--- title: "Aardweg Landscaping — Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/aardweg-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~755304985 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~755304985.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Aardweg Landscaping" category: ["Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b323a1de00f97f9e_7916-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073, United States" latitude: 39.9863 longitude: -75.407 phone: "(610) 355-0703" website: http://aardweglandscaping.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 48 best_of_houzz_awards: 11 followers: 115 last_updated: 2026-09-09 --- # Aardweg Landscaping Original Houzz profile: [Aardweg Landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/aardweg-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~755304985) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers - **Location:** Newtown Square, PA - **Serves:** King of Prussia, West Chester, Phoenixville, Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Penn Wynne, Paoli, Media, Bryn Mawr, Narberth, Berwyn, Malvern, Chester Heights, Chadds Ford, Main Line - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (48 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves As the "Best of Houzz" \[ 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2020,2021, 2022, 2023,2024\] in Service as rated by our clients, 2020 in Design. 2020 in Customer Satisfaction award winner in Landscape Design and Architecture we continue to strive for excellence and customer satisfaction at the highest levels. Plus we are "Houzz Recommended" - The Recommended badge goes only to top-rated pros on Houzz. As of 2017, Aardweg Landscaping has more 5 star reviews than any other Philadelphia area landscape design/install business. \[ 2018 update - We switched over to Google reviews for 2018-19, then back to Houzz\]. Read what our clients have to say about us. And check our portfolio of projects/images to see what we have done for them...and can do for you. Call for your free consultation! ### Services Provided - Garden Design - Hardscaping - Custom Fire Pits - Custom Water Features - Gazebo Design & Construction - Masonry - Trellis Construction ### Areas Served - King of Prussia - West Chester - Phoenixville - Ardmore - Bala Cynwyd - Penn Wynne - Paoli - Media - Bryn Mawr - Narberth - Berwyn - Malvern - Chester Heights - Chadds Ford - Main Line ### Typical Job Cost $15,000 - 300,000 We give our clients the option to choose from 3 different price points for planting/installation, thus giving them the ability to tailor the job to THEIR budget and life. Folks that cannot afford instant gratification can still afford great design and in a few years have their smaller budget design grow up and mature. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Aardweg Landscaping | | Address | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania 19073, United States | | Phone | (610) 355-0703 | | Website | http://aardweglandscaping.com | | Followers on Houzz | 115 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/AardwegLandscaping/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/PA\_Landscaping - Blog — http://www.aardweglandscaping.com/blog/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Aardweg Landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/aardweg-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~755304985) - **Website:** http://aardweglandscaping.com - **Phone:** (610) 355-0703 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - CPLD certified designer. - **Best of Houzz:** 11 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 48 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 46.0 - Communication: 46.0 - Value: 46.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — tltml36, Oct. 2023** > We hired Aardweg Landscaping to design and construct a new patio, in addition to resurfacing an existing smaller patio. We had previously used Steve and his team to design and install a garden in front of the house and were very happy with that result. > The new patio, the steps they rebuilt, the steps they added and the resurfaced patio were all done with great care and are beautiful. The team is very thorough, very hard-working and dedicated to doing every bit of work exceptionally well. Due to some unavoidable delays, the project took longer than expected and yet Steve and team stayed focused on this project through completion, despite what had to be a shrinking profit margin. > We have enjoyed working with Steve and his team and recommend them highly. We’re looking forward to our next project with Aardweg Landscaping. