top of page
Herringbone paver walkway with a brick border and river rock edging beside a new mulch bed along a gray house in Shady Side, MD, by Riverside Landscaping

Landscaping, patios and walls in Shady Side, MD

Patios that fit the rules near the water, beds that handle wind and sun and drainage for low ground, for homes between the West River and the Bay.

SERVING SHADY SIDE, MD

Landscaping for Shady Side's waterfront and near-water lots.

Shady Side sits on a peninsula in southern Anne Arundel County, with the West River on one side and the Chesapeake Bay on the other, and Shady Side Road running down the middle. Homes here range from cottages and older houses in long-standing waterfront communities to newer homes on larger lots, and many properties sit on or near a creek, the river or the Bay. That usually means low, flat ground near the shoreline, wind off the water, soil that can stay wet after a storm and extra County rules for what can be built near the water. We plan patios, walls, beds and lawns around those conditions.

Projects for Shady Side properties

A recent Shady Side job: front entrance transformation

Our crew transformed this front entrance in Shady Side, MD. We replaced the old brick path with a custom paver walkway in a herringbone pattern with a brick border, added river rock edging for drainage, new mulch beds and plantings, and integrated landscape lighting along the walk. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios · Outdoor Living & Lighting

Before: old red brick path crossing the lawn in front of a gray two-story house with a covered porch in Shady Side, MD, before a front entrance transformation by Riverside LandscapingAfter: herringbone paver walkway with a brick border, river rock edging, landscape lights and a new mulch bed with shrubs along the front of the same house in Shady Side, MD, by Riverside Landscaping
Before: old red brick path across the lawn leading toward a covered porch in Shady Side, MD, before a front entrance transformation by Riverside LandscapingAfter: gray herringbone paver walkway with a red brick border, river rock edging, landscape lights and a mulch bed with new plantings leading toward the porch in Shady Side, MD, by Riverside Landscaping
Landscape light glowing at dusk beside a herringbone paver walkway with a brick border and river rock edging in Shady Side, MD, by Riverside LandscapingAfter: new mulch bed with shrubs and small plants along the gray siding at the front entrance of a house in Shady Side, MD, by Riverside Landscaping

Services for Shady Side properties

Patios and walkways

Paver and natural stone patios and walkways built on a compacted base, from a path to the front door to a patio facing the water. Near the shoreline, we plan the size and materials around the Critical Area rules below. Learn more: Hardscaping & Patios

Retaining walls and grade changes

Where a yard drops toward the water or a low spot, a wall can hold the soil back and level out usable ground. We build timber and block walls on a prepared base, with drainage behind them. Learn more: Retaining Walls

Planting beds for wind and sun

Bed cleanups, new shrubs and fresh mulch, with plants chosen for open, sunny and windy spots as well as the shadier parts of the lot. Learn more: Landscape Design & Installation

Sod and lawn

New sod and lawn renovation for thin or worn turf, with the soil prepared first so the new lawn can root in. Learn more: Sod & Lawn

Concrete

Concrete patios, walkways, driveways and pads, with removal of the old concrete included. Learn more: Concrete

Working near the West River and the Bay.

Many Shady Side lots are waterfront or near it, and that brings extra rules. Anne Arundel County's Critical Area covers land within 1,000 feet of tidal water or tidal wetlands, and the 100-foot buffer closest to the shoreline has the strictest limits on clearing, grading and building.

  • Lot coverage. In the Critical Area, patios, walkways and gravel count toward lot coverage, so a new patio has to fit within what the lot allows. Anne Arundel County: Critical Area
  • Buffer work. Cutting vegetation or grading inside the buffer generally needs County approval before work starts. Waterfront Homeowners Guide
  • Shoreline plantings. Native plants along the water can help hold soil and slow runoff before it reaches the river or the Bay.
  • Ask early. Checking with the County before design starts keeps the plan to what can actually be built.

Low ground, wet spots and runoff.

  • On low, flat lots, water from roofs and driveways can sit in the lawn and beds after a heavy rain instead of draining away.
  • Where a yard slopes toward the water, runoff can wash mulch and soil out of beds and across walkways.
  • Downspout extensions, swales, French drains, regrading and retaining walls are the usual fixes. — Drainage & Grading
  • Look up your soil with the USDA Web Soil Survey before planning beds, lawn or drainage work.

Upkeep for Shady Side homes and communities.

Recurring maintenance keeps a waterfront property looking cared for through the season: mowing, edging, mulching, bed cleanup and seasonal cleanups. Community associations can also request grounds maintenance and snow management. Learn more: Maintenance Plans · Commercial & HOA Maintenance

Permits and planning in Shady Side.

Shady Side is part of Anne Arundel County, so County rules apply to most outdoor projects, on top of the Critical Area rules near the water.

  • Patios. Residential patios do not need a building permit, though a Standard Grading Plan application may apply depending on size and disturbed area. Anne Arundel County: Do I need a permit?
  • Fences. Residential fences on corner lots, or over 6 feet, need a County permit per the same guide. Fences are available on request.
  • Critical Area. To find out whether your lot is in the Critical Area, start with the County's Critical Area page.

Also serving Davidsonville, Edgewater, Riva and Annapolis.

Riverside also works across Davidsonville, Edgewater, Riva and Annapolis. See all of our service areas.

What our clients say

Rated 5.0 on Google by our customers. Read our reviews, or leave us a review.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work in Shady Side?

Yes. Shady Side is part of the area we serve in southern Anne Arundel County, for patios and walkways, retaining walls, planting beds, sod, drainage, concrete and recurring maintenance. Learn more: Service Areas

Can I put a patio on a waterfront lot in Shady Side?

Often, but waterfront lots are usually in the Critical Area, where patios, walkways and gravel count toward lot coverage and work in the 100-foot shoreline buffer generally needs County approval. Check the County's Critical Area page early, and we can plan the patio around what is allowed.

What plants hold up near the water?

It depends on how much sun, wind and moisture each spot gets. On open, windy lots we lean toward tough shrubs and native plants, and in low spots we choose plants that can handle wet soil. We'll walk the yard with you and suggest plants for each area. Learn more: Landscape Design & Installation

Water sits in my yard after it rains. Can you fix that?

Usually. Downspout extensions, swales, French drains and regrading are the common fixes, and we look at where the water comes from and where it can go before choosing one. Learn more: Drainage & Grading

How do I get a free estimate in Shady Side?

Call 443-333-3136 or request a free estimate online. We'll get back to you quickly to schedule it. We're open Monday to Friday 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday 7 AM to 3 PM.

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

Shady Side, let's look at your property.

Call 443-333-3136 or request a free estimate.

Ready to start your project?

Free on-site estimates across Anne Arundel County.

bottom of page