Getting Started

How Do I Prepare to Talk to a Professional Landscape Designer?

Take a walk around the neighborhood. See what you like about your neighbors’
yards; the hardscaping, the plants that are thriving, and the colors you are attracted
to, the sounds of a water feature or wind chimes, garden accessories, etc. The more you know about what you like, the easier it is to communicate to your designer so that she can incorporate all the elements you love in the plan.

Your design should have one major focus that the rest of the landscape showcases. A beautiful old oak tree, a water feature of some sort, or the dramatic architectural element of the house itself.

Collect pictures of gardens and yards that you like from magazines or take
photographs to help you get a better idea of what you want for your yard.

Walk through nurseries in your area (remember, you want to pick plants that do well where you live) and see what is blooming now and the many different types of plants you are going to want to include.

If you are planning on tending to your garden with enthusiasm, then do not
hesitate to plant vegetables and flowerbeds. If you enjoy the color a garden provides, but not necessarily the labor, then focus on collecting a vibrant assortment of low maintenance shrubs and perennials that focus on colorful foliage.

As far as cost is concerned, a good rule of thumb is to spend about 10-20% of the value of your home on your landscape project.

The Benefits of a Using a Professional Landscape Designer

You will have a complete Landscape Design (a legal document) which you can give to contractors so they can bid on the job. Remember you always want to make sure they are bidding on the same scope of work and materials (apples to apples).

Your completed Landscape Design will make sure you and your contractor(s) avoid misunderstandings in the scope of work, plant materials, hardscaping, water features, walkways, patios, etc.