How do you think?

[cgland]

Do you guys design your plantings around your hardscape feature or do you approach it from the "green side" and think of the plantings first and how they will enhance your hardscape?

Chris

[kris]

Chris I am not a designer so Im just going to comment on how I think I would do it. ..first off I guess if the customer wanted a tree in a specific spot to block a neighbors window etc then that would have to be first consideration . For the most part I would design the hardscape, plan for the caliper size trees(again..do they want some privacy on the patio I just designed) and then fill it in...much like the way you go in and build it.

[MuirView Design]

I must admit I'm a plant guy at heart. I always think about the planting as I generally get asked by most customers to design both the hard and softscape simultaneously. Generally creating inlets and sightlines for where my specimens are going to go is one of the first thoughts I have when I sit down to start a sketch. When meeting a homeowner I also will pick their brain for their likes and dislikes in plant types and trees and I"ll have a general idea of plants and trees going into the design.

[cgland]

I believe that the hardscape feature is the predominant element of any design. The softscape exists only to enhance it and create a more useable, comfortable space. Is one more important than the other, no but you certainly must consider both when sitting down to the drawing table.

Chris

[mrusk]

As long as the same person designs each plan, I think the hardscape should be done first. We always do a hardscape concept plan first before we procede with the planting plan.

[GDK]

Any hardscape project that I have worked on had the hardscape elements designed first and then the rough texture is softened by that plants. Seems to work everytime.

[kootoomootoo]

My hardscapes look a million dollars at night....hence the design is based on lighting.....

[Grn Mtn]

my philosophy is the hardscape allows you to enjoy the softscape, both must be considered. unfortunately with my customers, the budget allows only one, but I always present one with the other -as an upsell and just to show how beautiful the whole enchelatta can be.

[yardpro]

i first design any requires structural elements, then weigh both. I will build kicked out half wall height planters, etc..

[MuirView Design]

.

Of course you always design the hardscape first. It's important though when planning a hardscape to keep in mind the planting potential you create within your negative space. It doesn't mean you build a patio around your landscape, you always must build around your hardscape. But, you must always keep in mind how step 2 will tie into step 1.

If you are building a walkway and you are traveling up the side of the garage. And the side of the garage has two windows, which creates a space between them where something in the landscape with height should logically go. Well, if you are curving your walkway, you should perhaps try to create your curve in a way that it bumps out between the windows to create a potential specimen pocket. Or, if you are going with a certain theme in your landscape....courtyard, formal, english garden, whimsical, etc. then perhaps you might want to give more thought about how your hardscape effects the layout created for the landscape.

In most cases though, the nature of the hardscape will dictate exactly how the landscape will go. A lot of times, I may do a landscape design and a hardscape design at the same time and by the time the hardscape is done, I see the landscape differently and end up changing the design entirely.

[tthomass]

I layout my hardscape first and then adjust it to accommodate certain plants if need be. Boulders are easy to work with as you can create all kinds of little nooks for plants.

[4seasons]

I kind of approach it from both views. Even though its easier to landcape after you know what the hardscape is gonna look like.