The Essence of a Garden

Somewhere right now there is a landscape architect whose is trying to channel the mind of a homeowner. He/she might have taken pictures of the place to be designed, written notes of what the client may want, measured, and sketched. His goal is to be able to present a plan that will provide a living reflection of the client’s botanical aspirations. What he hopes is that when the plan is implemented, he has captured a landscape with
arms that draw us in, that welcome our guest, and that hold us securely as we retreat to its refuge. Maybe it’s a place for play or for inspiration. Maybe it is an outside room, another place to gather, or a way to showcase and enhance our home. Whatever the essence of your garden is, the designer of your landscape will need all your help to capture it. These are a few tips to help you in communicating with your landscape architect or designer. (This way he won’t have to use a Vulcan mind reading technique. )
1. Let the landscape architect know your gardening involvement. For example, communicate whether you hope to be able to get out and work in your yard on a regular basis by planting, pruning, maintaining, if you plan on having someone else maintaining your garden, or if you want something very low maintenance.
2. Do you want to have containers or window boxes? Do you want areas for annual flowers? This is good to know ahead of time when irrigation is being planned so that separate zones can be established for these items.
3. Do you have pets that will be outside a lot in some or all of the garden areas?
4. What colors/view do want to see when you are working at the sink or looking from a workspace window?
5. What do want your focal point to be – a specimen plant, artwork, an archway?
6. Do you want outdoor lighting in an area?
7. If you are planning a water feature, what type of sound do want presented – a gentle bubble, a splashing to block out other noises, ect.?
8. How will you use your garden area – for large entertainment, a play area for the kids, a private refuge, or maybe a place to collect the plants you can’t resist at the garden center ?
9. Let your LA know if you have anyone in the family with strong allergies – especially with bees.
10. Budget restrictions.
11. Do you want lots of flowering plants or are you more comfortable with greenery and foliage color?
12. Before meeting with your landscape architect, collect pictures from magazines or places you’ve visited of ideas that you admired or desired.