At Louis Contino Landscaping, planting design is never an afterthought. Plants are not just decorative fillers between patios, pools, and stonework—they are living architecture. They define mood, movement, privacy, seasonal beauty, and long-term value.

Over the years, we have curated and worked with an unusual and highly refined palette of more than 400 different plant varieties. This depth allows us to design landscapes that feel personal, layered, and timeless—never generic. Each plant we specify is chosen for a reason: performance, beauty, site conditions, and how it works in harmony with everything around it.

This article takes you inside our planting philosophy and explains why using such a broad and carefully selected plant library sets our landscapes apart.

Why Plant Variety Matters in Professional Landscaping

Many landscapes fail not because of poor construction, but because of limited plant selection. Too often, properties rely on the same five or six shrubs repeated endlessly—creating a flat, predictable look that ages quickly.

A diverse plant palette allows us to:

• Create depth and visual interest
• Design for four-season appeal
• Improve plant health and resilience
• Reduce pest and disease vulnerability
• Tailor landscapes precisely to each property’s microclimates

With over 400 plant options at our disposal, we are never forced into one-size-fits-all solutions.

Designing With Layers, Not Just Plants

Our planting designs are structured in layers, much like a natural ecosystem:

1. Canopy Layer – Shade trees, flowering trees, and specimen evergreens
2. Mid-Story Layer – Ornamental trees and large shrubs
3. Shrub Layer – Foundation shrubs, screening plants, flowering accents
4. Perennial Layer – Seasonal color, texture, pollinator plants
5. Groundcover Layer – Weed suppression, softness, continuity

Using hundreds of plant varieties allows us to refine each layer instead of defaulting to the same materials on every project.

Evergreen Plants: Structure That Never Sleeps

Evergreens are the backbone of many landscapes, especially in the Northeast where winter structure matters.

We use a wide spectrum of evergreen plants, including:

• Narrow screening trees for privacy
• Broad, architectural conifers as focal points
• Low-growing evergreens to anchor planting beds
• Deer-resistant and salt-tolerant options for coastal properties

Rather than relying on a single hedge plant, we often blend multiple evergreen species to create a more natural, resilient screen with subtle variation in color and texture.

Deciduous Trees: Seasonal Drama and Balance

Deciduous trees bring movement, shade, flowers, and fall color. Our expanded plant library allows us to match the right tree to the right space, whether that means:

• Framing a driveway
• Softening a large home façade
• Providing summer shade over patios and pools
• Adding spring blooms or fall color as a focal point

We select trees not just for appearance, but for mature size, root behavior, and compatibility with nearby structures.

Shrubs Beyond the Basics

Shrubs are where many landscapes become repetitive. We take the opposite approach.

Our shrub palette includes:

• Flowering shrubs for spring and summer impact
• Textural shrubs for modern and transitional designs
• Native shrubs for ecological balance
• Compact varieties for tight foundation spaces
• Large-format shrubs for screening and transitions

By mixing foliage colors, leaf sizes, and bloom times, we create planting beds that feel layered and intentional, not static.

Perennials: Color, Texture, and Movement

Perennials are where personality truly shines. With hundreds of perennial options, we design gardens that:

• Bloom from early spring through late fall
• Attract pollinators
• Move beautifully in the wind
• Complement stonework, water features, and architecture

We carefully balance bold bloomers with softer, textural plants so the landscape never feels overwhelming—or empty.

Ornamental Grasses: The Quiet Heroes

Ornamental grasses play a major role in modern landscaping. We use them to:

• Add motion and softness
• Break up rigid hardscape lines
• Provide winter interest
• Transition between formal and natural areas

Our plant palette includes grasses for full sun, partial shade, wet areas, and drought-prone zones, allowing us to place them with confidence in challenging locations.

Native Plants and Ecological Balance

Many of the plants we use are native or native-adapted, chosen for:

• Lower maintenance needs
• Improved resistance to local pests
• Better support for pollinators and birds
• Compatibility with Long Island’s soil conditions

Native plants are not boring when used correctly. With the right combinations, they can be just as refined and visually striking as exotic species—while offering long-term sustainability.

Deer-Resistant and Problem-Solving Plants

One of the biggest challenges in our region is deer pressure. Our expanded plant library allows us to design deer-aware landscapes without sacrificing beauty.

We categorize plants by:

• High deer resistance
• Moderate tolerance
• Strategic placement near homes or hardscape

This knowledge helps us protect our clients’ investments and reduce frustration after installation.

Plants Chosen for Real Site Conditions

Every property is different. That’s why plant selection must account for:

• Sun vs. shade
• Drainage patterns
• Soil composition
• Coastal salt exposure
• Wind conditions
• Heat reflection from stone and walls

With access to hundreds of plant varieties, we can fine-tune designs to thrive in real-world conditions—not just look good on paper.

Avoiding the “Builder-Grade” Landscape Look

What truly separates our work is restraint and intention. Using 400+ plants does not mean using all of them on one project—it means having the right plant available when the design calls for it.

This prevents:

• Overused plant palettes
• Cookie-cutter designs
• Landscapes that look outdated in five years

Instead, our projects feel curated, balanced, and timeless.

How This Benefits Our Clients

When clients choose Louis Contino Landscaping, they gain access to:

• A deeper level of design customization
• Healthier, longer-lasting plantings
• More interesting seasonal transitions
• Landscapes that feel personal—not mass-produced
• Increased property value through thoughtful design

Plants are a long-term investment, and choosing the right ones from the start makes all the difference.

Our Philosophy: Plants as Living Architecture

We believe plants should do more than fill space. They should:

• Frame views
• Create privacy
• Soften architecture
• Guide movement through the property
• Evolve beautifully over time

By working with an unusual variety of over 400 plants, we design landscapes that mature gracefully and continue to improve year after year.

Final Thoughts

At Louis Contino Landscaping, plant selection is both a science and an art. Our extensive plant library allows us to design landscapes that are resilient, expressive, and deeply connected to their surroundings.

Whether a project is intimate or expansive, formal or natural, coastal or woodland-inspired, our diverse plant palette ensures that every landscape is distinct, thoughtful, and built to last.

If you’re looking for a landscape that goes beyond the ordinary—one that reflects care, craftsmanship, and botanical knowledge—our planting approach makes all the difference.

Please call us at Louis Contino Landscaping at 631-351-5409 for a free estimate. We are looking forward to working with you!