a wild, dreamy, cottage garden in soft hues of pink and purple to surround their pergola and transform their patio into a flower wonderland. - [Early Spring Delight](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/early-spring-delight-pj-vj~6327877) - Location: Short Hills, NJ - Photos: 8 - Description: This beautiful garden was in serious need of more color in early spring. Usually this can be done with bulbs but she has a huge deer problem In the fall, we planted bulbs of Alliums, Woodland Phlox, Forget-Me-Nots and a large amount of early spring annuals to really add a big pop! Later on we added another round of mid-spring bloomers to keep this garden bursting all season. Photo credits: Aimee Ryan - [Seasonal Splendor](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/seasonal-splendor-pj-vj~7501291) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: This Pinterest-perfect home was just missing the final touch — a cottage garden! Our client desired vibrant colors throughout the seasons for maximum curb appeal. To achieve this, we designed two focal areas around the entranceway, drawing the eye to this charming scene. Filled with lush perennials tailored for each season, the real magic of this garden lies in its annuals. - [High Line Summer Meadow](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/high-line-summer-meadow-pj-vj~7506997) - Location: Maplewood, NJ - Photos: 6 - Description: This client wanted to turn his large, sloped backyard garden bed into a perennial meadow filled with lush grasses, herbaceous perennials, and foundation shrubs. We designed the garden to hold the viewer’s senses in balance between structure and movement. After the initial rip-out, we added strategically placed foundation shrubs, including hydrangea, cypress, and euonymus, to hold the form of the garden in place and to give a sense of stability and weight. Then we painted the hillside with drifts… - [Cottage Charm](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cottage-charm-pj-vj~7503252) - Location: South Orange, NJ - Photos: 5 - Description: This client had recently completed new landscaping but desired a more cottage-style look. We transformed her front beds into a stunning display of hues and drama, enhancing the curb appeal of her traditional home. - [Spring Awakening](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/spring-awakening-pj-vj~7506974) - Location: West Orange, NJ - Photos: 6 - Description: Nothing is more enchanting than a soft palette of tulips and daffodils blooming in early spring. We amped up the magic in this West Orange, NJ, garden by adding pansies, stock, snapdragons, and woodland phlox in complementing shades of purple and pinks. - [Small Space, Big Impact!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-space-big-impact-pj-vj~7506956) - Location: Millburn, NJ - Photos: 3 - Description: We always say, small space, BIG impact! This garden in Short Hills, NJ, shows that you don’t need a large area to create something truly breathtaking. Sometimes less is more. This client inherited the foundation of an English garden and wanted to breathe new life into it with vibrant colors and continuous blooms throughout the seasons. Visible from inside the home, this garden offers a delightful view, showcasing unique blooms in shades of pink, orange, and white. - [Vibrant Transformation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/vibrant-transformation-pj-vj~7506947) - Location: Maplewood, NJ - Photos: 5 - [The Allure of Alliums](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-allure-of-alliums-pj-vj~7507066) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Summer Containers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/summer-containers-pj-vj~6330976) - Location: Short Hills, NJ - Photos: 38 - Description: When the cool days of Spring are behind us, we refill containers with summer blooms. Summer is our longest season. We fill our containers with bright colored flowers like Angelonia, Salvia, Geraniums, and Calibrochoa. They bloom all summer and provide that extra pop of color to entrances and decks. [See all 38 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/the-inspired-garden-pfvwus-pf~1736453260) ## Community Q&A **Q: Where did the flower pots come from?** *(in Photo Questions)* I love these flower pots; can you tell me here they came from? Thank you in advance! A: Gail, they came from a local nursery a few years ago. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-21.*