Expert Tips for Creating a Beautiful Landscape
It may be cold outside, but homeowners are already dreaming of creating beautiful garden settings around their homes when spring arrives. Landscaping success doesn’t have to be hit or miss. If it has been for you, it may be time to call in a professional landscape designer.
For those without a green thumb — and even for those with one — consulting a trusted professional is often the best first step.
Why? Because in the long run, hiring a landscape designer can cost less than doing it yourself. Youʼll get a ʻdoableʼ design created right the first time, which will save you the cost of repeated tries at getting it right. A professional landscape designer envisions creative solutions to the most difficult outdoor challenges — problems theyʼve more than likely solved before.
In addition, according to the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, a high-quality landscape increases home sale prices up to 10.8 percent compared to a home with a simply average landscape. Many feel the first positive impression your landscape makes will help to sell your home more quickly. This rivals the return on a new kitchen or bath.
Here are some tips for creating your dream garden.
Consider your space and any ʻissuesʼ that it has. Landscape designers are frequently asked to hide an
air conditioning unit, add privacy or change boring views to beautiful ones. As trained professionals,
landscape designers see the problems you see as well as the ones you donʼt, and can offer solutions to
create beautiful, functional and earth-friendly landscapes.
Next, do your homework. Tear out favorite pictures from gardening magazines and start making a file on what you would like for your dream garden. While not everything might be possible for your garden, it will give your landscape designer a visual starting point. Make a list of your favorite plants and color combinations. Donʼt forget about hardscape such as patios, decks and fencing; designers can also help with these.
Take your time. Resist the temptation to impulsively buy plants at a garden center and attempt a garden make-over. This can be a costly gamble for those without knowledge and experience. It takes the help of a designer to create a well-planned landscape project that includes both plants and hardscape.
While there is a cost to hiring a landscape designer, it is ultimately more economical to work with an expert to create a plan specific to your property. You will get a detailed plan with a plant list. The project will be completed in a timely manner and within budget when you create a landscape plan. Expect to spend about five to ten percent of the total cost of the project on the design.
Consider what you want to achieve with your landscape. You may have small children and desire lawn and play spaces worked organically into the design, or you may frequently host parties for family and friends and need an appropriately-sized outdoor ʻliving roomʼ for dining and entertaining. Above all you want an outdoor space that helps you to feel comfortable rather than frustrated and exhausted by gardening chores.
Privacy is important to many homeowners. One pitfall many encounter is creating privacy at the expense of creativity. Adding a row of evergreens will create privacy, but will it add year-round interest and color? Landscape designers have the plant knowledge and design skills to create a green ʻprivacy screenʼ using
flowering shrubs, trees and fencing.
Designers do more than design. They can be hired for garden consultations for ideas on how to improve your landscape on your own, or contracted to produce a finished concept, complete with plans for hardscape, plantings, irrigation, plant maintenance specifications, lighting and more. Many designers are also available to manage your project, from getting competitive bids from qualified contractors to overseeing the implementation of the design to be sure itʼs done right.
You donʼt have to complete the whole plan at once. A landscape can be designed to be installed in phases as time and money permit. Homeowners can decide which areas are most important and start from there.
Take the first step to a dream garden. Having a beautiful landscape doesnʼt have to mean back-breaking work for you or wondering if your plants will survive. With the help of a professional landscape designer, you can create a plan that will work for your landscape and for you.
Michael Flaherty is the owner of Veridian Designs, a landscape design/build company specializing in
sustainable, low maintenance residential design. Mr. Flaherty is a member of the Association of
Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), an international organization representing more than 1,400
landscape designers. For more information please visit www.veridiandesigns.com.