Jeff Halper asked:


If we were to have a truly native landscape in Houston Texas it would look like an abandon field of various grasses, a thicket edge of tangled vines, shrubs and underbrush or a mature grove of oaks with leaf ground cover underneath. These landscapes are beautiful out in the countryside but in our suburban enclaves we seek some order and design. You say to yourself “it looks messy or it needs to be improved upon.” Let’s say that the first requirement is it should look beautiful to you. It is your interpretation of how you want natural to look. The natural landscape is really improving upon the existing natural conditions and making it even better into our own liking. On the most wooded of lots in Piney Point and Memorial the issue becomes “how to work with and plant under all this shade?” There is an aesthetic, a blend of the existing and the things we can improve upon based on the comforts, functions and the necessary uses of the site- a landscape design marriage. In the natural landscape interpretation we take the best of natural site elements and make it even better still based on the concept of form, function to house comfort and beauty. So now that we know the natural landscape is by no means native or natural what is it?

Nature as Inspiration

The natural landscape designer will first and foremost pay attention to the “sense of place” and “mood” of the site and its relationship with the house. Inspiration can come from the existing site or from vacations and travels throughout the natural world. Are there a grove of fantastic trees in the rear lawn, a view out the backyard to the Bayou that should be preserved or a large back lawn of beautiful old Pecan trees? On a new site you may borrow a nature inspired vision from a place in the wild that you want to recreate. For example a flagstone patio under a soaring oak tree that reminds you of a cliff or hillock in Ireland. Highlight the best features of the sight and down play those not so attractive. The natural landscape will be more sympathetic to working with the site rather than changing it. Work with the existing site features, trees, or existing woodland edges rather than imposing a specific “shape” or “design” as in classical landscape design or formal landscape design.
Interpreting Natures Hardscape

The landscape design for the natural landscape has the same overall approach to the form and functionality of outdoor rooms and spaces as all of the other landscape styles. The overall design can be formal or informal. One design concept for the natural is to create more formal hardscape spaces and surfaces near the home and to dissipate into more natural spaces and surfaces as you move away from the house. In this approach you are creating a hierarchy of spaces and pathways:

? Luxury Swimming Pools-materials might include slate and natural stone coping and surfaces to create a refined rustic overall feel.

? Walkways and pathways-materials including cut stone, wood, pavestone, gravel and cobble or small stones and boulders.

? Landscape Lighting-to light up existing large trees or path lighting and accent lighting for natural flagstone pathways and features

? Fencing and gates-made of split cedar for a rustic natural look

Interpreting Natures Landscape

The landscape design can reflect the patterns of natural plantings in nature. We have found that plantings in larger masses and groupings as opposed to natural associations are just easier to maintain over time. Natural patterns and plant masses can be utilized creating a natural look as follows:

Patterns of Nature. Nature groups compensating plantings in terms of drifts which can be interpreted as natural curves and arc of plant materials.

Plant Associations. Plant groupings that grow together such as grasses, roses and flowers in full sun, small ornamental trees at woodland edges such as red buds, dogwoods, and deep shade areas of longleaf pines, with ferns below. The design layout of planting is still based around the form and function of use areas and the layout of hardscape surfaces.

Conclusion

The goal of the natural landscape is truly an interpretation of nature and our attempt to represent our reality of beauty and bring about its very best features. In the traditional landscape design sense the home and landscape still function in relation to your wants and needs for form, function and your ideal of natures canvas.



TIMMY

Jeff Halper asked:


The overall objective of any landscape design, including urban landscaping, is to create a space that breathes with the home and has a relationship to its surroundings. It should reflect your visual desires and function together in every aspect.

An urban yard or garden comes with big challenges. Perhaps your property backs up to the two-story blank wall of a neighboring townhouse. Maybe the space is all straight lines and right angles. Or you’ve remodeled your home which involved changing the elevation, adding a new room or reducing the size of your backyard, all of which affect the spatial relationship to the overall landscape.

