Planting plans and installation
Garden Design in Northbrook, IL
Garden design services for homes in Northbrook, IL and across the North Shore. We draw planting plans with beds, shrubs, trees and perennials, and then we plant them.
Designed and planted by one team
Northbrook, IL
Garden Design Services: Planting Plans and Installation
North Shore Landscape Design & Build designs and plants gardens from our office at 900 Skokie Blvd #219 in Northbrook, for homes in Northbrook, Glenview, Deerfield, Highland Park, Winnetka and Wilmette.
Many North Shore yards have mature trees, deep shade on one side and full sun on the other. A garden plan puts each plant where it will grow well, so the beds fill in instead of struggling.
What we build
Garden Design Services We Offer
Most gardens combine several of these, planned as one design.
Perennial and Shrub Beds
Layered beds with shrubs for structure and perennials for color from spring into fall.
Trees and Privacy Screening
Trees and evergreens placed for shade, privacy from neighbors and year-round structure.
Native and Pollinator Plantings
Beds of native plants that need less water and support bees and butterflies.
Shade Gardens Under Mature Trees
Hostas, ferns, hydrangeas and other shade plants for the spots where grass will not grow.
Planning
What a Planting Plan Includes
The plan is drawn to scale and covers:
- Bed shapes and sizes
- A plant list with quantities and spacing
- Plants chosen for the sun and shade on each side of the house
- Color and bloom time across spring, summer and fall
- How the beds tie into the patio, walkways and lighting
Built for North Shore winters
Planting for North Shore Conditions
Plants that thrive here have to handle cold winters, hot summers and, in many yards, heavy soil and shade.
Winter-hardy plants
Every plant is chosen to come back after Chicago-area winters.
Soil preparation
Beds are prepared with compost so roots can spread in heavy soil.
Right plant, right light
Shade plants go under the trees, and sun plants go where they get at least six hours of sun.
How it works
Our Garden Design Process
- 1
1. Site visit and goals
We walk the yard with you, note the sun, shade and soil, and talk about the look you want.
- 2
2. Planting plan and estimate
You get a planting plan with the plant list and a written estimate.
- 3
3. Bed preparation
We remove old plants and turf, prepare the soil and shape the beds.
- 4
4. Planting and walkthrough
We plant, mulch and walk the new garden with you, with care notes for the first season.
Why us
Why Hire North Shore Landscape for Garden Design
One team designs and plants
The people who draw the plan are the people who plant it.
Based in Northbrook
Our office is on Skokie Blvd, and we work across the North Shore.
Designed with the hardscape
Beds planned around patios, walls and lighting.
A written estimate first
You know the plant list and price before work starts.
Pricing
How Much Does Garden Design Cost in Northbrook?
Price depends on the size of the area, how detailed the plan is and the size and number of plants. As a national reference, Lawn Love puts a landscape design plan at about $4,590 on average, with most between $1,955 and $7,220 for the design alone (market ranges, not a quote). Plants and installation are a separate part of the price.
For a price on your garden in Northbrook, send the form and we will set up a site visit and a written estimate.
Source: Lawn Love, How Much Does Landscape Design Cost? 2026
Keep exploring
Related Services
Grading & Drainage
Grading and drainage that move water away from the house, the patio and the lawn.
Grading & Drainage
Landscape Lighting
Path, step and accent lighting for patios, walls, trees and the front of the house.
Landscape Lighting
Retaining Walls
Custom retaining walls that hold back slopes, level the yard and add seating or planting beds.
Retaining Walls
Service areas
Garden Design Near You on the North Shore
We design and plant gardens in Northbrook and these nearby towns:
Questions
Garden Design FAQ
What do garden design services include?
Garden design services include a site visit, a planting plan drawn to scale with a plant list, and in our case the bed preparation and planting. The plan is built around the sun, shade and soil of your Northbrook yard.
Do you install the plants too?
Yes. We design and build, so the same team that draws the plan prepares the beds and plants them.
What grows well in shade under big trees?
Hostas, ferns, astilbe, hydrangeas, wild ginger and many sedges do well in the shade of mature North Shore trees, where lawn usually struggles.
Can you design with native plants?
Yes. Native plants such as purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, little bluestem and wild geranium handle local conditions and support pollinators. They can fill a whole bed or mix with other plants.
When is the best time to plant?
Spring and early fall are the best planting seasons in the Chicago area. Fall is especially good for trees and shrubs, since cooler air and warm soil help roots settle before winter.
How much does garden design cost?
It depends on the size and detail of the plan. National ranges from Lawn Love put a design plan at about $1,955 to $7,220, with plants and installation separate. For your garden in Northbrook, send the form for a written estimate.
Free estimate
Get a Free Garden Design Estimate in Northbrook
Tell us about your yard and the garden you want. We will get back to you to set up a site visit and an estimate.