By Gill Landis, Sales and Marketing Manager Dundee Nursery and Landscaping
Hiring a landscape design professional allows you the opportunity to work with someone who has vast knowledge of plants and their needs, understands the construction of hardscape features, listens to your ideas, and has the creativity to pull it all together to craft your ideal exterior space. The designer should be knowledgeable about a broad range of plants and hard materials that are attractive and durable for our climate.
Planning is a crucial step in the landscape design process. A professional landscape designer will listen to you and examine your site for challenges in sun, shade, water, drainage, and space. The designer will take careful measurements and produce a design plan that creates an outdoor space that responds to your site conditions and needs. Your designer will suggest wonderful plants and structures that will perform in your yard for many years to come based on his or her knowledge of a wide range of hardy plants and construction materials appropriate for our climate. Structure, color, and texture combine to create the aesthetics of the project.
Once you and your designer have made final decisions on materials and plants, quantities are calculated, plants and materials are ordered, and installation is scheduled. Many companies employ experienced installers who will execute the design plan in a reasonable amount of time using the proper tools and methods. With an experienced designer and crew you will experience less stress and have more time to enjoy your new living space.
Aftercare is an important consideration in keeping your investment looking good for years to come. Reputable companies have warranties in place and often have an arborist and horticulturalist on staff to serve you if any issue arises. Over time plants will mature, grow, and need maintenance. A good designer will allow for plant growth and will choose plants that require minimal maintenance.
When hiring a landscape designer choose one who is trained in horticulture and design, can show you samples of previous work, is willing to provide references, and works for a known and reputable company. There are many one truck companies driving through neighborhoods and knocking on doors asking for business. These people generally have not been trained in design and have limited plant knowledge. Hire a landscape designer, follow these steps, and you will be happy with the results for years to come.