Turning Liabilities into Assets

With urban landscaping, as with all landscape architecture, the goal is to create spaces in which the home and architectural elements have a relationship with its natural setting. For starters, consider the big picture-your assets and liabilities. Begin by looking at the large, possibly immoveable factors, such as trees, a long fence-line or pool machinery and equipment, and decide if they are liabilities or assets. In this way, you test the landscape garden design options. Landscape designers or landscape architects can bring expertise and experience to this process.

Urban Landscaping and Focal Points

Consider using non-plant material as focal points. Get creative with:

? Pathways. Functionally, pathways provide a way into the space. Visually, they lead the eye in, through, across and around the landscape design. Pathways can have a big impact on your experience as you transition from the street into the landscape. As an approach to a home, pathways tend to be the first insight into the homeowner’s personality.

? Landscape lighting. The right landscape lighting is often recommended as a relatively inexpensive way to increase your property value. It allows you to showcase beautiful trees and garden elements, but, at the same time, lets you leave some things dark thus controlling what you don’t want people to see. From a practical standpoint, it provides security and safe access.

? Outdoor water fountains. Outdoor water fountains make a graceful statement about a home by creating a pleasing and welcoming ambiance. They are especially beneficial as camouflage for traffic, humming air-conditioning units and noisy lawn mowers.

Urban Landscaping: Tree Preservation

The Houston area is filled with a fascinating variety of trees, from the graceful river oaks to small ornamentals. Their chances for survival are much greater with some preservation and conservation efforts.

Trees face three main offenders when it comes to their survival during construction. Compaction is the main killer of trees caused by construction vehicles and materials, both during and after the construction of a home or building. Foot traffic is also a culprit when it comes to compaction. Root damage, the second main cause, can come from a variety of activities, but generally it is due to digging for foundations, swimming pools, landscaping, irrigation systems, drainage systems and landscape lighting. The third tree-killer is soil contamination which is normally due to construction materials, such as cement, lime, paint, turpentine or acid, being stored or dispensed around trees. Eventually, these materials leach into the soil and kill the trees.

Urban Landscaping: Landscape Drainage

In Houston, storm drainage issues are very serious due to our heavy clay soils, flat topography, and heavy forested lots compacted by years of construction that have increased impermeable surfaces. These factors have caused more streets and homes to become flooded during torrential rainfalls. Recently, local regulations are beginning to follow the standards used by the Memorial Villages that require temporary drainage systems, minimum pipe sizes, flow rates, calculations, engineered drainage plans, topographic maps, and as/built plans.

“If drainage contractors embark on a drainage project without a complete understanding of these demands, homeowners may find themselves in the middle of a big mess that can cost thousands to rectify,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds.



FERDINAND

Susan asked:


Botanical Traditions - Landcape Architecture (Melbourne, Australia) At Botanical Traditions we strive to capture the imagination with landscape design that enhances the constructed environment. The goal of all our garden design is to maximise the quality of indoor and outdoor living while at the same time providing cost effective sustainable returns for our clients.

Professional Landscape and Horticultural Design Our landscape design team consists of designers, horticulturists and strategic thinkers committed to mixing art with design and technology. We pride ourselves on having a strong partnership with our clients and other related professionals, such as landscapers and paving firms, to create beautiful, functional landscape and horticultural designs that really are an asset to their surroundings and the garden and lifestyle of their owners.

The Roman Landscape [750 BMA - 400MA]

The Romans carried out landscape design on a scale not seen again until recently. They left a strong imprint on the land. The Romans designed large urban open spaces with perforated edges. These public open spaces were designed to keep the masses entertained – a point highlighted in the movie Gladiator. They combined garden and lifestyle ideas from the Greeks, Etruscans, Persians and Egyptians. In comparison to their public environments their residential site developments were typically inward looking.

The Greek Landscape [3000BMA - 31BMA]

Stretching over many centuries the Greek design style still has an impact on garden design today. Buildings were generally simple and symmetrical but many exhibited optical corrections. They also created optimum viewing points and used the proportions of the ‘Golden Section’. Typically a house was built around 1 or 2 garden rooms called a ‘peristyle’.

