Landscape contractors serve a vital role in bringing your project across the finish line. Because of this, choose them wisely!

Here are a few things to consider when you’re ready to select a landscape contractor:

What Services Are You Looking For?

Are you looking for a full installation with hardscape and intricate planting? Overall garden maintenance and pruning? Or are you looking for a straightforward “mow and blow” type operation? Having a clear idea of the scope of work will help you narrow down a list of contractors.

Work Experience and References

Check whether the landscape contractors you’re interested in have a portfolio you can review to get a sense of their skill set and style. Ask them directly if they have any experience doing the work you’re looking to do, and if they have any client references you can contact. Companies that have been around for longer will naturally have more experience, but newer contractors may be able to demonstrate their competence through previous work.

Communication Style

Staying on the same page with your contractor is crucial; make sure you both have a clear way of communicating. Some homeowners want to be more involved and receive frequent updates, while others prefer a more hands-off approach. Talk with the landscape contractor about what they usually prefer, and what has worked for them in the past to make sure you’ll both make a good team.

“Green” and Sustainable Practices

If sustainability and “green” practices matter to you (and they should!), finding a contractor who aligns with your beliefs is important. Clients who don’t want harsh chemical fertilizers and treatments applied to their home landscapes will want a landscape contractor with experience in more organic approaches.

Insurance, Licenses, and Affiliations

The landscape contractor you choose should be properly licensed and insured. Additionally, they should carry liability insurance that will cover any major damage to your property, as well as workers’ compensation.

Some contractors may have affiliations with local professional organizations (like environmental groups) or certifications for specialized work (like irrigation). Ask them about it! 

Billing and Payments

Before hiring them, make sure you know what to expect when it comes time to pay. Do they offer a payment plan? What up-front charges are there? Do they have a weekend/holiday rate?

Once you’ve narrowed down a few potential matches, ask to get a few quotes for your project. Have a budget in mind and know that (as tempting as it may be to go with the lowest bidder) it may not, in the long run, save you the most money or be the best value. It’s better to opt for a contractor with the experience and skill set you need to complete your project successfully than to skimp on quality.

If this feels overwhelming, we are happy to help you! We have experience working with a variety of local contractors and can give you guidance and recommendations.

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Common Landscape Improvements:

1. Plant Refresh and Rebalancing

Over time, plants mature, shift, or outgrow their intended space. Updating plant material, removing overgrown or diseased shrubs, introducing layered plantings, or incorporating seasonal color can instantly revitalize a landscape while maintaining its original character. In other areas, plants may not have reached their expected size—or may have declined altogether—leaving gaps in the design. These moments present the perfect opportunity to introduce a new favorite plant and thoughtfully refresh the composition.

2. Hardscape Enhancements

Walkways, patios, retaining walls, and edging often show wear after years of exposure. Repairing, replacing, or upgrading materials can modernize the space and improve safety. At Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, Inc., we help clients evaluate whether restoration or replacement is the right approach. In some cases, existing pavers can be cleaned, repaired, and refreshed. In others, it may be time to explore new materials that better align with your aesthetic goals and long-term performance needs. When selecting hardscape materials, we consider durability, maintenance requirements, cost, environmental impact, and overall design cohesion.

Enhancements can also expand how you use your outdoor space. Enlarging a patio or defining dedicated seating areas can transform underutilized yards into inviting, purposeful spaces for gathering and relaxation. Sustainability plays an important role in material selection. Options to consider include:

• Sustainably sourced local wood for decking and fencing
• Permeable pavers or permeable concrete for patios, walkways, and driveways
• Locally quarried stone for retaining walls and paved surfaces

Thoughtful hardscape updates not only enhance curb appeal, but also contribute to a more resilient, functional, and environmentally responsible landscape.

3. Lighting Upgrades

Landscape lighting not only highlights architectural and planting features but also improves safety and extends outdoor enjoyment into the evening. Replacing outdated fixtures with energy-efficient LED systems creates a refined, polished appearance while reducing energy consumption. Select fixtures that complement your home’s architectural style and direct light intentionally to achieve the desired effect. Thoughtful, restrained lighting enhances beauty and function without contributing to unnecessary light pollution.

4. Irrigation Improvements

Older irrigation systems often waste water or deliver uneven coverage, which can stress plants and increase utility costs. Upgrading to smart controllers and efficient drip irrigation systems improves plant health while significantly reducing water use. It’s also important to revisit controller schedules to ensure mature plantings receive the appropriate amount of water, as their needs change over time.

