Who We Are

We hired Ginkgo Leaf Studio to design and oversee the build of our dream backyard in Cedarburg. We are incredibly thankful we did. Jim and Hannah took the time to go through all of our ideas and must-haves (including a shed, wood-fire pizza oven, pergola, and fire pit), and ultimately came up with a creative design plan that was better than anything we had imagined. They thought of things that we hadn't even considered. Jim and Hannah, along with the landscaping contractor (Jay/Endless Summer Landscaping in Cedarburg), remained in close communication with us and kept things moving forward through completion. The work itself was top-notch -- no corners cut. They not only delivered on expectations, but exceeded them. The pictures don't do it justice -- we'll be updating them as soon as spring rolls around. We simply couldn't be more pleased and look forward to all the time we'll be spending in our yard.Read More

Jim and his team at Ginkgo Leaf created a beautiful and unique landscape and hardscape for our new construction home in Mequon, WI. After auditioning several landscape designers and a few popular "all-in-one" landscape contractors, Jim's comprehensive client discovery process and online portfolio assured us that our final product would be nothing short of breathtaking. Jim's landscape plans fused our personal style with native, hardy and beautiful plant species. His overall sense of design and attention to detail is excellent. Jim's plans included driveway design, all paths and walkways, rear patio, fire pit, architectural/landscape lighting, site trees, necessary retaining walls, planting bed design and all plant species. After plans were completed, Jim recommended several landscape contractors, all of whose prices were competitive or less than several bids we had received from other contractors. We were also extremely satisfied with Gingko Leaf's project supervision service. Jim and his team were on site everyday of planting to ensure that plantings were positioned as optimally as possible. We have recommended Gingko Leaf Studio to several of our neighbors and work colleagues and would absolutely recommend them to anyone envisioning a stunning landscape design.Read More

The team at Ginkgo led the design of our landscape for our new construction home. Our home is modern and at the edge of the cliff but none of this presented a challenge for them! They listened to what we wanted and provided a plan that matched those desires. They do a good job balancing what you ask for vs. what might make more sense, but ultimately are very customer focused. We had them architect the plan and then had a local landscaper do the install. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone!Read More

I contacted Jim at Ginkgo for a completely new backyard and front yard design at our home in Shorewood. Being the prudent consumer I am I had a few other bids including a design-build firm who could include both design and construction in one price rather than a design fee (like Ginkgo's) plus landscaping / hardscaping costs. I received a bid from the design-build firm for the back yard which included a design (which left a lot to be desired) and the price which was quite high. So I decided to go with Ginkgo for the design and then bid out the landscape / hardscape work. Jim’s design was thoughtful, gorgeous, and fit the style of our house. We couldn’t have been happier with the end result and the process overall. We opted to hire Jim as the project manager as well and he was on-site many times throughout the entire project making sure things were going to plan and even showed up with a tape measure on install day making sure the distance between plants was perfect. Not a thing was overlooked during the process. As an added bonus, not only did we get a superior design but the cost of the landscaping, design (front and back yard) and project management came in less than the design-build firm who offered a poorly planned design for only the back yard that didn't’ take many of our requests into consideration . Gingko gets an A+ from us and we highly recommend them.Read More

Over the years we marched half a dozen or more landscape professionals through our backyard, telling them what we wanted. They would return with a drawing of what we asked for, but we were never moved to action and weren't sure why. Friends referred us to Jim Drzewiecki of Gingko Leaf Studios in Cedarburg. After consternating over his price to draw up a backyard plan we decided to move forward feeling we have already wasted as much money, maybe more, either doing things ourselves or to other landscape companies that did not fully deliver. We met with him in our overgrown, wooded backyard, described exactly what we wanted including preserving the best parts of our woodland and made it very clear we wanted a pergola off the back of the house over the twelve-foot patio doors in order to extend our living space. A couple of weeks later he returned with the plan showing the pergola off to the side (I was not happy) and explained it is best to have it there in order to allow more light into our family room, have the warmth of a fire pit be the focal point and to avoid walking out of our house and around a dining table (of potentially dirty dishes) to get to the backyard. Beyond the hardscaping, the plan called for plants that would artfully integrate into our woodland setting. Everyone else gave us what we asked for, but it never felt right! Fortunately, Jim had the confidence in his vision and talent to NOT simply mirror the design we thought we wanted. Finally, a beautiful hardscaping and landscaping plan, along with a plant portfolio that moved us to action! The plan was bid out and we selected Jay Stilb of Endless Summer Landscaping in Cedarburg. Given our confidence in Jim we hired him to manage the entire project, as we wanted to be sure his expertise was leveraged from beginning to end. The plan was not straight forward, it called for a lannon stone patio with dining and fire pit areas. A water feature, with a dry creek. Lighting and well over 100 plantings. Jay and his team were very professional and easy to work with. His attention to detail was outstanding. He specifically chose one of the signature rocks because it had a divot that collects water and installed it near a bird feeder. In the midst of chaos, heavy equipment and workers Jay carefully protected a small bush given to me in memory of my father which meant so much to me. The final step of the project was the planting. Jim and his Associate Hannah mapped out all the plants according to the plan with precision and art, checking from all angles to be sure they got it right not just to plan specifications but for our daily enjoyment; privacy, nature, art, birds, etc.! Both Jim and Jay were •great listeners and communicators •very, very attentive to all details which meant we did not have to worry or wonder •detail oriented yet willing to be flexible on the fly •artful in all aspects of execution •patient and met us where we were at, sometimes appropriately coaxing me/us along •collaborative throughout the process which lead to some enhanced design elements Together, their collaboration of art and science have transformed our backyard into what our friends have called a sanctuary.Read More