The Gardens of Islam [600BMA - 1700]

The Koran states that individuals should try to create paradise on earth and it defines paradise as a garden with shade and water. All Islamic gardens are enclosed and provide privacy. The gardens are typically square in plan and are entered through an impressive gate. There is usually a main axis which is often a body of water which can be crossed by other axis. The gardens never have any depiction of the human form but will use elaborate patterns instead.

The Gardens of China [1700BMA - today]

Chinese gardens typically have a strong natural character in many cases influenced by the natural countryside, painters and poets, mythology, philosophy and social background of the time. Chinese landscape design represents the longest period of continuous development of any garden style.

The Landscape of Japan [650 - 1870]

Japanese gardens are designed for repose. They do not try to copy nature but to idealise and abstract it. Typically they have no geometric order. They is carefull attention given to the transition between the inside and outside areas.

The Landscape of Renaissanc Italy [1400 - 1700]

During this period of time there were two distinct periods – the Mannerist and the Baroque. In Mannerist designs the aim was not to create harmony but to use tricks to create astonishing affects. Baroque design originated in Rome and was chiefly interested in creating spectacular displays.

The Renaissance Landscape of France

Many medieval built forms such as moats, corner towers and steep roofs were retained in France long after they had been abandoned in other countries. There were three distinct periods during the French Renaissance. In the early 16th century there was a strong Italian influence, followed by a brief period of transition and experimentation which resulted in a distinctive Baroque French Grand Style.

The Landscape of England

The English landscape has been influenced by the many different groups of people that have inhabited the land. Medieval developments in England were typically centred around the residential environment. During the 17th century ideas from Italy and France were incorporated into the English landscape on a small scale. It was not until the early 18th century and the emergence of the English Landscape School that landscape design was applied on a large scale. It was also at this time that the artistic ideas of unity, harmony, contrast, balance and focus began to be explored in landscape design.

The 19th Century English Garden

This period was one of rapid social change with the industrial revolution. The urban areas expanded and the provision of public recreational spaces became important. Botanical Gardens were established in most major towns and many royal estates were opened to the public. In the 1830’s gardening magazines emerged as did a wider selection of plants. There were many notable designers from this period and they include Joseph Paxton, William Robinson and Gertrude Jekyll. Some designers through this period searched for a local style which used indigenous plants to create a national character rather than relying on the many new introduced plants at the time.

The American Colonial Landscape

The English, French, Dutch and Spanish all had an influence on early American landscape design. There were three distinct phases in colonial site developments. The early colonial period was characterised by a strongly utilitarian style. This was followed by the Jefferson period which was characterised by eclecticism and palladianism such as Monticello. The last period lasted from 1800 – 1860 and was characterised by eclecticism and neo-classicism. Public open space was provided in towns.

The 19th Century American Landscape

This was a period of great change and expansion in the United States. There was a period of great social change and after the civil war there was a greater focus on providing public parks in cities. Two major designers at the time were Andrew Jackson Downing and Frederick Law Olmstead. There was a strong belief that the environment could influence human behaviour and the first state parks were formed during this period.

The 20th Century American Landscape

After WWII there was a change in the type of landscape projects that occurred. There was a large increase in the numbers of houses, schools and universities as well as the large scale adoption of the car. This meant that an increasing amount of work was carried out in the outer suburbs. This also coincided with the establishment of large scale firms with international offices and a turn away from the traditional approach of an individual offering a personal service to clients.

The Landscape Design Revolution

It was not until the 1930’s that there was a significant change in the design philosophies of the previous 100 years. This was the beginning of modernism. Modernism in landscape design was influenced by Modern Art (Cubist Garden, Hyeres, Gabrial Guevrekian), Science and the relationship between natural systems and human needs, Asian design and the technology and teaching of the Bauhaus. Fletcher Steele and Thomas Chruch followed by Garrett Eckbo, James rose and Dan Kiley practiced during this period.



