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Landscape Design Specialist
Vytautas Žemyna
14 years transforming Marijampolė gardens into spaces that work for real life. From initial concept to the final plant, I handle every detail.
240+
Projects Completed
14
Years Experience
Suvalkija
Region Specialist
Professional Background
How It Started
Growing up in Marijampolė, I spent my teenage years helping my family restore our rural property garden. What started as weekend work became an obsession. By the time I finished secondary school, I'd already decided landscape design was my path.
I studied Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, graduating in 2010. Those years taught me the science—soil composition, plant physiology, drainage systems. But what I really learned came after, working on actual projects.
For five years, I worked as a junior designer at a Kaunas-based firm. That's where I got the real-world education. I saw what works in harsh winters, what doesn't survive spring floods, which plants genuinely thrive in our climate. In 2014, I started consulting independently, and that's when my work really found its voice. I joined northly Ltd in 2019, and now I get to focus on what I love—designing spaces and sharing what I've learned.
What I Do
Areas of Specialization
Patio Design & Hardscaping
Creating functional outdoor living areas that handle Baltic weather. I work with local stone, quality pavers, and proper drainage—spaces that don't crack after one harsh winter.
Garden Bed Design
Perennial selections, raised beds for vegetables, native plant combinations. Everything's chosen for this specific region—no struggling with unsuitable species.
Sustainable Solutions
Water-efficient irrigation, soil conditioning, native plantings that reduce maintenance. Better for the environment and for your free time.
Residential Transformation
From concept sketches to project completion. I handle site analysis, design development, material sourcing, and project supervision.
Climate-Adapted Design
Deep knowledge of Marijampolė's microclimate, soil conditions, and seasonal patterns. Every design accounts for local reality.
3D Visualization & Planning
You'll see detailed renderings before any work begins. Clear plans mean fewer surprises and better results.
My Approach
Outdoor Spaces Should Actually Be Used
I've seen too many beautiful gardens that nobody uses. They're perfect for photos but empty on summer evenings. That's not what I build.
My philosophy is simple: an outdoor space should be a genuine extension of your home. It's where you'll have coffee on Sunday mornings, where kids play while you're watching from the patio, where you host friends in summer. The design needs to support that life, not compete with it.
That means thinking about shade on hot days, seating that's actually comfortable, pathways that make sense, plants that don't demand constant attention. It means understanding how you actually live, not how you think you should live.
I combine traditional Lithuanian garden principles—the ones my grandmother used—with modern sustainability practices. Native plants, proper water management, low-maintenance hardscaping. The result is a space that looks authentic to this region while being practical for contemporary living.
Every project starts with conversations. I need to understand how you use your space, what matters to you, what your budget is, and what you're willing to maintain. No surprises, no shortcuts, just honest work.
"A garden doesn't have to be complicated to be beautiful. The best designs are the ones you'll actually spend time in."
Background
Education & Certifications
Degree
Bachelor of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas (2010)
Professional Experience
14 Years in Landscape Design
240+ completed residential projects in Suvalkija region
Current Position
Senior Landscape Design Specialist
Northly Ltd (2019–present)
Expertise
Climate-Adapted Plant Selection
Sustainable hardscaping, Baltic climate conditions
Technical Skills
3D Design & Visualization
Site analysis, material sourcing, project management
Recognition
Featured in Local Publications
Kaunas architecture and design journals (2015–2024)
Insights & Guides
Featured Articles
Practical advice from years in the field
Building a Functional Patio Layout That Actually Works
Beyond aesthetics. This guide covers sizing, orientation, drainage, and furniture placement—the practical elements that make a patio genuinely usable.
Read ArticleRaised Garden Bed Essentials for Growing Vegetables
Everything you need to build raised beds that produce. Material selection, soil composition, water management, and what to plant when.
Read ArticleChoosing Materials That Last in Baltic Climate Conditions
Which stone holds up, which pavers crack, what wood lasts. Based on 14 years watching materials perform in Marijampolė winters.
Read ArticleReady to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Get in touch to discuss your project. I'll listen to what you need and show you what's possible.