---
title: "Christine Darnell Gardens — Landscape Contractors | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/christine-darnell-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310465558
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310465558.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Christine Darnell Gardens"
category: ["Landscape Contractors"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/ac335b56013d1c23_5528-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Chester, Connecticut 06412, United States"
latitude: 41.4049
longitude: -72.4643
phone: "(203) 832-9411"
website: http://christinedarnellgardens.com
rating: 5
review_count: 2
followers: 60
last_updated: 2026-11-05
---

# Christine Darnell Gardens

Original Houzz profile: [Christine Darnell Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/christine-darnell-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310465558)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Landscape Contractors
- **Location:** Chester, CT
- **Serves:** Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Old Saybrook, East Haddam, Haddam, Old Lyme, Westbrook, Essex, Killingworth, Deep River, Salem, Chester, Deep River Center, Essex Village, Westbrook Center, Old Saybrook Center, Higganum, Madison Center, Moodus, Chester Center, Saybrook Manor, Fenwick, Centerbrook, Hadlyme, Ivoryton, Middle Haddam
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (2 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

We believe that beautiful and well-designed landscapes and gardens are the result of exceptional, thoughtful collaboration and practical creativity. Every one of our outdoor spaces is the result of the collaborative process we foster between our studio team, our clients and the highly skilled professionals who build each project. We are passionate about our work and committed to delivering outstanding results that exceed expectations.

### Services Provided

- Garden Design
- Pool Landscaping
- Planting
- Master Plans
- Planting Design

### Areas Served

- Guilford
- Madison
- Clinton
- Old Saybrook
- East Haddam
- Haddam
- Old Lyme
- Westbrook
- Essex
- Killingworth
- Deep River
- Salem
- Chester
- Deep River Center
- Essex Village
- Westbrook Center
- Old Saybrook Center
- Higganum
- Madison Center
- Moodus
- Chester Center
- Saybrook Manor
- Fenwick
- Centerbrook
- Hadlyme
- Ivoryton
- Middle Haddam

### Typical Job Cost

$3,500 - 150,000

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Christine Darnell Gardens |
| Address | Chester, Connecticut 06412, United States |
| Phone | (203) 832-9411 |
| Website | http://christinedarnellgardens.com |
| License Number | \#HIC0639312 |
| Followers on Houzz | 60 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Christine Darnell Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/christine-darnell-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310465558)
- **Website:** http://christinedarnellgardens.com
- **Phone:** (203) 832-9411

## Credentials

**Certifications & Awards**
- Columbia University, Master of Science, 2009, Parsons School of Design, BFA, 1990, Master Gardener, 2003

**Affiliations**
- [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 — 2 reviews**

### All 2 reviews

**★★★★★ — Laurel Griso, Sept. 2015**

> We were looking for a landscape architect who could determine the best design and best plants to suit our challenging front yard, that we could maintain for years to come.  Christine exceeded our expectations assessing our soil and sunlight conditions throughout a day and developed a documented design and proposal that integrated with the existing yard architecture.  Working diligently with a landscaper she ensured that the soil was conditioned, all plants were installed according to the design, and then mulched.  We have completed two phases of our plan and are now in the final phase to be completed this month.  We highly recommend Christine if you are seeking a seasoned professional with the ability to develop options based on your individual needs,  who will ensure that your job is completed as specified and within an approved budget.

**★★★★★ — Bruce Linkov, Aug. 2015**

> Christine designed and installed a variety of plantings in containers around my pool area. She put a lot of thought and care into her design, listened to our requirements (we do not have green thumbs at all!) and did a fantastic job! Everyone who comes over says it looks like a resort - all because of Christine's efforts! The plants are thriving and she gave us detailed instructions for maintenance when the weather begins to turn. It was a delight working with her, and I can't wait to work with her again on future projects.