In some cases, tree roots may have infiltrated irrigation lines, or sprinkler heads may have been damaged by soil movement, digging, or routine yard maintenance. Inspecting flow rates and evaluating the system as a whole helps identify these issues early. A thorough check ensures the irrigation system is operating efficiently and performing at its full potential.

5. Outdoor Living Additions

Adding fire features, pergolas, built-in seating, or outdoor kitchens can transform an underused yard into a dynamic extension of the home. When thoughtfully designed, these elements should feel seamlessly integrated with the existing landscape—respecting circulation patterns, views, and the architectural language of the house, as well as surrounding landscape features such as hillsides, water features, and trees. When designed well, these features can not only lead to years of enjoyment and memorable days for you and your family but also increase the long-term resale value of your home.  

5. Playful Additions

Swapping out downspouts for rain chains can be a fun way to celebrate and enjoy rainstorms. Here in Portland, we have such stark seasonal differences between our arid summers and inundated winters that it’s easy to forget the joy rain can bring. Rain chains are functional, sustainable, and beautiful. They still direct rainwater, but unlike conventional downspouts, they slow roof runoff so it can more easily infiltrate the soil and not immediately flow into our stormwater sewer systems, thereby replenishing aquifers. They do all that while also providing a musically unique, architecturally distinctive addition to homes. They look great in summer, dry, and come to life during rainstorms.  There are a myriad of ways to collect or direct the stormwater after it exits your rain chain. Thoughtfully integrated into a broader stormwater strategy, rain chains can transform a simple functional element into a beautiful, sensory feature that connects your home more meaningfully to the rhythms of the seasons.

5. Preserving Character While Enhancing Performance

The goal of improving an existing landscape isn’t to erase its history—it’s to enhance what makes it special. Mature trees, established garden beds, and original stonework often provide a sense of permanence and place. Thoughtful updates respect these elements while bringing new life and functionality to the space.

With careful planning and design, even modest improvements can have a significant impact. By assessing what’s working, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and implementing strategic updates, your existing landscape can continue to grow and evolve—beautifully and sustainably—for years to come!

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Before starting a new project, it’s important to have a detailed permitting plan set to minimize project delays, ensure the proposed work is allowable by code, and pay permitting fees only once.

Permitting plans are submitted to the city or governing jurisdiction to ensure the project follows all required building codes. They need to review and approve our plans before work can begin, a process that usually takes a few weeks. If the permit plans are submitted with incomplete information or contain proposed work that doesn’t follow code, there can be significant delays and possible resubmittal fees.

When we take on a project, we spend time reviewing local building codes to make sure what we’re proposing is allowed within the jurisdiction. In some rare cases, we can apply for a variance to the code if there’s something beyond the ordinary we’d like to propose.

Here’s a look at how we approach the permitting process:

1. Research Local Code

We’ll look up the property’s address to find out what jurisdiction the building code applies to. With this information, we’ll be able to determine:

• What is allowable to build without a permit
• What part of the project needs a permit
• What kind of permit is needed

For example: a structural permit for pools, walls, and pergolas; a utility permit if connected to city sewer or water; and a site development permit for major grading and groundwork projects.

2. Ensure Our Design Meets Code

With the local code in mind, we’ll check that our proposed design fits within what’s allowable. It’s important for us to do this before we present our proposed design to the client; we never want to sell a project that isn’t going to be feasible!

3. Gather Info into Permitting Plan Set

Our permitting plan sets consist of an existing conditions drawing showing the site as it stands currently and a simplified landscape plan showing the major elements being proposed (like a pool or pergola), their dimensions, and their distance from property lines and the residence.

Depending on the project, additional plans may need to be included in the set, like tree protection, erosion control, and construction details.

Each jurisdiction has different requirements for what needs to be shown on permitting plans, but some elements are always necessary (property address, acreage, boundaries, setbacks and easements, and labels).

4. Gather Signatures

Many jurisdictions require a licensed professional to stamp drawings prior to submittal. We can stamp landscape projects for Oregon and Washington, and we work with locally licensed contractors and engineers to complete their portion of the permitting set.

5. Submit Permit Application and Wait for Approval

If all goes according to plan, construction can begin once the permit has been approved. Occasionally, a jurisdiction may come back and ask for more information or clarity. If this happens, it’s not the end of the world! We will address the feedback, re-file, and give you an updated timeline for the project.   