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > John and Theresa were great clients - again! We had some delays due to weather and they were very understanding. So happy that they enjoy the finished product. **★★★★★ — Morgan Derby, Dec. 2022** > We vetted a number of landscapers before beginning, but chose to work with Steve based on the versatility of plantings we saw in his portfolio, the attention to detail and commitment to excellence we saw in his reviews, and the clarity and ease of communications we found during our initial conversations. > Our project involved a full re-do of the front and side gardens, new trees in the front and rear, the construction of a very large patio, the installation of a few "wishlist" items (updated egress window covers, permanent discreet umbrella stands, and more secure and discreet waste bin storage). > We wanted an unconventional garden for the area, so it took us awhile to find the words and images to share and describe what we were looking for. Steve was very patient with us, offered clear and pointed feedback where needed, and ultimately helped clarify and focus our vision. > Steve is very much a "measure twice cut once" practitioner, so it really helped to have ironed out all the details ahead of time so that once construction and planting got going we as homeowners were able to completely surrender control and the team could move quickly. > > Our property and project had a few quirks, so there were a few "firsts" for Steve and his team. Steve and his foreman were incredibly creative, determined, and successful in leaving us with solutions and a finished "product" even more elegant and functional than we had hope for. > > Our budget was fairly tight for what we wanted to accomplish, and Steve was financially conscientious throughout the entire process. > He and his team even took on some work at no additional cost to us. > > I could go on and on about what a pleasure it was working with Steve. On the planting end: he clearly loves plants, knows how to balance shape and color and proportion and texture and color and position, and stands by the integrity of his work. On the construction end: he takes pride in the elegance and functionality and is committed to excellence in his finished products. As a collaborator: he is knowledgeable, has a good sense of humor, gets right to the point, and will work until sure that everyone is 100% on the same page before moving forward. All in all: two thumbs, highly recommend. > This isn't our first property or our first garden. I've been the acting GC on all our property improvement projects, and have personally spent years updating and caring for a prize-winning garden. But I am new to \*this\* area and now have kids and need help. I'm pretty exacting in my standards (sorry, Steve!) and I have 0 doubt that if we ever need future landscaping help Steve will be the first person we call. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > Morgan was a pleasure and a challenge....she came from California, which has a completely different planting zone. So she was carrying what she knew from there to here with her. Not the 1st time I've run into this, but it's always a challenge to wean people off the West Coast and "splain" to them what the East Coast does/is. Nope, sorry I can't plant those cactus/succulents/all-year-flowering plants here and have them survive. Yep, we have WINTER here and plants go into hibernation. But fear not, I have some plants that you will love. She stuck with me through the initial design discovery process and ultimately I was able to "get her". Understanding what folks want to see is the 1st step... and for me it's usually the hardest. > Television has really made my job harder. Shows on HGTV \[some of which I watch, but none of them are landscape design oriented\] make the design process look seamless and effortless. NOT! I'm talking to you Chip and Joanna. ;-\] What you don't see is all the behind-the-scenes stuff where you \[the designer\] discovers that the client wants shag carpet and wood paneling....and you have to talk them off the ledge. And then there are the shows where they basically rebuild a house for $50K or something equally unreasonable. Grain of salt to be liberally applied. > OK - too much coffee. > A pleasure working with/for Morgan and I look forward to seeing their garden as it spreads it's roots into the future. **★★★★★ — tltml36, Nov. 2022** > We hired Aardweg Landscaping to redesign our front landscape and could not be happier with the result. The job involved removing all existing plantings on either side of the walkway to create a new walk-through garden. Steve listened carefully as we explained our preference for deer-resistant native materials that would support our pollinators and he delivered what we asked for and more. He is an absolute perfectionist, and he went above and beyond for us. For example, his crew rebuilt an existing stone wall that was not within the original scope of work at no cost to us. Steve’s hardworking crew left the yard neat and clean after each day’s work. Work was completed on schedule and Steve was great about keeping us informed throughout. He’s also a nice guy and my husband and I both enjoyed working with him. We would recommend Aardweg Landscaping and hope to have Steve back again to work on other areas of our property. