Landscape Articles | Landscape Design

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

Grass Alternatives: How Hardscape Can Reduce Your Lawn and Increase Your Enjoyment

With a large lawn comes a huge amount of upkeep. Between mowing, weeding, fertilizing and other lawn care chores, you can spend hours each week caring for a large swathe of grass. A huge grassy area may seem ...

how much does hardscaping cost? important factors for your hardscape budget

Zach Rubin | March, 2024

How Much Does Hardscaping Cost? Important Factors for Your Hardscape Budget

Thinking about undertaking a hardscape project at your home? Adding features such as a walkway, retaining wall, outdoor kitchen, fire pit or shade-providing structure like a gazebo or pergola is an exciting undertaking. ...

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

What Is Hardscape? How to Add Hardscape to Your Home Landscape Design

Creating a solid landscape design for your yard requires more than just laying down sod and putting in new plantings. To achieve a well-designed, cohesive space, it is important to incorporate hardscaping elements ...

how to improve your home's wow factor with hardscape landscaping

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

How to Improve Your Home's Wow Factor with Hardscape Landscaping

A key benefit of adding hardscape to your home is improving the functionality of your outdoor space. Yes, hardscaping projects often add spaces for lounging near an outdoor fireplace or outdoor dining next to an outdoor ...

Zach Rubin | February, 2024

7 Tips for Hiring a Professional Landscaper

Your garden is a reflection of your personality as well as the personality of your home, and it can be quite challenging to find a professional landscaper who can take your personality and translate it into an outdoor ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2024

7 Advantages of Custom Landscaping Services

Landscaping can be broadly defined as the changes you make to the land around your home in order to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It covers everything from the plants that you choose to the extra structures that ...

Curb appeal landscaping

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2024

Curb Appeal Landscaping Ideas for a Great First Impression

Whether you’re looking to make changes to your home to make it a more enjoyable place to live or you want to make it more attractive for resale, there's plenty of options for adding curb appeal.

Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2023

Backyard Entertainment Ideas: How to Transform Your Backyard Into an Ideal Space for Entertaining

One of the many satisfying ways of utilizing your outdoor space is by entertaining your family, friends, and neighbors. Hosting gatherings in the garden that you care for throughout the seasons can be fun and very ...

growing native ornamental grasses: a beautiful and eco-friendly addition to your garden

Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2023

Growing Native Ornamental Grasses: A Beautiful and Eco-Friendly Addition to Your Garden

Adding plants with different heights, textures and colors can be an excellent solution to adding depth and natural beauty to your garden, but many plants with interesting colors and textures often come with a ...

green fall cleanup: tips to keep your yard looking great

Judith Lipson- Rubin | October, 2023

Green Fall Lawn Cleanup: Tips to Keep Your Yard Looking Great in a Sustainable Way

When most people think of a fall yard cleanup, they envision transforming their yard into a spotless lawn and garden beds full of perfectly manicured grass, without a single leaf in sight. This may be a nice image for a ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2023

Using Arbors and Pergolas to Add Shade and Interest in the Garden

As we find ourselves making our way through the dog days of summer, you may think, "Why didn’t I plant some more shade trees this spring? Or the last 10 springs!"

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2023

Great Ideas for an Efficient and Welcoming Outdoor Kitchen

Hosting backyard cookouts is one of the premier perks of suburban living. Whether it's a large gathering for a special occasion, or just showing off your latest fancy burger recipe to a few friends, it can be a great ...

From Catalog to Early Crop: It's Not Too Soon for Garden Daydreams

Judith Lipson- Rubin | February, 2023

From Catalog to Early Crop: It's Not Too Soon for Garden Daydreams

This time of year, walking out to fetch the mail may be one of the only ways you're scratching the itch to spend some time outdoors. These short forays to the front stoop or the end of the driveway don't allow us to get ...

ancient techniques in the modern garden

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2023

Ancient Techniques for the Modern Garden

Before the mass adoption of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and mechanized farming equipment in the early 20th century, people had to rely on more natural methods of cultivating plants. Prior to these changes, ...

what's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2022

What's great to know about sustainable lawns and lawn care

Home lawn care has been a subject of human interest since around the 11th century, with the Japanese sodding areas around their gardens with turf grasses taken from livestock fields. Since then, with the introduction of ...

landscape design

Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2022

Why Landscape Design is Important and How Professionals Can Help

Good landscape design is much more than simply sowing seeds and plunking a row of shrubs in the ground. There is much detail involved in landscape design that requires trained professionals who have knowledge and ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2022

The Best Garden Landscaping Tips Every Homeowner Wants to Know

There are few better feelings than getting outside and getting lost in your garden. No matter what the task at hand involves, from pruning and weeding to ensure your beds look beautiful, it’s an amazing feeling to ...

