Client Experiences
Stephen Coan creates plant-forward, ecological gardens and landscapes, guided by The Coan Method™.
★★★★★ Every client experience below reflects a five-star result, shaped by ecological intelligence, refined planting design, and quietly integrated hardscaping, with a process designed for clarity from first conversation through long-term garden evolution.
Begin with a brief phone conversation to explore your goals and property. When we’re aligned, an on-site consultation is scheduled and the most appropriate path forward is defined.
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About Stephen | Recognition & Credentials | Design Philosophy | Planting Philosophy | Availability & Openings | FAQs | Client Experiences
Client Experiences
"Naturalistic, Elegant, and Seamlessly Integrated"
John C. ★★★★★ Stephen transformed our entire front space with a naturalistic garden design that harmonizes perfectly with our Mediterranean-style porch and walkway. The rain garden, stone wall, water elements, and native plantings exceeded every expectation. A year-long collaboration felt effortless and deeply rewarding.
"It Doesn't Just Look Like a Forest, It FEELS Like One"
Jim K. ★★★★★ We asked Stephen to transform our empty backyard into a space that felt like a forest, immersive, natural, and alive. He exceeded every hope. Our once-open lawn is now a slate-patio oasis framed by native grasses, shrubs, and trees, filled with butterflies, bees, and birds. His detailed questionnaire and thoughtful conversations ensured he understood exactly what we wanted. His sensitivity to light, shade, airflow, plant communities, and seasonal dynamics is unparalleled. A genuinely fantastic experience.
"A Backyard Haven for People and Wildlife"
Susan B. ★★★★★ Stephen designed a true oasis, an outdoor room for humans, birds, bees, and butterflies. His taste, knowledge, and ecological expertise created a sanctuary I use every day. It exceeded every expectation.
"Our Best Home Investment, Year After Year"
Richard A. ★★★★★ Stephen is creative, precise, hardworking, and collaborative. Our garden brings joy year-round, to us and to the birds, butterflies, and bees it attracts. Additional gardens added the following year are equally graceful and functional. Truly our best home improvement decision.
"A Thoughtfully Engineered, Beautiful Front Yard"
Ronald S. ★★★★★ Stephen took my rough ideas and evolved them into a masterfully designed front yard featuring a rain garden connected by a rocky channel, and a bluestone path winding through diverse pollinator-friendly plantings. Functional, ecological, and stunning.
"A Rain Garden Beyond Anything We Imagined"
Kathleen A. ★★★★★ Stephen has designed and installed two native gardens for us, most recently an exquisite rain garden. It is beautiful in every season, restful, ecological, and low-maintenance. The finished garden is even lovelier than we had imagined. I recommend him enthusiastically.
"A Garden That Transformed Our Home"
Hannah S. ★★★★★ Stephen created a beautiful perennial pollinator garden for us, layered, seasonal, and full of movement. He envisioned a curved bed with a vertical brick edge that perfectly complements our patio, blending artistry with horticultural expertise. We are truly grateful for his deep knowledge and craftsmanship.
"A Native Garden That Became the Most Beautiful Yard on the Block"
Helen R. ★★★★★ I live in a rowhouse and had no idea how to improve my front yard. Stephen listened carefully, created a plan full of native plants attracting butterflies and bees, and communicated clearly throughout the process. My once-ignored yard is now the most beautiful on the block.
"A Meadow That Suits Our Property Perfectly"
Gail C. ★★★★★ I've been working with Stephen for years on my large property. I wanted to learn as we went, and he was the only designer willing to collaborate and teach. The transformation into a butterfly-attracting meadow is extraordinary, beautiful in every season.
"A Natural Habitat Garden I Can Love and Manage"
Anne Marie P. ★★★★★ After moving from Maine, I wanted a natural, native landscape. Stephen removed invasive ivy, redesigned my entire property, and created a habitat garden that evolves beautifully each season. I'm thrilled with the transformation.
"A Beautiful Garden and a Smooth, Supportive Process"
Nicole M. ★★★★★ Stephen designed and helped plant a large front-yard garden for us. He met with us multiple times to ensure we received exactly what we wanted within budget. A wonderful experience start to finish.
14) Do you redesign and rescue established gardens?
Yes. Many projects begin as a rescue: clarifying structure, correcting water behavior, editing what is worth keeping, removing what is working against the garden, and rebuilding the planting community over time.
"Our Front Yard Now Has Life, Color, and Anticipation"
Jill C. ★★★★★ Stephen reshaped our front yard with curved beds, selective removal of shrubs, and thoughtful perennial plantings. Everything bloomed beautifully into fall. He recently planted bulbs for spring and summer explosions of color. His enthusiasm and knowledge are inspiring.
"A Four-Season Garden That Delights Us Daily"
Paula W. ★★★★★ Stephen designed and planted our perennial garden along two sides of our condo. We wanted abundant color and texture across three seasons, and he delivered a beautiful, hearty garden that delights us and our neighbors every day.
"A Beautiful Garden and a Smooth, Supportive Process"
Nicole M. ★★★★★ Stephen designed and helped plant a large front-yard garden for us. He met with us multiple times to ensure we received exactly what we wanted within budget. A wonderful experience start to finish.
"Knowledge, Talent, and a Garden I Love"
Isabel J. ★★★★★ Stephen is the most knowledgeable horticulturist I know. He first transformed my sister's landscape into a vibrant tapestry of color, texture, and seasonality, so I immediately hired him. My own garden is now a place of joy, beauty, and ecological richness. Highly recommended.
"A Designer I Trust Year After Year"
Harriet B. ★★★★★ Stephen has worked on my garden for years. His expertise, planning, and execution are always superb. I'm a very satisfied, long-term client who will continue to work with him for all future projects.
"Phase One Was Stunning, I Can't Wait for More"
Peter A. ★★★★★ Stephen oversaw a major cleanup for our deep property and then designed a front garden that became a showcase of pollinators and color. The 1150 bulbs he added will make spring extraordinary. I'm a very-extremely satisfied client.
"An Exemplary Habitat & Teaching Garden"
Perkins Center for the Arts (Kahra B.) ★★★★★ In collaboration with the Borough of Collingswood, we worked with Stephen to establish the Perkins Center Rain Garden & Neighborhood Habitat. His professionalism, plant knowledge, and attention to detail are outstanding. The habitat now functions as both stormwater mitigation and a living teaching space for the community. We look forward to continuing our work with him.
"Eco-Friendly, Inspiring, and Beautiful Year-Round"
Lindsay I. ★★★★★ Even with a challenging site, Stephen transformed our community garden project into an inspiring, ecological space full of native plants that look great in every season. His creativity, plant knowledge, and dedication to continual learning make him exceptional.
"Unsurpassed Plant Knowledge and Perfect Layouts"
Maureen H. ★★★★★ Our company has partnered with Stephen for more than five years for design and layout consulting. His plant knowledge is unmatched, and his layouts always exceed the client's expectations. We look forward to many more collaborations.
"Beautiful Planning, Reasonable Pricing, Excellent Results"
Angelo R. ★★★★★ Stephen spent significant time planning our front yard to ensure it met our needs and budget. The finished garden is beautiful, natural, and exactly what we hoped for. Highly recommended.
A beautiful landscape is only part of the result. The deeper outcome is a garden that lives well: it matures, it holds structure across seasons, and it becomes a place you actually use.
Begin the Conversation
Begin with a brief complementarphone conversation to explore your goals, your property, and mutual fit. When we’re aligned, an on-site consultation is scheduled and the most appropriate path forward is defined.