Beautiful Gardens can be Sustainable & Ecologically-Beneficial.

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Our Expertise

Rain Gardens

Lakeside Gardens

Edible & Permaculture Gardens

Native Plant & Pollinator Gardens

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Eco-Friendly Gardening Resources

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Client Testimonials

  • I couldn’t be happier with the transformation of my front yard. Erica completely reimagined my space, removing a lawn I truly disliked and replacing it with a beautiful array of native perennials. The result is not only visually stunning but also environmentally thoughtful and much easier to maintain. I need EASY as I'm movement challenged in my 70s. The new walkway is both elegant and practical, making it far easier and safer to move through the space while adding a graceful structure to the design. Every detail feels intentional, and the entire landscape now looks like it truly belongs here. This was a seamless, professional experience from start to finish, and I highly recommend Erica's work and comprehensive attention to detail spiced by humor and dedication.

    ~ Maureen D.

  • It has been an absolute pleasure working with Erica at Summersweet Design. Since we moved into our house, we have been wanting to get some thoughtful functionality out of our yard but it was such a large undertaking that we had no idea where to start. One thing we knew for sure was that we wanted a space for our kids to learn about gardening in a permaculture design that promoted choosing plants that would feed each other instead of using fertilizers. This was a surprisingly hard thing to accomplish because a very large majority of landscape designers lack this type of knowledge. Then we found Summersweet Design and I couldn't have been happier. During the process she helped select things based off of what we wanted while incorporating things that would be beneficial and laid out a detailed plan of what we needed to do in order to accomplish our vision. We would highly recommend using her services to design your space in an eco-friendly way.

    ~ Joseph S.

  • We've worked with Erica the past few months on a large garden design for the front of our home. Erica is unique in that she provides design services only, which is exactly what we were looking for & struggled to find. She does have trusted referral partners if you want someone else to do the install. Erica is so knowledgeable about plants & educated us so much along the way. Her focus is on native, sustainable plants, ensuring an easy to care for garden. She spent a lot of time listening to what we wanted and found a way to marry the differing tastes of my husband & I into a beautiful, cohesive design that will produce beautiful blooms close to 9mos out of the year! We're planning for install in the spring & Erica provided several options for us to consider to phase the install in a way that meets our budget. We are so excited to see the design come to fruition & would highly recommend Erica to anyone looking to beautify their space!

    ~ Freedom V.

  • Follow-up: I don’t even have words for this incredible transformation! Erica at Summersweet Design put together a stunning design (even on paper it was artwork!) that is not only beautiful, but it’s 100% native & will provide so many eco benefits without being susceptible to diseases that tend to plague non-native species.

    ~ Freedom V.

  • We are very thankful to have contracted with Summersweet Design to revamp our property. Erica and her team are professional and skilled from start to finish. Her guidance from layout to execution was flawless. She was able to work within our budget and identified our style, color scheme, and functionality. Her landscape team meticulously brought the vision to life. They also provided us with care instructions to maintain the new plants and trees through the fall and winter. We are looking forward to the next projects with Erica and her team and highly recommend them without reservation.

    ~ Joi & John S.

  • Erica from Summersweet Design is a talented, knowledgeable and detail oriented landscape designer. She designed my front yard, recommended an excellent gardener for installation and was there every step of the way making sure everything was done to perfection. I love how it turned out and am looking forward to working with her on the next project! Thank you Erica!!

    ~ Allison G.

  • I had an amazing experience working with Erica from Summersweet Design! Her passion for creating sustainable landscapes truly shines through in every aspect of her work. Erica designed a beautiful garden for me, focusing on native plants that attract pollinators, which was exactly what I was hoping for. She’s incredibly knowledgeable, easy to talk to, and always accessible when I had questions. I also appreciated the valuable add-on services she offers, like plant sourcing and maintenance. If you’re looking for someone who cares deeply about both design and the environment, I highly recommend Summersweet Design!

    ~ Jon S.

  • Erica from Summersweet Design is so knowledgeable, passionate, and enthusiastic about native plant design. She accounts for all budgets and needs for a project. She is efficient and even Sent tips on soil remediation to set me up for success. I found her when I didn't even know i was looking for landscaping ideas, but was admiring her yard design for weeks, then I reached out to her for a consultation. She is professional, timely, creative.... and reasonably priced! If you are thinking of redoing any parts of your landscaping, this might be a great time to consider going native.... and helping our own ecosystem! You will not regret it!

    ~ Sarah A.

  • Working with Erica was a game-changer! I went from believing I had a black thumb after failed solo attempts to feeling completely confident in my gardening abilities thanks to her. She listened to my vision, expertly planned and coordinated everything from plant selection to pickup, and even provided detailed guides. Her hands-on support during planting was invaluable, empowering me to succeed on my own with both planting and maintaining.

    ~ Jamie L.