While it may seem like a complicated and overwhelming process, we have a lot of experience doing it. Our experience helps to streamline the process, saving you time and money!

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Summer is when landscapes truly come alive. Gardens feel lush, vibrant, and abundant, but this season is also a reminder that thoughtful design and sustainable stewardship are what keep outdoor spaces resilient through heat, drought, and peak growth. At Clement Walsh Landscape Architect Inc., we believe beautiful landscapes should also work in harmony with the environment.

Here’s how to nurture your landscape this June.

1. Feed Soil, Not Just Plants

Annual flowers bring vibrant seasonal color. With consistent blooming comes increased nutrient demand. Instead of traditional synthetic fertilizers, try swapping them out for bone meal or blood meal.  Are your annuals going to be planted straight in the ground? Consider a soil-first strategy by amending the soil with compost and mycorrhiza. Incorporating compost or organic slow-release fertilizers supports healthy root systems while improving soil structure and microbial life. Healthy Soil:

• Retains moisture more efficiently
• Reduces runoff
• Minimizes the need for frequent feeding
• Supports long-term plant resilience

A thriving soil ecosystem leads to stronger plants and more sustainable summer color.

Keep your annuals happy with intentional watering this year. Install a smart drip irrigation system with soil and weather sensors to ensure your annuals get just enough water to stay happy and thriving.

Try planting some of these warm-weather sustainable annuals. Try heirloom varieties to increase biodiversity in your garden.

• Zinnias
• Marigolds
• Nasturtiums
• Sunflowers
• Cosmos

2. Grow with the Season – Thoughtfully

Warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans thrive in June heat. To design a more sustainable edible garden:

• Group plants with similar water needs together (hydrozoning)
• Group vegetables with companion plants to naturally support one another. Classic pairings: Squash, Beans, and Corn (Aka the Three Sisters), or Carrots and Onion, or Squash and Nasturtium
• Rotate crops seasonally through your planting beds or annually, depending on your schedule. In other words, rotate your legumes, root crops, leafy greens, and legumes on a 4-year rotation. This gives micronutrients time to regenerate naturally, keeping the soil healthy and reducing the risk of crop-specific diseases spreading.
• Use drip irrigation to reduce water waste
• Add organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Incorporate partial shade structures for leafy greens to reduce bolting

Designing edible spaces intentionally allows them to be productive while conserving resources. Edible gardens are not just practical—they are experiential landscapes that connect people to the rhythms of nature.

3. Add Bold Summer Color – Sustainably

Summer-flowering bulbs like dahlias provide dramatic seasonal impact. When introducing new plant material:

• Select locally adapted or climate-appropriate varieties. Plant disease-resistant varieties.
• Ensure well-drained soil to prevent rotting and reduce water demand
• Stake taller plants early to avoid breakage and replanting

Strategic plant placement—sun exposure, airflow, soil conditions—reduces stress on plants and lowers maintenance inputs.

4. Create Shade and Comfort

Summer is about making the most of your outdoor space. Thoughtful landscape design can make yards cooler and more comfortable.

Consider:

• Planting shade trees in strategic locations
• Adding pergolas or trellises with climbing vines
• Designing outdoor seating areas that capture breezes
• Using layered planting to reduce reflected heat from hard surfaces

Shade reduces cooling costs for your home and creates inviting spaces for gatherings.

5. Prune with Intention

Maintenance isn’t just about keeping things tidy – it’s about guiding growth.

• Prune flowering vines and shrubs after bloom to maintain structure
• Remove dead or crossing branches to improve air circulation
• Allow spring bulb foliage to naturally die back before cutting

Intentional pruning protects plant health and preserves the architectural quality of your landscape.

6. Designing for Summer Resilience

As temperatures rise, sustainable landscapes depend on:

• Proper plant selection
• Efficient irrigation systems
• Soil health
• Strategic shade
• Reduced turf where appropriate
• Native and pollinator-supporting species

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The Challenges

Many clients come to us wanting more than just inspirational imagery, a traditional plan set, and everything figured out for them. These clients want a certain level of participation in the design and installation of their landscapes, but feel overwhelmed by plant choices, are unsure how best to sequence installation, and worry about making costly mistakes. They need a plan that translates design intent into actionable steps, without requiring a contractor.