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > The deer were the biggest challenge for this planting/design. They are eating plants now that they formerly would not touch. I don't know if it's loss of habitat/increased pressure or evolution at work, but this year they chewed up plants they just never ate. > Terry and John were great folks to work for and I appreciate their vote of confidence! > Here are the Before and After images **★★ — Reed Valutas, Aug. 2022** > Steve exceeded all expectations, from his creative hardscape/landscape design to the timeliness of his communication and project delivery. We are very particular with who we work with, having been burned repeatedly by contractors and landscapers alike, but Steve went above and beyond to fulfill our vision. We look forward to enjoying the landscape and working with Steve and his team at Aardweg Landscaping for many years to come. > > Update March 2023: Steve failed to complete this project in full, which included an additional set of steppers down to the backyard in the original scope. Due to supply chain issues in early 2022, we were not able to acquire the full set of steppers at the start of the project, however Steve guaranteed and promised that he would stay on top of the acquisition of the remaining steppers whenever available (we have documentation of these conversations). These specific steppers have been available at the local supply company that he uses for many months. However due to his small team, he is continually running behind schedule with his other projects and now over a year later he has told us that he cannot finish our project within a reasonable timeframe. Disappointing to say the least, as we now have to find a new professional to finish the project which will almost certainly prove difficult given the small, remaining scope. In hindsight, we likely would have chosen a different contractor given Steve's inability to manage these logistical issues. Furthermore, he requested that we write him a five-star review. **★★★★★ — HU-492806187, July 2022** > Following a home remodeling project, my front yard was a depressing combination of mud and weeds. Thankfully I stumbled on Aardweg Landscaping. From my first meeting with Steve I had a feeling I was in good hands. Now that the project is finished I can say my confidence was not misplaced. Steve and his crew paid attention to every little detail, and the end result looks amazing. Worth every penny. I'm already planning to have them work on the back yard next year. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > It was a real pleasure redoing "HU"'s outside....it was a real mess after the remodel. Looking forward to working with her next year on the back yard. **★★★★★ — Shirley Fishburne, Oct. 2021** > Working with Aardweg Landscaping was an absolute delight - from beginning to end. As a designer, Steve really listens, evaluates your needs, and offers creative suggestions. His crew worked very efficiently and finished the work in my yard in one day. They were very thorough and professional and Steve worked right along with them the entire time. That spoke volumes to me. As an artist, he was there to make sure his vision was realized the exact way he intended. I highly recommend Aardweg Landscaping. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > It was a real pleasure working for Shirley and providing her some privacy and a garden to enjoy. > You can see the BEFORE and AFTER of this job In my Projects under: Wynnewood street scene **★★★★★ — Matthew S., Oct. 2021** > Steve built a patio with a pergola and stone knee walls, and the result is stellar. He attended to the complexities of local zoning rules, filings with the township, was timely, and overdelivered. His work was precise, attentive to detail, and high quality. He does not cut any corners and is committed to making sure things both look great and will last. He is careful to ask the right questions about how a space will be used, and to incorporate this information into his work. I plan to use him again and recommend him highly and without any hesitation. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > This was an interesting, exacting and challenging project. Not a huge project \[although a 6 figure job is a nice size for us\], but it entailed 3 different Twp permits and numbers beyond counting of emails, phone calls and meetings. The whole project had to be IS compliant, which necessitated very careful planning, sourcing and installation. The corona-virus-supply-chain disruption made materials a nightmare to navigate and resulted in a LOT of angst and running around to acquire the needed materials. I was delighted to be able to get the materials needed and make the project another of our 5 star design/installs. It was a pleasure working for the client, who was as committed to a superior project as we were. Nice to hear praise from a fellow perfectionist. You can see the BEFORE and AFTER of this job In my Projects under: Patio with custom cedar trellis and knee wall in Bala Cynwyd **★★★★★ — Mari Radford, July 2021** > Steve was professional, collaborative, knowledgeable, and