  • Working with Summersweet Design was a fantastic experience from start to finish. Erica really listened to our needs and developed a landscape plan that fit both our preferences and the unique aspects of our property. She guided us through the entire process with professionalism and care, and was always responsive, thoughtful, and encouraging. Highly recommend!

    ~ Jennifer P.

  • Erica has been such a pleasure to work with. She is knowledgeable and seems genuinely invested in making sure the project is completed to our satisfaction. Our property has challenges and she designed a plan based on our aesthetic and what will work in our yard. I look forward to seeing it all come to fruition.

    ~ Lisa H.

  • If you're putting off landscaping because you have no idea where to start... start with Erica. She walked us through what deer resistant plants to select based our available sunlight and color choices. She also created a plant overview so we could see the plant types before they were installed. She handled everything including finding an amazing landscaper to install a French drain. Erica is super knowledgeable, incredibly creative and easy to work with.

    ~ Brian G.

  • We had Erica for a 3 session "mini master gardener" series of workshops at the Boonton Holmes Public Library. Erica is a great presenter with an engaging style and excellent audiovisuals to go with her presentation. Erica is extremely knowledgeable about her topic -- landscaping with native plants -- and her passion for the subject really shines through in her interaction with the audience.

    ~ Lotte N.

  • I am extremely happy with the design and transformation of my front yard. Erica provided a professional design for my review and educated me on the flowers that would thrive under full sun conditions. We worked together to finalize the design and selections. She also provided me with guidance on the continued care that will be needed. Besides her artistry and expertise, Erica does business how I like it. She delivers on what she says she will do and when she will do it. She explained the pricing in detail and the cost breakdown. She was and is very accessible and responsive. I am delighted with my new front yard and highly recommend Erica and Summersweet Design.

    ~ Bonnie M.

  • Summersweet Design provides a turnkey gardening experience. Erica asked all the important questions and provided complete and beautiful solutions. The process was made easy by their expertise. We also greatly appreciated the price transparency - it was all very clear from the outset. It felt great to work with Erica and her team, and can't wait to watch everything grow!!

    ~ Heather L.

  • Erica has been nothing but wonderful to work with! She is patient, professional, full of knowledge, and so kind. She knows EVERYTHING about native and edible plants and created a beautiful plan for our garden. I highly recommend working with her!

    ~ Michal L.

  • We love all the plants that [Erica] picked out for our gardens. It really looks amazing. I’m very excited to see how everything fills in. We loved working with [Erica]. [She’s] super easy to work with and really fun to talk to. Thank you for everything Erica. It really looks beautiful.

    ~ Susan C.

  • A huge tree uprooted in my small yard and I was left with an enormous mess of a yard. Erica of Summersweet Design helped me with what I thought was going to be a grossly expensive fix. Erica listened to what I was envisioning as well as adding to my thoughts with her vast knowledge of plants, native plants and what to put where. We worked with a budget and I am beyond happy with the results!

    ~ Joan C.

  • I’m very happy with the way my foundation planting turned out. From start to finish it was a joy to work with Erica!

    ~ Celine L.

  • Erica is professional, knowledgable, creative and passionate about her work. I will be hiring her again in the future. I highly recommend!

    ~ Denise D.

  • I went to her lecture on pruning at the library. Erica was knowledgeable and a pleasure to learn from. I would like to keep abreast of any other speaking events that Erica is at. She is a natural teacher, and made learning fun!

    ~ Cheryl U.

  • Wonderful service. Creative and detail oriented. Highly recommend.

    Krystn C.

  • Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' with Monarch Butterflies

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' with Monarch Butterflies

  • Solidago speciosa seedheads

  • Solidago speciosa with bumblebees

    Solidago speciosa with bumblebees

  • Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' with bumblebees

    Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite' with bumblebees

  • Newly planted riparian buffer

  • Vaccinium corymbosum fall foliage

  • Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Raydon's Favorite', Solidago speciosa, Gaura, etc.

  • Newly planted slope garden with Magnolia virginiana

  • Hypericum prolificum

  • Eutrochium dubium

  • Clethra alnifolia

  • Lobelia siphilitica seedling

  • Fall interest

  • Conoclinium coelestinum

  • Mertensia virginica

    Mertensia virginica

  • Cercis canadensis

    Cercis canadensis

  • Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

    Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

  • Hydrangea quercifolia

    Hydrangea quercifolia

  • Rudbeckia hirta with Monarch Butterfly

    Rudbeckia hirta with Monarch Butterfly

  • Ilex verticillata in Winter

    Ilex verticillata in Winter

  • Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

    Wisteria frutescens 'Amethyst Falls'

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Let us enrich your landscape.

Join the waitlist!

We’re currently booking on a waitlist basis. If you're interested in working together, please fill out the form to share a bit about your property and goals. We'll be in touch as availability opens up.

summersweetnj@gmail.com
Denville, NJ 07834