Home Architecture Talk
Landscape Design, Landscape services? Which do I need?
I bought a house that hasn't had any landscaping done to it at all. Unless you count overgrown bushes, weeds, and the neighbors bushes encroaching in my yard. I want to get a flower garden started next spring. I have a guy who will cut the bushes and weeds for me. He could do tilling if I need it or i can. But it's the garden design I need help with. I'm not sure what flowers and plants would work best in my yard and I'm not that good at color design and design ideas. But I don't necessarily need someone to do all the planting for me. I just need to know What to plant Where and When. Like a "Paint-By-Numbers" design for my garden. Is this the type of service a landscape designer would do? Or a landscape service? If not them, then who would be able to do something like this? And how much done something like that cost (ballpark)? I'd appreciate information from other gardeners and especially people who work in the landscape business. Thanks. P.S. Please don't suggest I buy a bunch of garden books. I have a bunch. I still can't decide where to begin.
Public Comments
- A landscape architect will sell you his/her design for your yard. You can hire him to install it or shop around for other prices. A landscape contractor will give you a design based on him doing the installation. He is not licensed to sell designs, so can only show you what he wants to do, not leave it with you. A nursery may give you some ideas for your garden for free and assume you are going to buy plant material from them. This can be a good way to go if you are going to install your own garden. A landscape designer will do much the same as a landscape contractor. I would use a contractor or nursery, if I were you, I think.
- Actually, you have answered your question. You need only the garden design. You can search the web for garden designs. I believe that is free. If you have a printer, print the design you want. I believe that is allowed. Choose a simple one which you can execute. Then go to a nursery nearest you and show him the design you wish to execute. Ask him to show you the planting materials he can offer. There are some nurseries which also offer stone-wares and potteries you can assimilate with your garden to produce a better looking work. You can reject or accept the plants the nursery will offer you. But be sure to ask him to give you plants adopted only to your locality. After you have procured the necessary planting materials and accessories start your garden. Start from your vantage view or center piece. Then to its surroundings. Then the borders. I hope I was able to help.
- Hello.I would go with the Designer as opposed to an Architect,The fee would be a lot less.I fell that an Architect has the education of book smarts,where as most Designers will have the actual field knowledge.I have worked in the Landscape Irrigation Service for 32 years,and I have only seen a very few Architects that actually have a clue on well designed Landscapes. I think that you do have the ability to design this your self though.Just in your every day travels,to the store to work walks in your neighborhood,take mental notes of the plantings,trees,flowers,the flow of the plant beds.Take your digital camera along to take photos,this can be very helpful to go back and view the images. Pay close attention to what plants look and grow well in your area.And if you happen across a landscape with plantings you like,don't hesitate to ask questions if the home owner is around.I have learned over the many years working in Landscapes that most people have a good eye in what looks good. The fee could be from a few hundred dollars and up. Good Luck and I know You can do it.