RORY

Jeff Halper asked:


One of the main reasons people should go with a professional landscaping company is the scope of service that an established and reputable firm is able to provide. People do not always realize in advance just how many details will be needed to fulfill their expectations. A truly professional landscaping project will involve design, architectural, and plant material elements. Structures that are created as part of the landscape design will have to be constructed either directly by the professional landscaper or by subcontracted specialists who are held accountable to a landscaping plan. Plants that can grow hardily in Houston will have to be chosen and planted in aesthetically pleasing ways that compliment the home and yard decorum.

Many yard service companies are now moving into Houston from other areas of the country seeking work in a stable economy. Many of these companies have little knowledge of Houston climate, indigenous plant life, or service professionals who could provide key elements of landscaping design on a subcontract bases. Inevitably these businesses offer their services at a lower price point than professional landscape companies, and many homeowners feel reassured that the cost savings is sufficient to justify a few compromises in design. However, lasting results are hard to achieve without a sound working knowledge of soil, climate, and plant material.

Anyone interested in building entertainment space into their backyard should rely only on a professional landscaping company to create this. There are many forms of outdoor entertainment, and the structures built to support them are determined by the nature of the entertainment itself and the size of the gathering. Matching exterior architecture to an event itself requires an understanding of architecture as well as landscaping. Things such as outdoor rooms for movies, sitting by a fireplace, toasting marshmallows, or hosting a formal function all consist to one degree or the other of extending living space into outdoor space. Yard companies do not understand the nuances of entertainment, nor do they have the construction skills necessary to match architecture to event, form to function. Attempting to save money by hiring a yard service to build outdoor entertainment areas is akin to having a painter build a house.

Professional landscapers also understand the importance of creating outdoor areas that are safe and fun for children. In our industry, there is a saying that if you haven’t built something for children, you haven’t built anything at all. In order to effectively design such areas, it is necessary to bring a diversity of design and construction skill sets to the table. Often parents want a special area of the lawn set aside for children to run and play without obstruction. Admittedly, this is something yard service companies can and sometimes do create. However, sports courts and play systems are a totally different matter. Building a basketball, volleyball, or badminton court requires knowledge of the game and an awareness of safety protocols necessary to ensure that play is safe as well as fun.

The same principle applies to swimming pool design. A pool has to be more than function. It must be decorative in its own right, and it must compliment the landscape in which it resides. Professional landscape companies offer the advantage of understanding how to integrate a very complex water feature into surrounding greenery and outdoor architecture. Several case studies in our portfolio show in detail how complex this science truly is. There is more to this process than simply subcontracting a pool company and bidding an installation. Many times, special materials have to be used for coping and patio surfaces, and often the shape of the pool itself must be custom designed to work with other elements in the landscape.

Pool companies seldom consider the impact that these details will have on the surrounding yard. A swimming pool occupies a central position in any landscape into which it is installed. If it does not respect the architecture of the home and compliment surrounding vegetation, outdoor structures, and miscellaneous decorative elements, it will significantly work against every element of the outdoor aesthetic. However, if swimming pool construction or remodeling is managed under the umbrella of a professional landscaping company, then its design and functionality will work harmoniously with all other aspects of exterior design and improvement.

Pool companies are but one example of specialty service providers that routinely must be subcontracted in order to comprehensively and aesthetically develop a truly superior landscaping design. Yard companies do not have the infrastructure, experience, or staff to manage such relationships. Their specialty lies in vegetation management, not design, construction, and integration of divergent and complex elements. Many people will attempt to piecemeal a project by having a yard service company manage the yard itself, and then attempt to bring other service companies into the picture on a direct vendor basis. This seldom works, because homeowners do not always speak the lingo, so to speak, of the specialty contractor and may not be able to effectively communicate their expectations. Even in the event that they do, a mason or concrete specialist may not work harmoniously with the pool expert, and what you have at the end of the day is a discombobulated amalgam if great looking elements that do not look so great together.

