Landscape Design & Construction in Salem, OR
Salem’s Design-Build Landscape Company Since 1974
The Willamette Valley gives us some of the most inspiring outdoor spaces in the Pacific Northwest, and at DeSantis Landscapes, we’ve spent over five decades turning that inspiration into landscapes Salem homeowners are proud to live in. Our integrated landscape design and construction model means one team takes your project from concept through completion, with quality materials, experienced crews, and a single point of accountability from first sketch to final walkthrough. We’re fully insured, and every residential landscaping project we complete is backed by warranties.
Get your free estimate from Salem’s design-build team. Call DeSantis Landscapes at (503) 782-7356 or message us online to get started.
Every project at DeSantis Landscapes is a collaboration. Since 1974, our mission has been to advance landscape design and construction through sustainable practices and genuine client partnership. Our comprehensive design-build process keeps planning and construction under one roof, which translates into real advantages for you:
Benefits of the Design-Build Model:
- Streamlined Communication: A single point of contact keeps design and construction connected, reducing the risk of scope disputes and change orders.
- Cost Efficiency: During concept development, we review pricing so the project stays on budget, and adjustments happen before construction begins, not after.
- Time Savings: Our collaborative approach reduces overlap and delays.
- Accountability: Your designer stays involved throughout as project manager, taking responsibility for every detail from first sketch to final walkthrough.
At the final design review, we deliver a detailed construction proposal so you know exactly what to expect. There’s no handoff between a design firm and a separate contractor: one team manages the process.
Our Landscape Design Process in Salem
We start every landscape design in Salem with a site visit. We listen closely to your goals and assess your property’s natural conditions: slope, sun exposure, and drainage patterns. Salem’s wet winters and warm, dry summers shape everything from plant selection to drainage design and construction scheduling. Willamette Valley soils range from clay-heavy lowlands to well-drained loams, and understanding what’s beneath your property before we design helps reduce the risk of drainage issues and plant stress down the road.
We’ve been designing for these exact conditions for over four decades. Our team stays current with Oregon’s landscape codes and plant recommendations, and we prioritize native plant species that integrate naturally into the local environment, require less intervention after establishment, and support local wildlife. Every plan we create accounts for how each feature can look and function through all four seasons, so every detail is confirmed before a single shovel breaks ground.
What Our Clients Say
Hear From Those Who Have Experienced Our Commitment to Quality
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"I couldn't be happier with DeSantis Landscapes!"From the initial bid process through the final day of construction, the team was spot on professional. Always on time, always cleaned up at the end of the day and consistently showed pride and respect for the project!- T.B.
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"Outstanding."Their designer Ryan Kauffman was great to work with. He spent all the time we needed working to create a fabulous space using his own design expertise but also including our ideas. We would not hesitate to hire DeSantis for any future projects.- Pat C.
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"Great communication."Fabulous job on our fountain and our back patio.- Wendy K.
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"Our organization could not be happier with the company."For the last few years DeSantis Landscape has maintained the six-acre private park of the Abiqua Heights Homeowners Association. Their work has been exemplary. Our organization could not be happier with the company.- Todd F.
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"Top rated workmanship."We absolutely love this company and crew! Top rated workmanship, respectful and tidy. A every reasonable price, and fantastic outcome for landscaping overhaul of our yard. Everything on time, crew always on time.- Lynn B.
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"Always seem go the “extra mile.”"DeSantis landscapes Crew @ Villa Candalaria in Salem, today always seem go the "extra mile" leaf blowing our entrance way! Sure appreciate your thoughtfulness.- Michael W.
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"We would enthusiastically recommend DeSantis."We cannot say enough positive about the quality of their work or the commitment of their employees. The maintenance services they provide have been excellent, and all work is coordinated by a very talented and skilled account manager.- Jeanne C.
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"The end result is amazing."Luke, the manager who ran the project is so good to work with, and the two landscapers - Jesse and Jorge - could not have been nicer, more professional, or more capable. I would have given them more than a "5" if that was available!- Ken W.
