Landscaping in Appleton, WI

Old Neighborhoods, New Neighborhoods

The established parts of Appleton — the streets around Erb Park and Pierce Park — carry big trees and settled soil. Roots compete with new plantings, and shade rules out a lot of the usual nursery stock. We lean on shade-tolerant natives and give new beds honest soil prep so they take hold under the canopy.

The newer subdivisions on the outskirts are the opposite problem: bare, compacted, and scraped flat by the builder. Those yards need structure — beds, trees, a patio, something to break up the blank lawn. We build the bones first, then layer in plants that will fill the space over a few seasons.

Working With Appleton's Clay

Most of the valley sits on heavy clay, and Appleton is no exception. After a wet spring or a fast snowmelt, water pools where the grade sends it — usually against a foundation or in the low corner of the yard. Before we design anything pretty, we figure out where that water goes.

• Regrading to move runoff away from the house
• French drains and dry creek beds in the chronic wet spots
• Rain gardens that put snowmelt to work instead of fighting it