Landscaping, walls and patios in Severna Park, MD

Big trees, great bones, tough dirt.

Severna Park is known for tall trees, established streets and homes with history, and for yards that have settled into the kind of problems that come with that: roots that lift pavers and crack walks, shade that starves lawns, slopes toward the Severn and Magothy tributaries, and runoff from decades of change upstream. Good Severna Park work starts with respecting what's there (the canopy, the grade, the neighbors' lines) and then correcting what isn't working.

Three Severna Park problems we solve

Shade lawns, bare spots and low-maintenance turf

Fresh sod and soil prep, or a re-think of where grass belongs; a shaded yard may be better as planting beds. Learn more: Sod & Lawn · Landscape Design & Installation · Artificial Turf

Slopes and wet ground

Stone block retaining walls and French drains turn an unusable slope into level space. Learn more: Retaining Walls · Drainage & Grading

Dated patios and worn walks

New paver or stone patios sized for how you live. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios

Building under a canopy.

• Roots matter. Excavation near large trees should protect the root zone. We plan patio footprints and base depths to limit root damage.

• Shade-appropriate planting. Our planting work in Severna Park includes shrub and perennial bed design chosen for light and soil.

• Waterfront and creek lots. Properties near tidal water can fall under Chesapeake Bay Critical Area rules; we check early.

• Community review. Many Severna Park communities have their own architectural review for exterior changes.

Severna Park neighborhoods, canopy and water.

Olde Severna Park, Chartwell, Benfield, Round Bay and Shipley's Choice each have their own lot sizes, tree cover and drainage, from wooded interior streets to lots that drain toward the Severn and Magothy rivers and their creeks. What we help you think through:

• Roots and grade. Excavation and regrading near mature trees can hurt them. University of Maryland Extension advises against regrading over tree roots because small changes in soil depth can contribute to tree decline. We plan patio footprints, base depths and grade changes to protect the root zone. University of Maryland Extension: Starting a New Lawn

• Shade and turf. Extension notes that turf-type tall fescue needs a minimum of about four hours of direct sun, that fine fescues suit lighter shade but not heavy foot traffic, and that deep shade is better as planting beds or groundcover. Lawns for the Maryland Home Landscape (UMD Extension)

• Slopes and walls. The County's permit guide says residential retaining walls over 24 inches need a permit, and moving soil may call for a Standard Grading Plan or a grading permit. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit?

• Creek and river lots. Properties within 1,000 feet of tidal water or wetlands fall under Critical Area rules, and vegetation removal in the 100-foot Buffer generally needs an approved plan. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area

• Keeping water on site. Rain gardens, redirected downspouts, porous paving and native plantings help water soak in instead of running toward a neighbor or a creek. Waterfront Homeowners Guide

Hardscape and walls for Severna Park lots

Natural stone and segmental block retaining walls suit the sloped lots and grade breaks common here, and paver or natural stone patios can be laid out around trees instead of through them. Community architectural review often applies, so we'll flag what to submit. See Retaining Walls, Hardscaping & Patios and Landscape Design & Installation.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you build a patio under mature trees?

Often yes, with planning. We assess tree roots, shade, slope and drainage at your free on-site estimate and recommend a layout and base approach that respects the trees.

Do you build retaining walls on sloped Severna Park lots?

Yes. We build stone, block, timber and concrete retaining walls and have completed stone block retaining wall work in Severna Park.

Why won't grass grow in my Severna Park yard?

Heavy shade, compacted soil, poor drainage or root competition are the usual causes. We'll assess the yard and may recommend soil prep and sod, shade-tolerant planting beds, or regrading.

Do you handle drainage problems in Severna Park?

Yes. We've installed drains in Severna Park and provide French drains, regrading and swales. Learn more: Drainage & Grading

Will digging for a patio or wall hurt my mature trees?

It can if the work isn't planned around them. Roots near the surface are easily damaged by excavation, and even small changes in soil depth over roots can stress a tree. We assess the trees, roots, slope and drainage at your free on-site estimate and recommend a footprint and base approach that protects the root zone. See University of Maryland Extension's guidance.

Should I replace a shady Severna Park lawn with grass or planting beds?

It depends on how much direct sun the area gets. Extension says turf-type tall fescue needs a minimum of about four hours of direct sun, and fine fescues tolerate lighter shade but not heavy traffic. Under dense canopy, shade-tolerant planting beds or groundcover are often the better answer. We'll look at the light and soil with you. See Lawns for the Maryland Home Landscape (UMD Extension).

Do I need a permit for a retaining wall or yard work near the Severn or Magothy?

Often, yes, for part of the work. Residential retaining walls over 24 inches need a permit, grading may need a Standard Grading Plan or grading permit, and lots near tidal water fall under Critical Area rules. Requirements depend on your property, so confirm with Anne Arundel County Inspections & Permits. See the County permit guide and Critical Area page.

Riverside Landscaping is licensed, bonded and insured in Maryland (MHIC #160581).

Your Severna Park yard, done properly.

Free on-site estimates. We'll get back to you quickly to schedule yours. Call 443-333-3136 or request a free estimate online.