Landscaping | Design and Plant Selection | Construction and Implementation | Maintenance
Links to external web pages are followed by the source's name in parentheses.
An effective and sustainable landscape plan will enhance outdoor beauty while minimizing expenses, chemicals, and labor inputs. Sustainable landscape planning is best achieved by following a step-by-step process that incorporates site, plant, and user specific considerations into a working plan that can be easily interpreted upon implementation. Use one or both of the landscape design guides below to lead you through the landscape design process.
For a step-by-step homeowner's planning guide to landscaping planning, see:
For a detailed look at the design process that designers typically use when designing landscapes, see:
When deciding whether to hire a landscape professional to design, install, or maintain a landscape versus doing the work yourself, you must consider a number of issues. For a side-by-side chart contrasting differences in professional expertise and education requirements of landscape professionals, and a list of questions to ask when selecting a landscape professional, see:
Selecting plants for the right site and growing conditions requires some knowledge of terms that are often found on plant labels and in gardening resources. Fitting the needs of the plants to the needs of the site will help ensure sustainable landscaping goals for the long term, such as ease of maintenance, lower chemical and labor requirements, and cost savings.
See the following articles useful for selecting the right plant for the right site:
Plant selection information based on specific landscape criteria including hardiness zone, environmental requirements, height and spread, and aesthetic characteristics can be found in the following resources:
Landscaping ideas that are sustainable and provide added value to the landscape by including edible plants, attracting wildlife and native species, increasing cost effectiveness through energy conservation, and promoting safety and accessibility are becoming increasingly popular. Considering these themes and strategies during the planning phase can help maximize the benefits and enjoyment of the landscape for many years after the initial design and installation.
Landscape accessories such as landscape lighting, garden decor, and outdoor furnishings provide finishing touches that help bring the landscape to life. As with all elements of the landscape design, thoughtfully planning how the accessories will become part of the garden will help ensure a unified and pleasing landscape design. For more information, see: