Landscaping and hardscaping in Annapolis, MD
From backyards to commercial properties downtown, Riverside builds patios, walls and drainage that suit Annapolis properties, and keeps them looking right.
SERVING ANNAPOLIS, MD
Building in a city on the water.
Annapolis isn't a cookie-cutter suburb. Lots are compact. Houses are older. Spa Creek, Back Creek and the Severn River shape the ground water and the rules. A few things we plan for on every Annapolis job:
- City vs. county. Properties inside the City of Annapolis are reviewed by the City, not the county, and a project a block away in Anne Arundel County can follow different rules. We'll tell you at the estimate which applies to you.
- The Historic District. Exterior changes visible from the street in the district can need historic review. Materials and details matter there.
- Tide and low ground. Low-lying blocks near City Dock and Eastport are known for tidal "nuisance flooding," and many lots sit close to the water table, so drainage and elevation matter before any patio goes in.
- Tight access. Narrow streets and small backyards call for planning equipment, material staging and neighbors' driveways.
What we build in Annapolis
French drains and drainage
Water management for foundations, patios and low yards. Learn more: Drainage & Grading
Retaining walls
Stone and block walls on sloped and bank-side lots. Learn more: Retaining Walls
Patios and walkways
Pavers and natural stone suited to older brick and shingle homes. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios
Concrete
Poured patios, driveways, walkways and pads, plus stamped and decorative finishes. Learn more: Concrete
Sod and lawn replacement
New lawns after construction or drainage work. Learn more: Sod & Lawn
Planting and bed renovation
Beds and planting that fit small urban lots. Learn more: Landscape Design & Installation
Decks
Deck installation in Annapolis, MD. Learn more: Decks
A recent Annapolis job: landscape cleanup and stepping-stone walkway
Our crew recently took an overgrown, overlooked outdoor space at an Annapolis property and gave it a complete landscape cleanup, fresh mulch and decorative stone. We also built a stepping-stone walkway using existing materials. The result is a cleaner, more functional landscape with a low-maintenance finish that will look great year-round.
A recent Annapolis commercial job: retaining wall, sidewalk and sod
At an Annapolis shopping center, we removed concrete jersey barriers, poured a new concrete sidewalk strip, built a segmental block retaining wall and laid fresh sod. See the project step by step.
A recent Annapolis commercial job: fresh mulch and bed upkeep at a shopping center
We service the landscape beds at an Annapolis shopping center, and fresh mulch was one of our first installs on site. The photos show clean mulch beds with shrubs along the storefront sidewalks and a block wall, a mulched bed by the center’s entrance sign, a sloped bed with small plantings, a curb island with a young tree and a bench, and a long mulch strip between the walk and the parking spaces in a covered parking area. Learn more: Commercial & HOA Maintenance. We also built a retaining wall, sidewalk and sod at the same shopping center: see that project.
Downtown and commercial properties that have to look right every day.
Offices, retail frontage and community common areas in Annapolis get constant visibility. We handle mowing, trimming, weed control, mulching, pruning, seasonal cleanup and snow and ice management for HOAs and commercial properties. Our Annapolis work includes commercial snow management and commercial garden bed renovation. Learn more: Commercial & HOA Maintenance
Annapolis neighborhoods, soil and water.
Annapolis properties range from dense blocks of older brick homes in the Historic District to wooded and waterfront lots. Neighborhoods like Eastport, Murray Hill, Wardour, Parole and the Annapolis Neck communities of Hillsmere and Bay Ridge each bring their own lot sizes, access and water conditions. What we help you think through:
- Critical Area. Much of Annapolis sits within 1,000 feet of tidal water, where Chesapeake Bay Critical Area rules apply. Lot coverage, buffer disturbance and vegetation removal can all be regulated, and whether the City or the County administers the review depends on where your property sits. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area
- Soil and high water table. Low ground near Spa Creek, Back Creek and the Severn River often means a shallow water table and soils that stay wet. Drainage and elevation should be sorted out before a patio or wall goes in.
- Small lots and runoff. On compact lots, porous materials such as permeable pavers, gravel and mulched areas, plus rain gardens and redirected downspouts, help water soak in instead of running toward a neighbor. Waterfront Homeowners Guide
- Plants for tidal edges. Native plants from the Anne Arundel County Native Plant List are a good starting point for beds near the water, where salt spray and wet soil are factors.
Hardscape materials that suit Annapolis homes
Brick-tone and natural-tone pavers and natural stone pair well with older brick and shingle houses. For retaining and seating walls, stone and segmental block are the usual choices, and for decks the options are wood, composite and vinyl railing. We'll show you what fits your house and what the site allows.
What our clients say
“I worked with … from Riverside Landscaping, and he was amazing! He had such a positive attitude and was super professional and knowledgeable about redoing our outdoor fire pit area. He even sent me a mock-up of what it would look like, and the final result looked exactly like it — down to the smallest details! I’m so happy with how everything turned out and would absolutely work with him again. 10/10 recommend!”
— Malia P., Google review
Rated 5.0 on Google by our customers. Read our reviews, or leave us a review.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work inside the City of Annapolis as well as the county?
Yes. We serve clients throughout Anne Arundel County, including Annapolis. City and county projects can follow different review processes, and we'll explain what applies to your property at the estimate.
Can you fix a wet yard in Annapolis?
Yes. French drain installation is one of our Annapolis project types, along with regrading, swales and yard water management. We'll diagnose the water source at your free on-site estimate.
Do you maintain commercial properties in Annapolis?
Yes. We provide commercial grounds maintenance and have worked on commercial property maintenance and commercial garden bed renovation in Annapolis.
Does the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area apply to my Annapolis property?
It might. The Critical Area covers land within 1,000 feet of tidal water or tidal wetlands, which includes a lot of Annapolis. Within it, the 100-foot Buffer and lot-coverage limits can affect patios, walls, decks and planting. Check the County Critical Area page and we'll help you work out what to confirm at your free on-site estimate.
Do I need approval for a patio or wall in the Annapolis Historic District?
Possibly. Exterior changes that are visible from the street in the district can need historic review, and the City reviews projects inside City limits. We'll flag what to check with the City before work is scheduled.
What paving options work for a small Annapolis yard with drainage concerns?
Pavers and natural stone are the usual choices, and porous options such as permeable pavers or gravel areas can help rain soak in on compact lots. The right fit depends on your soil, your slope and where water goes, which we evaluate at your free on-site estimate.
Riverside Landscaping is licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland (MHIC #160581).
Annapolis, we'll come to you.
Free on-site estimates. We'll get back to you quickly to schedule yours. Call 443-333-3136 or request your estimate.