Author: Brenda Carey

Spring Showers, Meet Your Match: 5 Native Plants for Wet Yards

April Showers are upon us, and while they do bring May flowers, they can also bring wet yards! However, there are some plants that can help keep your landscape dry during those April showers. Check out our list of the top 5 native plants that will keep your yard dry this April!

Spring is a common time for Arborvine’s professional consultants to get called out to properties for drainage concerns. If you are seeing water pooling in your yard, getting into your home or causing erosion, you may need a professional site visit from our team to engineer a plan & solution. However, if you are simply looking for a way to help dry your yard up quicker, this list is for you! Arborvine installs a lot of engineered rain gardens, which are retention areas for water that are planted with carefully curated species & cultivars that don’t mind wet feet. These native plants are tried & tested to tolerate these conditions & may be a great addition to your home’s landscape!

1. Button Bush

A beautiful Delaware native shrub that has fragrant, white flowers during the summer months. This shrub is sure to attract your favorite pollinators! Buttonbush thrives in damp areas & can even handle mild pooling of water! A great choice as a foundation shrub or specimen feature!

2. Cardinal Flower

A naive perennial that tolerates full sun to partial shade. Use this perennial in a damp area and watch the vibrant flowers that produce stunning red spikes. The best part, these flowers are guaranteed to attract hummingbirds! A must have in a Delaware native landscape!

3. Winterberry

One of Arborvine’s favorite native shrubs to incorporate into our designs! A member of the holly family, this plant has smooth green leaves that shimmer in the summer sun. With cultivars maturing at multiple different sizes, this versatile plant can find a home in almost any landscape! The best part, in the winter, this plant stays true to its name offering one of a kind winter interest! Stunning red berries will remain vibrant all winter long. The perfect pop of color in a serene, snow covered winter landscape! Plus you may find one of your favorite birds snacking on the berries!

4. Joe Pye Weed

A unique perennial that can be used for meadows & perennial gardens. In late summer you can expect large, dusky pink flower heads which are butterfly magnets! Place this plant in a damp area and the roots will thrive! You may find this perennial lining one of Arborvines exquisite rock swales or dry creek beds throughout Delaware & Pennsylvania.

5. Swamp Rose Mallow

A true stunner to add color, texture & movement to your landscape! A mid to late summer bloomer with large, showy pink & white flowers. If you love color, this is a great naive perennial for you. Rose Mallow is not phased by damp soil conditions & will use this excess moisture to grow & thrive!

As April showers continue, the right plant choices can make a meaningful difference in how your landscape handles excess water. Incorporating native, moisture-tolerant plants is a simple and effective way to support better drainage while enhancing the beauty and ecological value of your yard. If you’re dealing with persistent pooling, erosion, or water making its way toward your home, Arborvine’s team is here to help. From thoughtfully designed rain gardens to fully engineered drainage solutions, we work with you every step of the way to create a landscape that performs as well as it looks.

Reach out today to schedule a consultation and get your property ready for the seasons ahead.

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

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Top 5 Outdoor Living Upgrades to Maximize Value & Enjoyment

If you are looking to enhance your curb appeal or outdoor living space in 2026 without a total revamp, here are the top 5 upgrades that will make a huge impact & change your outdoor space!

Use this guide & consider which upgrades you would enjoy the most. Each of these simple enhancements will increase the value & enjoyment you receive from your home!

1. Fire Pits

Fire pits create an experience in your outdoor space. They serve as the focal point, the spot where everyone wants to be. Priceless memories are made around the fire! Whether you are roasting marshmallows with your family or exchanging stories with friends, this is the place to be. With countless ways to customize fire features, they are an instant fun & value booster for your home!

We look at inspiration clients may have and collaborate with our expertise and skill to overcome design or terrain challenges and achieve the desired results regardless of the complexity of the property. Steep slopes, tight spaces, or a flat open canvas, we handle it all!

2. Patios

If you have a backyard where there is no place to set a table or even a few chairs, a small patio can totally change the exterior of your home, adding enjoyment & customization. Adding a patio creates a defined space to gather & enjoy the outdoors. Making this simple addition will leave you wondering how you lived without it! Building this space will create an extension of your home where outdoor living can be a dream come true, a simple space where priceless memories will be made & cherished!

