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Yellow/Pink Flower Garden Design for a House in Michigan
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Lake Effect Garden & Design

From native gardens to patios to outdoor kitchens and everything in between, our landscape design services can help bring your outdoor dreams to life!
Services
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Native Gardens

Breathtaking

Are you seeking to establish a breathtaking garden that requires minimal upkeep, promotes eco-friendliness, and attracts local wildlife? At Lake Effect Garden & Design, we specialize in the creation and maintenance of stunning gardens showcasing indigenous plants specific to your local area. Whether you possess a deep affinity for nature or simply desire a low-maintenance landscape, our team has you covered.

Breathtaking Low Maintenance Native Garden Designed by Lake Effect Garden & Design
Vibrant gardens that will brighten up your home by Lake Effect Garden & Design

Vibrant

Gardens

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Whether you envision a serene Zen garden, a vibrant floral oasis, or a functional and beautiful edible garden, I am here to bring your garden dreams to life. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards creating your stunning and thriving garden. Together, let's transform your outdoor space into a breathtaking sanctuary you'll love to spend time in.

Sustainable

Native Meadows

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Are you in search of a sustainable and thriving meadow ecosystem that requires minimal upkeep and promotes environmental harmony? Your search ends here with our native meadows service. At Lake Effect Garden & Design, our team is committed to creating and maintaining stunning meadows that showcase native plants indigenous to your local area.

A Sustainable and thriving native meadow being started
Lake Effect Garden & Design Develops a beautiful hardscape for a West Michigan Home

Well-Planned

New Construction Landscapes

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Through close collaboration with your builder and architect, we can craft a meticulously planned landscape that maximizes the utilization of your outdoor area while seamlessly integrating features such as outdoor kitchens, courtyards, and retaining walls. With our expertise in site-specific planting, we'll ensure optimal soil erosion prevention and strategically lay out plants to achieve a lush and mature landscape within the first two years.

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Protective

Deer Fencing

Are you fed up with deer wreaking havoc on your vegetable and perennial gardens in West Michigan? Say goodbye to the frustration of constant damage and unreliable sprays. Our custom deer fencing offers a practical and visually appealing solution, utilizing a unique wire mesh panel design that maintains openness for vine growth and views while effectively deterring deer. 

Deer Fencing by Lake Effect Garden & Design to Prevent Deer and Animals from eating your plants, vegetables, and more!
Contemporary wood deck design by Lake Effect Garden & Design to enhace the home's ambiance and aesthetic
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Contemporary

Patios & Decks

Designed to seamlessly extend the beauty and functionality of your home, our team at Lake Effect Garden & Design is dedicated to helping you create the perfect outdoor sanctuary. Whether you desire a space for entertaining guests, unwinding with your family, or simply embracing the refreshing ambiance of the outdoors, we offer a diverse range of materials and styles, from classic wood decks to contemporary concrete patios, to bring your unique vision to life.

State-of-the-art

Outdoor Kitchens

Elevate your outdoor living space with a bespoke outdoor kitchen designed to entertain your loved ones in style. At Lake Effect Garden & Design, our skilled team specializes in crafting exquisite and practical outdoor kitchens that cater to your specific needs and style preferences. From state-of-the-art built-in grills and refrigerators to convenient sinks and ample storage, we have the expertise to bring your vision of the ultimate outdoor cooking and dining experience to life.

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State of the art outdoor kitchen for summertime and family fun by Lake Effect Garden & Design
Terracell slope stabilization for hillside issues, eroding slopes, and uneven yards by Lake Effect Garden & Design

Effective

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Slope Stabilization

For those dealing with troublesome hillside issues, our Slope Stabilization service is the perfect solution. By utilizing the innovative product TerraCell, we effectively stabilize eroding slopes, creating a protective barrier that prevents further erosion. Our process involves grading the slope, securing the TerraCell, and covering it with soil and a bamboo blanket, allowing for strategic planting every foot on center.

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Elegant

Garden Screens

Looking to bring privacy and elegance to your outdoor space? Our exquisite screens not only provide a serene sanctuary but also add a touch of sophistication to any setting. Whether you desire a tranquil hideaway, a shield for your hot tub, or an enhancement for your garden's allure, our garden screens are your answer. 

Wood Garden Screen for privacy and elegance in your home by Lake Effect Garden & Design
Custom 3D Design for Saugatuck House in Michigan by John Clese

Powerful

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3D Design

At Lake Effect Garden & Design, we recognize that envisioning your future landscape can be daunting. That's why we utilize the power of 3D Design to breathe life into our plans, offering you a comprehensive 360-degree view of your project. Whether it's a sprawling patio, deck, or wall, our 3D design tool allows you to explore various angles and materials, empowering you to make informed decisions.

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Lake Effect Garden & Design in West Michigan Logo

Planning Process

Our process starts with an initial site visit. After experiencing your site, we explore the current landscape and listen to how you want to live in your outdoor environment. After we understand your goals, we'll discuss your budget and prepare an initial design for your review. 
 
After completing your design, our continued level of assistance is up to you. We can manage the entire implementation process, be hands-off and provide plans for DIY homeowners, or help you select the right contractors for the job. If you need us, we can be with you every step of the way!

Hello

My name is John Clese

Lake Effect Garden and Design is the result of my lifelong passion for landscape design. From my early days transforming my parents' suburban Maryland property to my exposure to influential designers like Wolfgang Oehme, James Van Sweden, Piet Oudolf, and Roy Diblik, my love for naturalistic plantings using ornamental grasses and perennials has grown into a love of using more native plants in my landscapes. Now based in West Michigan, I thank Esther Durnwald of the Michigan Wildflower Farm for deepening my knowledge of native plants and their sustainable benefits.

 

At Lake Effect Garden and Design, we craft breathtaking environments by seamlessly integrating native plants into residential gardens and meadow plantings, along with ornamental screens, deer fencing, sunken patios, and decks. Our designs prioritize low-maintenance and drought-tolerant plant selections, delivering remarkable landscapes harmonizing with nature. Let us bring your vision to life and create an extraordinary outdoor space.

John Clese

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Lake Effect Garden & Design by John Clese
Beautiful vibrant garden design from Lake Effect Garden & Design by John Clese

What Our Clients Say

“Working with John is one of life's pleasures! He is intensely knowledgeable regarding native plants, has a keen eye for the esthetics of where each planting group should be placed, and a great sense for the textures and colors we will experience from season to season.”

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- Shirley Sutton

Recent Blogs

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Transform your outdoor space with Lake Effect Garden & Design's landscape design services.

What We Do

Small Project Garden Design and Planting by Lake Effect Garden & Design

Small Project Garden Design and Planting

Landscape, Installation, and Project Management by Lake Effect Garden & Design

Landscape Design, Installation and Project Management

Independent Contract Design For Landscapers by Lake Effect Garden & Design

Independent Contract Designer for Landscapers

Contact
Transform your outdoor space with Lake Effect Garden & Design's landscape design services.

Get a Free Consultation

Not sure where to start? No problem! Our garden and design services can help you focus on the plants, function, and overall landscape that works for you. Complete this form to get started. 

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