Father’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who make life so meaningful. This year, instead of the usual tie, tools, or gift card, surprise Dad with something lasting: a beautiful garden refresh that turns his outdoor space into the retreat he deserves.

Whether it’s planting a new flowering shrub, designing a custom perennial bed, or upgrading to a low-maintenance landscape, Land Design Associates in Walpole, MA can help you create the ultimate outdoor sanctuary.

See our work: Land Design Associates Featured Projects
Certified Experts: Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professionals

Why June is the Best Month for a Landscape Refresh

June is a peak month in New England landscaping. The soil is warm, plants are actively growing, and longer days mean more time to enjoy the outdoors. By mid-June, most gardens are filled with annuals and perennials, but this is also the time to:

• Fill gaps in your flower beds

• Plant shrubs that will bloom in late summer and fall

• Set up irrigation to protect your investment through summer heat

• Refresh seasonal planters to keep them thriving

Homeowners in Walpole, Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Westwood, and Dover are especially focused on outdoor living spaces this time of year—poolside patios, grilling areas, and lush garden borders that set the stage for Father’s Day gatherings.

Annuals: Keep Your Containers & Beds Thriving

The Role of Annuals in June Landscapes

Annuals are the instant color providers of the garden. While perennials build long-term structure, annuals deliver immediate visual impact and can be swapped seasonally. In June, annuals are at their prime, but they also require consistent care to stay healthy.

Tips to Keep Annuals Fresh All Season

• Feed with slow-release fertilizer like Osmocote® Smart-Release® Plant Food for steady nutrition.

• Install drip irrigation for low-maintenance watering—essential during hot, dry spells.

• Rotate containers with pre-planted inserts from Proven Winners for effortless, color-coordinated beauty.

• Deadhead regularly to extend blooms and keep plants tidy.

Custom Planters for Father’s Day

Want something unique? Our team at Land Design Associates can design custom planters filled with Dad’s favorite colors or themes—whether it’s patriotic reds, whites, and blues for summer parties or a classic green and white palette for a sophisticated entryway.

Perennials: The Stars of the June Garden

Why Plant Perennials in June?

Perennials shine in June because they’re established enough to produce show-stopping flowers and strong foliage. Planting in June ensures they’ll root well before winter, returning stronger every year.

Planting Tips for Perennials

• Plant in multiples (2–3 of the same species) for greater visual impact.

• Match sun and water needs carefully, especially near large trees.

• Amend soil with compost to improve drainage and fertility.

Must-Have Full-Sun Perennials

• Bee Balm (Monarda ‘Petite Delight’) – Compact, mildew-resistant, and adored by hummingbirds and butterflies. Deadhead for continued blooms.

• Lavender ‘Phenomenal’ – Perfect for New England, it resists humidity better than traditional lavender.

  • Plant in the sunniest, driest spot

  • Mix sand or gravel into soil for excellent drainage

  • Water generously during the first two years, then sparingly thereafter

Shade-Loving Options for Dad’s Relaxation Spot

• Hosta ‘Patriot’ – Green and white foliage, tolerant of shade, excellent for woodland gardens.

• Astilbe ‘Fanal’ – Feather-plumed red flowers that brighten up shaded beds.

Shrubs: Structure, Texture & Seasonal Color

Why Shrubs Matter

Shrubs add permanent structure to a garden. They frame outdoor living spaces, provide seasonal interest, and help create privacy. In June, shrubs establish quickly and can carry the landscape into fall.

Recommended Shrubs for New England Gardens

• Ninebark ‘Diabolo’ – Striking purple foliage and soft flowers, available in sizes for both small and large gardens.

• Deutzia ‘Chardonnay Pearls’ – Golden foliage with pearl-like buds and fragrant blooms, ideal for borders.

• Slender Deutzia – A low-maintenance shrub with delicate white bell flowers; thrives in full sun to part shade.

Care Tip

Avoid heavy pruning. Instead, cut older canes to the ground every few years to encourage fresh growth while preserving the plant’s natural form.

Irrigation: Protecting Your Investment

Why Irrigation is Essential in June

New England summers often swing between heavy rains and periods of drought. Installing a drip irrigation or smart system ensures plants get consistent water without waste.

