Planning landscaping for a large property can be overwhelming, but it is important to plan it as a whole

Whether you are working on a plan for a large suburban property or even enormous country acreage, it is very important to plant the entire property at once. This will help you get it right the first time and avoid re doing piecemeal attempts. Certainly it is not unusual to make adjustments as your plan comes to life but you will avoid impulsive mistakes.

A very large property is full of opportunities but also leaves a lot of room for mistakes if you don’t plan carefully. One lovely advantage is you are able to use a lot of very large plants shrubs and trees that most homeowners just do not have room for. And once you get down to the fine tuned details you will also be able to use the smaller plants in pots, edgings, sitting areas, etc.

The Master Plan

Expect to spend quite a bit of time with your planning. Be sure to “map” out the property on grid paper to be sure you plan space appropriately. Definitely use pencil to easily make modifications. There is so much to consider, so you may even just want to start simple with rough sketches for ideas and to get thoughts on paper before you begin a master plan on grid paper.

• What functional areas do you need? Play area, fire pit, gardens, water feature, shady sitting area?

• Where should each functional area be located? An herb garden just outside the kitchen door? A play area for young children in easy sight? A smoky fire pit far from open windows?

• Plan your landscape from the inside too! What do you want to see from the kitchen window? From a bedroom balcony? From the home office? Your landscape should be pleasing from any view point and in every season.

• Evaluate your property surroundings. You may want certain views to remain exposed, others to be hidden. A living privacy screen for your deck or patio may be desirable. You may want to invite summer breezes or shield areas from winter winds. Do be careful about trying to create a windbreak, it is not as straightforward as you might think.

• A transition area of natural plants and longer grass between mowed lawn and large outer plantings will keep the maintenance down.

The Planting Zones

• The largest of your trees and shrubs should generally be used in the furthest areas from your home. The largest of trees available do get enormous, so a midsize tree could be used for shade closer to structures.

• Remember that woody plants live a very long time, some trees will live a hundred years or more. When you go to your local nursery the plant size is at maturity, not necessary the size it can ultimately reach. For shrubs that is typically the size it reaches in about 10 years, but it may continue to grow for another 20 years or more.

• Do select the longest living trees, shrubs and perennials to avoid replacing large numbers of plants. Several years goes by quickly when it comes to digging up and replacing plants.

• Evaluate microclimates throughout the property. You will find windy exposed areas, sheltered, warm sunny spots, dry, moist…all these conditions should be considered when selecting plants.

• Needy plants should be reserved to areas closes to the water spigot. Plants further out should be drought tolerant, require little or no fertilization, deadheading or pruning, and not fussy about conditions. Otherwise you will be lugging water, tools and baskets tending to them.

The Visual Impact

• Plant in large groupings, repeating plants to achieve harmony, size to achieve balance.

• Use bold foliage colors spring, summer and fall.

• Plant large swaths of flowering shrubs or perennials. Mass plantings of a single flower creates drama even using soft pastels. Use perennials that you can divide and add to the next planting bed.

Installation

• Any challenges with grade or drainage should be addressed before any planting or hardscape installations. Soil improvements can be managed before each phase begins.

• Identify smaller phases to install one at a time. Plan according to available funds and planting seasons. Prioritize areas most important to complete first.

• Although it is tempting to start with foundation plantings or gardens, it is important to get your large trees and plants established first. It will take a few years for them to show meaningful growth.

• Don’t try to accomplish too much too quickly if you are doing the work yourself.

With these basics in mind, you can learn and plan first about landscape design and then about designing your gardens.