a delight to work with! I wanted a front yard that would look completely different from my neighbors - and Steve more than delivered. Our "PA/English Country Garden" is low maintenance, has 4-season interest and is a real head turner, thanks to Steve's understanding of lighting, attention to color and texture, and how the garden will ultimately fill out. He listened to what we thought we wanted and helped us refine that approach to what we all knew we would be happy with. His crew were all great too! **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > It was a pleasure to design and install a garden for Mari. Great neighborhood with very cool Victorian homes. I look forward to seeing the garden as it matures and fills in. **★★★★★ — Mary Hayden, Nov. 2020** > Steve read our minds, bringing to life exactly what we needed and wanted. We now also have an un-intimidating and doable plan of maintenance. Very highly recommended. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > Our pleasure working for the Hayden's. And good to work in Narberth where I lived as a younger man! **★★★★★ — Susan B., Nov. 2019** > The landscaping at our new house requires a major update, and Steve has been very helpful in guiding us through the process. The first stage, which was just completed, involved removing some hardscapes and overgrown planting. Steve is highly knowledgeable and has made himself available to meet our schedules. The first phase of our project was completed in a timely fashion and under budget. We look forward to working with Steve on the next phase! **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > I look forward to the next phase of Susan's project \[which is the part I most like\], and 90% of why folks hire me - the Creative part. She and I have had discussions, she put together and sent me an Ideabook so I could "get" her aesthetic, and I in turn did digital imagery for her consideration. She loved it. Onwards and upwards! **★★★★★ — Elliot Dee, Nov. 2019** > Steve is a superb landscape designer. He created a plan to totally re-landscape our front yard, including our foundation beds, a wild, overgrown area between the street and a stream and a side yard bed. He put a tremendous amount of time into the planning phase, working closely and collaboratively with us, to ensure that we achieved our vision and goals. His installation team is very professional. The result is stunningly beautiful, with a variety of trees, bushes and perennials. Working with Steve was a genuine pleasure. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > We really enjoyed working for Elliot and taking on his project. Here's a fellow who does his homework and chose us for the redo of his Wynnewod property . I was impressed with his research and also his quick grasp of our process. He gave the needed aesthetic input so that we could arrive at a design that fit his style. A real pleasure working for him, and I look forward to doing more for him next year. **★★★★★ — Thomas C. Brown, Oct. 2019** > My expectations were exceeded for all phases of the job which included planning and preparation, selection of plants, design and layout, experience and efficiency of staff, and timeliness of completion of job. I could not have selected a better firm to do this job. **Comment from Aardweg Landscaping:** > Our pleasure working for Tom....a real gentleman and I enjoyed our conversations. ## Selected projects - [Formal Gardens Main Line Pa](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/formal-gardens-main-line-pa-pj-vj~159787) - Location: Main Line, PA - Photos: 9 - Description: Just a taste of some of the formal spaces we have created over the years for our clients on Philadephia's Main Line. Enjoy. See our formal gardens page here: http://www.aardweglandscaping.com/portfolio/formal-gardens - [Outdoor kitchen in Merion Station](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outdoor-kitchen-in-merion-station-pj-vj~1436542) - Location: Merion Station, PA - Photos: 11 - Description: The clients called us in based on our Houzz reviews. After they interviewed several companies, they chose us, the smallest of the interviewees. She wanted our creative capabilities and personal attention. He wanted a great grill area and they both wanted functional, aesthetically tuned space in the back yard. - [Privacy Screening on the Main Line: BEFORE and AFTER](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/privacy-screening-on-the-main-line-before-and-after-pj-vj~193041) - Location: Main Line, PA - Photos: 8 - Description: Rather than just a screen of Arborvitae - we frequently create beautiful spaces that also hide your neighbors. These are in Wayne,PA, Valley Forge,PA,Merion,PA - [BEFORE & AFTER:Redesign front of house - Landscape Architecture in Devon](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/before-and-afterredesign-front-of-house-landscape-architecture-in-devon-pj-vj~5946100) - Location: Devon, PA - Photos: 2 - [Landscape Design Main Line created by Aardweg