Does Higher Ground Landscaping do both design and installation?

Yes. Higher Ground is a full-service design-build landscape company. Tony Barash handles the initial consultation and design personally, and our experienced crew handles all installation. This means the person who designs your landscape is directly supervising the build, eliminating the miscommunication that happens when design and installation are separate companies.

How long does a landscape project take from design to completion?

Most landscape projects take 1 to 3 weeks of active installation once materials arrive and weather permits. The design and planning phase typically takes 1 to 2 weeks including the on-site consultation, design development, and material selection. Larger projects with extensive hardscaping may take 4 to 6 weeks. Tony provides a detailed timeline with every proposal.

Landscape Design Oakland County MI | Higher Ground Landscaping

Design & Build

Custom Landscape Design in Oakland County, MI

Landscape design in Oakland County typically costs $5,000 to $100,000 depending on project scope, with most residential transformations falling between $10,000 and $40,000. Higher Ground Landscaping is a full-service design-build firm that handles everything from initial concept through final installation, ensuring your vision translates perfectly from plan to reality.

Great landscape design starts with understanding how you actually use your outdoor space and what you want it to become. Tony Barash personally visits every property to evaluate sun exposure, existing trees and plantings, soil conditions, drainage patterns, and the architectural style of your home. This information drives every design decision.

We create comprehensive plans that address aesthetics, functionality, drainage, and long-term maintenance. Every plant we specify is selected for Michigan's USDA Zone 6a climate, your site's specific light and soil conditions, and your desired maintenance level. We do not plant anything that will not thrive on your property for years to come.

Design Services

What We Offer

Custom Landscape Design

Every landscape we design starts from scratch based on your property's unique conditions and your personal vision. We evaluate your lot's grading, drainage, sun patterns, existing trees, and proximity to structures. The result is a master plan that you can implement all at once or in phases over time. Design fees are typically credited toward installation when you hire us to build.

Planting Design & Installation

Plant selection in Michigan requires understanding what thrives in our short growing season, clay soils, and temperature extremes ranging from -10F to 95F. We specify trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses that provide multi-season interest -- spring blooms, summer color, fall foliage, and winter structure. We source from local Michigan nurseries to ensure plants are acclimated to our conditions.

Michigan-Native Plant Selection

Native Michigan plants attract pollinators, require less water and fertilizer, and resist local pests and diseases. We incorporate species like coneflower, black-eyed Susan, switchgrass, wild bergamot, and Michigan holly into designs that look intentional and beautiful while supporting the local ecosystem. Native plantings reduce long-term maintenance costs significantly.

Hardscape Integration

The best landscapes blend soft plantings with hard surfaces seamlessly. We integrate paver patios, stone walkways, retaining walls, and other hardscape elements into the overall landscape plan so everything flows together as one cohesive design. Drainage is planned during the design phase, not as an afterthought.

Seasonal Color Planning

A well-designed Michigan landscape provides interest year-round: crocus and daffodils in spring, hydrangeas and daylilies in summer, burning bush and ornamental grasses in fall, and evergreen structure with birch bark against snow in winter. We plan for every season so your landscape never looks dormant or empty.

Complete Property Makeovers

Some properties need more than a refresh -- they need a total transformation. We specialize in large-scale makeovers that address everything from front-yard curb appeal to backyard entertainment spaces, including grading corrections, drainage solutions, new plantings, hardscaping, and lighting. These comprehensive projects typically range from $25,000 to $100,000 and are completed in phases over 2 to 6 weeks.

Our Approach

The Higher Ground Design Process

1. On-Site Consultation

Tony visits your property to evaluate existing conditions, discuss your vision and budget, and take measurements. This is a no-pressure meeting. We walk the property together and talk about what you love, what you want to change, and how you want to use the space.

2. Design & Proposal

We develop a landscape plan with specific plant and material selections, along with a detailed written proposal with pricing. You will know exactly what you are getting and what it costs before any work begins. We typically deliver proposals within 48 hours of the consultation.

3. Build & Walkthrough

Our crew handles all installation with Tony supervising on site. We coordinate material deliveries, plantings, hardscaping, and drainage in the proper sequence. Tony personally inspects every project before completion and walks the site with you to ensure every detail meets your expectations.

Common Questions

Landscape Design FAQ

How much does landscape design cost in Oakland County, Michigan?

Landscape design and installation in Oakland County ranges from $5,000 for a front yard refresh to $100,000 or more for a complete property transformation. Most residential projects fall in the $10,000 to $40,000 range. Higher Ground provides on-site consultations with detailed written estimates.

What plants grow best in Michigan landscapes?

Michigan landscapes thrive with plants suited to USDA Zone 6a conditions. Top performers include ornamental grasses like Karl Foerster, shrubs like hydrangea and viburnum, perennials like coneflower and black-eyed Susan, and trees like red maple, serviceberry, and Eastern redbud.

When is the best time to landscape in Michigan?

The best times are spring (April through June) and fall (September through October). Spring gives plants an entire growing season to establish. Fall takes advantage of warm soil and cooler air, reducing transplant stress.

Does Higher Ground do both design and installation?

Yes. We are a full-service design-build company. Tony handles the initial consultation and design, and our crew handles installation. The person who designs your landscape directly supervises the build.

How long does a landscape project take?

Most projects take 1 to 3 weeks of active installation. The design and planning phase takes 1 to 2 weeks including the consultation and material selection. Larger projects with extensive hardscaping may take 4 to 6 weeks.

29+

Years of Excellence

Why Higher Ground

Design-Build Excellence Since 1996

Tony Barash founded Higher Ground Landscaping while attending Michigan State University in 1996. Nearly three decades later, he has designed and built hundreds of landscapes across Oakland County. Tony understands which plants thrive in which microclimates, how water moves through different soil types, and how to create outdoor spaces that look better with age rather than worse.

Because we both design and build, there is no gap between vision and execution. Tony does not hand off a plan to a separate crew he has never met. He designs the landscape, selects the materials, supervises the installation, and inspects the final result. That continuity is why our projects consistently exceed expectations.