As you read through this article you will discover important distinctions between a landscape DESIGNER and a landscape ARCHITECT.

Knowing the difference will save you time, money and aggravation when planning your new yard.

First, as stated above, landscape designers do not have required formal education, which limits their knowledge of fundamental and important areas like:

• Architecture
• Horticulture & Botony
• Ecology
• Soils & Geology
• Structural Engineering

Unlike landscape designers, landscape architects are required to be certified through formal education of the above bullets.

Some may argue, landscape designer’s work on smaller projects than landscape architects, and in many cases this is true… but one thing is for certain…

Landscape Architects ARE Landscape Designers

Landscape Designers ARE NOT Landscape Architects

When your property requires proper drainage, grading, and specifying the right materials, landscape designers are typically not in the same league as a landscape architect.

Would You Hire an Interior Designer to Plan & Build Your House?

One big glaring difference between landscape designers and architects is… landscape architects require licensing in 49 states, including New York, whereas designers are not regulated, nor licensed.

You can liken it to a building or house architect versus an interior designer.

Would you hire a designer to plan and build your house? Neither would I!

Landscape designers usually offer and produce design ideas, landscape plans, planting plans and lighting plans… but conceptual plans and ideas are very different from the actual execution of those plans.

Meaning, ideas on garden structure, hardscape layout and irrigation are critical elements to any landscaping project, and designers are not licensed nor typically trained in these areas.

Landscape designers are normally educated in residential design which focuses on design planning, some plants & shrubs, and hardscape choices.

Three Landscape Designer Pitfalls You Want to Avoid

Pitfall One: Often, landscape designers will have others go out to a property and measure the area being worked on. In other words, in most cases, the landscape designer doesn’t even see the property they are drawing up plans for.

Pitfall Two:  Landscape designers are good at drawing plans, but they are not knowledgeable or prepared to implement complex designs with structural engineering and drainage problems. Ultimately, they can't execute a project successfully because they don't understand many of the details one needs to know before the project starts.

Pitfall Three: Some landscaping projects require architectural certification. If you hire a landscape designer they can't work on the project because they are not certified, where architects are.

In the end, like all decision making, arm yourself with reliable information to make an informed decision.

I’m not saying don’t hire a landscape designer, only, you’ll want to take an extra step and learn as much as possible about the designer’s experience, knowledge and credentials.

This simple step in the process will alleviate any unforeseen problems when you’re right in the middle of construction and something goes wrong.

You will find your neighbor’s son wants to make some extra cash so he mows lawns on the cheap.

The benefit here is price, but usually doesn’t  go any further than that.

Most high school teenagers mowing lawns don’t focus on your entire landscape… they come by with their dad’s mower and simply cut your grass.

By the way… "lawn cutters" aren't much different than the neighborhood kid.

Fact is, these types of "10 minute and gone" landscapers are not focused on quality and service; they survive on how many properties they can bang-out before dark.

If you don't want to worry about your lawn and still have it look great… then you need to do more than just a weekly cut.

When you see beautiful lawns in your neighborhood, it's likely they use the following list consistently throughout the year.

• Lawn Aeration
• Seeding Program
• Lawn De-Thatching
• Consistent Chemical Program
• Weekly Maintenance & Inspections- Spotting trouble (fungus) before you do

Fact is, you're not going to get these services included with the "10 minute and gone lawn cutter". As with all things you usually get what you pay for.

If you’re shopping price and not expertise you will typically find lack-luster results. In the long run it will cost more in time and aggravation when the quality of the work is lame.

So, before you determine who you want to hire be sure you take your budget very seriously and bring in a full service landscaping company who can help you maximize that budget to the fullest.

Today there are several backyard landscaping trends which add value, appeal and fun you may be interested in.

3 Backyard Landscaping Trends

1. Outdoor Living Rooms

In the early spring or fall, is there anything better than sitting around or near a fire?

Perhaps making S’mores with your kids… or relaxing with a glass of wine with friends.

An outdoor fireplace is an easy way to improve the living space in your backyard.

Not only is an outdoor living space going to increase the value of your home, but you'll have a blast entertaining with family and friends.

