Interview by Kelly Postiglione
Morano Group has been a part of the Westchester community for over 70 years, creating beautiful outdoor spaces and helping families bring their dream yards to life. We caught up with Valerio Morano Sagliocco, President of Morano Group and third-generation leader, to hear about the company’s roots, what inspires his work, and the latest trends in landscaping that local families are loving.
Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
I grew up in Mamaroneck and had a phenomenal experience attending Rye Neck Schools through high school. After my first child was born, we moved back from the city to Purchase (Harrison), and my kids are now going to school in Rye.
Morano Group has deep roots in the community! Can you share a little about the history and how it all began?
My maternal grandfather emigrated from Italy in 1947 and arrived in Mamaroneck, where he lived his entire life. The Morano company, through him as our founder, was started in 1952. We are celebrating 73 years in business this year and three generations of landscape excellence.
What inspired you to get into the landscaping and garden center business?
Initially, my family connection and lineage… but then the love and passion for nature’s beauty, creating living art, understanding the science, and blending it with aesthetic beauty. I believe what we do is one of the most gratifying careers one can choose.
How has the company evolved over the years to meet the needs of the community?
Since I started full-time, we’ve grown into a powerhouse landscape and hardscape company. We are proudly one of the biggest in the tri-state, meaning that not only do we have a small army of team members, but also specific people who are specialists at what they do—all under one umbrella. We’ve also grown vertically, owning suppliers and farms that allow us to provide the depth, support, and pricing that is hard to compete with. Recently, we’ve grown nationally and can now serve clients in the tri-state as well as southeast Florida. Our goal since inception has been to be a boutique, concierge-like landscape company that offers quality and competitive pricing to our clients.
What types of services do you offer for families looking to enhance their outdoor spaces?
We offer a holistic, all-inclusive service—from design to construction installation and, eventually, recurring maintenance. We are a one-stop shop.
What advice do you have for homeowners who want to improve their landscapes but don’t know where to start?
My advice to them is to call us! We would be happy to help. (914) 698-4065
What are some of the best plants and landscaping ideas for Westchester families to consider each season?
My approach to selecting a plant is understanding the goal—i.e., screening, seasonal interest, summer color. All plants are perfect, but there is no perfect plant!
What trends are you seeing in outdoor living spaces and landscaping right now?
Creating outdoor “rooms” is high on the list, as well as building a home property with comforts that are typically found while vacationing—pools, spas, sport courts, outdoor sauna spaces. Wellness is exploding, and clients are bringing that ideology to the outdoors.
What are some of your favorite spots in the Sound Shore area for dining, shopping, and fun?
In Purchase, we love the Neuberger Museum of Art. Being close to Rye, we love everything about the town—especially the restaurants! Mamaroneck is our choice for the movie theater, and the Emelin Theatre is great. Scarsdale is our go-to for shopping and Krav Maga. Larchmont is perfect for Manor Park and Turtle Park with the kids.
We’re incredibly grateful for our amazing community and the wonderful people and places that make it so special. Explore our Blog page for features that spotlight local businesses and more. Looking for something to do in Westchester? Check out our Local Guides and Calendar pages to discover what’s happening locally and follow along on Instagram for more!