Landscaping & Outdoor Living in Greenwood, MN

Lake Minnetonka's Hidden Gem

Why Greenwood Homeowners Choose Landscape Charlie

Greenwood is one of the smallest and most private communities on Lake Minnetonka, a village of approximately 700 residents tucked between Excelsior, Deephaven, and the lake's south shore. Properties here are predominantly large wooded lots, many with direct lake frontage or access through the community's shared amenities. The village's character is defined by mature hardwood forests, rolling terrain, and a residential density so low that most homes feel like private estates rather than suburban properties.

Landscape construction in Greenwood works within these wooded, naturalistic settings. The goal is never to impose a formal design onto a property that derives its beauty from mature oaks, maples, and birch trees. Instead, we design outdoor spaces that feel like they belong in the forest clearing, using natural stone, native plantings, and organic layouts that complement rather than compete with the existing tree canopy. Boulder retaining walls, irregular-shaped patios that work around root zones, and understory plantings that thrive in dappled shade are hallmarks of our Greenwood projects.

The village's location between Excelsior Bay and St. Albans Bay means that many properties face the same shoreline regulatory requirements as neighboring Minnetonka Beach. The Lake Minnetonka Conservation District (LMCD) oversees all construction within 75 feet of the ordinary high water level, and Greenwood's village regulations add a layer of local review for properties near the lake. We navigate both permit processes as a standard part of our design-build service for Greenwood clients.

Because of the mature tree canopy, soil conditions in Greenwood often include deep organic layers on top of sandy loam. This soil profile drains well but may require adjusted base preparation for hardscape installations. Tree root zones are a constant consideration; we design patio layouts and retaining wall alignments that avoid critical root zones of mature trees to protect the specimen trees that define these properties. Where roots conflict with construction, we use elevated beam-and-pier patio systems or reroute designs rather than cutting roots that would compromise a century-old oak.