2. Tranquil Water Features

Even the tightest of budgets can add a water feature to a backyard landscape.

Picture a water fixture in a small rock garden… the centerpiece can be a large terracotta planter – but instead of soil and plants – install a slow running water source that overflows the planter and splashes onto the rocks.

This simple addition to your patio or backyard seating area creates a calming environment. And, it’s been proven… landscaping can improve your health.

Of course larger budgets can do bigger things like ponds and waterfalls; which can yield a high return on investment and increase the value of your home.

3. Functional & Beautiful Backyard Landscaping

Depending on the season, many people are using their backyards as productive gardens.

Not only do gardens add color, fragrance and nice scenery, but they can also help you save money on vegetables and herbs.
 

Imagine turning a section of your backyard into a garden, rich with your favorite vegetables. Doing so can be a DIY weekend project, or you can hire a landscaping company to come in and help you get it done.

Herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary and others are fragrant, as well as easy to grow and maintain – saving you money at the grocery store.

With a little imagination and some creativity, you can use your backyard landscaping in many ways to help fit your lifestyle.

If you’re seeking cool ways to play, party, and relax look into these 3 backyard landscaping trends.

In a marketplace where consumers are always "judging a book by its cover", it's never been more important to provide your tenants with an attractive place to be.

See for yourself…

Commercial Landscaping Tip #1

Maintain Attractive Curb Appeal At All Times

It's no surprise when people drive by your commercial property they make assumptions to the quality of stores you have, simply based on how your property looks.

To often, people judge a book by its cover… meaning, if your plants are over-grown, you have weeds in the sidewalks and flower beds, and your grass is is overgrown and looks terrible., people will assume your stores are not desirable.

How your commercial property looks, has a direct impact to the success of your Tenants.

I don't have to tell you… if your tenants aren't making money… neither are you.

Avoid Riff Raff and Attract Paying Customers

I’m seeing a major parallel with commercial properties that attract riff-raff and litter… The existing condition of the landscaping is weathered and un-attractive.

I don’t want to get to graphic… but it’s kinda like flies to horse manure. What attracts filth… is filth.

So, if your commercial landscaping looks bad and is not well kept the general public will treat it as such.

Also, if your curb appeal is lacking luster and you have the public littering and not caring about your property, you will increase your costs to get it cleaned up each day, week and month.

The pay-off to adding an attractive look to your property is simply respect from the buying public. They will use garbage cans and not think of throwing garbage on the ground.

They will appreciate the plants, trees and flowers creating good feelings about being there and coming back time after time. In the end, we all want to go to nice places when we do our shopping.

Is your commercial property inviting and promoting good relations within the community? Or, is it ugly and seemingly down-trodden where it attracts a lower level consumer who doesn’t care about your property or your tenants?

This may seem trite and even obvious, but I can assure you, your commercial landscaping is a direct reflection of who you will attract.

Commercial Landscaping Tip #2

Clear Visibility is Key

One might think this tip is an obvious one… I can assure you it's not.

Almost on a daily basis I see commercial properties and strip-stores completely blocked by over-grown trees, shrubs and bushes.

What amazes me the most is when bushes and / or trees are blocking the very sign that let's you know what stores are inside.

Visibility is a big deal when it comes to attracting new and existing traffic for your tenants.  

Your entire property must be completely visible from all directions of traffic to insure passer-by's can see your stores.

When blocked, it's almost like your tenants are not there. People are busy and on the run… if they can't see it, then it doesn't exist.

Think about yourself when you're driving down the road… you take similar routes on a daily basis… so seeing something new is not usual.

Chances are, if there's a shopping center with over-grown landscaping, and they clear it out , improving the visibility from all directions, you will see it… where you may not have before.

Commercial Landscaping Tip #3

Color. Color. Color.

Incorporating color into your property attracts the eye of passer-by’s, and creates a pleasant environment for shoppers.

Color Theory 101 for Commercial Landscape Design

A quick lesson in color theory will help you think differently about your commercial property, resulting in a more attractive property your consumers will come to enjoy.

There’s a common debate where one color attracts the human eye more than another color… these colors are yellow and red. And, in many cases this is true… these bright colors attract for sure.