Yard Landscaping Ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2022

Yard Landscaping Ideas to Enhance Your Summer Enjoyment

The pandemic has forced many homeowners to spend a lot more time at home, contemplating their property and thinking of ways to improve it to add both value and enjoyment. For some their yards have become a refuge from ...

Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2021

Protecting Our Pollinators: Popular Pollinator Garden Ideas

Pollination has recently become a hot topic in part because a fatal disease has been killing honeybees, threatening the ability of commercial farms to produce an adequate supply of the fruits and vegetables we all love ...

landscape design ideas

Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2020

Landscape Design Ideas You'll Love to Know

The pandemic has had some unusual positive effects on people, and one of them is the upsurge in home improvement projects. Homeowners everywhere have gotten busy putting in new patios, firepits, walkways, gardens and ...

foundation plants

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2020

How to Pick the Best Foundation Plants for Great Curb Appeal

Nothing improves the beauty of a yard and the curb appeal of a home more than the right plantings. Color, texture, size, and shape combine to create a unique and attractive environment that adds value as well as beauty ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | April, 2020

The DIYer’s Guide to Garden Landscaping

Gardening and garden landscaping to many people invokes images of beautiful flowers or rows of healthy fruits and vegetables. But gardening is so much more than that. Modern garden design encompasses a wide range of ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2019

6 Fun, Creative Ways to Make Your Landscape Beautiful

One of the nice things about maintaining a healthy landscape is the aesthetic appeal. We believe that fewer things are more beautiful than an environmentally-friendly yard that forms a natural part of the local ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2018

3 Tips for Fall Season Planting in Massachusetts

With Labor Day now behind us, it’s time to wrap up summer and start preparing for autumn. Though the hot weather is still hanging around right now, before you know it the temperatures will drop and you’ll need a jacket ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2018

Top Tips for Landscape Design on a Sloped Yard

People with sloped yards often feel like they are unable to get a yard to look as good as a more level outdoor space. This isn’t the case - while a sloped yard does require some specific care and may not be best for all ...

fall color sitting area

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2018

How to Create a Sitting Area in a Small Backyard

How to use a small yard for a sitting area? Simple!

Highbush Blueberry Shrub

Judith Lipson- Rubin | June, 2018

Benefits of Using Native Plants of the Northeast

Throughout the past few years it has become a very popular trend for designers to create a native plant garden design, and for good reason. The benefits of using native plants in your home garden can be extensive. Some ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2018

They're Not Just for Beauty: Tips for Coordinating Bloom Times in Your Garden

The timing of your garden is much more complex than simply thinking about planting, growing, and harvesting seasons. You must also think about the lifecycle of the plants in your yard. With a bit of planning and ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | August, 2017

8 Questions to Ask About Backyard Landscape Designs

If you’re in the process of landscaping your property, you may not be sure where to start. You know hardscapes can add value to your home — but maybe you’re struggling to figure out exactly what features to include. ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2017

Entertaining on a Dime: 4 Party-Ready Outdoor Entertainment Design Ideas

Summer has come bringing warm afternoons, long evenings, and fireflies to add magic to the night. If you love to entertain you are probably wondering how to economically host your friends outdoors. With a little ...

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Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2017

Beginner’s Guide to Building the Outdoor Living Space of Your Dreams

You’ve spent time, money, and energy making your house a home. You’ve got the right furniture, the perfect paint colors, and the best setup for the kitchen, and now you're ready to tackle your outdoor living space. ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2017

How to Create a Budget for Your Landscape Project

Most people want to know that they are a vital part of their home improvement projects, even if they choose to hire professionals to carry out the heavy lifting. It is important for homeowners to understand what is ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2017

Native Perennials for Eastern Massachusetts

Two of our favorite native perennials to plant in Eastern Massachusetts are Kim's Knee High and Bridal Veil False Spirea. The Echinacea purpurea 'Kim's Knee High' is a compact version of Purple Coneflower. It is covered ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2017

6 Tips for Hiring a Professional Landscaper

Your garden is a reflection of your personality as well as the personality of your home, and it can be quite challenging to find a professional landscaper who can take your personality and translate it into an outdoor ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | November, 2016

Low Maintenance Gardens for Eastern Massachusetts

In Eastern MA, there are many different types of gardens that will grow and thrive, even in the finicky coastal MA weather. A few garden types you might want to consider planting are:

Judith Lipson- Rubin | May, 2016

Questions To Ask A Professional Landscape Designer

Are you looking for a new landscape design this season? All landscape design jobs- backyard designs, garden design plans, and front yard landscape designs, require a consultation with a professional landscape designer ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2016

Winter Safety Tip: How to Choose an Ice Melt?