Our Design Approach

We have experience developing designs that balance creativity and clarity, providing enough detail to guide a DIY-er through installation while remaining flexible to adapt as the project evolves. Some key elements that our plans include:

• Clear spatial organization that defines outdoor spaces and circulation, ensuring the final landscape has form and function
• Straightforward grading and layouts that avoid complex construction techniques
• Plant selections chosen for availability at local nurseries
• Phasing strategies that allow landscapes to be built over multiple seasons

DIY-Focused Documentation

To support hands-on implementation, our plans are intentionally designed to be user-friendly:

• Dimensioned layout plans without complex curves and angles to simplify staking
• Planting plans with quantities and spacing to eliminate guesswork
• Material callouts and notes with alternatives provided
• Plant choices with maintenance in mind to set the project up for long-term success

By anticipating common DIY challenges, the drawing set you receive will act as both a design document and a practical guide.

Implementation & Flexibility

With this design process, homeowners can implement their projects in phases—starting with hardscape and structure, then adding plantings as time and budget allow. Because of how we design the project’s overall framework, each phase will look intentional and won’t leave you with a landscape that looks like a work in progress. Our plans also give clients the confidence to make small adjustments without compromising the design’s integrity.

Why This Matters

A landscape plan set, specifically designed to be DIY-friendly, serves as more than just a set of drawings. Our plans act as a roadmap, empowering clients with the direction they need to tackle transforming their landscape themselves. For clients who desire a hands-on approach, these plans provide structure, a sense of reduced risk, and ensure that every shovel of soil contributes to a larger vision.

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At Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, we understand that landscapes require thoughtful care. That’s why we offer customized maintenance plans that remove the guesswork and give you (or your maintenance team) clear, seasonally appropriate guidance.

A Smarter Approach to Landscape Care

Our maintenance plans go far beyond a simple checklist. Each plan is tailored to your specific property and addresses the full range of plant and landscape needs, including:

• Proper timing for fertilization
• Strategic pruning schedules
• Plant infilling and replacement recommendations
• Irrigation review and adjustments
• Deadheading and seasonal staking timing recommendations

We also provide detailed guidance on best practices, such as:

• Appropriate mulching techniques
• Lawn clippings management
• Fall cleanup procedures
• Scheduling and coordination of work with specified contractors

Every recommendation is timed and organized in a clear, month-by-month format – so nothing is overlooked and your landscape receives attention exactly when it needs it.

A Month-by-Month Roadmap for your Garden

One of the most valuable aspects of our maintenance program is the detailed monthly breakdown. Rather than reacting to issues as they arise, you’ll have a proactive plan that outlines:

• What tasks should be completed
• When they should occur based on best practices. Timing can be influenced by the plant’s bloom time and avoiding pests that may be attracted to fresh wounds.

This structured approach ensures plant health, protects your investment, and keeps your garden looking its best year-round.

Development of Maintenance Report

The first step in creating your customized maintenance report is a scheduled site walk-through with our team. During this visit, we:

• Evaluate the existing plant material and overall landscape health
• Identify areas of concern or underperformance
• Document the property with photos
• Discuss your goals and expectations

This comprehensive review provides the insight needed to develop a focused, actionable plan tailored to your property.

Ongoing Seasonal Oversight

To keep your landscape on track throughout the year, we recommend three scheduled site visits annually:

• Spring – Assess winter recovery, guide early pruning and fertilization, and prepare for peak growing season
• Summer – Monitor plant health, irrigation performance, and seasonal grooming
• Fall – Plan for dormancy, oversee fall cleanup, and prepare the garden for winter

These seasonal touchpoints allow us to adjust as needed and ensure your maintenance plan continues to support long-term success.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of landscape upkeep, Clement Walsh Landscape Architect, Inc. is here to guide you. Let us create a clear roadmap that keeps your outdoor space healthy, beautiful, and thriving all year long.

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Here are some practical, manageable steps homeowners can take to get their landscape spring-ready!

