A beautifully landscaped property not only complements a home or business, but also enhances the look and feel of a neighborhood. According to Brett Russell of Russell Landscaping in St. Clair Shores, the landscape industry is growing on average between 4% and 6% each year, and it's now an over $180 billion industry in annual revenue.
"New construction is still on the rise in the city of Detroit and surrounding areas, and we are excited to continue to help develop these areas, enhance this beautiful city, and refine outdoor spaces," he says.
Landscaping encompasses so much more than just having a nice lawn. "In general, people want to be outside more," says Brett. "They may want a nice patio with some shade, or an outdoor kitchen and barbecue area."
Synthetic turf is also gaining popularity, especially for people with pets, because it's low maintenance. "We recently finished a job where we redid all the bluestone around a pool built in the 50s, and laid synthetic turf," says Brett. "Then, we did a nice garden area between the pool and the turf."
Boxwoods are still very popular in the Grosse Pointe area to provide that English landscape look, and clients also like to have an added pop of color, which may come from roses, hydrangeas, and/or an assortment of perennials. The type of plants will depend on how much a particular client enjoys gardening and where they would like to have these plants installed on their property.
It's essential to have an expert guide you. Plants and flowers are an investment, and buying the wrong plants can lead to wasted time and money.
"First, you have to have the right soil, so before we do a planting job, we like to run a quick soil test to ensure the pH levels are where they need to be," says Brett. "Then, we must determine which plants do well in the sun versus shade."
Some homeowners are looking for more natural alternatives for weed killer and other landscaping products. "There's definitely a group of people who want to go with that natural approach, which we're all for, whether that concerns pesticides or using plants that give off certain health benefits," says Brett.
Just as in other industries, landscaping trends change with the times. In 2025, some of the top ones include sustainable landscaping practices that emphasize eco-friendly designs to promote soil regeneration and biodiversity, living fences that use plants and other natural elements, and climate-resilient landscaping by choosing plants that are able to withstand climate change. Smart technology is also being utilized for efficient landscape management.
Community-focused gardens are popping up to bring people together and foster interaction and engagement. People can meet family, friends, and neighbors and hold events in these lovely settings.
Whatever the design, Brett and his team will meet with clients to discover their ideas and needs. "Some want a lot of shade or a nice patio to sit on in the evenings," he says. "Whatever the case, we'll do a drawing for them, come up with preliminary pricing, and then make adjustments from there."
When it comes to making residential and commercial properties look their best, Russell Landscaping can handle it. "My father started the company in the early 80s, and after helping him throughout middle school and high school, I joined the business in 1987, right after I graduated. It's always been my passion."
Although Brett handles the day-to-day jobs and goes out on sites, his father, the company president, continues to be involved and is a font of information. "One of the things that really sets us apart from other landscaping companies is our years of experience," he says.
Brett has grown the company tremendously since taking over – Russell Landscaping went from four trucks to 50 trucks and from 25 accounts to a couple of hundred today. They're also doing a lot more high-end landscape installs.
"We're a Christian, faith-based family, and we give the glory to God for our rapid growth over the years," he says. "But, as much as we're growing, we want to keep the bar high for the landscape industry. This is one of the reasons I'm on the Board of Directors with MGIA [Michigan Green Industry Association]. I want to ensure that our team members within Russell Landscaping and the companies around us provide quality service and a good, finished product with great workmanship."
Brett loves driving around the area and seeing the projects his company has completed, and he also enjoys revisiting properties Russell Landscaping did years ago that still look great today. "It makes me feel good," he says.
Others also love what they see - 90% of their business comes from word of mouth. "Russell Landscaping is focused on integrity and professional workmanship while providing quality finished products," says Brett.
Turn your property into a beautiful oasis that fits how you wish to live, and enjoy being in the great outdoors.
Russell Landscaping Inc., russelllandscapinginc.com, 586.343.8253.
"…we are excited to continue to help develop these areas, enhance this beautiful city, and refine outdoor spaces."