A good garden design is about the selection and arrangement of plants, but a Melbourne landscape architect by a landscape architect also incorporates surfaces, structures and systems.
Every gardener knows that plants change throughout the year and that planning a really beautiful garden needs to be an all-season project. It’s important to think about how each part of the garden will look in spring, summer, autumn and finally, winter. That, along with the geometry of the garden, is the first level of the design. Then, there’s the issue of sun and shade, and that changes each day as the sun rises and sets, and throughout the year as the sun’s arc changes. Which plants will thrive in each area? Finally, there’s the issue of native and non-native species. Native flora supports native fauna, and some non-native species can be either invasive or difficult to maintain.
A professional landscape architect doesn’t stop with the design of the garden itself, however. Landscape architects design pools and water features. They design pavement and lighting. They plan for drainage and they work with furniture and with art. Gardens can even be designed with outdoor kitchens. Landscape architects can give their customers a space that meets their needs just as fully as the interior of their home or building. More than that, they can create a dynamic outdoor environment that brings people and nature together.
That’s what a full professional garden design can incorporate, not just plants but pavers, water, lighting and outdoor living spaces. On top of that, there are often practical considerations related to city planning and local authority approvals.