Base Design

This is the base plan of a landscape design that delineates the shape and flow of the landscape indicating hardscape elements such as: paths, patios, decks, garden beds, lawn area, water or fire features, play equipment, raised beds... and usually elevation contours. It depicts the hardscape spatial proportions and relationships. This option does not indicate plant materials.

>> Who Chooses Base Design?

• Compentent gardeners and DIYers who know gardening & plants, but not art & design.

Simple Design

This option begins with Base Design, and adds trees & shrubs. It does not include flower bed design, though I may use some evergreen or shrub-like perennials (like lavender or fuschia) and note a few places for annual, perennial &/or bulb flowers.

This is a ‘minimalist’ Complete Design, and all elements, including plants, are labeled on the plan. This design solution results in an easier-to-maintain, less-cluttered look. Most annual & perennial flowers are omitted because they require higher levels of maintenance than do shrubs & trees.

>> Who Chooses Simple Design?

• Owners of rental property
• Anyone whose landscape will be contractor-maintained on a budget
• Those desiring a more minimal look/feel in their landscape
• Coaching clients

Complete Design

This option includes the elements of Simple Design, and adds the flowers and other details. All elements and plants on the plan are labeled.

I can meticulously design the flower bed areas... specifying every plant and position. Or I can decide the key items and let the you fill in with plants of your own choosing or ones selected from my general plant lists. Your project’s final price is determined by how much detail you desire.

>> Who Chooses Complete Design?

• Those who want all or most of the details clearly defined, and don’t want to make many plant selection choices on their own
• Coaching clients

Conceptual
Design

This option may appear to be the same as Complete Design (hardscape, trees & shrubs, and flowers). The difference here is that I've not chosen any (or many) specific plants. It is my ‘conceptual’ vision of what your landscape will look like once it’s populated with trees, shrubs & flowers. Because of the design’s conceptual nature, labeling of plant materials is general... allowing you to choose most plants on your own.

For example: An area of the design may show plant icons but only be labeled ‘Hummer Garden’. The client knows this is where their hummingbird garden should go, and either chooses plants on their own or refers to my general plant lists for suggestions.

>> Who Chooses Conceptual Design?

• Novice gardeners wanting to learn by doing
• More experienced gardeners who want a clearly-illustrated, artful concept, and only minimal guidance regarding plant selection
• Many clients follow up this option with Coaching in order to learn about plant selection, placement, and other gardening practices
  
• DIYers on a budget that requires them to install their new landscape over a long(er) period of time
• Coaching clients

Garden Coaching

Coaching is where I walk around your lot with you, hear your concerns, and give advice and tips off the top of my head. I usually also have my laptop and other resources with me.

Depending on your specific requests, I can ID plants, give advice and teach techniques regarding cultural issues, make design suggestion, etc. Coaching sessions do not include a formally drawn design, though I may sketch ideas.

>> Who Chooses Garden Coaching?

• New homeowners or people new to the area or gardening in general who need to know what is growing in their garden
• Experienced gardeners who want fresh eyes on their projects
• People wanting to take on more of their own gardening, but don’t have extensive knowledge or skills
• Many clients use Coaching in order to learn about plant selection, placement, and other gardening practices as a follow-up to other design options
  
• Great wedding, birthday, anniversary, or first-time-homeowner gift!