Excel Landscaping designs and installs custom landscapes across Greater St. Louis, creating front yards, backyard landscaping, mulch beds, rock beds, planting layouts, and drainage-aware outdoor spaces built around your home’s layout, soil, slope, sun exposure, and long-term maintenance goals.
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Homeowners want more than fresh mulch and new plants. They want a landscape that’s easier to maintain, drains properly, and complements the way they use their property. That starts by understanding the yard before choosing plants, bed layouts, materials, or installation methods. The comparison below highlights the difference between a standard landscape installation and Excel Landscaping’s property-first approach.
Instead of selecting plants and materials first, Excel Landscaping starts by designing the entire outdoor space around your property and your goals. Every landscape plan considers your home’s architecture, drainage, sun exposure, existing trees, traffic flow, and how you want to use the space. Before installation begins, you’ll see exactly how everything comes together, making it easier to refine the design and move forward with confidence.
Explore landscaping projects where we improved curb appeal, reshaped beds, reduced maintenance, solved drainage challenges, and created more usable outdoor spaces for St. Louis-area homeowners.
Each property requires a different approach based on how water enters, moves across, and leaves the landscape. Below are the most common drainage solutions we use to protect homes, foundations, patios, and outdoor living spaces.
STANDARD
Creates landscape designs using proven layouts that can be adapted across many properties without extensive planning around drainage, slope, or site conditions.
STANDARD
Every landscape is designed around your property’s drainage, grading, soil, sun exposure, and intended use. Pre-emergent and commercial-grade weed barrier are incorporated where appropriate to reduce future maintenance.
Homeowners usually do not need more yard work. They need a landscape plan that prevents the same problems from coming back. That starts with understanding the property before installing mulch, rock, plants, edging, or drainage improvements.
A landscape that works for one home may not work for another. The best plan depends on architecture, lot size, grade, existing features, and how the homeowner wants to use the space.
Designs that respect older architecture, mature trees, tighter lots, and drainage near foundations.
Plans that address grade changes, erosion, retaining walls, and usable outdoor space.
Curb appeal, bed shaping, foundation planting, mulch, rock, and low-maintenance layouts.
Every landscape starts with a site visit, then a custom design built around your property. Once the plan is approved, we handle the installation from start to finish
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We evaluate your property, discuss your goals, and identify grading, drainage, sunlight, and existing landscape conditions.
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We create a custom planting plan with material selections and optional 2D or 3D renderings so you can see the project before it’s built.
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Together we refine the design, finalize materials, and prepare every detail before installation begins.
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Our team installs the project according to plan and finishes with a walkthrough to ensure everything is completed as expected.
We separate mulch beds and rock beds because they require fundamentally different engineering. Here’s exactly what we install, and why it works.
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Organic mulch beds require a chemical prevention approach. Landscape fabric under mulch is counterproductive, as the mulch decomposes, it creates a fertile growing medium on top of the fabric, making weeds worse over time.
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Decorative gravel and rock installations require a physical barrier system. Unlike mulch, rock does not decompose, making commercial-grade geotextile fabric the correct long-term solution for non-organic beds.
Landscaping often works best when connected to the rest of the outdoor environment. These services help complete the space and solve related property challenges.
Retaining wall solutions that help stabilize slopes, manage elevation changes, improve drainage conditions, and create more usable space throughout the property.
Custom paver patios, permeable patios, walkways, steps, and transitions built with proper base preparation, grading, and drainage in mind.
Drainage systems planned around where water starts, how it moves through the yard, and where it can be safely directed.
Every landscape project starts with a free site assessment to understand your goals, style, and how you want to use your outdoor space. From there, Excel Landscaping recommends the right combination of services to create a landscape that looks great, functions well, and is built to last.
We create a landscape that fits your home, lifestyle, and budget, giving every planting bed, walkway, and outdoor space a clear purpose before installation begins.
We finish landscape beds with premium mulch that complements the design, helps retain moisture, and keeps the landscape looking clean with less maintenance.
We incorporate decorative rock where it best fits the property, creating attractive, lower-maintenance landscape areas built with proper preparation.
We select trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials that work together to create year-round color, texture, and a landscape that fits your home.
We define every planting bed with clean edges that separate lawn from landscape, improve curb appeal, and complete the finished design.
We incorporate grading and drainage where needed to help protect planting beds, reduce erosion, and keep your landscape performing over time.