Benefits of Drip Irrigation

• Reduces water use by up to 50%

• Delivers water directly to roots

• Prevents fungal disease caused by wet foliage

• Saves time for busy families

Our certified irrigation team can design a system tailored to your property.

Father’s Day Project Ideas

Outdoor Spaces Dad Will Love

If you want to go beyond plantings, consider giving Dad a landscape upgrade he’ll enjoy all summer:

• Outdoor Kitchens – Perfect for grilling, smoking, and family BBQs

• Fire Pits – A cozy spot for evening gatherings

• Shade Pergolas – A cool retreat for afternoon relaxation

• Sports & Play Areas – Lawn spaces for catch, cornhole, or golf putting greens

Local Focus: Serving Greater Boston & Norfolk County

Land Design Associates proudly serves homeowners across:

• Walpole, MA – Our home base, where we’ve built a reputation for excellence.

• Newton, Needham, Wellesley, Westwood, Dover – Affluent suburbs where families invest in high-end landscapes.

• Norfolk County – Communities that value both beauty and property value.

Our team understands the specific soil types, plant hardiness zones (6b), and climate challenges of Greater Boston.

Why Choose Land Design Associates?

• Experienced Design-Build Team – Over 30 years of creating timeless landscapes.

• Certified Professionals – Massachusetts Certified Landscape Professionals.

• Custom Solutions – From garden beds to full outdoor living spaces.

• Proven Results – View Featured Projects.

Call to Action

Ready to give Dad the gift of a refreshed landscape this Father’s Day?
Contact Land Design Associates today to schedule your June garden makeover. From custom planters to complete outdoor renovations, we’ll create a space your family can enjoy for years to come.

Services We Provided

Design | Lighting |Firepit | Irrigation | Tree, shrub and perennial planting

Site Overview and Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in people all over the world spending more time than ever at their homes and in their backyards. People passed the time doing all sorts of new outdoor activities such as golfing, cycling, pickleball, and gardening. One client of Land Design Associates decided to take on a project he was certain would be challenging, rewarding, and keep him outside all spring and summer.

In his woodland lot off of Dela Park Road in Westwood, MA, our client Jason took on the arduous task of removing all of the understory vegetation that surrounded the massive canopy trees sprawling across his 350’ x 70’ parcel of land. By hand, Jason spent months freeing the mature Red Maples and Oak trees from the suffocating Bittersweet vines and Japanese knotweed that had been inhabiting the lot. In September of 2020, Jason finished the backbreaking brush clearing and decided the time had come to schedule a design consultation with Land Design Associates to explore how to maximize the open space he had created.

Understanding the Site and It’s Challenges

On an Autumn morning, Jim Egan, the owner of Land Design Associates, walked the site with Jason and reviewed the existing challenges and opportunities and discussed some preliminary design ideas. The first challenge was the presence of a wetland in the abutting property. As anyone who lives near a wetland can tell you, the setbacks that come with them can inhibit the implementation of certain projects. It was determined that at the end of the design phase, we would present the master plan to the Westwood Conservation Agency to get their approval for the installation. The second challenge was the sheer size of the space. Jason wasn’t exactly sure how he wanted to use the space, but he wanted to ensure that whatever was done would not only be beautiful, but would help to keep back the aggressive and invasive vegetation he had spent countless hours removing. We were confident that following standard landscape construction practices, including grubbing out the roots of the old vegetation and supplying the new plantings with an organically rich growing medium, would keep the old invasive plants at bay. The third challenge Jason highlighted was that the 350’ long lot bordered a popular street for walking and bike riding. With no clear markings that the once heavily forested lot was indeed private property, local teenagers had mistaken it for public land to be used at any time of their choosing, day or night. A sense of privacy and delineation of public and private land is a common request from the clients working with Land Design Associates. Jason was excited about the prospect of using land formation and new plantings to transform the open woodland lot into a private oasis. 

