Where Beauty and Biodiversity Grow Together
Thoughtful, native-first garden design, restoration, and maintenance for homeowners who want landscapes that are beautiful, flourishing and thriving.
Native Haven Gardens creates personalized gardens rooted in ecology and seasonal beauty.
Serving Little Silver and the surrounding New Jersey communities, we help homeowners restore, design, and care for gardens that support wildlife while bringing daily joy to the people who live with them.
a different approach to landscaping
Many landscaping companies focus on speed and one-size-fits-all plantings.
Native Haven Gardens was created to offer something different.
I take the time to understand your property, your goals, and how your garden fits into the larger ecosystem. Rather than installing generic shrubs and walking away, I work collaboratively with clients to create gardens that evolve over time — gardens that feel personal, intentional, and connected to the natural world around them.
Native plants are at the heart of the modern gardening movement for good reason. Plants that evolved here are better adapted to our climate, support local wildlife, and require fewer inputs once established.
At Native Haven Gardens, sustainability isn’t a trend — it’s a foundation.
I design gardens using a native-first approach, carefully selecting plants that thrive in your specific conditions while reflecting your personal style. Many landscapes rely on the same limited palette of shrubs and grasses, but there are countless native and well-adapted plants that can transform your property into a true haven.
The result is a garden that feels natural, unique, and deeply rooted in place.
What We Do
Create new gardens or enhance existing beds with ecologically sound, site-specific designs. Plans can be phased over time to align with your priorities, budget, and lifestyle.
Reclaim overgrown or overwhelmed gardens through thoughtful “garden salvage,” invasive plant removal, and seasonal care. Whenever possible, existing plants are repurposed rather than removed.
Learn how to care for your garden with confidence. From plant identification to seasonal guidance, I help homeowners understand what to do — and when — so gardens become easier to manage over time.
Meet Laura
My love of gardening began early — walking through spring gardens with my mother, watching daffodils and crocuses emerge after winter and feeling that quiet excitement of new life returning.
Over the years, that love deepened into a passion for understanding how plants live, interact, and change with the seasons. Native plants, in particular, gave gardening deeper meaning — transforming it from decoration into stewardship.
Today, I am a garden designer and horticultural professional specializing in native plants and sustainable landscape practices. I am a member of the steering committee of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey, Monmouth County Chapter, and an active participant in regional horticultural and conservation communities.
My approach is collaborative and educational. I enjoy helping clients understand their gardens, make informed decisions, and feel confident caring for their land over time.
The goal is always the same: a living landscape that grows more beautiful, functional, and ecologically beneficial with each passing season.
What Clients Are Saying
Gayle
Working with Laura has been a true gift. She completely transformed an area in my yard into a beautiful, vibrant space. Laura saw possibilities I never would have noticed and brought everything together with such care and creativity. She has gently opened my eyes to the world of native plants — how beautiful, resilient, and alive a garden can feel when it reflects the place we actually live in. I’m so grateful for her knowledge, patience, and the way she made the whole process feel easy and inspiring. I look forward to working with her for years to come!
Samantha
Laura is a powerhouse! Her expertise in invasive and native plants becomes instantly clear the moment she arrives. She is super strong and removed thick invasive vines that were strangling so much of my yard and taught me why that was important for the ecosystem as a whole. She identified natives to keep and made creative suggestions about what to add! As a landscaping rookie, Laura helped me understand what my yard needed.
Andrea
Laura is exactly the person I was looking for. I knew I wanted to do better and make some changes to my indoor and outdoor plants and landscaping but I didn't know where to start. She is so knowledgeable and easy to work with. She considers budget and is flexible to work in stages. And she is eager to share her wisdom along the way which is an extra bonus. I couldn't recommend her enough!
Lin & Bob
After dealing with an impersonal, unresponsive business, we were grateful for Native Haven Gardens’ comprehensive, hands-on approach. Instead of what felt like boilerplate plantings. Laura transformed our yard into a unique and sustainable space. Rather than tearing everything out, she thoughtfully repurposed several plants to better locations. Laura also generously oversaw the process of expanding our patio, even though it was outside her scope. We marveled at her talent for creating astonishing natural beauty. Best of all, Native Haven Gardens treated our property as a whole, bringing everything together for an inviting, relaxing outdoor experience.
Trusted & Connected
Native Haven Gardens is proud to be an active member of organizations advancing sustainable gardening and ecological landscaping practices. These affiliations reflect a commitment to ongoing education, regional expertise, and responsible land care.