Taking inspiration from nature’s subtleties – light, shadow, movement, sound, scent, color, texture – we design dynamic and immersive landscapes that engage all the senses and invite exploration.

Light Dark Landscape is a comprehensive design-build landscaping company working at the nexus of restoration and landscaping. We do it all, from designing to installing and maintaining our projects. Our integrative approach to landscape design pulls from a range of disciplines including housing, historic preservation, art, and architecture.

Light Dark Landscape strives to repair the Earth by offering sustainable alternatives to the traditional landscape practices that misuse resources, reduce habitat for pollinators and native species, and contribute to climate change.

On a shady site in the city of Minneapolis, Light Dark Landscape eradicated invasive weeds and planted native north shore woodland species.

Light Dark Landscape is all about combining the principles of sustainability, beauty, and restoration in landscaping for our clients.

We are proud of our work, and so are our clients. Browse our landscaping portfolio for inspiration and reach out to work with us!

The cantilevered, screened-in porch floats above the landscape with views of what feels like a private woodland park. Reclaimed granite that once served as an artistic fence now function as stairs leading from the newly built 68 foot deck to a gravel fire pit seating area.

This blank slate backyard was a typical turf lawn with a perimeter of overgrown perennial beds. The client dreamed of a dynamic back garden oasis with playful gathering spaces and wanted moving through the space to feel like a journey with “pausing and stopping” spaces along the way.

Previously outdated and failing plastic edging housed uninspired foundation beds. Adding gentle topography gave the space depth and movement while dwarfed conifers provide winter interest to this simple yet elegant Northern Minnesota inspired landscape.

This project began as a patch of burdock, a noxious weed with deep taproots and a persistent seed bank on a wooded wetland edge. Prior to burdock, the area had been invaded by both buckthorn and garlic mustard.