Being from New England I have seen many snow and ice storms come through. It’s important to keep in mind both personal and public safety with winter weather. State workers and highway departments take care of snow ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | September, 2015

What Are the Best Plants for Shade Gardens?

Are You Growing Plants in the Shade?

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2015

4 Do's and Don'ts for a Successful Backyard Landscape Design

A great backyard landscape design makes all the difference in how you and your family enjoy your outdoorspaces. Massachusetts has some of the best summer weather in the country, and you want to make sure you get the ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2015

Everything You Need To Know About Residential Landscape Design

What Do You Want In An Outdoor Space? There are a myriad of options available to homeowners when it comes to residential landscape design. This is great, but it can be difficult to find the one that suits your needs. ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2015

Six Advantages of Custom Landscaping Services

Landscaping can be broadly defined as the changes you make to the land around your home in order to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It covers everything from the plants that you choose to the extra structures that ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2014

Personalized Landscape Design Customer Success Story

Each client we work with presents new challenges and unique experiences. Our mission remains the same: create inspirational and harmonious landscapes by infusing the client's practical needs and aesthetic desires within ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | September, 2014

Professional Landscape Design vs Do It Yourself

Many people think that they can replace the work of a professional without a lot of effort. Sometimes, this is true. But, in other cases, you are almost always better off hiring someone who can do the job right the ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | August, 2014

5 Benefits of a Landscape Design Plan

Tackling landscaping of your New England property is a daunting prospect. With the help of our qualified, experienced and professional landscape designers, you unlock the full potential of your lot. A great landscape ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | August, 2014

3 Elements of Effective Woodland Gardens

Gardens can be time-consuming and difficult to manage, especially if you have a large plot of land at your disposal. One of the trends that is becoming more popular with people who have large trees or unused wooded ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | March, 2014

Companion Planting with New England Native Plants

One of the best ways to create an ecological garden is by planting more native plants. Planting native plants enhances and supports your local ecosystem which has more benefits than we can imagine. When selecting plants ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2014

Customized Garden Design with Edible Garden Plants

Home owners are more aware of the beauty and ecological benefits of an edible garden, and some are hiring professionals solely for their help with adding a variety of edible trees, shrubs, and perennials to their ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2014

Common Misconceptions About Edible Gardens

Many people think to have an edible garden (a garden with fruit and vegetable plants), it has to be in a large, fenced in section of their backyard. This is not only false, but far from the truth.

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2013

Personal Landscape Design and Installation- Needham, MA

Job description: Moodscapes designed and installed plantings for the front of the house, including the beautiful ornamental tree on the left. We also installed a 330 sq ft bluestone patio in the backyard with a granite ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2013

Customized Bluestone Patio for Outdoor Living

An unspoken rule of thumb for living in New England, is that, when it is nice outside, you stay outside.

Anne Marie DiMatteo | November, 2013

Woodland garden design in Newton, Massachusetts

Last summer homeowners in Newton, Massachusetts were connected to the city sewer system which left their backyard looking like the picture to the left, a complete mess. They wanted a redesign of their entire backyard ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | September, 2013

Water features for landscape design focal point

Professional landscape designers often use water features as a focal points for the landscape design. Above is an example of a water feature surrounded by plants and pea stone pebbles to emphasis the calming affect of ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | August, 2013

Paver Walkway into Private Winchester Massachusetts Backyard

A personalized landscape design in Winchester Massachusetts to lead guests into their new backyard. Our team customized a wooden arbor to lead the way along a paver walkway and along side the newly planted perennials ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | June, 2013

Privacy Landscape Design in Jamaica Plain, MA

Clients in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts presented us with a very challenging situation in their back/ side yard.

