Olde Sawmill Civic Association

Home landscape plan removes the guess work.

Jul 13, 2000

May 2000

By BRIAN BIRRENKOTT
SCAN Editor, Horticulturist

Editor?’s Note: Special thanks to Megan King, Landscape Designer, for her contributions to this article.

Thinking about doing some landscaping around the home this year? Before you visit the local garden center, consider having a professional landscape designer or architect create a master plan for your yard.

The benefits of an attractive yard created from a good landscape plan are many?—enhanced curb appeal, improved functionality and increased property value. Having a plan for your yard will prevent mistakes, thus saving you time and money, usually more than the cost of obtaining the plan.

Everyone is familiar with the shrub that started out small then proceeded to engulf the house or sidewalk. A landscape plan will show you the shape of the landscape beds, plant names, quantity and precise planting distances.

It will show you where to plant annuals for color and where ornamental grasses should be planted. Working with the homeowner, the designer will choose plants appropriate for the size, location and style of your home. They will choose plants that thrive in the various sites within your yard. Many homeowners purchase plants that are on sale or blooming during a weekend visit to the garden center. The end result is often a yard with a collection of over-sized, high maintenance, unhealthy, or simply unattractive plants, which costs more in time and money to maintain or remove.

For those that have a plant collection instead of a cohesive landscape, a designer can create a new plan that integrates some of your existing plant material to create a more attractive yard with less maintenance.

A landscape plan can be created at any time of year; however, spring is the busiest season, so be patient at this time of year. Many landscape companies and nurseries have designers on staff. You can also check local community newspapers, the Yellow Pages or ask neighbors for references.

Landscape plans typically range from $100 to $300 for an entire master plan of your yard. Prices vary according to the size of your property and the complexity of the design you desire. Some landscape companies will simply waive or reimburse you the cost of the plan if you contract them to do the installation.

Remember that the entire landscape plan of your yard does not need to be installed at one time. Simply refer to the plan and install one area every year. Before you know it, the entire yard is completed.

Having a master landscape plan for your home will put your mind at ease when visiting the local garden center, for you will know exactly what to purchase and where it belongs in your yard.

A landscape plan actually doesn?’t cost you money; it saves you money and time in the long run. See how it can transform your yard into a landscape you enjoy.