• Start with a Clean-Up: Pick up fallen branches, remove dead material, cut back perennials (if not done in the fall), and clear out garden beds. Cleaning out beds allows air, sunlight, and water to reach emerging plants.
• Refresh Mulch: Mulch does more than provide a clean backdrop for your plants. Adding a layer of mulch helps to regulate soil temperature, retain moisture, protect tree roots, and suppress weeds. Top-off beds with 1-2 inches of fresh mulch to start your spring garden off right.
• Prune with Purpose: Remove dead and damaged branches and lightly shape summer-blooming shrubs. Avoid heavy pruning on spring-flowering plants (like lilacs or azaleas) until after they bloom (otherwise you risk damaging young leaves and buds).
• Check Your Lawn: A healthy lawn starts with early care! To get the best results, complete your spring lawn maintenance/prep when the soil is thoroughly dry; otherwise, you might unknowingly disturb new grass shoots. Rake lightly to remove thatch buildup, aerate the soil if it feels compacted, fill in bare spots with seed, and top-dress with fine compost.

• Divide and Transplant: Divide summer- and fall-blooming perennials like yarrow, rudbeckia, and echinacea in spring, and divide your spring-blooming perennials after they’ve bloomed (or wait until fall). Dividing and transplanting will help control your plants’ size and health and create new ones for your garden!
• Inspect Irrigation & Drainage: Before the summer heat really sets in, turn on your irrigation system and check for leaks or broken heads. Take some time to adjust spray patterns to avoid poor coverage and overspray onto hardscape (which wastes water). Make sure downspouts and drainage areas are clear.
• Add a Pop of Seasonal Color: Nothing says spring like fresh flowers! Cold-tolerant annuals like geraniums, snapdragons, and primroses can be planted in early spring. Pansies, violas, and other early annuals can be planted in containers by entryways for immediate impact, but keep an eye out for cold-snaps and lingering frost.  

• Feed Your Soil to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Soil, often overlooked, is the largest carbon sink because of the millions of living organisms within it. Keeping soil healthy is a key component to addressing climate change and keeping carbon out of the atmosphere! Minimizing site disturbance, using organic amendments, reducing chemical and fertilizer use, and leaving leaves in the yard to decompose are all positive approaches to enhancing soil health and reducing the carbon footprint.  
• Define Edges & Hardscape: Re-edge garden beds, power wash patios and walkways, and repair loose pavers and stones. These finishing touches create a polished look without major financial investment.
• Evaluate Your Space: Take a quick inventory — what thrived last year? What struggled? Do you wish you had more color? More privacy? A simple, thoughtful plan can help guide your spring purchases and prevent impulse or unnecessary buys.

Getting your landscape spring-ready doesn’t require a full renovation. With a weekend or two of focused effort, you can create a strong foundation for the growing season and enjoy a yard that feels polished and vibrant.

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Below are three ways to approach a February garden design that feels intentional and seasonally inspired.

1. THE RED & BLUSH PALETTE: WARMTH AGAINST THE WINTER

Red and pink plantings bring visual warmth to cold landscapes. In February, strong color reads even more vividly against bare branches, muted grasses, and gray skies.

Structural Plants for Impact: Start with evergreen anchors and winter bloomers:

• Manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita or Arctostaphylos Columbiana)
• Camellia (Camellia japonica) (deep red or blush varieties)
• Red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) for architectural stems
• Valley Valentine Andromeda (Pieris japonica)
• Hellebores in plum, rose, and soft pink
• Heather (Winter blooming Erica) – Favorite cultivars are ‘Kramer’s Red’, ‘Springfield Pink’, ‘Springfield White’ – in well-drained spots!
•  ‘Appleblossom’ Evergreen Clematis (Clematis armandii) may make an early appearance

These plants provide substance and season-long presence.

Early Blooms & Underplanting: Layer in softer notes:

• Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) will bloom as early as February during mild winters
• Kinnikinnic (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
• Primrose in candy pink hues (annuals)
• Pansies (annuals)
• Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) for fairy-tale romantic white accents
• Pastel Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata)

Group together these early bloomers for a bigger impact. Pink reads best when planted in large masses.

2. THE ROMANTIC ROSE GARDEN (EVEN IN WINTER)

Roses may not peak in February, but this is the perfect time to design or prepare a rose-centered planting that carries romance year-round.