Why Salem Homeowners Choose DeSantis Landscapes
A DeSantis Landscapes landscape is built for the way you actually live outdoors: spaces for gathering, relaxing, and experiencing Oregon’s beauty through every season. We design flexible outdoor areas with lasting visual appeal because we know your landscape can grow and shift with time.
Our credentials reflect what we’ve built over five decades as a landscape design company in Salem. We are Salmon-Safe Certified, a formal verification that our practices protect the watersheds and waterways Oregon’s ecosystems depend on. We’re recognized in the Lawn and Landscape Top 100 2025, a national ranking that reflects the scale and quality of our work. As a Weathermatic technology partner, we apply smart irrigation that uses real-time data to optimize water use on each project. Our offices run on solar energy. Founded in Salem in 1974 and now family-owned into a second generation, our investment in this community spans five decades.
We call our approach the DeSantis Way: open communication, learning each client’s goals, and keeping clients in charge at every stage. That means exceptional craftsmanship paired with leading products that can make your landscape easier to manage and more sustainable for the long term. We carry full insurance, so every project is backed by accountability you can verify.
Investing in Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Landscapes
Sustainability isn’t an add-on for us; it’s how we design from the start. We prioritize Willamette Valley native plants that integrate into the natural environment, require less supplemental irrigation after establishment, and can reduce long-term water demand on your property. Bioswales (vegetated channels that slow, filter, and treat stormwater runoff) and rain gardens are incorporated where the site allows, supporting Salem’s clean water and watershed goals. Smart irrigation technology, delivered through our Weathermatic partnership, conserves water while helping maintain landscape health across seasons. These are the same practices that earned us our Salmon-Safe Certification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Meaning of Landscape Design?
Landscape design means planning and creating outdoor spaces that blend beauty, function, and sustainability. In Salem, that means matching your design choices with native plants, local soil, and the seasonal patterns of the Willamette Valley to create an outdoor space that supports local wildlife year-round.
What Is the Concept of Landscape Design?
Landscape design combines art and science to develop outdoor areas that are attractive, practical, and environmentally responsible. With native plantings and weather-responsive irrigation, we adapt every plan to Oregon’s seasons, creating landscapes designed for long-term enjoyment.
How Can I Enhance My Salem Garden with Native Plants?
Native plants are suited to Salem’s weather, need less water, and require less care than non-native species. They draw birds and pollinators, supporting local biodiversity. Layering native species gives your garden color and texture through every season, and many choices can help improve soil health naturally.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Start a Landscaping Project in the Portland Area?
Early spring and late fall are strong windows. These seasons give roots time to establish before intense summer heat or winter frost. Our team helps clients plan timelines that work with Salem’s mild transitional seasons and site conditions.
Can Your Team Help with Irrigation Systems for My Salem Landscape?
Yes. We design and install efficient irrigation matched to each site’s specific needs. As a Weathermatic technology partner, we use smart controls and weather sensors that distribute water precisely and help prevent waste while supporting Salem’s sustainability goals.
How Does Hardscaping Contribute to Landscape Sustainability in Salem?
Permeable hardscape surfaces allow stormwater to infiltrate rather than run off, reducing erosion and supporting Marion County’s stormwater goals. Retaining walls can help control erosion and define space without damaging soil structure. Where practical, we use recycled or regionally sourced materials to reduce environmental impact.
What Factors Should I Consider for a Landscape Design in Salem?
Start with local weather, soil type, slope, and drainage patterns. Native species suited to Salem’s wet winters and dry summers need less care and can remain healthier over time. Beyond the land itself, consider how you want to use the space: entertainment, privacy, gardening, and sustainability features like rain gardens and bioswales all shape what the right design looks like for your property.
Ready to start your Salem landscape project? Call DeSantis Landscapes at (503) 782-7356 or send us a message online for your free estimate today.
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