Backyard Design & Build in Boston, MA

American Elm Landscape designs and builds backyards and courtyards across Boston, from a shaded courtyard behind a South End rowhouse to a full family yard. We plan the hardscape, planting, privacy and lighting together so the space works as one, and then we build it ourselves. Every project starts with a free design visit and a written estimate.

Good landscape design is what turns a patch of yard into a place you actually live. It's the plan that ties together the hardscape, the plantings, the privacy, and the lighting so the whole space works — and feels bigger and better than the square footage suggests.

What we design and build

• Full backyard makeovers — from first concept to finished space
• Patio and hardscape layout integrated with the whole yard
• Plantings and privacy screening chosen for New England conditions
• Lighting design so the space works after dark
• Small-space and city-yard design that makes every foot count

Design and build, under one roof

You're not handed a drawing and left to find a crew. We design the space and build it ourselves, with Allan on the job — so the vision and the execution stay connected from the first sketch to the last plant. That's how the finished yard actually matches what you pictured.

Built for how you live

Whether it's a tiny Somerville courtyard or a larger Brookline lot, the design starts with how you want to use the space — entertaining, kids, dogs, quiet mornings — and works back from there. Serving Boston, Cambridge, Medford, and the surrounding communities.

Boston neighborhoods we design and build in

Boston is really a collection of neighborhoods, and the yard behind a Back Bay brownstone is a different animal from a Charlestown rowhouse courtyard or a South Boston triple-decker lot. We design and build across the city:

• Back Bay — brick courtyards and alley gardens behind the brownstones
• Beacon Hill — small historic gardens and roof terraces on the tightest of lots
• South End — brownstone rear gardens and shared courtyards
• Charlestown — sloped rowhouse yards near the Monument and the Navy Yard
• North End — courtyards and roof decks in the oldest part of the city
• South Boston — triple-decker yards and compact patios

Just outside the city we also design and build across Somerville, Cambridge, Medford and Brookline.

Which Boston neighborhoods have design review — and which don't

Some of Boston's most beautiful neighborhoods are local historic districts, where exterior changes visible from a public way — which can include street-facing fences, visible hardscape and roof decks — need approval from the Boston Landmarks Commission or the district's own commission before you build. These include Beacon Hill (the city's first district, 1955), Back Bay (1966), the South End (1983), Bay Village (1983), St. Botolph and Bay State Road/Back Bay West in the Fenway, Mission Hill Triangle, Fort Point Channel in South Boston, Aberdeen in Brighton, and Highland Park in Roxbury. Other neighborhoods — Charlestown among them — have no neighborhood-wide district, so work generally follows standard City of Boston permitting. A hidden rear courtyard is often outside review even in a district, but it's never worth guessing. We know which rules apply where, confirm the requirements for your exact address, and handle the approvals your project needs. See our guide to patio and wall permits in Massachusetts.

Rodent-resistant backyard builds

Greater Boston has a real rodent problem — and tired old yards give them exactly what they look for: gaps under decks and steps, loose pavers, and overgrown corners to nest in. When we do a full backyard makeover, we build that problem out. Compacted, sealed bases with no burrow paths, tight hardscape joints, smart drainage, and clean planting design mean pests have nowhere to hide. The result is a beautiful outdoor space that also protects your home — peace of mind, built right in.

From a customer

“Allan was amazing to work with! We designed our backyard into a mini oasis with lots of plants and good lighting. He has experience with the area and knows it very well, which made it seamless.” — Nitasha & Tejas

Common questions

Do you both design and build, or just design?

Both — we design the space and build it ourselves, with Allan overseeing the job. That keeps the vision and the execution connected the whole way through.

Can you design a small city yard?

Absolutely — small, tricky lots are our specialty. Smart design is what makes a tight Somerville or Cambridge yard feel like a real room.

Do you choose plants that survive New England winters?

Yes. We select hardy, low-maintenance plantings suited to our climate and your light, so the yard looks good without becoming a chore.

What does the process look like?

It starts with a free on-site visit to understand how you want to use the space, then a design and written estimate, then we build it and walk you through the finished result.

Can a backyard makeover help with rodents?

Yes. Old yards give rodents places to nest — gaps under decks and steps, loose stone, overgrown beds. On a full rebuild we design those harborage spots out with sealed bases, tight hardscape, and clean planting, so your new yard is far less inviting to pests.