Plant Planning 1.0

Take some tips from the professionals when it comes to landscape design and getting started on landscaping projects of all shapes and sizes.

Maybe it begins with nasturtiums in terra-cotta pots or an herb garden on the windowsill. Perhaps the occasional rosebush or stand of poppies. But at some point it becomes a full-on landscaping effort, replete with drawings on bar napkins, eraser lint and do-it-yourself purchases at the local nursery.

What it should never become is a chore. A finely landscaped plot of land is a boon to the exterior appearance of a home, as pleasing to the owner as it is to the neighbors and any future buyers. Every effort expended to make it exactly what you want is worth its weight in gold.

But how do you start?

You’ve got a shovel, a hoe and maybe some stone. You’ve got a “great idea.” And in all probability, you’ve got no clue. What is the difference between home landscaping and a landscape architect’s project? What are the top five things to consider when looking at your particular site? And when should you bite the bullet and hire someone to make your dream a reality— one that lasts longer than a year, one that doesn’t become a nightmare?

Homestead turned to local landscape architects Marisa Santacruz, Richard Van Guytenbeek and Rolland Kuhr to help you get your arms around your project. Their answers to our questions might just save you a little grief; they will definitely save you a lot of frustration.

Marisa Santacruz of Verdone Landscape Architects holds a degree in Landscape Architecture from Utah State University as well as a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Chihuahua, Mexico. She points out the difference between a home project and a professional one: “Home design focuses mainly on the outdoor spaces immediately adjacent to the house, the design elements, the wish list of plants, the construction materials,” she says. “Landscape architecture, on the other hand, considers a much broader realm, one that includes an understanding of the systems at work in a site, such as native plants; natural habitat; cultural, ecological or physical systems, things that the untrained eye doesn’t even pick up on.” As such, when these inherent systems pose questions that can’t be immediately answered by the non-pro, Santacruz says it’s time to turn to a dependable firm for help.

Richard Van Guytenbeek of Rendezvous Engineering, points out that five important things to consider are: the site’s property lines and utility easements; horticultural limitations like the size of a mature plant and its effect on surrounding views, the soil it prefers, its water demands; whether or not you’ll be installing hardscape; water usage and drainage; and maintenance.

“A garden shouldn’t just sit there and look pretty,” Richard says. “It should thrive.” He suggests that in our dry and cool Wyoming climate, the home gardener should seriously consider a xeriscape garden. Installing plants that are dependent on water and twitchy when it comes to temperature changes is a better recipe for aggravation and continuing expense than for enjoyment.

But choosing xeriscaping doesn’t mean you should plop plants in the ground and not give it another thought. Van Guytenbeek believes that, especially in Jackson Hole, the home gardener should be conscious of using all the water at hand. That means installing French drains in planting beds that can accept snow melt runoff from roofs or walkways. And using good mulch in spring and fall can protect and feed a garden, providing nutrients and warm cover from freezing temperatures.

Should you choose to work with a landscape architect, the benefits are many. Rolland Kuhr, who runs Naturescape Designs, is a licensed landscape architect, certified and consulting arborist and a licensed commercial pesticide applicator. He points out that, in addition to what the homeowner envisions, there’s a budget to consider and whether the proposed design needs to incorporate play, parking or relaxation areas. Some designs will require grading changes, therefore heavy equipment will be involved. And especially on the sloped moraines of Jackson Hole, retaining walls might need to be installed.

Kuhr adds that certain hard questions can be a good barometer of whether you need professional services. He asks, “Can you properly design and install an adequate irrigation system? Do you know how best to plant a tree? Have you considered the rocky clay soil that challenges plantings in our subalpine climate? Do you understand the substructure entailed in hardscape elements like flagstone patios and walkways? And how much time, energy and funding do you have to devote to the project?”

What it finally comes down to then are the common sense decisions of understanding what you want measured against how much work you want to do, not only for the initial installation, but the ongoing maintenance of your realized dream. There’s much to be gained from undertaking your project, but sometimes a great result calls for a team approach.