--- title: "Landscape Design & Associates LLC — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/landscape-design-and-associates-llc-pfvwus-pf~437085142 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~437085142.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Landscape Design & Associates LLC" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/7093423202f5504b_7092-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "4669 S. Old U S 23, Brighton, Michigan 48114, United States" latitude: 42.57 longitude: -83.7484 phone: "(810) 360-0365" website: http://LDandA.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 46 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 54 last_updated: 2026-09-01 --- # Landscape Design & Associates LLC Original Houzz profile: [Landscape Design & Associates LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/landscape-design-and-associates-llc-pfvwus-pf~437085142) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Brighton, MI - **Serves:** Ann Arbor, Novi, Howell, Brighton, Northville - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (46 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2026), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Eco-friendly - Evening consultations Karleen Shafer has been in the Green Industry for more than 25 years. She owns and operates Landscape Design & Associates LLC, a design / build company working throughout southeast Michigan. She is a Certified Green Industry Professional, Certified Natural Shoreline Professional listed with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, and her company is also certified for green roof installation. Her credentials include: Master Gardener; Garden Critic; Michigan chapter of Association of Professional Landscape Designers Board Member, and Michigan Invasive Plant Council Director at Large. She has worked with Michigan State University as Coordinator to the Municipalities of Southeast Michigan on the emerald ash borer removal project. LD&A also serves the community with many volunteer projects. Her gardens have been featured in numerous garden tours, received several awards, both regional and national, and have been used by national plant growers in their own advertising. ### Services Provided - Landscape Design - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Landscape Plans - Patio Design - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Site Planning - Custom Fire Pits - Pool Landscaping - Custom Water Features - Gazebo Design & Construction - Design Consultation - Outdoor Lighting Design - Deck Design - 3D Rendering - Project Management - Organic Gardens - Pond Construction - Edible Gardens - Custom Bocce Ball Courts - Living Walls - Natural Swimming Pools - Potted Plants - Artificial Living Walls - Green Roofing ### Areas Served - Ann Arbor - Novi - Howell - Brighton - Northville ### Typical Job Cost $5,000 - 300,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Landscape Design & Associates LLC | | Address | 4669 S. Old U S 23, Brighton, Michigan 48114, United States | | Phone | (810) 360-0365 | | Website | http://LDandA.com | | Followers on Houzz | 54 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/www.LandscapeDesignandAssociates/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/Karleendesigns - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/karleenshafer/ - Blog — https://LDandA.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Landscape Design & Associates LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/landscape-design-and-associates-llc-pfvwus-pf~437085142) - **Website:** http://LDandA.com - **Phone:** (810) 360-0365 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association - Landscape Design Awards - Perennial Plant Association - Landscape Design Award - Michigan Green Industry Association - Creative Horticulture Award for City of Brighton - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2026), for Service. **Affiliations** - [Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/michigan-nursery-and-landscape-association-pfvwus-pf~1418148745) - [Association of Professional Landscape Designers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/association-of-professional-landscape-designers-pfvwus-pf~92795973) - [American Society of Landscape Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/american-society-of-landscape-architects-pfvwus-pf~2014062207) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 46 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 44.0 - Communication: 44.0 - Value: 44.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — pennydeg, July 2025** > Karleen is a gem, very easy to work with. She aims to please. We are so glad that we chose her firm. She did a beautiful job and her follow up is top notch. Thanks to Karleen and her team. **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > Penny, > Thank you so much. we enjoyed working with you both. Thank you for being open to new ideas and helping to creating a one of a kind landscape for you to enjoy. **★★★★★ — Karen Chiodo, May 2025** > LD&A did our landscaping in the fall of 2022 and I am looking out at the job that was done and I still could not be more pleased and happier with it! There was care and concern from the first time we met with her thru the end of the project and beyond. She took great care in the design process to ask what types of plants we like and incorporated them into our design. Our home was a new construction home so they did the landscaping from the soil up and let me tell you, we are basically on clay which is difficult to work with. Karleen is wonderful along with all her employees. They did the design complete with a very large detailed plan and followed thru with everything - there was nothing for me to do but, do my part once it was completed (appropriate watering, etc). After the first winter she came out and checked everything out, we had one rhododendron that did not make it and it was promptly replaced with one of the same color and similar size so that they were still very visually pleasing - considering when the job was completed, to lose only one plant shows the quality of the plants used and the job done. As a matter of fact, we are often told we have the best looking yard in the neighborhood. She may not be the least expensive but she is for sure worth it. She and all her employees are considerate, knowledgeable and passionate about the job. We simply could not be happier and from all the 5 star reviews it seems like we are not the only ones!! Thank you Karleen and LD&A for a job excellently