"Three years ago, I selected Naturally Maintained because I liked the artistic style of their landscapes and the concept of a low maintenance drought resistant garden. Today I have a better appreciation for the landscape I purchased. I have a unique beautiful garden that is also a mini ecosystem. The native plants have attracted a large variety of birds and insects to my suburban backyard. The plants also provide food for a few chipmunks and rabbits. The rabbits generally don't hurt the garden because most of the plants are a food source and they nibble on a little bit of everything. Although I have a large number of insects in the garden they are interested in the flowers and don't disrupt our outdoor meals. We have been able to give a little back to “mother nature” and have a fabulously beautiful back yard."

Angela
Private Residence
Waterloo Ontario

 

We have a one-acre property with a stream and mature trees. Our main interest was in eliminating lawn maintenance and improving wildlife habitat. Derek's plan resulted in four seasons of colour and sound, and greatly reduced outdoor work. The landscape is now our primary source of entertainment as well as privacy and beauty. So many creative touches found their way into the plan: an area for reptiles and other burrowers; a stone bench at just the right spot for surveying all the beauty; pathways that invite wandering; stepping stones placed just right for making the creek gurgle--and this is just a small list.

We appreciate that Derek found us truly native-to-the-region plants and not cultivars. And he was so willing to adapt his plans to perfectly suit our requests and wishes. Best of all, his team of skilled and professional workers were so meticulous about their handiwork, and consistently tidy and respectful, too. They are a delight to have around and are most welcome here any time. We can't recommend Naturally Maintained more highly.

Steven and Donna
Private Residence
Conestoga, ON

 

We were having problems maintaining our lawn. In anticipation of increased water restrictions, and also wishing to reduce the workload of maintaining a lawn in our retirement years, we decided to make a change. We looked in the yellow pages, spotted "Naturally Maintained", examined their website, made a phone call and everything that followed suited us to a "T".

Installation was in July and August. At the time of writing this we are now starting our second full growing year. All of the plants and shrubs (approx. 500) have survived and are growing. Of course we will still have the usual spring clean up, but our main job is to watch the plants & shrubs mature and flourish - no lawn watering, no lawn mowing no pesticides (what little lawn there is requires very little maintenance), and the plants are drought resistant.

With the help of mulch in the spring, weeds are few and moisture is preserved.

Our expectations have been exceeded!  The only things that aren't growing are the stones and rocks!!

Don and Mary Ellen Lahn
177 Marshall Street
Waterloo

 

'We had a difficult front hill to landscape and Naturally Maintained came up with a very good alternative to terracing which met our budget. We were most impressed with their professionalism, their hard work, and clean up after.  There was no skimping on materials and plants required to do the job and we are very happy with the end result.  We can envision the shape of this low maintenance garden which is yet to come - it is still in its infancy - and we are looking forward to that with great pleasure."

Eric and Louisa Stephenson
2013 Old Mill Road
Kitchener,Ontario
N2P 1E4

 

"Knowledgeable, well-organized, and multi-disciplinary in their approach which combines the discipline of landscape architecture with construction techniques and ecological processes. We consider them a vital associate member of our team."

Mark Peterson, BES, MLArch.
Mark Peterson & Associates
Landscape Architect
www.openspacesolutions.com