Structure First: Roses benefit from strong structure:

• Evergreen Hedges – The Embrace: The living walls that cradle the garden and create a sense of intimacy. A low hedge at the front of the bed softens the transition from path to bloom — try germander or lavender for a clipped, formal edge, or rosemary and oregano for a loose, cottage feel. For velvety texture, lamb’s ear spills gently at the roses’ feet. Behind them, an evergreen backdrop allows the flowers to glow — native evergreen huckleberry offers year-round structure and pollinator value, while a well-chosen ceanothus brings spring bloom and drought resilience in sunny sites. In shadier corners, camellias provide glossy foliage and early flowers to anchor the scene.
• Gravel or Brick Meandering Pathways for Timeless Elegance – The Invitation: Try gentle curving paths that invite you to meander and linger, with maybe a bench to rest and enjoy the garden! Looking for a more romantic cottage garden look or a more naturalistic feel? Try lining gravel paths with partially buried logs and playfully incorporating stump “stepping stones” along the way. These elements add whimsy and soften hard edges while helping contain gravel — all while quietly supporting your garden ecosystem by fostering soil life and beneficial habitat.
• Arbors, Obelisks & Climbing Roses – The Vertical Poetry: Arching blooms overhead, pillars wrapped in fragrance, and roses scrambling over fences — height that feels right out of a storybook!
• A Sculptural Focal Point – The Moment of Pause: This could be a sculpturally interesting log, bird bath, gazing ball, statue, or fountain.

Companion Planting for Romance and Ecological Resilience: Pair roses with soft, complementary blooms that will also help your roses thrive:

Upright vertical structure:

• Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
• Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
• Two-Colored Lupine (Lupinus bicolor)
• Cascade Penstemon (Penstemon cerrulatus)
• Meadow Checkermallow (Sidalcea malviflora)
• Oregon Iris (Iris tenax)
• Catmint

Groundcover to suppress weeds:

• Creeping Thyme
• Viola adunca
• Sedum spatheum

In February, evergreen companions and carefully pruned rose canes provide sculptural interest. Add white hellebores or winter jasmine to carry early-season charm.

3. THE WHITE GARDEN: QUIET ELEGANCE

For those who prefer restraint, a white planting palette offers calm sophistication. White blooms glow in low winter light and extend visual interest into dusk. Consider the following:

• White blooming Andromeda (Pieris)
• Daphne
• Snowdrops
• White hellebores
• Candytuft

Layer with variegated foliage and subtle texture rather than bold color shifts. The result is serene, refined, and timeless.

Bringing It All Together

A February Garden is about emotion as much as bloom time. It’s an opportunity to introduce warmth into cold landscapes, celebrate color intentionally, experiment with themed planting, and create focal points when little else is flowering.

Whether you choose deep red drama, soft blush romance, playful candy tones, or classic white elegance, the key is thoughtful layering and repetition. Even in winter’s quiet, the garden can feel expressive and full of anticipation.

February reminds us that spring is coming—but there’s beauty in designing for this moment, too.

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BENEFITS OF INFILL PLANTING IN LATE FALL:

BENEFITS OF TRANSPLANTING IN LATE FALL:

WE CAN HELP!

Our team offers a garden maintenance consultation, during which we meet on-site to review the existing landscape, assess infill opportunities, and identify plants that would benefit from relocation. We closely examine plant health, spacing, light conditions, and overall plant composition to determine where the landscape can be strengthened.

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Hiring a landscape architect may seem costly upfront, but it can actually save you money in the long run. Below are several key ways a landscape architect can help you save:

1. Efficient Planning: A landscape architect will put together detailed plans which will help avoid costly changes during construction. Comprehensive site visits and analysis ensure long term issues are addressed at the beginning of the project (drainage, grading, sun exposure, privacy etc.)
2. Budget Management: A landscape architect will put together total construction costs in-house to help prioritize needs and implement phases over time. Final plans will be completed to match the budget.
3. Sustainable Design: Landscape architects frequently encourage low maintenance native plants, efficient irrigation and drought tolerant layouts. Sustainable landscapes conserve water, require less maintenance, reduce replacements, and stay beautiful even during dry spells helping the client save resources while protecting the environment.
4. Permitting and Zoning Expertise: A landscape architect is knowledgeable on local code and landscape requirements and will help with effective planning to avoid delays.  
5. Access to reliable contractors and vendors: A landscape architect has trusted contractors they work with on a regular basis that offer competitive pricing and high-quality work. The landscape architect can encourage the client to become the general contractor and assess what they can do on their own vs. what they need to hire out for. Mulching and planting are two areas that the client could do themselves. The client can then work directly with contractors and vendors to help with specific areas.
6. Procurement and Placement of Plants: Landscape architects can procure plants at wholesale pricing and place plants for client approval before planting.

A landscape architect can help you achieve your landscape vision while staying within budget. Reach out to Clement Walsh today to schedule an initial consultation!

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