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MNLA Landscape Awards 2009 - Design

The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association awarded these companies 2009 Landscape Awards in design: 1. Residential Front Yard Lori McCabe ...

Don't make garden design an afterthought

Heading out to the garden shop of the nearest big box store with only a vague garden plan in mind could be the biggest mistake a homeowner can make in landscaping their property. And in the end, it’s likely it will cost more and offer far less appeal than working with a professional garden designer right from the start.

Avoiding costly mistakes such as choosing the wrong plants for the site is just one of the benefits of not going it alone, according to Rosalind Weir, a garden designer who works in concert with her husband, architect James Weir, at their Little Compton architecture/landscape design firm Eastdesign.

“People often see garden design as an afterthought. Everything has to work together. The design of the exterior needs to be integrated with the interior,” said Weir. “How people use the space in its transition to nature is where garden design comes in.”

Working with a professional garden designer, which she recommends doing throughout one growing season, will result in plantings that offer eye appeal and ease of maintenance. “In the world of plants there are so many possibilities. People who know plants, know what will survive. Hiring somebody to help you will severely narrow the field,” she said. “I think people make a big mistake in finding a species they like and sticking it into the ground without a plan. The whole reason to go to a specialist (doctor) is to get the medical attention you need. Plants are the same way; without going to a specialist you go through a lot of trial and error.”

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Garden design should always be done to scale by a professional with a sound understanding of geometry and experience in hardscape plans. This is because so many plantings are installed around horizontal surfaces areas such as patios and pools, and because vegetation in general seems to go hand in hand with the decorative aspects of custom fountains and outdoor buildings. A good working knowledge of plant science helps as well—although a formal degree in botany is not required....

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