The Business Edge Featuring Scenic Landscaping

Mitchell Knapp Founder & Principal

This year, Haskell-based Scenic Landscaping celebrates its 50th anniversary. In honor of that exceptional achievement, founder and principal Mitchell Knapp shares his reflections on the company’s five decades of excellence.

What are some of the most significant milestones or achievements Scenic Landscaping has experienced over the past 50 years?
Mitchell Knapp: It’s incredible to reflect on how far we’ve come. Scenic Landscaping started in 1975 with just three push mowers packed into the trunk of a 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix. In 1979, we bought our first truck, and from there we steadily grew — expanding from a small team of three to over 150 employees today. Now, Scenic Landscaping operates alongside our sister companies, Tapestry Landscape Architecture and Tranquility Pools, allowing us to provide a full spectrum of services in design, construction, and maintenance. Owning and managing these companies in New Jersey has been a testament to our dedication, passion and resilience. More than anything, we take great pride in seeing the landscapes we’ve created flourish over the decades — living, evolving testaments to the hard work and craftsmanship of our team.

Can you share any memorable stories from the company’s history?
MK: Some of our most cherished moments come from the bonds we’ve built as a team outside of work. Over the years, we’ve shared company trips to the Florida Keys, skiing in Vermont, Yankee games and unforgettable dinners in New York City. These moments of camaraderie and celebration have shaped the culture of Scenic Landscaping, reinforcing the close-knit, family-oriented environment that we still value today. It’s these relationships — between employees, clients, and partners — that have made the journey so rewarding.

What are the company’s current strengths and areas for future growth?
MK: One of our greatest strengths is our ability to bring a visionary approach to the landscape industry. We are a true design-build firm, combining creativity with craftsmanship to produce outdoor spaces that are both stunning and functional. Our reputation has been built on our commitment to quality, customer satisfaction, and a strong team culture. As we look toward the future, we see continued growth in custom outdoor living spaces, sustainability-driven designs, and high-end residential projects. We remain focused on adapting to new trends, technology and materials while maintaining the core values that have defined us for five decades.

How does the company measure its success?
MK: Our success is measured not only by the awards we’ve won but, more importantly, by the satisfaction of our clients. We take great pride in the fact that so much of our business comes from referrals. We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us and for the dedication of our employees, many of whom have been with us for 20, 30 years or more. Scenic Landscaping has built an unmatched culture of teamwork, passion, and expertise, and we’re incredibly proud to contribute to this industry in a meaningful way.

What sets Scenic Landscaping apart from its competitors?
MK: What truly sets us apart is the strength of our team. We have some of the most talented, dedicated professionals in the industry. Our ability to combine innovative design with expert craftsmanship results in landscapes that stand the test of time. We source the finest materials, working directly with growers in Delaware, Maryland, Oregon and Miami to hand-select and tag the best plantings for our projects. Additionally, having our own nursery gives us complete control over the quality of materials we provide. But at the heart of it all, it’s our people — their attention to detail, passion for excellence and dedication to client satisfaction — who truly make Scenic Landscaping unique.

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