With the unique challenges and corresponding goals of the project outlined, the design team at Land Design Associates began working on the first design concepts to present to the client. Jason was excellent to work with because he had complete trust in the design team and he had intimate knowledge of the site which helped to identify the potential strengths and weaknesses of the different areas. At the end of the collaborative design experience, Jason was thrilled with the final plan and all parties were ready to present it to the Westwood Conservation Commission. The Commission gave Land Design Associates the full go ahead to start implementing the major landscape construction project. They outlined the rules and regulations to follow during and after the installation to ensure the continued protection of the wetland. Finally in March of 2021, 5 months after the initial design consultation with Jason, Land Design Associates broke ground on the Westwood site.

From Concept to Construction

The landscape construction lasted the majority of the spring and summer. The early months were largely spent grading and building boulder walls. These steps were essential in implementing grade change to the future sand pathway system we would install. The pathways connect the different rooms in the garden, and in the winter months they act as a beautiful cross country skiing route. 

Tree pruning and planting privacy screening trees were two other important early steps in construction. Due to the wetland bordering the eastern part of the site, as well as 350’ of impervious asphalt road pitching to the western part of the site, water was omnipresent and its treatment was imperative to the success of the project. The mature canopy trees scattered across the site added an invaluable asset to the landscape, but they also provided heavy shade to the forest floor. By pruning all of the dead wood from these trees, as well as thinning out some of the particularly dense canopies, we were able to greatly increase the amount of sun the site receives throughout the day. This helped to mitigate standing water on the property and also increased the variety of plants we could confidently install during the planting phase. The privacy plants on the borders of the property were the first trees we installed. These trees consisted of Western Red Cedars, Norway Spruce, Eastern White Pines, and Canadian Hemlocks. The variety of trees provide a natural feel to the finished garden and the location of them provided immediate privacy from pedestrians on Dela Park road as well as neighboring houses along the eastern property line.

Seemly Connection

The next major steps in the construction process were installing the sand pathway system and building a fire pit that would fit in harmoniously with the woodland surroundings. The sand was chosen as the primary material for the pathways for several reasons. It of course drains extremely well, so the wet surroundings would not pose a problem. Sand is also a relatively inexpensive material and is quick to install. With 4000 square feet of pathways, it was important to keep the material costs down. Lastly, walking on and even raking out sand can be very relaxing. As soon as Jason and his family enter the woodland garden from their backyard, the transition to a sand pathway identifies they’ve come to a peaceful and private landscape. 

The grand woodland fire pit area is the first space Jason and his family encounter upon entering the garden. One reason that specific location was chosen for the fire pit is because of the layout of the existing canopy trees in the area. The trees form a natural circle around the space, and by installing large groupings of Rosebay Rhododendrons, native ferns, and Summersweet shrubs, we were able to accentuate the existing circular form. Large boulders were installed to create a natural buffer between the gathering area and the surrounding plantings, and these boulders make excellent chairs as well. At the center of the space, smaller boulders surround a 5’ diameter steel fire pit ring. The fire pit and the entire fire pit area blend in seamlessly with the adjacent undisturbed wetlands to the east. 

Planting and Lighting

Once the pathway system and fire pit area were finished, we were able to focus our efforts on installing landscape lighting, a wildflower meadow, a grass pathway system to provide an alternative walking experience to the sand, and flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials. Last but not least came the all-important irrigation system to help guarantee the success of all the hard work by our installation crews. 

The landscape lighting system consists of path lights to highlight the beautiful sand and grass pathways, up lights to showcase both new and existing trees, and downlights which are used to cast soft light on large areas like the fire pit and wildflower meadow. 

The grass pathway system and the wildflower meadow are located in the part of the woodland garden which receives the most direct sunlight. In addition to spreading a native wildflower seed mix, we planted a mix of 100 perennials including Shasta Daisies, Black Eyed Susan, and Purple Coneflower to ensure the meadow had a mature look before the seed germinated.

 The approximately 700 remaining perennials, 100 shrubs, and 20 deciduous trees from the planting plan were carefully planted within the confines created by the mixed evergreen border surrounding the site. The pathway system thoughtfully meanders through the distinctly different areas of the woodland garden creating a pleasant walking or cross country skiing experience. 

