Business Details
32 Years
experience
Award-Winning Landscape Design & Build Services in Ann Arbor
Founded in 1994, New Leaf Landscaping has established itself as Ann Arbor's premier landscape design and build company. With over 30 years of expertise, we specialize in creating customized outdoor spaces that blend artistry with functionality. Our team combines deep horticultural knowledge, masonry skills, and artistic vision to deliver landscapes tailored to each client's lifestyle. We prioritize client collaboration, starting with detailed consultations to understand individual needs and property usage patterns. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our selection of premium plant materials, brick pavers, and natural stone products designed for longevity and low maintenance.We maintain rigorous attention to detail in every project phase, from precise curve installations to seamless straight-line construction. Our core values emphasize treating client properties with care, fostering creativity through unique designs, and maintaining ownership-level accountability. Serving Washtenaw County communities, we've built a reputation for exceeding expectations through both residential and commercial projects.
Services
Landscape Design
Hardscaping
Natural Stone Installations
Outdoor Kitchens
Landscape Lighting
Deck Construction
Garden Development
Retaining Walls
Brick Paver Systems
Lawn Installation
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of local landscaping expertise in Washtenaw County
- Certified professionals with ICPI, NCMA, and NALP credentials
- Client-focused process prioritizing personalized outdoor living solutions
- Proprietary installation methods ensure landscape longevity
- Award-winning designs recognized by Unilock and industry peers
Associations and certifications
- ICPI
- NCMA
- NALP
What people say
First class
Amazing transformation
Highly recommend
Beautiful design
Park-like setting
Services
Landscape Design
Our landscape design service creates personalized outdoor environments through collaborative client consultations. We integrate horticultural expertise with artistic vision to develop functional spaces that reflect individual lifestyles. Each design considers property characteristics, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic preferences while utilizing premium plant materials and hardscape elements.
Hardscaping
Specialized hardscaping solutions include patios, walkways, and retaining walls using brick pavers and natural stone. We employ proprietary installation techniques ensuring structural integrity while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Our attention to detail creates seamless transitions between curved and linear elements for cohesive outdoor living spaces.
Natural Stone Installations
Natural stone applications enhance landscapes with organic beauty and durability. We incorporate diverse stone varieties for patios, steps, and garden features while maintaining functional design principles. Each installation balances visual appeal with practical considerations for long-lasting outdoor enjoyment.
Outdoor Kitchens
Custom outdoor kitchen designs extend living spaces into functional entertainment areas. We integrate premium materials with practical layouts to create durable cooking and socializing environments. Projects combine aesthetic elements with technical requirements for seamless outdoor culinary experiences.
Landscape Lighting
Professional lighting solutions enhance nighttime usability and security while highlighting landscape features. We design systems that accentuate architectural elements and plantings through strategic placement and modern lighting technology. Installations focus on energy efficiency and long-term reliability.
People
Peter Katke
Design & Sales Manager
Landscape industry professional with 30+ years experience combining architectural training with horticultural expertise. Founded New Leaf Landscaping in 1994 after studying at Ohio State University's Landscape Horticulture program. Holds multiple industry certifications and maintains active involvement in local community projects.
Melissa Katke
Office Manager
Co-founder managing daily office operations since 1994. Balances administrative responsibilities with special needs education work at Manchester Community Schools. Provides organizational continuity while supporting client communication and project coordination.
Bob Hicks
Shop Manager
Longtime team member overseeing equipment maintenance and material management. Combines technical expertise with practical knowledge of local climate challenges. Ensures operational readiness through organized inventory systems and preventive maintenance protocols.
Shawn Knight
Hardscape Crew Lead
Award-winning hardscape specialist with 20 years industry experience. Leads installation teams in executing complex designs using brick pavers and natural stone. Maintains quality control standards while mentoring crew members in best practices and safety protocols.
Jeff
Designer
Certified landscape professional with diverse experience across Michigan and Virginia markets. Combines architectural background with hands-on construction knowledge to develop practical design solutions. Holds multiple product-specific certifications ensuring technical expertise in material applications.
Questions
What areas do you serve?
We provide landscaping services throughout Washtenaw County including Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Saline, Dexter, Manchester, and Whitmore Lake.
How long have you been in business?
New Leaf Landscaping has been serving Michigan clients since our founding in 1994 by Peter Katke.
What makes your landscaping different?
Our unique approach combines artistic design with technical expertise, using premium materials and proprietary installation methods for lasting results.
Do you handle both design and installation?
Yes, we offer full-service landscape solutions from initial design through final installation and ongoing maintenance.
Are you certified professionals?