3. Walkways

Walkways are great for enhancing your curb appeal or cohesively connecting key areas of your outdoor living space! Whether you need an intentional pathway leading guests to your front door or a discreet, turf-set stepping stone path leading to a secret garden retreat, this upgrade will make a huge difference. Investment levels are customizable with endless options ranging from custom pavers to timeless flagstone!

4. Landscaping

Installing a new landscape at your home is sure to turn heads! From subtle pops of perennial color to elegant evergreens & specimen flowering trees, a professionally designed landscape will create an environment that is warm, inviting, and unique to your style & vision. Incorporating seasonal interest will have guests & neighbors anxiously awaiting the next season to see what colors will pop at your home. Expertly installed landscapes bring your property to life and allow your home to stand out!

5. Landscape Lighting

Lighting is hands down the best way to improve the usability of your home after dark, capture its beauty all night, and even enhance your home’s security. Want to keep that backyard cookout going after the sun sets? Or impress your neighbors as your home glows through the night? Lighting is the answer! With color-changing options, the possibilities are endless with a custom outdoor lighting system!

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

Consultations Include:

Trending: The Experience Behind a Luxury Outdoor Living Space

The Process for Your Outdoor Living Space

In 2026 a unique trend is coming to light, this trend affects nearly every industry in the country and is causing shifts in consumer trends. Consumers are looking for experiences over just investing in material objects or services. When you think about experiences, you may think of sporting events, vacations, etc however, these experiences can also come from high quality service providers.

At Arborvine Landscaping, our mission has always been to provide the best experience for homeowners looking to create their dream outdoor spaces. Our clear process & legendary experience is one that has set Arborvine apart and forged our reputation as the most sought after design build firm in New Castle County, DE & Southeastern Chester County, PA.

An outdoor living space can be a big decision & investment, our dedicated team curated a custom process to make this journey effortlessly enjoyable.

A Thoughtful, Client-Centered Design Process

Starting from the initial design meeting, our creative design consultants will listen to our clients lifestyle preferences, visions & goals to create a space that suits their needs while also respecting the site conditions and style of the home.

Bringing Your Vision to Life Through Design

From here, our process really comes to life as we create a design that allows our clients to digitally interact with the outdoor space. Our clients will feel like they are living in their space thanks to the quality of our design renderings.

This allows plenty of time to refine details, discuss phasing and select materials. Each design detail is thoughtful & intentional to reflect each client’s unique vision.

We will provide material samples and carefully review each selection to compliment the space with the finest available products to ensure a luxurious & durable outdoor space. Each earth derived natural stone selection is complimented beautifully by luscious plantings & even lighting or sound systems to create vibrant outdoor spaces.

This period of collaboration ends with a clear & detailed proposal outlining the scope of work, material selection and creating a clear blueprint to turn this vision to reality!

From Planning to Construction Excellence

Each Arborvine backyard is clearly planned before a shovel hits the ground. The Arbovine experience continues to impress as we move from planning to construction.

Our production managers will procure materials, handle permits & align our expert crews perfectly. After careful planning & coordination, a pre construction meeting kicks off the build. This is where our seasoned craftsmen will seamlessly integrate with the design team to fully understand the vision and start to bring it to life.

Each project built by Arbovine comes with a level of quality that is sure to exceed expectations.

A Stress-Free Build Experience

Construction can be stressful, but not when you choose Arborvine. Clean & safe jobsites, constant communication & attention to detail that is unmatched in our industry.

This stage of the process will leave you relaxed & informed, not worried about managing the project or stressing over the details. This step is where the importance of the design & planning process shine. The time spent with our consultants reviewing the design & carefully selecting the materials all pays off when it’s time to build.

At this point there is nothing left for you to do but enjoy the journey & cherish this design & build experience curated by Arborvine.

Many of our clients are sad to see our crews go. While they are ecstatic about their new personal paradise, they slightly miss the joyful daily bustle and positive vibes of our crew members & project managers. The true pride we take in our craft shows each and every day through our smiles, laughs & productive harmony as we proudly bring these visions to life.

Completion, Care, and Long-Term Confidence

On completion, our experts will proudly walk you through the space answering questions and guiding you through the key steps of care & maintenance. We will customize maintenance plans to suit clients needs and protect their investments.