After the final piece of sod had been rolled out and the last wheelbarrow of mulch had been spread, the Land Design team walked the garden with Jason to ensure everything met or exceeded his expectations. We went over important maintenance practices which would help the new flora flourish and keep the old invasives at bay, and we had a chance to review how the finished landscape lived up to the goals we set during the design phase. The first challenge of getting approval for the project from the conservation commission prior to starting construction had already been met, and after construction the commission reiterated that our work would only have a positive impact on the adjacent wetland. The second challenge was to make sure the new landscaping would aid in the fight against the old invasive plant material. Between sand pathways, lawn pathways, and boulder walls we were able to greatly cut down on the amount of square footage where the invasives could possibly return. In the plant beds, the roots of the old invasive vines were grubbed out and a heavy layer of mulch was applied after the new plants were installed. Those steps we took will give Jason a great chance at keeping the old invasives away, but as is the case with all landscapes, ongoing landscape maintenance will be the key to keeping the gardens pristine. Finally the third challenge was to make the site feel more like a private oasis and less like a fishbowl. Although the mixed evergreens around the perimeter of the site will need some time to mature in order to create a solid screen, the trees provided an immediate positive impact in regards to traffic noise as well as, giving the local high school kids the benefit of the doubt, accidental trespassers.

Before Photos

Design | Front walkway | Driveway | Perimeter walls | Lighting | Masonry
Drainage | Irrigation | Lawn | Tree, shrub and perennial planting

Green space was the focus of this project. A lovely front walkway bordered by a newly installed lawn wraps all the way around to the backyard to give these homeowners tons of usable garden space.

The journey begins with the front walkway, an elegant pathway that sets the tone for the entire property. Using high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, we designed a walkway that not only enhances the curb appeal but also provides a warm and inviting entrance for guests.

A durable and visually striking paver driveway was the next essential component. We meticulously installed each paver, ensuring a seamless and robust surface that not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also promises longevity and minimal maintenance for years to come.

Perimeter walls were incorporated to define the boundaries of the property while adding a touch of sophistication. These walls not only serve a functional purpose but also contribute to the overall design, enhancing the property’s character.

As the sun sets, the landscape comes to life with strategically placed lighting. Our team carefully designed and installed landscape lighting to highlight key features, creating a magical ambiance that can be enjoyed both day and night.

A well-designed drainage system ensures that water is efficiently directed away from critical areas, preventing potential issues. Additionally, a state-of-the-art irrigation system was installed to keep the landscape thriving, providing the necessary moisture for the flourishing greenery.

To bring the landscape to life, we carefully selected and planted a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials. This thoughtful selection not only adds visual interest but also contributes to a sustainable and thriving ecosystem.

At Land Design Associates, we believe in turning dreams into reality. The transformation of the Walsh property showcases our commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and the ability to create outdoor spaces that go beyond mere functionality. We are honored to have been a part of the Walsh’s journey and look forward to continuing our mission of enhancing outdoor living spaces for all our valued clients. If you’re ready to turn your outdoor dreams into a reality, contact us today, and let’s embark on a journey of transformation together.

Looking to Upgrade your Backyard Space in Newton and the Surrounding Area with a New Landscape Design?

Here is what the Newton homeowner, had to say about working with Land Design Associates on this project: 

“Before the first shovel went into the ground, Jim, Connor and Robyn came up with an optimal garden that was thoughtful in its architecture, irrigation, draining and plant selection. We came to Jim with a vision plan and he did this extensive interview with my wife and I and talked us out of our vision completely because he knew we would end up with a yard we didn’t like. He talked us into the design we now love. Jim, having worked for decades in Newton, was able to actually quote the zoning book during the design and installation process, which was both impressive and incredibly convenient, as it helped us satisfy the zoning requirements of our town without much of a headache. When things went wrong or we changed our mind during the installation, the team was flexible, and when our cherry tree died within the one-year warranty, Anthony came, got it out and got it replaced within the week with no haggling or hassles!”

We work in Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Westwood, Dover, Milton and other communities surrounding Boston.  Fill out a form on our contact page today to book your no cost consultation.