Anne Marie DiMatteo | June, 2013

Colorful Garden Landscape Designs

The colorful garden combination above is from a front yard garden design in Arlington, Massachusetts. The homeowner wanted colorful blooms combined with various textures and flower shapes and sizes. The pink shrub is an ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | May, 2013

Customized Patio Designs

A new trend is starting with homeowners in Eastern Massachusetts- circular patios. Homeowners are looking for custom patio designs that give them space for a table and chairs and lawn play space. The solution ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | May, 2013

Circular Patio- Personalized Landscape Design

Add creativity to your backyard with a personalized landscape design plan to incorporate all of your outdoor needs. Our clients wanted a small paver patio just large enough for a few adults to sit and relax on while the ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2013

Is a shade garden design best for you?

When deciding on a new garden landscape, there are many types of garden designs to choose from. Depending on your needs and existing conditions, gardens can be made for privacy, relaxation, entertainment, play space, ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2013

Small Backyard Sitting Area in Winchester Massachusetts

A small backyard sitting area for the entire family to enjoy!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2013

Personalized Landscape Design in Massachusetts

Clients in Roslindale, Massachusetts had very specific ideas for how they wanted their backyard sitting room to be designed and installed. Our designer worked closely with them to infuse her expertise into their ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | February, 2013

Winchester Massachusetts Personal Landscape Design & Install

We were approached by a family in Winchester Massachusetts to design and install a new front and back yard that encompassed three very specific needs. The family wanted to use their yard to entertain family and friends, ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2013

What is a personal landscape?

Every home, landscape, and family is different. When deciding to redesign your landscape, choose a landscape design company that will create a personalized landscape design and installation to work within your existing ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2013

What is a Landscape Design and Build Company?

A landscape design/build company is responsible for all aspects of the project from initial consultation through design and installation. Some companies also provide long-term maintenance. The company starts with a ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | December, 2012

Front Walkway with Pavers in Massachusetts

Watertown residents wanted to enhance the front of their home with a walkway that would invites friends and family into their beautiful home. In collaboration with the homeowners, Moodscapes designed a paver walkway ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | November, 2012

Front Yard Landscape Design in Watertown Massachusetts

Homeowners in Watertown Massachusetts contacted us to redesign and install their front yard. They wanted to remove the overgrown shrubs and replace with something more appealing. Our design team shaped the existing ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | November, 2012

Watertown Massachusetts Landscape Design

Clients in Watertown Massachusetts wanted to make their backyard more usable by reducing the size of their deck. The existing deck was too large for the small backyard space and prevented easy access to the lawn. ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | October, 2012

Front Entry Walkway in Watertown Massachusetts

At our client's home in Watertown, Massachusetts, a beautiful arbor design is complimented by an existing Hydrangea paniculata 'Pink Diamond' Tree. Well designed front entry walkways connect the front yard to the back ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | July, 2012

Shade Border Plants- Japanese Spurge

One of the most important factors that play into landscape design is understanding the light conditions of a front, back or side yard. When selecting new plants to add to your yard, or moving existing ones around, it is ...

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Judith Lipson- Rubin | July, 2012

Red, White & Blue Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are one of the easiest shrubs to identify throughout Eastern Massachusetts. They are superb garden plants with an enormous diversity from evergreen climbers, to small deciduous trees with splendid masses of ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | April, 2012

How to Extend Entertainment Space Outside

For many homeowners here in the Northeast, having enough space for entertaining guests can be a bit challenging. A good cost-effective alternative to full-scale home additions or remodeling is creatively extending your ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | March, 2012

How To Design Your Backyard- What's the Best Patio Size?

A patio is an investment not only in the value and outdoor appeal of a home, but also an investment in the quality of life for the homeowners that live there. A quality outdoor patio material and of the right size ...

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (3 of 3): Creating Curb Appeal

Welcome to our 3rd and final blog of the Landscape Problems & Solutions series!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (2 of 3): Outdoor Entertaining Area

Welcome back to our Problem & Solutions blog series!

Ilex Crenata Sky Pencil

Judith Lipson- Rubin | January, 2012

Landscape Problems & Solutions (1 of 3): Urban Landscape Solutions

Welcome to the new blog series- Landscape Problems & Solutions!

Anne Marie DiMatteo | May, 2011

How To Choose The Right Patio Material?

Choosing the right type of patio material is the hardest part of designing or redesigning a patio. Here is a quick summary of the most commonly used material for patio design and installation. Outdoor Patio Materials ...

Judith Lipson- Rubin | December, 2010

About Moodscapes LLC - Our Story!

Over the years, many close friends, colleagues, and clients have asked me, "Why Moodscapes?" I put together this brief explanation for our followers and hope everyone enjoys getting to know me better through this ...