Have a look at the spectrum of colors in basic color theory for design.

• Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, and Blue.
• Secondary Colors: Greens, Purples and Oranges.
• Tertiary Colors: Combinations of primary and secondary colors.
• Neutral Colors: White, Grey and Silver – used for shading & depth

Now ask yourself this quick question: Which colors do you think will attract the eye of someone driving by in their car?

If you thought, yellow or red, then you are correct. Yellow and red are the first colors the eye sees and is attracted to… there’s certainly some debate as to which color attracts more.

In the end, bright colors which invoke good feelings will ultimately get people paying attention to your commercial property. Which in turn gets them looking at your tenants stores.

Putting bright colors at the entrances to your property is the first step to improving the look and feel of your property and will begin attracting more traffic as a result. Don’t believe it… give it a try and see for yourself.

It’s true, much of the information here seems obvious and common knowledge…

…and if that’s the case, AWESOME, it means you understand that most commercial landscaping doesn’t take these tips into account. So, when you do, you’ll have a competitive advantage when people are driving by.

Like… Relaxation On Tap!

Find-Out How…

25 Acres in the Middle of Nowhere

Recently my family and I drove from Long Island, New York to a small town in South Carolina. My wife and I live in a busy suburban area with our three children, ages 1, 3 and 7… so "getting out of Dodge" was a welcome change for spring break.

My Grandfather lives a very different lifestyle… his remote property is a 25 acre piece of farmland… literally in the middle of nowhere. The closest gas station is 12 miles away – and the closest Wal-Mart is 30 miles away… we were OUT THERE!

Over 4 days I found myself very relaxed and at-ease. Walking the property and being outside in such a quiet place allowed us to decompress and release the stresses of daily life.

Now this may not be a huge revelation… anytime any of us go away on vacation we're usually able to relax… no running errands, fighting traffic, job responsibilities, and no driving the kids all over town for sports and dance class.

Busy people usually 'chill-out' on vacation… and more often than not, vacation means, nice settings outdoors. Whether a cruise, island get-a-away or your grandfather's remote farmland… relaxation in beautiful settings 'recharges our batteries' and enhances perspective in our lives.

This got me thinking…

Is there empirical proof that clearing out the mind, relaxing the body and communing with nature has a positively profound physiological effect on our well-being?

The University of Washington has exhaustively researched the subject of outdoors and our mental well-being. In a report published on the University's website, it stated;

Substantial research shows that natural scenes evoke positive emotions, facilitate cognitive functioning, and promote recovery from mental fatigue for people who are in good mental health. The experience of nature can also provide respite for those who experience short-term and chronic mental illness.¹

I then started asking questions like; "What if we had a unique, quiet respite on our own property – big or small?"

"What if, after a long work day… or a beautiful weekend we had a place to go right outside OUR door which provides the same well-being as a vacation?" Like… Relaxation On Tap!

Your Residential Landscaping CAN Be 'Relaxation on Tap'

What can your landscaping be like so you can take advantage of the health benefits we're discussing here?

Residential landscaping has come a long way for everyday folks like you and me. And now more than ever, having the convenience and time to be outdoors to "recharge the batteries" is extremely important and comes with many benefits.

The Washington University report states…

• Nature aids in restoring the mind from mental fatigue caused by work.¹

The payoff: Heightened productivity and creativity in your daily life.

• Children develop cognitive, emotional and behavioral connections to nearby biophysical environments.¹

The payoff is encouragement of imagination and creativity, in addition to intellectual development and social relationships.

• Outdoor activities can help alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's, dementia, stress, and depression and improve cognitive function in those recently diagnosed with breast cancer.¹

The payoff is a greater sense of being at-ease and allowing your body and mind to heal.

After looking into and thinking about being in nature and my mental and physical well-being… it is clear… our own residential landscaping can improve our health and our lives.

When you take the time to look into a landscape design company – keep in mind – you want to create your own mind clearing space – Relaxation on Tap!

1 Wolf, K.L., and Flora, K. 2010. Mental Health and Function – A Literature Review. In: Green Cities: Good Health (www.greenhealth.washington.edu). College of the Environment, University of Washington.