Homeowners throughout St. Louis and surrounding West County communities trust Excel Landscaping for patios, retaining walls, drainage solutions, and custom outdoor living spaces
Posted on Google![]()
ChristianTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We couldn't be more thrilled with our new fire pit! Joe and his crew took an unused corner of our Frontenac, MO backyard and turned it into a cozy place to unwind and spend time with family and friends. Their careful craftsmanship is obvious in every detail. If you're thinking about adding a fire pit or taking on any landscaping project, I highly recommend them.Posted on Google![]()
mark landramTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I wanted to give a shout out to Joe from Excel Landscaping for the excellent hardscape job his company did for us. Joe is very personable and want to make sure that you are pleased with the final product before ever asking for any payment. His crew was professional, extremely hard working and very easy to work with as the project progressed.Posted on Google![]()
Chad HeidtmanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a drainage issue around the back side of my house along with an above ground drainage pipe that was needing to be buried under existing concrete. Joe came to check out the situation and provided thorough recommendations. His customer first and charismatic attitude, coupled with his deep knowledge of landscaping is what led me to selecting him for the job. He and his team did an outstanding job completing the work, succeeding my expectations. I will continue to rely on Joe for future landscaping jobs and would highly recommend him to others. Thanks!Posted on Google![]()
Mika PatelTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Worked with Joe and his team - start to finish excellent work! Joe listened to all my concerns, followed through with everything and his team was amazing! Every aspect, small or big, was addressed and Joe checked in at all times! Exceeded all our expectations and the yard looks amazing!!Posted on Google![]()
Michael SimonTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Built a beautiful stone retaining wall at my home in Glendale. Very professional and would highly recommend!Posted on Google![]()
Mike WelchTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excel did a great job. Crew was fast, courteous, and the end result looks greatPosted on Google![]()
Sherry LeaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
My recent experience with Excel Landscaping was a tremendously positive encounter. Joe was so easy to work with, he listened and understood my concerns after having past dealings with a dishonest contractor. The communication was on point and he was quick to respond to text or calls. He clearly explained what steps were to be taken, he offered suggestions, and quoted very fair reasonable prices. His crew, we're extremely quick and efficient, and did an exceptional job cleaning up after the work was completed. I highly recommend Excel Landscaping and will be using them for any future projects I my have and will be referring them to friends and family. Thank you Joe for your quality work and professionalism.Posted on Google![]()
Jessie HoughTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We’re very happy with how our project turned out. The crew removed some old garden beds and installed a small retaining wall. The work was done well and Joe was friendly and easy to work with!Posted on Google![]()
Barbara CutlipTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Joe and crew showed up as promised and were so friendly and respectful of the property. Every detail was fully explained and end result on my new pretty retaining wall was perfect. They went the extra mile to grade and restore the yard after the equipment to deliver the blocks and sand and gravel tore up the grass a bit. I would highly recommend this company for any hardscape or landscape project'sPosted on Google![]()
Colten PerdueTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excel landscaping is awesome they did a fantastic job on our paver patio in ladue. They were super clean and organized.Load moreVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
Excel Landscaping serves homeowners throughout St. Louis and surrounding communities with paver patios, retaining walls, drainage solutions, landscape installation, and other outdoor improvements.
Choose your area below to explore local services, completed projects, and examples of work near you.
The best solution depends on where the water is collecting and what is causing it. Standing water, basement leaks, window well flooding, and garage runoff can all require different systems, which is why Excel Landscaping begins with an on-site drainage evaluation before recommending French drains, catch basins, dry wells, channel drains, downspout redirection, or another solution.
Yes. Excel Landscaping provides landscaping design in St. Louis and surrounding communities, including front yard landscaping, backyard landscaping, mulch beds, rock beds, planting design, and drainage-aware landscape planning.
When appropriate, mulch beds can include pre-emergent weed control to help reduce weed germination and minimize future maintenance.
Yes. Rock and gravel beds can be installed with commercial-grade weed barrier fabric to help reduce weeds and separate stone from soil.
Based on our experience, professionally designed landscape projects that include new planting beds, shrubs, edging, mulch or rock, and landscape lighting typically range from $8,000–$20,000. Larger outdoor transformations that combine landscaping with drainage, retaining walls, patios, or other hardscape features often range from $20,000–$75,000+. Every proposal is customized after a free site assessment and landscape design consultation
Yes. Excel Landscaping designs backyard landscaping around how the space will be used, including patios, privacy, planting beds, drainage, retaining walls, and outdoor living features.
Tell us about your property and we’ll take it from there. Every project starts with a site visit, no commitment required.