A Year of Growth and Team Development at Swick’s
In 2025, Swick’s Landscaping continued to build on years of steady growth across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. We completed a significant number of residential, commercial, and strata landscapes while expanding both our maintenance portfolio and staff size by approximately 10–15 percent compared with last year. This growth reflects increased demand for reliable, well-managed landscape services and our team’s ability to deliver consistent results.
Alongside this growth, we strengthened our senior team with key hires in project management, horticulture, and construction supervision. These strategic additions have enriched our technical expertise and supported our operational capacity on larger and more complex scopes.
Investing in Training and Safety at Swick’s
In 2025, Swick’s introduced a formal employee education and professional development policy to support staff pursuing industry training and certification. This includes pathways toward Certified Landscape Installer, Landscape Maintenance Technician, Pesticide Applicator licensing, and equipment and excavator operator training.
We also completed company-wide First Aid training for all Crew Leads and Site Supervisors, strengthening on-site safety standards across both construction and maintenance operations.
These investments support long-term quality, staff development, and consistent safety practices across all projects.
Industry Recognition and Awards
We are pleased to highlight a year of industry recognition that reflects the quality and consistency of our work:
2025 National Awards of Landscape Excellence (NALE)
At the 2025 Circle of Excellence awards hosted by the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association, Swick’s received top national honours for two projects: the Shaughnessy Estate (Connaught Manor) project won the Caterpillar Award for Residential Landscape Construction, and the Shaughnessy Shade Garden earned an Outstanding Achievement in the Use of Plants award — notable as one of the few recipients from British Columbia.
Georgie Awards 2025
Our work on the Shaughnessy Estate (Connaught Manor) was also a Georgie Awards 2025 winner, underscoring excellence within the home building and renovation industry at the provincial level.
HAVAN Awards 2025
Shaughnessy Estate (Connaught Manor) was selected as a 2025 HAVAN Awards finalist in the Outdoor Living Space category — a strong industry acknowledgement even though it did not take home the prize.
BCLNA Recognition
In early 2025, we received recognition at the 2024 BCLNA Landscape Awards of Excellence for both Best Residential Landscape Installation (Shaughnessy Estate) and Best Residential Landscape Maintenance (Shaughnessy Private Residence). These provincial honours reflect our dedication to both construction and ongoing care.
Responding to Industry Challenges and Client Needs
This year, we also saw a notable volume of inquiries from clients seeking corrective work on landscapes installed by others. These calls — often involving grading issues, plant failures, or drainage problems — underscore the importance of proper design and build foundations and reinforce why quality construction and maintenance planning matter.
Mid-season impacts from weather patterns, including plant die-off following the cold snap early in the year, reminded many property owners and managers of the challenges posed by shifting local climate conditions. With more extreme temperature swings becoming part of the “new normal,” resilient plant selection and adaptive maintenance strategies have become increasingly important for long-term landscape success.
In response, our team worked closely with clients to assess existing conditions, implement corrective solutions, and develop forward-looking strategies tailored to British Columbia’s evolving climate. These efforts not only restored underperforming landscapes but also strengthened client confidence in our expertise.
As a result, 2025 brought strong growth in both new client relationships and long-term partnerships. Many clients returned to Swick’s Landscaping for additional phases, long-term maintenance planning, or for new properties. This reflects the trust built on experience, results, and reliability.
Trends Shaping Landscaping in 2025
Across the industry, several trends influenced what property owners and managers asked for this year:
- A continued emphasis on sustainable, climate-adapted landscapes, including native and drought-tolerant plant palettes and permeable materials that align with broader environmental and water-use priorities.
- Growing interest in multi-functional outdoor spaces and design approaches that balance utility with ecological resilience.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we enter 2026, our focus remains on delivering landscape solutions that are resilient, well crafted, and practical to maintain. With expanded team expertise, improved internal systems, and a deeper understanding of how regional specifics impact landscape performance, we’re positioned to meet client needs with confidence.
We will continue sharing insights and resources through our blog to help property owners and managers navigate evolving landscape challenges. If you’re planning a landscape transformation next year, we’d be glad to help.
Here’s to another year of well-built landscapes and strong partnerships.
Have a project in mind?
Contact Us