good landscape design is more than just picking pretty plants

when i create a landscape design for homes in naperville, plainfield, batavia, geneva, wheaton, downers grove, lisle, and the western suburbs of chicago, i'm not just thinking about how the plants will look on day one. i’m thinking about how they’ll grow, how they’ll feel when you brush past them, and how the colors and textures will change with the seasons. good design is about bringing together all the pieces — sight, touch, balance, and long-term performance — into one beautiful, living picture.

i spend a lot of time studying the sun and shade patterns around your home because light matters so much in making sure the plants thrive. a plant that loves full sun won't be happy tucked under a shady tree, and a shade-lover will wither if it’s blasted with afternoon heat. it’s all about matching the right plants to the right places from the very start.

another big part of the design process is knowing the mature sizes of plants. the wrong size plant can really wreak havoc on a design over time and can overtake other plants and even your home if we're not careful. i always plan for how big everything will get over the years, so your garden doesn’t feel overcrowded or messy down the line. this also cuts down on the hours spent maintaining your garden. almost all of my clients are looking for a beautiful yard but with low maintenance. siting the right size plants is key. another benefit is that shrubs that don’t need to be pruned look more natural and more beautiful than the shrubs that need to be harshly pruned. we love the natural shape of the plantings in most gardens, unless we’re specifically designing for a very formal, tailored look.

water needs are also a huge consideration. i choose plants that fit your yard’s natural conditions, whether that's dry, sandy soil or a spot that tends to stay a little moist. the goal is to create a landscape that's beautiful and easy to care for — no constant watering or stressing out over plants that just aren't happy where they are.

rabbits are another concern. if you live in an area with a healthy rabbit population (and many neighborhoods in naperville, plainfield, batavia, geneva, wheaton, downers grove, lisle, and the western suburbs definitely do!), choosing rabbit-resistant plants is absolutely key. i make sure to include plant selections that aren’t their favorite snacks, so your garden stays intact without constant battles or heartbreak. no plant is rabbit proof but there are certain ones that they stay away from. if you are interested in a landscape design for your home, make sure to let me know if you have a lot of rabbits in the area.

good landscape design is all about thinking ahead, making smart choices, and creating a space that you love. the plantings and hardscape should be beautiful, as low-maintenance as possible, and as natural as possible.