Peter Burke Landscape Architecture

We have about a quarter acre lot in Greater Portland where we've made some landscape moves, but needed help thinking about the long-term. We reached out to Peter for help and he came through in spades. We met in our yard and talked through what we had already done and loved and what we were struggling with. He was a terrific listener, asked thoughtful questions and riffed on some ideas on the spot. He then came up with a Concept Plan for us that included refinements to some of those ideas as well as others. It was exactly the guidance we needed to move ahead with more small projects moving forward while knowing we have an overall vision we are working toward.

Peter understands and appreciates the local Maine environment, what will grow well here and how to maximize the natural environment. We live on a Quarry and he designed a plan for us that would show off the rock formations with plantings that will thrive in our environment. We wanted to do the plantings ourselves over time to save money and get our hands in the dirt. He drew up plans that we have started implementing and each step adds so much to our view and enjoyment of our beautiful setting. Peter was easy to work with (even during COVID), listened well to what effect we wanted, and gave us ideas that we would never have thought of on our own.

My husband and I needed landscaping guidance for our rural 4.5 acre property in western Maine. It posed a challenge with all of its variety: a corner lot, our home being remodeled and enlarged, a barn, stands of white pines, sloping yard, stone walls, and an open field with beautiful mountain views. We hired Peter Burke and are very pleased we did! We presented him with our lengthy idea wish list including perennial gardens, preserving and focusing on our vistas, hiding the clothesline...wanting to make the most of our disparate surroundings. An equally important goal was to maintain its Maine sense of place and support pollinators by planting native trees, bushes and flowers. Peter was totally on board from our first (masked) meeting. He took our ideas and diverse acreage to design levels we never imagined. He walked, photographed, measured and got to know our property with a trained and creative eye, seeing the potential of each area. He mapped out an extensive plan that connected them naturally but made the most of their distinct identities. We would not have achieved this quality of “Maine-scaping” on our own. We are grateful for Peter’s expertise and highly recommend him.

Peter was a great choice for our small project. He listened, was very knowledgeable, and brought us some great new ideas for the design of our small yard. I would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a conscientious, skilled landscape architect!

We own a historic building in Portland's West End. The rear of the building had rudimentary steps to an apartment and another entrance down an alley leads to a studio. Peter created two very nice, very functional decks and transformed the alley way entrance with just the right plantings. His communication skills are good and the design graphics are easily understood. Construction and design stayed within our budget and we will use Peter on other projects.

We contacted Peter after admiring a project he designed in our neighborhood. Our yard consisted of an over-planted front bed with sparse plantings in the back and no overall design. Peter walked the yard with us and, spent time getting to know our ideas about plants and how we'd like to use the outdoor space. He then created a visually coherent design that was responsive to our needs and provided new spaces for spending time in the yard. Unattractive asphalt sidewalks were replaced with brick walkways and a patio in a color and texture that complimented the house and provided more functional outdoor entertaining space. Peter solved a drainage problem by creating a gracefully curving rain garden/stream bed along one side of the house that stands on its own as a focal point and connects the front and rear planting areas. He relocated some of the existing shrubs and added a number of native plants and trees that were chosen to provide year-round interest. It was a pleasure to work with Peter. We appreciated his artistic eye, attention to detail, and respect for our budget. He helped us select a landscaping company and worked effectively with the landscaper to ensure that the plan was accurately implemented. The finished product is distinctive and uniquely suited to our yard. We couldn't be happier with the result.

Peter helped us think creatively about how to transform our front yard. Even before the project was finished we heard glowing comments from several people passing by, one of whom is a landscaping professional. Our yard went from a dull space that was easily overlooked to something that is eye-catching and distinctive. Peter came up with a plan that would not only look great but also be easy for us to maintain, fit our budget, and work well with the particularities of our space (i.e., taking into account rain runoff from the roof, snow in the winter, accessibility, etc.). He is enthusiastic about his work and a pleasure to work with. We couldn't be happier with the results.

Last year, I saw a home's landscape undergo modification and loved the final product so much, I knocked on the homeowner's door to find out who had designed it. It was Peter and I called him to do my own backyard. We just finished recently and it has surpassed my expectations! Peter is easy going and thorough. He kept me informed throughout the process and worked closely with the installer to be certain it was to specification. Peter's design gives me a quiet and functional oasis in my (small) backyard and I couldn't be more delighted!

Peter was fantastic to work with. He has an unassuming way that is both engaging and peaceful. His natural sense of the surroundings during the initial site evaluation resulted in spot-on design options. He was very efficient with his time during the process as well. Peter was focused on overall design while balancing budgets and client expectations. His sense of the landscape in its rarest form is what seemed to drive his design process. He very much welcomes the use of different materials as with my project. Peter's creative use of Corten steel (which was high on my wish list) as a feature is setting the stage as a backdrop to the natural beauty of the marsh and tidal river within the property. Images include construction of the steel wall only. Back-fill and plantings in progress.

I would highly recommend working with Peter for any landscape design needs. He's skilled at working on projects of all scales, be it a small outdoor patio to a complex site plan design. He's thoughtful, good at listening and keeps the client's needs in the front of his mind. Peter is also versatile in his design ideas, working with each clients tastes and aesthetic preferences, while giving them a creative touch.

After completing our new home, we approached Peter to design our front yard. We provided Peter with pictures and ideas on the direction we wanted to take. We had a couple conference calls with Peter to discuss ideas, budget, and timeline. He listened carefully to our requirements. After that, we had a meeting in person to review some design concepts. We were impressed with Peter's proposal. The approach, materials, and plants were spot on with the direction we wanted to take and met our requirements for maintenance, use of native materials, as well as our budget. Overall, we enjoyed working with Peter. He has a good eye for design and collaborative personality. We look forward working with him on our next project.

Few people with whom I've worked over my career hold the blend of creativity, collaborative spirit, commitment to quality, conscientiousness of budget, care for the environment, and collegial genuineness as Peter. From a step above the norm at a new multi-million dollar cancer center in Brewer, Maine to a thoughtful master plan for my own home on the Midcoast, Peter’s landscape design and execution routinely enhances any project and sublimely joins the site and building into a cohesive whole.