Professional landscaping companies can ensure that none of these negatives pop up by proactively asking the homeowner the right questions to get a clear picture of what look and feel they want out of their landscape, then showing in both design plans and in writing what elements and design are recommended for particular case. Everything is negotiable and clearly up front with an expert leading the client every step of the way toward a clear and expected outcome. Anyone subcontracted on the project will be managed by the landscaping professional, and they will be held strictly accountable to the overall objectives of the project.

If all of this sounds too complex and expensive, please think again. Professional landscapers know how much quality costs, and they know that quality does not always have to involve the most expensive materials or designs. People on a budget can still expect superior results from an established and reputable firm. If the desired outcome is more than they can afford at a particular point in time, then phases of the project can be implemented that are cost effective for the homeowner as steps that lead toward the ultimate outcome later down the line. Again, only a company with advance planning skills, access to a multitude of materials, and the ability to call up the right experts when needed and manage of team of many teams can hope to pull of such a long-term process successfully.



CODY

Mohammed Habbeb asked:


A considerable share of the charm that any home exudes depends on the landscape features it exhibits. A superior landscaping gives that extra edge to any residence or office by creating the right aura. But neither do good things come for free nor can we deny the necessity of professional intervention if we want a nice job done out of anything.

The execution of a project can be rendered simple by an efficient landscaper. Those of us, who want to ensure that only the best landscaper should implement our envisioned landscape, would want to hire one. A few suggestions can help one do the same.

- Requirements Review

Sometimes house owners may just want to add zest to their existing attractive landscape and home and hence choose to revamp the landscape. For this one needs to scrutinize the existing landscape and figure out what are the exact alterations one is looking for and the real reason behind such a decision.

Once one has reviewed one’s requirements, its time to sketch a rough draft of the envisioned landscape he has in mind. It is a vital step towards shaping one’s dreamscape into reality. One can opt for professional aid in this by letting the landscaper do the blueprint.

-Don’t stretch your purse

A prerequisite of zeroing in on a landscaper is a proper fund planning. In order to have optimum returns on investment, one should be clear on the explicit range of services one is looking for, in order to have that envisaged landscape.

-Do your homework

Hiring a professional landscaper is an investment. Don’t rush into it. Look out for all those contractors who are renowned in your area for their services. Visiting their respective websites for detailed information as well as photographs of their previous ventures is one of doing it. Browsing the “Yellow Pages” is yet another conventional way to follow. However the best possible method is actually seeing for yourself the creations of one such landscaper you would like to hire. Assure yourself of a contractor’s credentials based on recommendations from others.

-Delve deeper

Your money will be worst spent if you land up hiring someone who is least bothered to handle your project. Evaluate the kind of importance the landscaper is ready to give to the accomplishment of your venture.

Finding the right landscaper amounts to hitting upon that individual who is committed to his task and makes worthwhile contributions to your venture. Financial limitations and personal penchants are other significant aspects of your final selection…Wish you all the best in finding the your ideal landscaper.



CLARK

Jeff Halper asked:


Maybe you’ve been collecting residential landscape designs for a while. Perhaps you saw a Japanese garden design at a friend’s house that captured your imagination. Or maybe it was a Mediterranean garden design with sweet herbs right off the vine, relaxed spaces for entertainment, and lush, practical vegetation. Possibly your space is limited and you’re looking for small garden design ideas that will have a big impact.

If you’re making plans to change your residential landscape design, a good place to start is with landscape designers or landscape architects. These competent landscape professionals take you through the entire design development process, which includes consultation and program development, analysis of your property, conceptual landscaping design, construction documentation and permitting. And then on towards turning the vision in your mind into a concrete reality.

Ideas for Residential Landscape Design

? Landscape lighting. From a practical urban landscaping standpoint, the right landscape lighting provides security and safe access. It allows you to showcase beautiful trees and garden elements, while simultaneously letting you control what you don’t want people to see by leaving some things dark. It is often a relatively inexpensive way to boost your property value.

? Outdoor water fountains. Outdoor water fountains make a graceful statement about a home by creating a pleasing and welcoming focal point. They are especially beneficial as camouflage for all the white noise we live with, such as traffic, air-conditioning units and lawn mowers.

