Beautiful gardens begin with thoughtful planting.
Whether it's a Brooklyn brownstone courtyard or a larger property in the Hudson Valley, Gardens by Silo creates planting designs that bring together beauty, horticultural knowledge, and a deep respect for the character of each site.
Founded by designer Susanne Cerha, Gardens by Silo combines more than two decades of professional design experience with formal horticultural training through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Certificate in Horticulture program. Every planting plan is tailored to the property's light, soil, and ecology, while reflecting the way its owners want to experience and enjoy their outdoor space.
Drawing on principles of horticulture, sustainable gardening, and ecological planting, Susanne creates gardens that offer year-round interest, support pollinators and wildlife, and become more beautiful as they mature. Detailed planting plans and clear documentation give homeowners the confidence to install and care for gardens that will thrive for years to come.
At Gardens by Silo, the goal is simple: to create timeless, resilient gardens that feel as though they have always belonged.
What we offer
Comprehensive site visit, analysis and consultation
Garden design proposal and visual mood board package
Artistic renderings of proposed garden design
Plant selection from top local and online nurseries
Custom seasonal maintenance plan upon request
Access to curated knowledge base
What to expect
Site visit
Estimate and proposal
Garden plan drawings
Mood boards
Half-way point check-in
Plant diagrams
Plant sources
Artistic renderings
Plan delivery (pdf format)
Long-time graphic designer Susanne Cerha brings together design expertise and horticultural knowledge to create thoughtful, personalized gardens for clients throughout Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley. After years of designing visual identities and spaces, she expanded her creative practice to landscape and garden design in 2021 and recently earned her Certificate in Horticulture from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
Susanne believes that successful gardens are both beautiful and practical. Her planting plans combine strong design principles with an understanding of plant performance, seasonal interest, and sustainable gardening practices. Whether transforming a Brooklyn brownstone garden or planning a larger rural landscape, she creates outdoor spaces that reflect each client's lifestyle while working in harmony with the surrounding environment.
Through Gardens by Silo, Susanne designs gardens that grow more beautiful with time—places that invite people outdoors, support pollinators, and bring lasting enjoyment through every season.
Follow Susanne on Instagram at The Modern Victorian Project, where she shares her four-acre garden in upstate New York and the ongoing restoration of her historic property. Visitors inspired by the landscape are welcome to experience it firsthand by staying at the Catskill River Cottage.
When she's not designing gardens, Susanne is the Creative Director of Silo Design NewYork and the author of Escargot: From Palace Garden to Family Table.
Still have questions?
Check out our FAQ section or simply reach out and ask away.
A wildflower meadow.