From frost-resistant hardscapes to Zone 3 hardy plantings, we build outdoor spaces that don’t just look great this summer—they thrive for decades. Click below to schedule your on-site consultation and let’s build something that lasts.
St. Croix Lake property owners need plants that perform in conditions specific to this shoreline environment, including sandy soils, fluctuating moisture levels near the water, and full exposure to the wind that comes off the lake on an open stretch. Our South Range garden center grows Zone 3 stock that is tested in these exact conditions. We carry native and adapted species ideal for lakeshore planting, along with the full range of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals for properties set back from the water.
A well-chosen tree planted near the water’s edge on a St. Croix Lake property provides shade, erosion control, wildlife habitat, and visual interest across every season. We help shoreline property owners select species that anchor banks without creating maintenance problems, screen neighboring structures without blocking the view, and contribute to the natural character of the lake’s wooded perimeter. Every tree and shrub we install is selected with your specific lot, exposure, and soil type in mind.
Along the shoreline and in the transitional zones between cabin, lawn, and water’s edge, perennials do essential ecological and aesthetic work. Native sedges, rushes, coneflowers, native grasses, and ferns help stabilize the bank, support pollinators, and give the shoreline a natural, layered look that fits the St. Croix Lake landscape. We pair these with annuals for seasonal color around entries, docks, and gathering areas that keep the property feeling welcoming through the summer.
On a lake property, the water feature is already there, and sometimes the best thing you can do is connect to it more intentionally. We design naturalistic shoreline transitions, planted rain gardens, and recirculating water elements that complement the lake’s presence rather than competing with it. Whether it is a small pond in a low spot that was always going to hold water anyway, or a fountain feature near a lakeside patio, we integrate water elements thoughtfully into the larger lakeshore landscape.
St. Croix Lake properties often involve sloped terrain running from the cabin or home down to the water, and managing that grade with good hardscape work makes a dramatic difference in both function and appearance. We design and build retaining walls, terraced patios, stone steps, and pathway systems that handle the grade change, prevent erosion, and create usable outdoor living space between the structure and the shoreline. All our hardscape work is engineered for frost heave and designed to age gracefully in a lakeside environment.
A lakeshore property on St. Croix Lake is one of the most site-specific landscape design challenges in Douglas County. Every decision, from where you plant a tree to how you grade a path to the dock, affects your view, your privacy, your shoreline stability, and the overall feeling of the property. We approach every St. Croix Lake design project with that level of attention, building a plan that maximizes what makes your specific lot extraordinary while addressing the practical realities of shoreline ownership.
Lakeshore landscapes in the Northland require seasonal maintenance that goes beyond standard lawn care. Spring brings debris from ice-out and winter damage that needs to be cleared thoughtfully near the water. Summer growth along the shoreline buffer needs managing without disrupting native species doing important stabilization work. Fall prep on a lake property involves protecting plantings that face both cold and the mechanical action of ice push along the shoreline. We understand all of it and build maintenance programs accordingly.
For St. Croix Lake properties where the view, the terrain, or the owner’s vision calls for something genuinely custom, we develop landscape plans from the ground up that treat every aspect of the site as an opportunity. From a full shoreline restoration using native plantings to a complete overhaul of the upland yard with hardscaping, perennial gardens, and specimen trees, our custom design service delivers a finished landscape that feels as though it has always belonged to this particular stretch of lakeshore.
Installing a landscape on a St. Croix Lake property requires crews who understand shoreline soils, drainage patterns near the water, and the permit considerations that often come with work close to the lake’s edge. Our installation team brings that experience to every project, working carefully and cleanly on sites where protecting the water quality and the natural integrity of the shoreline is as important as the finished aesthetic result.
From dock planters to cabin entry containers to window boxes that frame a lake view, seasonal planting adds warmth and personality to St. Croix Lake properties throughout the summer season. We design and install container arrangements using varieties that hold up to the wind and sun exposure common on open lake properties, refreshing the plantings through the season so your property looks its best from Memorial Day to the last warm weekend of September.
St. Croix Lake shoreline, Solon Springs, WI