Landscaping.com](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/landscape-design-main-line-created-by-aardweg-landscaping-com-pj-vj~146865) - Location: Main Line, PA - Photos: 11 - Description: For over 30 years, creating landscaping designs and installations has been a passion, pleasure and privilege for Steve Aardweg APLD of Aardweg Landscaping. Scores of fine gardens in the Main Line Philadelphia area bear the label “Designed by Aardweg Landscaping.” As a full-service landscape design and installation company, Aardweg Landscaping has the first-class design expertise, extensive plant knowledge, quality workmanship, and dependability you are looking for in a landscape design company.S… - [Main Line Perennial Gardens we have created in suburban Philadelphia](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/main-line-perennial-gardens-we-have-created-in-suburban-philadelphia-pj-vj~194208) - Location: Merion, PA - Photos: 6 - Description: Just a few of the many perennial gardens we have created over the years........... - [Craftsman style home landscape design in Merion Square](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-home-landscape-design-in-merion-square-pj-vj~357360) - Location: Penn Valley, PA - Photos: 3 - Description: This Craftsman style home in Merion Square/Penn Valley was a weed patch with overgrown bushes. We designed a garden that would feel right with this style of architecture - lines of Boxwoods and other evergreens for some formality, but then swaths of color to highlight the colors of the house. - [Traditional landscape design for a Wayne/Radnor home on the Main Line](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-landscape-design-for-a-wayne-radnor-home-on-the-main-line-pj-vj~289796) - Location: Wayne, PA - Photos: 3 - Description: This is a traditional landscape design for a new home in Wayne/Radnor, Pa. The client wanted a serene feel to the planting. In the back we did a more contemporary, almost minimalist feel. - [Poolside Landscape Design Radnor Pa](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/poolside-landscape-design-radnor-pa-pj-vj~689549) - Location: Radnor, PA - Photos: 3 - [Naturalized woodland setting in Newtown Square,PA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/naturalized-woodland-setting-in-newtown-square-pa-pj-vj~166076) - Location: Newtown Square, PA - Photos: 5 - Description: This site in Newtown Square,Pa is home to great displays of perennials. - [Beautiful little sitting area in Wynnewood,PA.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beautiful-little-sitting-area-in-wynnewood-pa-pj-vj~163215) - Location: Wynnewood, PA - Photos: 2 - Description: Just a wonderful little composition created within a courtyard we built for a client in Wynnewood,PA. - [Courtyard/patio in Radnor,PA 19087 / BEFORE and AFTER :](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/courtyard-patio-in-radnor-pa-19087-before-and-after-pj-vj~185734) - Location: Penn Valley, PA - Photos: 2 - Description: We created a family useable space for this Radnor,PA client, using pavers as the surface and knee wall, but capping the wall with flagstone for a more polished look. - [Landscape Design Wayne, PA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/landscape-design-wayne-pa-pj-vj~189499) - Location: Wayne, PA - Photos: 4 - Description: Wayne,PA: After some dialogue and digital imagery we came up with this design for this home in Wayne Pa. - [Walkthrough garden Wayne/Radnor landscape design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/walkthrough-garden-wayne-radnor-landscape-design-pj-vj~356309) - Location: Wayne, PA - Photos: 5 - Description: This is a front perennial garden in Radnor/Wayne that we installed a number of years ago. The images are shot as you walk to the front door, then turn and look back. - [Landscape Design Main Line Pa](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/landscape-design-main-line-pa-pj-vj~690851) - Location: Wynnewood, PA - Photos: 6 - [Patio with knee wall,perennial garden / BEFORE and AFTER:Devon,PA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/patio-with-knee-wall-perennial-garden-before-and-afterdevon-pa-pj-vj~194072) - Location: Devon, PA - Photos: 2 - Description: A blank slate in Devon,PA and our "painting" for that space. - [Formal courtyard and fountain / BEFORE and AFTER:Narberth,PA](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/formal-courtyard-and-fountain-before-and-afternarberth-pa-pj-vj~185756) - Location: Merion, PA - Photos: 2 - Description: Courtyard design and install in Narberth,PA. - [Gazebo planting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gazebo-planting-pj-vj~357339) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Planters/Container Gardening on Philadelphia's Main Line](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/planters-container-gardening-on-philadelphia-s-main-line-pj-vj~194213) - Location: Rosemont, PA - Photos: 3 - Description: Just a few of the container plantings we do for our clients each year. I really should photograph more of