Are you building the home of your dreams? You probably have selected your architect or house plans already and a builder has the project underway. Have you considered who will design your property’s landscape design? Professionally designed landscaping beautifully connects your home with its surrounding environment. A landscape architect is needed to prepare a beautiful, welcoming yard as the perfect setting for your home.

What is Landscape Architecture?

Landscape architectural design creates beautiful environments by developing:

• A plan for planting flowers, trees, shrubs and other living
plants
• A suitable environment for your home’s architectural style
• Yardscapes based on thorough knowledge of the region’s
climate and most suitable plants
• Simple to complex planting designs
• An overall master plan for the development of the features
you want in your yard over time, including:
patios
pergolas
fire pits
outdoor kitchens
arbors and formal gardens
fountains
outdoor lighting plans
swimming pools (with lanais)

Landscape architects create their designs with both plant materials and building materials. They also are able to work with your home’s architect in the initial design phase to help select the best site on your property for placement of your home, if you’d like.

When you have interviewed with your landscape architect and discussed your needs and wishes for your property, the architect then develops a preliminary concept plan based on your needs and future plans. If you are not financially able to install all of the landscaping features you want as the work begins, the architect can develop a long range plan that includes different phases for developing your whole yard in increments as money allows.

Where to Find the Best Landscape Architect St. Louis Has to Offer

For selecting your landscape architect St Louis has a wonderful organization to which you can turn for information on best professionals in the region. It is the American Society of Landscape Architects, St. Louis Chapter. All members of the St. Louis Chapter are also members of the national American Association of Landscape Architects. ASLA promotes continuing education, advances and development of best professional practices in its member businesses. It represents the greater St. Louis metropolitan area as well as the state of Missouri’s eastern half.

The landscape architects who are members of ASLA receive their organization’s professional magazine and opportunities for further education in their field. They also tend to be advocates for their profession. They are focused on assuring their clients the best in aesthetic and environmental outcomes.

How to Choose Your Landscape Architecture/Firm

On the ASLA St. Louis website are listings for all their member landscape architects. You will find links to each firm’s websites there. When reading through the listings and descriptions of services on the member landscape architects’ sites, keep your landscaping goals and desires in mind and look for the ones who specialize in those services.

Besides the general landscape architect services listed above, firms also design many special needs for a commercial or residential landscaping plan. Some of these include:

• designing and building play set areas
• designing and building retaining walls
• designing and installing in-ground irrigation systems
• installing low-voltage lighting
• creating the necessary storm drainage systems for a property
• ecosystem restoration for damaged land
• developing permaculture: agricultural ecosystems that are
self-sufficient as well as sustainable

Most fees are based on the size of your project and its total proposed scope. Frequently a landscape architectural firm will also offer the convenient follow-up service of professional lawn maintenance services. There are many wonderful professional landscape architects in the greater St. Louis area. Go to www.stlouisasla.org to begin your search.