Landscape Design, Austin

Lisa's Landscape & Design ♦ 07/12/2020 ♦ 3 Comments

Why does it matter how your design is created? Because aside from receiving a beautiful one of a kind work of art, your vision board and inspiration, it also takes an educated artist to create a landscape design that translates your needs.

Landscape Design Made Easy

My hand drawn designs for the Austin and surrounding area are created to scale and completes a picture of your dreams into one cohesive, easy to follow design. 

Education of Plants and Trees 

Anyone can learn to design on a computer. Most of the software includes plant lists and design tools. I went to school to learn CAD and did it once for a client who looked at the blueprint style illustration and seemed puzzled. So, the next design I created was hand drawn and the clients response was all I needed to know.

Color and textures are powerful visuals so I began studying the best landscape architects and fell in love with the technique. It’s only as successful as the designer is educated.

If you’re in Austin Texas or the surrounding planting zone 8 a/b, we can design online. I provide online landscape designs for out of area clients and anyone with a relatively simple layout. Particularly now that many of us are home anyway.

I include on-site visits to a limited sphere in and around the Austin area and can give a full price through photos and a basic description of your needs. 

After consulting for 20 years, simple topography such as drainage and elevation are easily conveyed with video and photos. Downspouts have to be addressed and any flooding or erosion needs to be recorded and accounted for.
Lighting evaluation is also essential to a successful design.

Texas is The Only Texas

All the pretty plants from the Lowes and Home Depot won’t cut it in Central Texas. We need deer resistant, low water, raging sun, 115 in the shade kind of plants. This begins by knowing the native and adapted plants for our regions/hardiness zone.

Designers Ask Questions 

Your designer should ask for your survey, photos of the sunlight at different times of day and a basic outline of your needs, wants and desires. Photo examples of the types of landscape, patio or pool can be helpful, but your designer should be able to meet the mark fairly quickly if all of your needs are in writing.

A Landscape Designer should understand the budget if necessary and provide options for cost cutting in plant size or materials. Local stone is always cheaper but you shouldn’t skimp on metal, decking, trees for privacy or quality labor.

Your designer should work with you on the plants that best suit your taste and you should want to be part of that decision. Look up the plants that are chosen for you and do your homework on what’s going into your yard.

If something doesn’t speak to you, ask for options. Many times there are several plants that can work in that space, but trust your qualified designer when they tell you otherwise.

Only Native and Adapted 

Don’t bring your azaleas here, this is Central Texas. Where alkaline meets rock and clay, in a dirt splitting drought or all the flooding rain at once. If your designer is too agreeable, move on.

A Great Design Takes Time

A design can take weeks or months to complete so plan accordingly. Your designer should provide you with photo examples of preferred stone, fire pits, water features, fencing or any materials that may help in bidding.

Not all designs and concepts are in color and this is an even better reason to look up the plant profile and be sure the layout makes sense, you have a combinations of evergreen and color all year, and you need to know they are a plant specialist for your hardiness zone.

I have spent the first 15 years of my career as a professional Gardener, providing complete residential installations, consultations and organic education.

I use this knowledge to customize each space and make the most of the properties assets by creating living spaces, privacy and shade, using sustainable practices for a symbiotic relationship with both nature and functionality.

A designer who has never worked with these plants does not understand the variables of growth rate in sun vs shade, the trimming needed to maintain them, timing of trimming or if you should trim at all. You also need to understand watering and proper planting and timing. 

Peach Trees

Paddle Cactus

Hard scapes and color schemes

Dry creek beds

Xeriscape designs

Potted plants

Anole Lizard is a beautiful friend. Sweet as can be and eat lots of bad guys.

Belinda‘s dream rose

Century plant flower

Plant recommendations

Custom pavers

River rock and patio stone

Onions

There Is No Such Thing As A Free Design

Anyone who offers a free design to get your job is either giving you a cheap design or charging you for the work in the price of the project. Either way, there’s no incentive to be thoughtful, only to make the most profit in the end. 

Having hands in the soil the best education you’ll ever get. I am a Master Gardener, certified Landscape Designer, organic and conservation specialist, certified in organics, water conservation and Oak Wilt. None of this has given me the education hands in the dirt have over the last 25 years.

Working with a designer who knows plants as well as installation is a huge asset to you. We can stay truer to budget, understand the maintenance requirements for specific styles and plants and draw a pretty cool sketch/design too.

Education is Key

While great designs can look a lot of different ways, Xeriscape starts with the right plants, in the right place with the right materials and proper techniques. Your designer should also be your educator.

You should receive proper DYI instructions and online support after the sale. Watering, timing, proper planting and local resources for the materials needed to complete the task should be outlined as well as estimated plants and materials. The theme is “hands on”, from concept to creation and beyond. No matter the style of design that inspires you, be sure your designer has had “Hands On” experience In Central Texas landscapes.

Examples of My Work

Xeriscape designs

Lueder Stone

River rock sidewalks

In this photo, simple metal edge and a thoughtful design were all that was needed to finish this construction project. Effective and inexpensive.

Don’t work with your designers referral unless they’re the best people for the job. Try to find at least 3 people to bid on your project and do as much yourself as you can. This not only saves you money, but develops a sense of ownership.
Now, more than ever, we all need a sanctuary and there’s no better time to get planning than right now. Text or call me at 512-733-7777, or better yet email me with details to Lisalapaso@gmail.com.

Lisa LaPaso

”Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”