SWEETFERN ECOLOGICAL DESIGN
Ecological landscapes,
rooted in place.
Landscape design, restoration,
project management & stewardship.
The Berkshires & surrounding region.
ECOLOGY. DESIGN. CRAFT. CONTINUITY.
A landscape.
A living relationship.
Sweetfern creates landscapes that bring together ecology, thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and the ways people live with the land.
Work begins with understanding the site—its topography, water, soils, vegetation, habitat, architecture, and patterns of use—and can continue through design, construction coordination, establishment, monitoring, and long-term stewardship.
Discover our approachSELECTED WORK
Rooted in the landscape.
Designed for living.
Pool Terrace
Reclaimed granite · Outdoor living · Native planting
Private Residence, Tyringham, MA
Morningside Estate
Natural stone · Planting design · Water
Morningside Estate
Photo credit: Nick Glimenakis
Pond Restoration
Water & ecology
Private Residence, Monterey, MA
Conservation Planning
Conservation planning · Native planting · Water · Stewardship
Morningside Estate
Meadow & Paths
Habitat & movement
Conway School of Landscape Design: Co-designed with Anna Goff
Bell’s Pond Conservation Property
Conservation · Housing · Trail Design · Site Analysis
Private Residence, Ancramdale, NY
Planted Roofs
A garden at roof level
Photo credit: Beth Rose
INTERIOR + EXTERIOR
The landscape is
part of the room.
Through the kitchen window, stone walls, steps, and planting become part of everyday life inside the house. The window frames a sequence that carries the eye from the garden toward the hillside beyond.
Designing that connection means considering both the places we move through and the views we live with—in changing weather, light, and seasons.
Explore the landscape sketchesCORE CAPABILITIES
From understanding
to stewardship.
Ecological and design continuity across the life of a property.
Landscape Design
Site-responsive planning, gardens, grading, drainage, and outdoor spaces.
Ecological Restoration
Meadows, woodlands, ponds, habitat, and restoration planning.
Gardens + Planting
Native, formal, kitchen, cutting, and specialty gardens.
Stone + Hardscape
Walls, terraces, stairs, paths, and stone integrated with landform.
Structures + Landscape Elements
Pergolas, swings, saunas, sheds, and ADU site planning.
Planted Roofs
Green roof and modular planted systems for small and larger structures.
Project Management
Hardscape and plant material sourcing, contractor coordination, and installation oversight.
THE SWEETFERN APPROACH
A continuing
cycle of care.
Survey
Understand what is there.
02Analyze
Understand how the land functions.
03Plan
Determine where things belong.
04Design
Bring ecology, function, and experience together.
05Coordinate
Bring the right people into one process.
06Implement
Translate plans into the landscape.
07Monitor
Observe what happens.
08Adapt
Respond to the landscape.
THE DETAILS BEHIND THE LANDSCAPE
From the drawing
into the field.
Explore the design decisions, material palettes, planting strategies, and original working documents behind the portfolio.
Explore the design sketchesOpen the project details
Explore the interactive landscape study