? Pool design. Various geometrics, materials and plantings can be used to create the style that suits you-a water work of art, a cocktail pool, an Olympic-sized pool or a water-park for children are just a few examples. Pools are usually designed by an architect who manages the construction and oversees all the details.

? A “green” green garden. That is, a garden that is ecologically smart, prudent and sustainable. “With a design for a green garden, the goals are basically the same as for any other landscape project with a special focus on reducing the main concerns of ongoing landscape maintenance: watering, trimming, weeding and mulching,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds.

Residential Landscape Design: The Unsung Heroes

A well-thought-out drainage system and irrigation system have a big impact of the health of your yard-and on your enjoyment of it. Drainage systems are an important part of any Houston residential landscape design and include catch basins, channel drains and French drains. Drainage systems impact your residential landscape maintenance by preventing standing water that can cause mosquito breeding grounds, slippery surfaces, and washed-out landscaping. A proper landscape drainage system is essential for the care of your lawn as it removes water from your property in a timely manner, thus encouraging healthy plants and allowing your maintenance crew to perform their regular lawn service duties.

Irrigation systems help you deliver the correct amount of water to the appropriate plant material. They allow your landscape to be separated by zones into lawn, bed and color areas that require different watering conditions due to varying plant materials and sunlight conditions. They do this by utilizing controller box technologies, such as timers, time delays and rain sensors, that let you set a regular schedule for your landscape watering needs while, at the same time, allowing you to switch to manual for unexpected events.

It is best when drainage systems and irrigation systems work in concert with each other. Irrigation and drainage contractors can develop a whole-system approach so that the nuts and bolts of both systems are hidden as much as possible. If that method can’t be done, custom decorative drain gates can be used to reduce the negative visual impact. The overall goal is for the design and location of the two systems to be in harmony with the design of the rest of the landscape.



LOUIS

Jeff Halper asked:


Most homeowners already have one or more Most homeowners already have one or more landscaping design ideas fixed firmly in their mind when they contact Exterior Worlds. They may have seen visited our landscaping design portfolio and seen the work we have done for other homeowners in neighborhoods like West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and Tanglewood. They may have seen photographs of properties in a reputable publication that inspired certain landscape design ideas based on several motifs that caught their eye, or they may be have had a passion for a certain cultural style such as French, Italian, or Japanese that they have always wanted to develop on their own personal homestead.

Regardless of the origin of such inspiration, it is important that you work with a Houston Landscaping Service that can help you more fully develop your landscaping design ideas in a manner that compliments the appearance of your home and helps extend its living space outdoors in a way that fully expresses the core values and subjective sentiments of your own personal lifestyle.

Make your landscape a virtual, organic extension of your home’s structure and aesthetic.

When you meet with your landscaping architect for the first time, try to develop landscaping design ideas that will compliment the architecture of your house. No matter how small or large your home actually is, it represents the most dominant feature of your landscape, and as such, cannot be ignored. Any outdoor structures such as an arbor, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, patio fireplace, or special walkway needs to reflect the basic design principles that distinguish your house from surrounding structures.

The swimming pool in particular is something you should pay very close attention to. Most swimming pool construction that is done independently from a landscaping plan tends to focus only on making the pool itself functional and aesthetically pleasing. We see this all the time when we work on older homes that were build in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The pool looks fantastic in and of itself, but it clashes severely with surrounding terrain and home architectural features. We commonly have to remodel swimming pools significantly, or rebuild them all together, to harmonize the poll with the surrounding landscape.

Garden design is another area that you should really rely upon professional expertise to help develop. While you may already have dozens of landscaping design ideas in mind about what types of flowers, shrubs, and trees will look best in your yard, please keep in mind that vegetation groupings constitute forms in and of themselves that either work with or against the appearance of your house. A good example would be some of the contemporary landscapes we have done in our landscaping portfolio section which required us to plant some very unique vegetation patterns to truly do justice to the unique elements that constituted a particular home’s appearance.