There is no better feeling than the pride & confidence that comes with an Arborvine built backyard. From reminiscing on an experience that makes you smile, to the peace of mind that comes with our industry leading warranties and most importantly, the memories created in your space that you will cherish for life.

Our clients are forever members of the Arborvine family!

Build With Arborvine

If you are a homeowner who values a high quality experience as much as a high quality & long lasting outdoor space, build with Arborvine.

Our perfectly orchestrated process is the only choice when looking to enhance the enjoyment of your home through a custom outdoor space or landscape. While consumers valuing experiences may be a new trend, Arborvine stayed true to our roots, beat the curve by a decade & has been providing a top notch experience since the very beginning.

Join our rapidly growing family of happy clients who are actively creating memories in their dream backyard, proudly built by Arborvine!

Ready to Start Planning Your Outdoor Living Space?

If you’re considering a design-build outdoor project and want clarity on scope, timeline, budget, and next steps:

Consultations Include:

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Testimonials

From my initial meeting with Greg, it was always a very efficient process which took much of the stress of home projects off my shoulders. Greg and his entire crew were always punctual, professional, and truly a pleasure to work with. I would recommend to anyone in need of home improvements in many different areas including but not limited to hardscaping, landscaping, drainage issues, and so much more. They do a great job and take immense pride in customer satisfaction!

Sarah Ryan

Wilmington, DE
Restored our backyard space after having several trees removed and a small addition put on the house. Worked with them to create some natural privacy to our home.

Brian Parent

Talleyville, DE
Greg and his team were a pleasure to work with. They were always extremely responsive and though weather and supply issues prolonged the overall project timeline, there was constant communication and they were committed to ensuring everything was installed properly and efficiently.

Nathan & Kelly Bachman

Newark, DE
We had a wonderful experience working with Arborvine Landscaping, and I can’t say enough good things about their team. Kathy, Angel, and Angel were absolutely wonderful, each professional, kind, and knowledgeable.

Kathy was very responsive and thoughtful, helping navigate design choices with ease and always keeping our vision and budget in mind. Angel and Angel (yes, two Angels—and they truly lived up to the name!) were meticulous, hardworking, and respectful of our space.

Our yard has been completely transformed, and we couldn’t be happier.

Brooke Wiley

Wilmington, DE
We worked with Greg and he was very responsive and helpful as we iterated over several different designs for our outdoor space. I was very impressed with the quality of workmanship during the project, and when an issue did arise Greg work with us to adjust the design as needed, I would highly recommend Greg and Arborvine and plan to use them again for my next project.

Robert Curl

Wilmington, DE
I recently had the pleasure of working with Greg and the Arborvine Landscaping team, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their knowledge, service and the results. From start to finish, the team demonstrated professionalism, dedication, and a genuine passion for their work.

The staff at Arborvine Landscaping worked tirelessly to transform our front and back yard into a beautiful and serene outdoor space.

I highly recommend Arborvine Landscaping to anyone looking for top-notch and creative landscaping services. Their team’s dedication to excellence and their ability to deliver stunning results make them the best choice for any landscaping needs. Thank you, Greg and team!

Whitney Aerenson

Wilmington, DE
We had Arborvine remove overgrown bushes and plant smaller ones. They worked quickly and efficiently. We appreciate their professionalism.

Nicole Macturk

Newark, DE
We have used Arborvine for several years and they have a great team. We have one of the best yards and outdoor spaces in the neighborhood thanks to them. Erica is very responsive and helpful, and Greg, the owner, is attentive and always willing to discuss whatever comes up. Special shout out to Angel and Nathan who put down our mulch and did our landscaping bed clean up recently – they paid much attention to detail and did an amazing job!

Cynthia Marshall

Wilmington, DE
Crew H-2 was excellent. The project was a large patio, they completed it in a timely manner and kept me updated along the way. Easy to communicate with as well. The patio turned out beautiful. Crew was very professional, efficient, and friendly. During construction, my dog got stuck in a swamp, and they even went out to help him!

Victor Rendon

Landenberg, PA
Dealing with Greg was excellent. The contract was detailed and every detail was fulfilled. I appreciated the communication as every text with a question had a very quick response. As for his crew that did the work, they were such hard workers. They showed up on time for work every day and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I would highly recommend Arborvine Landscaping.

Marene Miasta

Middletown, DE