Why Do I Need a Landscape Plan?

2011-09-16T14:14:00.000-07:00

Let's first preface by saying that not everyone needs a landscape plan. If your plan is to stay in your current residence only a couple of years and you just want to the enhance a portion of your property then a landscape plan may not be required. A couple of quick sketches during a consultation may be suffice to convey an idea to a landscape contractor, or to do your self. But if you have expectations for a cohesive outdoor environment with spaces for entertainment, recreation, gardens and more, then a detailed, well thought out plan is essential to it's successful implementation.

It all starts with a good designer. Your landscape designer should be knowledgeable, experienced, observant, artistic, and above all else, a good listener. With these traits a designer will have the capacity to develop a landscape program which is both sensitive to your expectations and to the site on which it will be implemented.

Let's define a landscape program. A landscape program is a plan of action. Everything discussed during the initial consultation (your vision, lifestyle, theme, time frame, budget, etc...) and everything observed by the designer (dwelling, furniture, art, site conditions, etc...) are compiled for the development of an effective plan of action. In effect establishing the scope of the project and laying the groundwork for the landscape design process.

The landscape design process generally has three phases; the site analysis, the preliminary plan, and the final landscape plan.

Before

The site analysis should be a thorough study of the property. It's purpose is to create a base map showing all existing elements on the site which will have an influence on the landscape design. Surface water run-off patterns, elevation changes, existing structures, vegetation, views to and from neighboring properties, noise, sun and shade patterns, are all elements to be studied and documented on the base map. The base map is the foundation on which the landscape plan is built.

The preliminary landscape plan is a conceptual drawing or set of drawings created to convey to you, the client, the solutions and intent of the designer to satisfy the established landscape program. Another way to describe the preliminary landscape plan is a primitive version of the final landscape plan. This is a very important phase in the design process because it allows you to preview and give feedback to the designer. During the preliminary plan presentation; the design is fine tuned, project costs are examined, and materials are selected based on those costs and budget. Once this phase of the landscape design process is completed to your satisfaction the designer can then move toward the completion of the final landscape plan.

Landscape Plan

The final landscape plan is a scaled drawing or a set of drawings with the purpose of supplying all the information required for proper installation of your landscape. The more detailed the plan the less likelihood of ambiguities leading to misinterpretation by the contractor. Thus, the landscape plan(s) complexity should be directly proportional to the complexity of the project. For example: A foundation planting plan will not need nearly the detail and documentation as a master backyard plan with a pool, outdoor kitchen, arbor, gardens, lighting, etc... Your landscape plan is the reference from which your contractor(s) bids, schedules and installs your project.

After

So, if your plans are to enhance the property surrounding your dwelling with more than a few trees and shrubs then the process described above is recommended. The initial investment in a landscape plan will pay high dividends. Costly mistakes such as; improper plant selection, awkward transitions, drainage complications, poor material selection, inadequate space allocation, budget miscalculations, and so on, can all be avoided by hiring a qualified landscape designer to create a comprehensive landscape plan. Your experience during the implementation will be more enjoyable and the end results more gradifying.

Landscape Logic, Inc. has been designing landscape plans and aiding in their implementation to create unique, functional and esthetically pleasing outdoor environments in Charlotte and the surrounding communities for over a decade.

Landscape installed by Sisk Landscape Company. http://www.sisklandscapes.com/

Living Walls

2011-08-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

During the past decade Landscape Logic has been designing outdoor environments in the Charlotte, North Carolina metro area. Do to the topography of the region many of our clients properties are sloped, creating two major issues. Erosion from surface water run-off and limited outdoor living/recreational space. Terracing the property has almost always been the solution.  Terracing slows the momentum of the surface water and creates level areas for pools, patios, lawn areas, etc... . The major drawbacks to terracing are retaining wall costs and unless natural stone can be absorbed into the budget, a visually cold, institutional feel.

A couple of years ago my sister called me from her home in Maryland. She asked me if I'd ever heard of a living wall. My response was no. She had an erosion issue at the back of her driveway and a local contractor presented her with the living wall as an option. I began researching the living wall (Vegetated Wall by Filtrexx) and became intrigued with the product.  I was also intrigued with the other numerous products they offered and their endless applications.   I contacted the local distributor (Filtrexx Carolinas), obtained specifications and shortly there after began incorporating their products into designs.

The following link will give a great overview of their products. http://www.youtube.com/filtrexx

The living wall is a simple concept. It's a tubular mesh system, which Filtrexx calls Soxx, filled with a growing medium (compost).   The Soxx can be filled with seeded (grasses, wildflowers, etc..) compost or plugged with vegetation after installation.   They can be laid side by side and secured to a slope to prevent erosion or stacked like a retaining wall to create terraces. After about a year they are shrouded in vegetation and become living walls. The beauty of the product is that it can be incorporated into any landscape theme.  This is achieved by the way it's configured and by selecting the appropriate planting materials. It works in both formal and natural landscapes. The cascading vegetation reduces heat and absorbs reflective light around patio spaces creating a soothing environment. In planting areas it blends in with surrounding vegetation making it's retaining structure undetectable.  The Vegetative Wall and Slope Stabilization systems are also cost effective, costing half to two thirds that of a traditional retaining wall.

Landscape Logic, Inc. has recently teamed with Eco-FX (Filtrexx Carolinas) as a designer/representative to design and implement environmentally responsible landscape solutions.

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Why Do I Need a Landscape Plan?

Living Walls