them..... - [Natural gardens / beautiful garden vignettes for our Main Line clients](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/natural-gardens-beautiful-garden-vignettes-for-our-main-line-clients-pj-vj~194214) - Location: Berwyn, PA - Photos: 4 - Description: Garden vignettes from Aardweg Landscaping [See all 53 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-architects-and-landscape-designers/aardweg-landscaping-pfvwus-pf~755304985) ## Ideabooks - [Testing](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/119074174/list/testing) — 2 ideas - [Future kitchen redo](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/25566759/list/future-kitchen-redo) — 7 ideas - [Garden Images](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44620390/list/garden-images) — 1 idea - [bath storage and look](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17857434/list/bath-storage-and-look) — 7 ideas - [living room built-ins](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/33396790/list/living-room-built-ins) — 6 ideas - [garage overhang and Leslie's studio](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/34903692/list/garage-overhang-and-leslie-s-studio) — 11 ideas - [artist studio](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16109743/list/artist-studio) — 35 ideas - [ideas for landscaping](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17857368/list/ideas-for-landscaping) — 3 ideas - [arbor/hammock ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/17848114/list/arbor-hammock-ideas) — 11 ideas - [Firepit](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/16899274/list/firepit) — 9 ideas - [Kitchen redo](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19129627/list/kitchen-redo) — 4 ideas [See all 11 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/aardweglandscaping) ## Community Q&A **Q: What is the name of the grass plant that is in front of the boxwoods?** *(in Photo Questions)* Formal Gardenson the Main Line of PA by Aardweg Landscaping A: That is liriope spicata. Not a grass in the true sense, but it looks like it. **Q: how dusty does the granite walkway get?** *(in Photo Questions)* i have a 500 sf studio back behind our 162 year old house. we've been trying to find something that qualifies as a walkway out to it, but it needs to be something the lawn tractor can run over. would this granite dust work? thanks for any help. A: Let, Yes you can run over that with a lawn tractor. We ultimately replaced that with a slightly curving path of a very nice paver. I will post an image later. **Q: Hi. Nice job! What is the tree on the right? Thank you.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thanks. That is a Cornus florida....not sure which cultivar- it's been over 15 years since we did that home. Probably just straight florida. There are a few color choices in that species -pink, "red" and white. Which is to say - common Dogwood. Cheers. **Q: Shrubs** *(in Photo Questions)* What guidelines do you follow when deciding the distance shrubs are from the house? I keep reading that all parts of a mature shrub need to be at least 2 feet away from a house. Is that unnecessary? A: Maria, I have been planting for 40 years - I've heard that, but only from painters, home inspectors and maybe a few others. They will/may tell you it will give you problems with insects, mold, moisture....you name it. I plant right up against the house. I of course make sure that the ground slopes away from the house - otherwise you will have moisture/rain issues. I have Never had problems from clients. The big problem inexperienced folks \[and many "pros"\] encounter is planting material that will readily outgrow the space. I have no doubts others will disagree - but for me, the 40 years of experience I have with no issues trumps all their arguments against. We may have to prune shrubs that are right on the foundation - but we know that going in. **Q: What are the mix if plants used for the privacy hedge?** *(in Photo Questions)* I love the variety of plants used for the screen. What are the evergreen plants used? Looks like laurel and a type of juniper, along with others. A: It's been years since we did that and the image is not real clear to me, but here's my guess left to right: Cupressocyprus leylandii \[really ultimately too large for that area, but they wanted instant gratification and we prune it regularly\],Prunus l. schipkaensis, 2 juniperus scopulorum , maybe a large Azalea we had in our holding area. My spelling on these is dubious, but should help. We also frequently use Hollies \[Ilex meservaes\] and the always reliable/affordable/yet pretty boring Arborvitae for mixed evergreen backgrounds. Hope that helps! **Q: Boxwood** *(in Photo Questions)* What variety of boxwood is this , do you have a stratergy to avoid box blight. It is a huge issue in the UK thankyou lovely planting Laara Copley-Smith A: Good luck. Let me know how you make out with it if you try it. Winter gem is the one I use the most. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-09.*