Think form follows function when developing a landscaping plan.

The best landscaping design ideas will develop forms around practical use of open areas. After all, the more beautiful your landscape, the more you are going to want to go outside and experience it firsthand. Activities will naturally follow, so coming up with a clear picture of what you intend to ultimately do when you are outdoors will help you more fully develop a plan for development of key areas of your yard. If your ultimate goal is to create entertainment space, then outdoor structures and special environments will need to be built that support the many activities that you and your guests particularly enjoy. If you have children, and you are looking to create special play areas and sports facilities, Houston professional landscapers can help you by subcontracting specialists who can design these facilities (such as courts and practice fields) safely and effectively while still remaining ultimately true to the overall landscaping design idea envisioned in the master plan.

Ornament the landscape to create special space in addition to simply decorating it.

Even something that normally conveys a purely artistic sentiment can play a functional role in the development of your landscaping design idea. Your Houston landscaping company can help develop special patio and seating areas that are aside just for you. Here, you can reflect, meditate, read the paper, and enjoy the morning over conversation and coffee. Fountains and sculptures, though typically categorized as purely decorative, can take on a new, more subtle role as boundary markers between public space, children space, and special, private space. Landscape lighting can then be installed around these areas to maintain these boundaries during the night as well as the day. In this sense, one single landscape can be turned into many smaller landscapes; each represented by its own unique features, forms, purposes, and carefully designed ideas.

fixed firmly in their mind when they contact Exterior Worlds. They may have seen visited our landscaping design portfolio and seen the work we have done for other homeowners in neighborhoods like West University, Bellaire, River Oaks, and Tanglewood. They may have seen photographs of properties in a reputable publication that inspired certain landscape design ideas based on several motifs that caught their eye, or they may be have had a passion for a certain cultural style such as French, Italian, or Japanese that they have always wanted to develop on their own personal homestead.

Regardless of the origin of such inspiration, it is important that you work with a Houston Landscaping Service that can help you more fully develop your landscaping design ideas in a manner that compliments the appearance of your home and helps extend its living space outdoors in a way that fully expresses the core values and subjective sentiments of your own personal lifestyle.

Make your landscape a virtual, organic extension of your home’s structure and aesthetic.

When you meet with your landscaping architect for the first time, try to develop landscaping design ideas that will compliment the architecture of your house. No matter how small or large your home actually is, it represents the most dominant feature of your landscape, and as such, cannot be ignored. Any outdoor structures such as an arbor, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, patio fireplace, or special walkway needs to reflect the basic design principles that distinguish your house from surrounding structures.

The swimming pool in particular is something you should pay very close attention to. Most swimming pool construction that is done independently from a landscaping plan tends to focus only on making the pool itself functional and aesthetically pleasing. We see this all the time when we work on older homes that were build in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The pool looks fantastic in and of itself, but it clashes severely with surrounding terrain and home architectural features. We commonly have to remodel swimming pools significantly, or rebuild them all together, to harmonize the poll with the surrounding landscape.

Garden design is another area that you should really rely upon professional expertise to help develop. While you may already have dozens of landscaping design ideas in mind about what types of flowers, shrubs, and trees will look best in your yard, please keep in mind that vegetation groupings constitute forms in and of themselves that either work with or against the appearance of your house. A good example would be some of the contemporary landscapes we have done in our landscaping portfolio section which required us to plant some very unique vegetation patterns to truly do justice to the unique elements that constituted a particular home’s appearance.

Think form follows function when developing a landscaping plan.

The best landscaping design ideas will develop forms around practical use of open areas. After all, the more beautiful your landscape, the more you are going to want to go outside and experience it firsthand. Activities will naturally follow, so coming up with a clear picture of what you intend to ultimately do when you are outdoors will help you more fully develop a plan for development of key areas of your yard. If your ultimate goal is to create entertainment space, then outdoor structures and special environments will need to be built that support the many activities that you and your guests particularly enjoy. If you have children, and you are looking to create special play areas and sports facilities, Houston professional landscapers can help you by subcontracting specialists who can design these facilities (such as courts and practice fields) safely and effectively while still remaining ultimately true to the overall landscaping design idea envisioned in the master plan.

