General Info

Every great landscape design starts with a plan. This landscape plan will need to cover a variety of details to ensure a successful outcome. A qualified landscape professional can work with you to achieve a landscape plan that not only covers form, functionality and safety issues, but also reflects your own personal tastes and preferences.

There are two popular ways of planning a landscape design. One is a top view landscape design that involves mapping the property and presenting it in a scaled down bird's eye view perspective. Another type of landscape design plan involves the use of photography and a computer program that combine to give you a realistic view of what your finished project might look like.

Both landscape design plans will still need to cover some basic information in order to be successful. Let's take a look at what's involved.

Any good landscape design starts with the basics. First, property lines must be mapped out and buildings such as your home and garage must be added in to scale. Existing walkways and driveways, as well as current foliage will also be factored in to the landscape design plan.

For safety's sake as well as long term design success, all utilities, above ground and below, will need to be recorded into the landscape design plan. A tree that fits perfectly into a space now may grow tall enough to reach overhead power lines in the future. Some tree roots grow so strongly that they can actually crack your sewer lines. Better to have a landscape design plan that takes all this into account.

Once all aspects of your property have been recorded, it's time to create a design for your new landscape. Your landscaping plans should take into account how you use your outdoor space. Will there be play areas for children, or perhaps a vegetable garden? Or maybe a patio area for barbecues and entertaining? All of this will be incorporated into the landscape design plan.

Your landscape professional will also take into account the zone you live in and the amount of light your yard receives in order to determine what plants will be appropriate for your space. For example, if you live in the northern half of the U.S.A. you'll need plants that are winter hardy, as compared to, say, Florida where plants of a semi-tropical variety will thrive naturally in that landscape. Choosing plants with these conditions in mind will save you the cost of replacing them later when they fail.

All of these aspects must come together before the creative portion of your landscape design can begin. A good landscape designer can take the work out of your project, and leave you the fun part; choosing plants and architectural elements for your landscape plan that reflect your own personality and taste.