What Makes a Landscape Last? The Art of Long-Term Design at Roots
Most landscape projects are designed for impact. At Roots, we design for longevity. That means considering not just how a space looks on installation day, but how it will evolve over the next five, ten, even fifty years. From plant behavior to seasonal rhythm, our work is shaped by knowledge, restraint, and long-term thinking—qualities that elevate a landscape from good to unforgettable.
One plant that captures this perfectly? The dappled willow.
The Dappled Willow: Graceful, Fast-Growing, and Always Changing
Technically a shrub, the dappled willow can take on the stature of a small tree with the right placement and care. It grows rapidly—often pushing three to four feet of new growth each year—making it one of the most expressive and rewarding plants in the landscape.
At a modern Tudor-style property in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, we placed dappled willows along the front elevation to soften the strong architectural lines. Their fine, variegated foliage brings movement and lightness, creating a subtle contrast to the home’s darker tones. But what makes them truly special is how they’re maintained.
Our Fine Gardening team returns seasonally to prune them with intention, not to tame, but to guide. By cutting them back at just the right time, we encourage full, upright regrowth that still feels loose and natural. The result is something between a tree and a sculpture… never rigid, always evolving.
Design is Just the Beginning
The placement of the willow was deliberate, but its lasting effect comes from what happens after the install. That’s where Roots stands apart. We’re not designing for a single season. We’re designing for a garden that still feels relevant and beautiful in twenty years.
It takes a blend of artistry and deep horticultural knowledge to make those decisions—knowing not just what looks good now, but how a plant behaves over time, how it responds to pruning, and how it interacts with the surrounding environment as it matures.
A Cut Above
Every landscape we design is meant to grow into itself. We choose plants that age well, shape beds that will hold up over time, and approach maintenance not as upkeep, but as an extension of the design process.
This is the kind of thinking that makes a Roots property feel different. It’s why our landscapes settle in so naturally, and why they get better with each passing year. Because great design doesn’t just show up—it stays.
It’s a space for working, unwinding, gathering, and simply enjoying the view.
Looking to reimagine your landscape? Whether it’s a quiet retreat or a bold transformation, our team designs spaces that blend structure and softness, function and beauty, no matter the footprint.