done! **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > Thank you Karen, great working together on your project bringing about a unique design that you will enjoy. **★ — Theresa Gentner, May 2025** > We paid a lot of money for an awful landscape job. They did not prepare the ground with adequate amounts of dirt we paid for. You can't even put a shovel in the flower beds before you hit rocks and clay. Many of the plants have died. They came back and dug up all the plants and put fresh dirt in the small holes they dug around the plants. However, trying to fix this after the fact, when the grounds weren't prepared right in the first place, did not work. All the plants should have been removed and the ground prepared correctly. > > The owner told me the person from her company that did our job was no longer with them. I was shocked when I heard this since our job was VERY expensive and I thought she would adequately manage it. The fact that her foreman was no longer with them did not help us after the fact. It would have helped if during our job she would have come by to check on what her foreman was doing. > > In addition, the initial design document she created, (and charges a lot for) had shade plants under a tree that would not be big enough to supply shade for 20 years. Her son even commented when they came back to dig everything up, "that tree won't supply shade for 20 years" as he pulled out all the dead ferns and plants under it. They pulled out so many dead plants and replaced them that design document was no longer valid anyways as they put in different plants from the original design. We should have been refunded for her bad design. > > Worse yet, they even dug up the big pine trees they previously planted to add adequate soil under them (something that should have been done in the first place). Some of the pine trees are now dying. We spent so much money for our landscaping and it looks horrible and many of the plants look horrible or are dead this spring. They even had to dig up sod in the front and put soil under it because it was so uneven. > > Wanted to warn others!!! This company charges top dollar but the results are awful and they do not monitor their jobs properly. **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > One of the terms in our contract is that the client is responsible for adequate watering and care of the plants. Landscape management is a partnership. We were there to make replacements even when watering was not appropriate. We replaced the tree that had started to rot because of over watering. The heavy clay on your property was amended with 50 yards of top soil. We came back multiple times and replaced. I'm sorry for your experience. **★★★★★ — Cynthia Mason, Jan. 2023** > The projects have always exceeded our expectations. They do an amazing job. We have used their services at two different locations and been very pleased. **★★★★★ — Greta Merandi, Sept. 2022** > The professionals at Landscape Design & Associates did a wonderful job of creating a rock retaining wall with ledge rock steps. They listened to our ideas and implemented them seamlessly. Their pricing was very reasonable compared with other estimates. They were on time and made sure that the area was cleaned up well at the completion of the project. The owner, Karleen, also instructed us regarding some of our existing plantings and how to care for and improve their growth patterns. We were extremely pleased with all aspects of our experience with this company and we would highly recommend them. **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > We enjoyed getting to know you and working with you both. Thanks **★★★★★ — Wanlu Du, Sept. 2022** > Professional, hard-working and reasonable price! A shout-out to Karleen's team, thank you for your hard and efficient work! We are now much enjoying our driveway and backyard. Highly recommend! **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > Thank you Wanlu. I hope your new garden areas work well for you. **★★★★★ — Leigh H, Sept. 2022** > Karleen and her professional crew recently did some landscape trimming work at our home in Brighton and we are over the moon. I would highly recommend Landscape Design & Associates. Karleen is very knowledgeable and professional. I can't wait until they start on our spring project. **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > Thank you Leigh. We look forward to working with you as well! **★★★★★ — Laura Schwennesen, July 2022** > LDA did a landscape redesign and install and we LOVE it! The crew is knowledgeable, friendly, and hard working, always willing to answer my many questions :) I really appreciated how they use native plants and pollinator friendly species in their designs. Highly recommend LDA! **★★★★★ — Ann Bhat, Nov. 2021** > Karleen is a wealth of information and so pleasant to work with. She has helped us with erosion control in our sloping backyard, consulted on tree sustainability and most recently her team trimmed our gorgeous oaks. Gabriel and Cameron are skilled arborists and provided us information about maintaining the health of our trees. It was fun to watch these two navigate the oaks and heal the trees! LDA is my go to team. **Comment from Landscape Design & Associates LLC:** > Thanks Ann, we have enjoyed working with you as well. **★★★★★ — Kathy Smith, July 2021** > I can't say enough good things about this company. I built a new house and needed someone to help me with the landscaping. Maggie, Karleen, Gabe and crew were excellent to work with throughout this process. The designs, plants, bushes, etc., were all top of the line and just what I wanted for a low maintenance yard with a great curb appeal. Maggie is just a wonderful person to work with and was very patient when I needed to make changes. You will not go wrong if you choose this company to handle your landscaping! **★★★★★ — Barbara Eldon, July 2020** > I’ve been trying to submit this 5 star review for quite awhile now... i had an amazing experience with Landscape Design in Brighton Mi.. they were prompt, gave us a great design, very professional, & did a beautiful job of planting & adding beds & a rock wall to spruce up our very plain landscape . All in all we are always getting compliments & I give anyone who asks Karlene’s name **★★★★★ — tom sivak, July 2020** > Landscape Design has done a wonderful job with my landscape, they have great ideas. I did a total make over and they also ran some drains for me . It turned better than I envisioned. Their workers are professional, and meticulous. I will be using them again. ## Selected projects - [Formal Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/formal-landscape-pj-vj~6123220) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 2 - [Front Yard Renovation & Rejuvenation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-yard-renovation-and-rejuvenation-pj-vj~2402547) - Location: Milford Charter Township, MI - Photos: 4 - Description: Working with existing trees we renewed the front landscape. Stone wall was added to bring interest to shady beds. Plants for perpetual color and varying bloom for shade were added. - [Backyard Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-retreat-pj-vj~2279720) - Location: Howell, MI - Photos: 4 - [Environmental Native Front Yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/environmental-native-front-yard-pj-vj~6123214) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 2 - [Front Entry](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-entry-pj-vj~497746) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 3 - [Backyard Pondless Waterfall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-pondless-waterfall-pj-vj~497768) - Location: Pinckney, MI - Photos: 4 - Description: Ledge rock was used to frame patio area and ledge rock steps lead down to the bridge. A stream was installed for a relaxing atmosphere with the sound of rippling water that can be enjoyed from the patio. The stream leads to an area that disappears into a hidden reservoir for easy maintenence. - [Front yard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/front-yard-pj-vj~497781) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 3 - [Residential](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/residential-pj-vj~445993) - Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI - Photos: 2 - [Commercial](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/commercial-pj-vj~1286370) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 7 - Description: Landscape Design & Associates provides services to municipalities and businesses that include design, construction management, installation and maintenance. - [Backyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-pj-vj~497748) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 2 - [Contemporary revived garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-revived-garden-pj-vj~2279813) - Location: Howell, MI - Photos: 1 - [Formal front garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/formal-front-garden-pj-vj~2279809) - Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI - Photos: 2 - [Entertaining and Healing garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/entertaining-and-healing-garden-pj-vj~2279791) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 4 - [Expanding the foliage plant palette](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/expanding-the-foliage-plant-palette-pj-vj~2279805) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 1 - [Secluded Getaway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/secluded-getaway-pj-vj~2279798) - Location: Howell, MI - Photos: 3 - [Paver Pathway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/paver-pathway-pj-vj~2747874) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Residential cottage garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/residential-cottage-garden-pj-vj~2341683) - Location: Brighton, MI - Photos: 8 - [New Patio and Stone Wall](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-patio-and-stone-wall-pj-vj~2796809) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [3D Concept Sketch](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/3d-concept-sketch-pj-vj~2750669) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 1 - [Garden Plants Project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garden-plants-project-pj-vj~7574718) - Location: Ann Arbor, MI - Photos: 7 [See all 23 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/landscape-design-and-associates-llc-pfvwus-pf~437085142) ## Frequently Asked Questions **What types of landscape design projects do you specialize in?** We specialize in a wide range of landscape design projects, from comprehensive landscape plans and garden design to custom fire pits, water features, and natural swimming pools. Our expertise also includes hardscaping, outdoor lighting, and sustainable options like drought-tolerant and organic gardens. We create unique outdoor spaces tailored to your vision. **Do you offer design-only services or full project coordination?** As a design/build company, we offer both design-only services and full project coordination. Whether you need detailed landscape plans, design consultation, or comprehensive project management from concept to completion, we're here to help bring your outdoor vision to life in southeast Michigan. **Do you create detailed planting and layout plans?** Absolutely! Creating detailed planting and layout plans is a core part of our landscape design services. We develop comprehensive plans that specify plant selections, hardscaping elements, and overall site organization to ensure a beautiful and functional outdoor space tailored to your property. **Do you design outdoor living spaces such as patios and outdoor kitchens?** Yes, we specialize in designing inviting outdoor living spaces. Our services include comprehensive patio design, custom fire pits, and hardscaping to create functional and beautiful areas for relaxation and entertainment. While outdoor kitchens aren't explicitly listed, we excel at integrating various elements to enhance your outdoor lifestyle. **Do you design drought-tolerant or sustainable landscapes?** Absolutely! We are passionate about sustainable design. Our services include drought-tolerant landscaping, organic gardens, and green roofing. Karleen is a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional and our company is certified for green roof installation, reflecting our commitment to environmentally conscious and resilient outdoor spaces. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [k224's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/23392299/list/k224-s-ideas) — 21 ideas [See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/k224) ## Community Q&A **Q: Gorgeous work!** *(in Photo Questions)* I love your creative flare harmoniously mixing all those different plants. Very interesting. A: Thank you very much **Q: Is this snowball bush or hydrangea?** *(in Photo Questions)* I am searching for old fashioned summer blooming snowball bush with blooms turning from green to white. Is this what is pictured or is it a hydrangea? Beautiful garden! A: This is an Annabelle Hydrangea --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-01.*