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Hillsdale — Front Pathway, Pavers & Landscape Lighting

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Hillsdale — Front Pathway, Pavers & Landscape Lighting

Hillsdale — Front Pathway, Pavers & Landscape Lighting

This Hillsdale property needed work on multiple fronts. A retaining wall was required to manage the grade and hold the landscape in place, while large areas of the yard were crying out for structure and planting. The homeowner wanted something that looked intentional and full — not sparse or unfinished — and would continue to look better every season as the plantings matured.

Mike Donohue Landscaping approached it as a complete exterior project: structural work first with the retaining wall, then a layered planting design using ornamental grasses and perennials to create texture and year-round interest, and finally hardscaping elements to connect it all and give the property a finished, cohesive look.

Hillsdale — Front Pathway, Pavers & Landscape Lighting

This Hillsdale property needed work on multiple fronts. A retaining wall was required to manage the grade and hold the landscape in place, while large areas of the yard were crying out for structure and planting. The homeowner wanted something that looked intentional and full — not sparse or unfinished — and would continue to look better every season as the plantings matured.

Mike Donohue Landscaping approached it as a complete exterior project: structural work first with the retaining wall, then a layered planting design using ornamental grasses and perennials to create texture and year-round interest, and finally hardscaping elements to connect it all and give the property a finished, cohesive look.

Step 1 — Site Assessment & Project Planning

  • Evaluated the full property to identify structural needs, grading issues, and planting opportunities

  • Developed a phased plan: retaining wall first, planting design second, hardscaping to finish

  • Selected plant material suited to the site's sun, shade, and soil conditions — with an emphasis on ornamental grasses and perennials for low-maintenance, four-season interest

Step 2 — Retaining Wall Construction

  • Excavated along the grade change and established a proper compacted foundation for the wall

  • Built the retaining wall to manage slope and prevent soil movement — functional structure that also anchors the visual design of the yard

  • Backfilled and graded behind the wall to create level, usable planting and lawn areas

Step 3 — Planting Bed Design & Installation

  • Laid out planting beds to create layered visual interest — taller ornamental grasses at the back, perennials and low-growing plants in front

  • Installed a mix of ornamental grasses, flowering perennials, and accent plants chosen for seasonal color rotation and low maintenance

  • Applied fresh mulch throughout all beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and give the beds a clean, finished appearance

  • Defined all bed edges for a sharp, intentional look against the lawn and hardscape

Step 4 — Hardscaping

  • Installed hardscaping elements to create defined transitions between the lawn, planting beds, and structure

  • Paver work added to complete the design and provide durable, low-maintenance surfaces throughout the property

  • All hardscaping transitions finished cleanly to tie the full project together into one cohesive exterior

Features & Services Used

Retaining Wall Construction

Compact Excavation & Grading

Ornamental Planting Bed Design & Installation

Hardscaping & Paver Work

Lighting Design & Installation

"The goal on a project like this is to make it look like everything belongs together — the wall, the planting, the hardscaping. When it all lines up, the property just feels finished. That's what we were after here, and the plantings are only going to fill in and look better from here."

Mike

"The goal on a project like this is to make it look like everything belongs together — the wall, the planting, the hardscaping. When it all lines up, the property just feels finished. That's what we were after here, and the plantings are only going to fill in and look better from here."

Mike

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We offer free, no-obligation consultations for residential and commercial properties throughout Bergen County. Tell us what you're working with and what you need — we'll put together a plan that fits your property and your schedule.

[Get in Touch]

Let's Talk About Your Property

We offer free, no-obligation consultations for residential and commercial properties throughout Bergen County. Tell us what you're working with and what you need — we'll put together a plan that fits your property and your schedule.

[Get in Touch]

Let's Talk About Your Property

We offer free, no-obligation consultations for residential and commercial properties throughout Bergen County. Tell us what you're working with and what you need — we'll put together a plan that fits your property and your schedule.