Ornament the landscape to create special space in addition to simply decorating it.

Even something that normally conveys a purely artistic sentiment can play a functional role in the development of your landscaping design idea. Your Houston landscaping company can help develop special patio and seating areas that are aside just for you. Here, you can reflect, meditate, read the paper, and enjoy the morning over conversation and coffee. Fountains and sculptures, though typically categorized as purely decorative, can take on a new, more subtle role as boundary markers between public space, children space, and special, private space. Landscape lighting can then be installed around these areas to maintain these boundaries during the night as well as the day. In this sense, one single landscape can be turned into many smaller landscapes; each represented by its own unique features, forms, purposes, and carefully designed ideas.



CHESTER

Jeff Halper asked:


Regardless of whether it is a dramatic modern landscape design or english landscaping, a well-planned, well-maintained property says something about the owner. The well thought-out landscape plan and profession landscape service conveys a message about who you are and can make the property stand out among all the others on the street.

Professional Landscape Service: Design

Landscaping has proven itself as a means of increasing your property’s value, both residential and commercial. In creating a memorable landscape, you can benefit from the services of experienced professional landscape designers or landscape architects. A competent landscape professional helps you develop a plan and walks you through the entire design process that includes consultation, program development, analysis of the site, conceptual landscaping design, construction documentation and dealing with permitting issues.

Professional Landscape Service: Residential Maintenance

Once you have invested in a landscape design and installation, it only makes sense to care for it, protect it and make sure it develops as planned. And that’s where a landscape maintenance program comes in.

The key elements of a professional landscape service program for your home include the care of shrubs, ground cover, vines, lawn and flower beds. For example, hedges, shrubs and bushes need to be trimmed regularly to maintain the desired shape. Ground cover and vines should be edged for a neat effect. The lawn needs to be mowed, edged, watered and fed. Flower beds need to be weeded weekly. Also mulch should be turned every two weeks to make sure that the exchange of air and water into the soil flows properly. For optimal growth and bloom cycles for your seasonal flowers, they need to be pruned and fertilized regularly.

Trees, valuable assets all by themselves, need attention, too. Small trees should be trimmed as necessary. It is also a good idea to schedule deep root fertilization on an annual basis. Before you undertake any new construction or remodeling, a tree preservation program should be developed.

Regularly scheduled landscape service ensures that all the plant material is healthy, looks good and conforms to the original design.

Professional Landscape Service: Commercial Maintenance

For commercial properties, the same maintenance duties are required as for residential properties. Additionally, most commercial establishments have landscape lighting since it is such a good way to give the property 24/7 visibility. Landscape lighting creates a memorable and dramatic nighttime effect for the property.

Lighting is a big crime deterrent, making safety one of the most important benefits that landscape lighting delivers. It is particularly invaluable to establishments that conduct business at night, such as hotels, restaurants, social clubs, country clubs, colleges, schools and museums. Regardless of its sophistication, a landscape lighting system needs to be regularly looked after and properly maintained as part of your landscape service.

Irrigation systems are another common feature of commercial properties. The end goals with such systems are money savings, time savings and convenience. Irrigation systems separate the grass, beds and color areas into different zones, each requiring different water amounts due to the different plant types, sunlight conditions and weather. A well-run irrigation system supplies the appropriate amount of water to the right area.

With Houston’s heavy soils, low-lying areas and torrential rains, drainage systems are essential. They protect the property from flooding. They protect the foundation of the building(s) from cracking and uneven shrinkage or swelling. And they properly drain roofs and landscaped areas to avoid standing water that can cause breeding grounds for mosquitoes, slick surfaces or flooded landscaping. A landscape drainage system should be developed, installed and maintained as a whole, therefore it is necessary that all the fixtures work together. This way you are ensured that you’re getting the full benefit of the system.



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