Our Process
Consultation
During our free consultation, we take time to listen to your goals, inspirations and ideas. We ask questions to explore the possibilities from several perspectives and get to know your specific site environment. We will also have a discussion about how we can help you reach your dreams for your garden, and answer any questions you may have. If we are a good fit, you may then choose to commission us to provide plans that accurately represent the creative vision we develop together.
Study
In order to provide you with honest answers that fulfill your unique needs, we take an accurate topographic survey which forms the real-world foundation for the planning process. We also keep in mind the community, climate, soils and environment which frame your home and garden.
Design
Our first draft of your garden plan begins with a scaled CAD drawing shown from the overhead view. Because we work with living, growing plants, our plans show you both the initial size and the allowance made for growth, informed by our real-world experience in garden maintenance. These choices have tremendous value. Rather than a landscape that is thrown out every few years, you will own a garden that keeps getting more valuable and beautiful with each successive phase.
3-D Visualization
With this next step you can 'walk' through your proposed garden and see each part with striking realism, including lighting changes at different times of day. Using our 3-D design capabilities allows all of us—client, designer, and crews—to communicate our expectations clearly. Changes are easily accommodated at this point in the process so you can be confident you will love your new garden.
Preparation & Selection
At our nursery, we have prepared a beautiful selection of plants for you. Many of the best garden plants grow slowly, making them valuable companions for a lifetime. We take the time to develop the root structure, branch architecture and aesthetic appearance that lead to truly outstanding plants in your garden.
When you buy a living tree, you look forward to enjoying its appropriate growth in size and beauty as a permanent part of your landscape. Over the years we have refined our selection of plants to best fulfill this ‘legacy brand promise’ in the various soils and environments in our area.
CONTACT US to arrange a personal tour of our nursery.
Construction management
Our crews are skilled in the construction of complex gardens. They are master craftsmen, familiar with natural materials. Field supervisor, Ben Hanselman, is a gifted manager with a working knowledge of many trades and a friendly, team-oriented approach. We often coordinate all aspects of garden-related projects—including significant home remodeling—preserving your environment and peace of mind.
Many clients choose an incremental, phased-project approach to maximize quality while managing costs. Our team will help you prepare for those future needs so that the next phase is not disruptive and wasteful.
Garden Installation
The effort we put into the details shows the commitment to quality that characterizes our work. Because we design and maintain the gardens we build, our crews are familiar with the real-life growth potential of the young plants they install and nurture. This combination of professionalism and forward thinking is a rare advantage, preserving the value of your investment.
Developing your garden into a legacy of beauty is our passion. We invite you to partner with us to realize your garden dreams, knowing that your success and satisfaction lead to your confident recommendation—the lifeblood of our business.
Garden Care
Our vision of maintenance is not merely to preserve the status quo; it is to assure steady growth of value and beauty by providing timely, skilled garden care. Those of us who have lived with gardens for any length of time are aware that all gardens are ‘works in progress’. Change is inevitable. However, the results of that change are vastly different depending on the quality of the care provided. CONTACT US to discuss a range of garden care options for your property.
"Each year, our garden becomes more beautiful. It just keeps getting better!"
- Pat & Beulah, Manheim
"We appreciate the time and foresight that went into the entire design."
- Rob & Deborah, Mount Joy
"We are delighted with the design and all of the new plants that have been installed. When building a new house, you come in contact with a myriad of sub-contractors and their employees. The quality of Hanselman’s personnel, led by Ben, is above the norm and second to none. They were very polite, attentive to detail, and answered our questions in depth. For this we are most appreciative. We look forward to our next meeting."
- Tom and Sandy, Lititz
"Our needs were to have as much privacy as possible from our neighboring homes. We had existing beds that could create problems for our foundation, and when asked, all the men were very helpful with ideas for how to alleviate the problems. Everything was done to perfection. This was the first time in a while (even with building our new home) that we gave the job to someone and never, ever had to go over again what was to be done. It was a real pleasure to have your services."
- Matthew & Julie, Hummelstown
