About Us

Let us create a landscape that works for you

Design tastes vary greatly. Every one of our clients has had significant input as to what we have created for them. However, if you give us free rein, you can be assured that we will design with the architecture of your home in mind.

We appreciate and admire the architecture and will always strive to work with it, rather than against it, provided that is what you want. And we will create a landscape that works for you.

About Us:

Zaretsky and Associates is led by the design team of Bruce Zaretsky and Sharon Coates. Bruce and Sharon teamed up in 1997 after many years of operating separate landscape design & installation companies.

Sharon is graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.A. in business. She went on to study landscape design and started her company focusing on garden design. Sharon runs the day-to-day operation of ZA while also designing gardens and creating custom glass pieces for specific projects. She also was responsible for the forcing of flowering plants for ZA’s display gardens (in the winter – no small feat!) for Gardenscape: The Rochester Flower and Garden Show. In her spare time, Sharon gardens, writes music and travels the world with Bruce, searching out great gardens and interesting plant nurseries.

When it all filters down, it doesn’t matter how well constructed a stone wall is, or how nice the brick is that you chose for your walkway; the only thing your friends and family will notice are the pretty flowers. Because, let’s face it, the plants are why you decided to landscape in the first place.

Bruce graduated from Alfred University with a degree in Chemistry. He has been working in the landscape design-build field since 1980 and then started his own landscape design/build firm in 1989. Bruce’s reputation for creative design and proper installation engineering has made him an in-demand speaker at professional conferences nation-wide and garden clubs locally, as well as having published dozens of articles in trade and consumer magazines. He is also the landscape consultant for the Towns of Penfield and Victor (NY), reviewing landscape plans submitted to the town. Bruce spends his down time designing and building custom light fixtures and painting everything from endangered animal species to landscapes.

Together, Sharon and Bruce have worked to make Zaretsky and Associates a highly respected firm, with dozens of design and business ethics awards. They have not lost their passion for gardens and design and it shows in every one of their projects.

Design Philosophy:

Our design philosophy is simple: We want to create a garden or that works for you.

We value your input and consider your design to be a collaboration. However, if you give us free reign, you can be assured that we will design with several considerations in mind, including your lifestyle, environmental factors, and architecture of your home.

When it all filters down, it doesn’t matter how well constructed a stone wall is, or how nice the brick is that you chose for your walkway; the only thing your friends and family will notice are the pretty flowers. Because, let’s face it, the plants are why you decided to landscape in the first place.

Design Process:

Our relationship begins with your phone call or email to us. First, we will gather initial information on what you are looking to accomplish and set a time to meet and take a look at your property.

How To Get Started

When it all filters down, it doesn’t matter how well constructed a stone wall is, or how nice the brick is that you chose for your walkway; the only thing your friends and family will notice are the pretty flowers. Because, let’s face it, the plants are why you decided to landscape in the first place.

Design Philosophy:

Our design philosophy is simple: We want to create a garden or that works for you.

We value your input and consider your design to be a collaboration. However, if you give us free reign, you can be assured that we will design with several considerations in mind, including your lifestyle, environmental factors, and architecture of your home.

DESIGN PROCESS:

Our relationship begins with your phone call or email to us. First, we will gather initial information on what you are looking to accomplish and set a time to meet and take a look at your property.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATES