How We Work

You’ll find our process and approach to Maryland landscape design as fresh as a daisy! We also offer seamless virtual cottage garden design for our out-of-state clients.

We're different—in a (very) good way.

We’re not your typical Maryland landscape design company—not in philosophy, process, aesthetic, or price.

Our Approach

Our belief is simple: every homeowner deserves a garden that enriches the local ecosystem, enhances property value, and looks like it belongs in a magazine. And it should be accessible to more people.

That’s why we’ve reimagined how landscape design is priced. Instead of the inflated markups most landscapers charge, we offer transparent wholesale plant pricing—typically 50% less than retail—plus a flat 20% service fee. Other companies charge double (or more) for the same plants.

While we don’t do the digging ourselves, we partner with trusted contractors who do. And on installation day, we’re on-site for hands-on plant curation—placing every single plant, sometimes thousands, exactly where it belongs so our meticulous designs are realized down to the last detail. Did we mention we're Type A?

We currently serve Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia with start-to-finish design and planting services. For virtual clients, we tap into our network of growers along the East Coast and beyond, so we can often source plants even when we can’t be there in person.

What to Expect When You Work With Figment

Upfront Pricing

Before we do anything—locally or virtually—we send you a quote! That way, you know exactly how much to budget or if you need to prioritize aspects of the project. No time-wasting or awkward moments ever.

Site-Visit / Video Chat

Next, we come see the literal lay-of-the-land, meet you, discuss goals, vision, function, take detailed measurements, and get our creative juices flowing. For out-of-state clients, we do this all via video chat and plat maps or land surveys.

Design

This is where the fun begins. Design typically takes 2-4 weeks. We can collaborate as little or as much as you’d like! That might entail sending you layout options to choose from prior to launching into plant design—or surprising you with the complete finished product. Some clients want to be entirely hands-off while other avid gardeners like to take part in the process. We're amenable to both options!

After design, you have one round of edits (you'd be surprised how rarely they're even needed!). We can say our goodbyes at this point and you can do the rest yourself, or you can move onto plant sourcing with us.

Plant Sourcing

When you hire a traditional landscaper, you pay nursery retail price for all of your plants—maybe even a bit more. They buy plants wholesale and charge you double.

You won’t find that nonsense here. We are determined to make beautiful and beneficial landscaping more accessible to homeowners, so no price gouging.

When you work with Figment, we simply bill 20% of your plant order, which covers our labor and time on planting day to place plants exactly where they'll be put into the ground. You won’t find that anywhere else. Trust us, we tried!

Trusted Contractors

We’re English cottage garden designers and plant purveyors only. We don't do the manual landscaping work, but we do partner with trusted contractors who do fantastic work. Their billing is completely separate from ours.

Of course, you are more than welcome to use your own landscaping team if you prefer. We place nice with others, too.

Planting Day

On planting day, we arrive on-site to inspect plants as we unload. Then, we place every single one exactly where it needs to be planted according to our design. This is when the magic happens and you get to see your cottage garden begin to come to life!

Once the layout is complete, we hand off the dirty work to the landscaping team and await the gorgeous before and after photos.

Happy clients speak for themselves.

Country vegetable garden with obelisk, arches, and zinnias Country vegetable garden with obelisk, arches, and zinnias

"Caroline’s work is absolutely breathtaking! It is as though you are walking through a magazine."

Amy K.
Fenced in veggie garden with climbing rose
Fenced in veggie garden with climbing rose

"Gardening wizard!! Caroline completely transformed our space from old and tired to a fresh fairytale landscape. We couldn’t be happier!!"

Julie S.
White house with cottage garden installation White house with cottage garden installation

"Caroline is incredibly knowledgeable of all things cottage gardens, trees, deer control and any other question under the sun. She is an absolutely lovely, easy person to work with. If you want to transform your yard into a magical place, Caroline is the person to do it!"

Nancy K.

Start Planning Today!

Get in touch so we can start planning your dream garden.