Our team holds certifications from ICPI, NCMA, NALP, and multiple product-specific programs ensuring technical excellence.
What's your project process?
We begin with detailed consultations, create customized designs, then implement through phased construction with continuous client communication.
Reviews (6)
Truly Render
Dec 05, 2020
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Our family is still stunned at how beautiful our patio turned out! Pete was so great to work with. His design was thoughtful and focused on user-experience and goals. He asked us many questions about how we envisioned using our new patio and designed to fit our actual habits, use, and budget. We were also trying to address small water patches in the basement during downpours that we suspected were due to poor grading and the need for better incorporation of gutters into our landscape. Aesthetically, the design work is exceptional.
Some patios I've seen really look like a brick wall fell on the floor. Pete's work with the materials is more akin to artistry, resulting in a unique space that is natural, yet elegant and charming. The craftsmanship of the crew was amazing. They were expert, friendly, and fast. Very thankful for our transformed backyard -- and for our very dry basement! The re-grade TOTALLY worked. :
Some patios I've seen really look like a brick wall fell on the floor. Pete's work with the materials is more akin to artistry, resulting in a unique space that is natural, yet elegant and charming. The craftsmanship of the crew was amazing. They were expert, friendly, and fast. Very thankful for our transformed backyard -- and for our very dry basement! The re-grade TOTALLY worked. :
Kathy Micheli
Nov 11, 2020
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New Leaf is a very professional operation and Pete is great to work with! He had excellent communication through the whole process and had a special knack of turning our vague requests into a workable, creative design. We absolutely love our front yard and have asked Pete and his team to return and make our back yard beautiful as well. It was worth every penny!
Patricia Stankey
Sep 16, 2020
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We built a house in 2017 in Chelsea Michigan and waited a couple years to do landscaping. I called New Leaf Landscaping because they were in Chelsea and I like to help local businesses. I am so glad I did. Jeff Findley stopped out and talked with me about what my vision was, what my favorite colors were, what my favorite plants were. They were willing to stagger the landscaping over time to accommodate my budget and some on-going construction.
They also built new landscaping around existing trees which I appreciated. The landscaping they installed was wonderful. A dry creek bed design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding woods. Lots of purple as requested. Winterberry bushes that give me red berries in the winter. Hardscape rocks, boulders, and stepping stones. Couldn't be happier with the work. Looking forward to next project.
They also built new landscaping around existing trees which I appreciated. The landscaping they installed was wonderful. A dry creek bed design that blends seamlessly with the surrounding woods. Lots of purple as requested. Winterberry bushes that give me red berries in the winter. Hardscape rocks, boulders, and stepping stones. Couldn't be happier with the work. Looking forward to next project.
Emily Hiber
Aug 16, 2020
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Pete worked with our needs to create a beautiful design that worked well for our space. He and his crew were hard-working and efficient- putting the plans into action in a personable, professional manner. The finished product looked even better than we imagined.
John Vlnka
Jul 11, 2020
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New Leaf Landscaping did a fantastic job on our yard. We chose them because of work they had done on our friend's house. Pete put a lot of thought into the design and gave us lots of options for design and budget. He was easy to work with and made sure we were happy throughout the entire process. The team was extremely professional and did a great job. We are happy to have such a nice yard thanks to New Leaf and would recommend their work to anyone interested in having a beautiful yard that stands out in their neighborhood.
Scott Reisfield
Dec 09, 2019
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We hired New Leaf Landscaping to build a new front patio and landscape the front entryway. We also added planter boxes in our back yard and they fixed some old landscaping gone wrong provided by a different company several years ago. The short review is they did a great job, Jeff is a wonderful designer. They take the time to do things correctly. We recommend them highly. The centerpiece was a new front patio.
We needed a wall that was not too high or low, because of its front of the house location. We also needed gates. Jef designed a wall and gate treatment that matched our house and gives us nice extra outside space. He integrated a new front walk so the whole front seamlessly flows from the patio to the driveway. We have very nice new planter boxes so we can feed ourselves come the apocalypse, or just because we like to grow some stuff. The rest of the project just redid our prior landscaping (edging, mulch, some plants), just installed correctly now.
We needed a wall that was not too high or low, because of its front of the house location. We also needed gates. Jef designed a wall and gate treatment that matched our house and gives us nice extra outside space. He integrated a new front walk so the whole front seamlessly flows from the patio to the driveway. We have very nice new planter boxes so we can feed ourselves come the apocalypse, or just because we like to grow some stuff. The rest of the project just redid our prior landscaping (edging, mulch, some plants), just installed correctly now.