## Selected projects

- [Riverfront property](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/riverfront-property-pj-vj~2748615)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: Sweeps of Drift roses bloom in a hillside bed looking out over the Connecticut River. Natural drifts of Ferns and Foamflower along the driveway entrance. A pretty little formal garden in the front entrance. Natural beauty along the water.
- [Master Plan in Madison](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/master-plan-in-madison-pj-vj~2055723)
  - Location: Madison, CT
  - Photos: 7
- [Small Space Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-space-garden-pj-vj~2055770)
  - Location: Madison, CT
  - Photos: 10
  - Description: Very specific plantings for seasonal interest and delight. Integrating artistic expression. The garden addresses the challenges of a compact patio space, and a compromised lawn space. The client appreciates modern clean lines and good design. Striving here to use the same style and materials of the house.
- [A Kitchen and Herb Garden in Chester](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-kitchen-and-herb-garden-in-chester-pj-vj~189097)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: We wanted to create a haven for a small family. Beds are partly used for growing annuals and perennials for cutting, part for growing lettuces, tomatoes, herbs, squash and beans. Surrounding the beds are espaliered apple and pear trees, and the traditional boxwood dot the corners of the beds We tried our best to make the garden colorful and attractive from May to October, and to plant keeping pollinators in mind.
- [Outdoor Green Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-green-courtyard-pj-vj~428619)
  - Location: Darien, CT
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: In a previously unused area of the side and backyard of this property, we created a series of outdoor rooms: an open green courtyard, a gravel circle framed by a cottage-style cutting garden, and an outdoor fireplace and seating area.
- [Bulb Plantings](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bulb-plantings-pj-vj~1507541)
  - Location: Chester, CT
  - Photos: 4
- [Planting Combinations](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/planting-combinations-pj-vj~276395)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: Sophisticated planting combinations are our signature. Here are some examples of garden combinations we have designed and created.
- [Entryway Perennial Garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/entryway-perennial-garden-pj-vj~949849)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
- [Large Scale Planting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/large-scale-planting-pj-vj~2506553)
  - Location: Old Lyme, CT
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: This was a difficult site: a large bare space, and very dry shade under the canopy of tall trees. The desired effect was for the planting to look as though it had always been there, and that the plants should spread over time, These images are take one year after the initial planting, and the plants are spreading vigorously.
- [Container Gardens and Vertical Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/container-gardens-and-vertical-gardens-pj-vj~882749)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: A mix of containers: sedum vertical gardens, spring posies, native plant containers for shade, and summer and fall combinations.
- [Eco-friendly Planting along CT Shoreline](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eco-friendly-planting-along-ct-shoreline-pj-vj~650726)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 1
  - Description: This client wanted a very calm, green and natural look for an area across from the Sound. It had to look like it had always been there. We took some existing Lily of the Valley from another spot on the property and added some Carex Pennsylvanica, or Sedge. After a brutal winter of sub zero weather, this "lawn" is still going strong. It will never need care other than occasional weeding.
- [Garden Vignettes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-vignettes-pj-vj~1202568)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8
  - Description: These images, chosen from favorite projects done over the last few years, reflect the large palette of plants and materials we will draw on to suit our clients' vision and specific needs.
- [Shoreline Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shoreline-gardens-pj-vj~1510511)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 3
- [Guilford Property](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/guilford-property-pj-vj~5737706)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 8

[See all 14 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/christine-darnell-gardens-pfvwus-pf~310465558)

## Ideabooks

- [Woodland Wonders](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/83688456/list/woodland-wonders) — 7 ideas
- [Meditative spaces](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23566973/list/meditative-spaces) — 3 ideas
- [Formal Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59716125/list/formal-gardens) — 2 ideas
- [Autumn Glories](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34020882/list/autumn-glories) — 12 ideas
- [Children's Gardens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30385398/list/children-s-gardens) — 6 ideas
- [By the Lake](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31000161/list/by-the-lake) — 6 ideas
- [Garden Ornaments](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30965929/list/garden-ornaments) — 3 ideas
- [Stonework](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/30966223/list/stonework) — 1 idea

[See all 8 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/christinedarnellgardens)

## Community Q&A

**Q: What is the pink flower?** *(in Photo Questions)*

So lovely.

A: Hi there - It is a Hydrangea paniculata called 'Quickfire'. The white shrubs are Limelight hydrangeas. You cannot miss with either of these shrubs.

**Q: Love the chairs. Where can I but them?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Got to shop for garden antiques. These are cast iron - I would try ebay

**Q: What is this** *(in Photo Questions)*

What is this and what zone does it grow? Looking for winter interest in new landscaping. Thanks!

A: Hi Marie - It is Spiraea Udon 'Mellow Yellow'. A bit hard to find - but worth it!

**Q: what is the tree that is next to the shed... thanks** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It is an espalier apple tree, and can be purchased already started from a good nursery. We have added horizontal rods to continue to train the limbs out.

**Q: What is this Paint or Stain color??** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: It is a stain.

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-05.*