What is a Landscape Site Plan?

February 10, 2015 | By webadmin

The process of building a new landscape, or renovating an old one, can be a daunting process. It can be hard to figure out exactly where to start! Are you ready to hire a landscape architect for your project, or are you just starting the process of finding the right fit? Wherever you are in the process, it’s good to understand what to expect once you begin working with a landscape architect or designer.

Once you hire a landscape architect, they should get to know you and your needs. They’ll ask what you hope to gain from a new landscape be it a place to relax, play with family, cook outdoors, or entertain. Next, they’ll ask you questions to better pinpoint your style preferences -- contemporary, traditional, natural or possibly Mediterranean. Then, based on the information you give to them, they’ll begin work on a plan for your outdoor space.

Next, you’ll see a site plan. This is usually the first presentation you’ll see of your new landscape. It could be very detailed, showing specific paving or plants; or, it may only show sections where paving or plants may be. Either way, understanding what you are looking at will give you confidence in knowing what questions to ask or suggestions to make that will lead to your dream landscape.

A site plan will include the following:

• The footprint of the house.
• A footprint of any other structure including detached garages, pools and drives.
• A property line drawn as a dash around the entire home and landscape.
• Allowances for setbacks and rights-of-way.
• Utility information, including water lines, gas lines, and underground plumbing that could be damaged during install.
• Existing trees and plants, proposed trees and plants: both using icons and drawn to scale. Trees should show canopy width.
• A north direction symbol and a legend explaining icons and symbols.
• A list of plants to be used in your unique landscape.

We will generally draw your landscape site plan in an illustrative, colorful style so you have a good feel for what the theme and overall finished plan look will be like. We’ll sit down and discuss the plan with you. We’ll go over plant choices, scale of the landscape, proposed hardscape spaces and irrigation. The site plan phase is a great time to make changes, ask questions or add additions to the landscape. We help you imagine yourself in your new landscape!

A few questions to consider and ask.

• Do you have easy access to your most used spaces?
• Are the major elements such as the pool, home or patio in the right place?
• Does the overall landscape feel like a space you could live in?
• Is it the style you envisioned? Does it fit your personal taste?
• Will the landscape meet all of your requirements to each member of your family?

Once the final design is chosen, we’ll organize and begin the installation. Our expert team will install all hardscape and plants properly so your plants will thrive over time. Installation is also a good time to discuss long term maintenance. We can help to keep the lawn properly mowed and the plants fed using an organic maintenance plan.

Ready to dive into designing your new outdoor space? Now is the time to give us a call for spring designs and installation. Not ready to begin? Be inspired on Houzz and Pinterest!