Landscape professionals weigh in on the importance of good design

BY THERESA FORTE

Have you ever wondered how the experts see things? I’ve gathered a diverse group of landscape architects and designers around my cyber kitchen table for a conversation on the value of landscape design. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and let me introduce you to our distinguished panel of experts.

As a garden writer and photographer, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many beautiful gardens. Along the way, I’ve also seen a few gardens that were difficult to photograph. While their creators may have had fascinating stories to tell, their gardens were less than inspiring. What is it that makes one garden more beautiful than another?

I’ve learned it’s the deliberate and thoughtful arrangement of the parts, cemented with passion for design, that makes a beautiful garden. This process begins with a vision. Landscape designers have the ability to see beyond the plot of land that lies before them — they can envision the space transformed into something new. Designers work with clients to translate the vision into a design, and see it realized as construction progresses and the garden takes shape.

Thomas Laviolette is the superintendent of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and Butterfly Conservatory, the Floral Showhouses and Parks Greenhouse Pro-duction, in Niagara Falls, Ont.

Senga Lindsay is principal of SLA, Inc. in North Vancouver, B.C. She decided to follow a career in landscape architecture on the advice of her instructor at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture, a landscape architect, who felt she had a knack for design. She’s never looked back on her decision. Lindsay feels that her strong horticultural background has strengthened her design career.

Kent Ford, founding member of Kent Ford Design Group Inc. of Toronto, Ont., developed a love for the diversity of landscapes by travelling with his father, a school principal, and a love of art from his mother, an accomplished artist.

While studying horticulture at the University of Guelph, Adele Goodwin found she really enjoyed her design classes. Today she is owner of Earthworm Landscape Design in Edmonton, Alta. The firm has sub-contracted its on-site design services to garden centres and contractors for the past eight years.

Darren Schmahl is a graduate from the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture in Niagara Falls and the John Brookes’ School of Garden Design in England. He is a partner with Outdoor Images Landscape Services and its sister company The Copper Leaf Garden Store, both based in the Niagara region. He has been designing landscapes ranging from residential gardens to commercial properties and municipal projects for the last twenty years. He is currently teaching his approach to landscape design back at his alma mater, the NPC School of Horticulture.

Joe Bidermann studied environmental sciences in Germany before moving to Shelburne, N.S. He started Joe Bidermann Landscaping in 1994, a firm that specializes in natural landscapes that fit in with east coast topography.

What are the greatest benefits for homeowners in seeking the services of a landscape designer or landscape architect?

LINDSAY: It’s the pure design aspect — a designer will pull together a vision. A cohesive landscape plan translates into cost savings for clients. We can point them to a plan that goes beyond their initial dreams.

LAVIOLETTE: A designer understands the efficiencies of the plants; he or she knows how to use them to effectively cover the sins of the landscape. In the long run, a design will offer cost savings, be efficient and lower maintenance costs. For example, I believe in the “less is more” theory, which offers great visual impact in the land-scape. Simplicity is a very strong read. A designer will spend the time to research reliable performers.

FORD: I believe the benefits are parallel with those of an architect or an interior designer. The working drawing becomes a contract for the homeowner. It gives him something to fall back on if a problem should arise later on. A landscape design enhances the value of their space and property. A designer sees the larger spectrum and has a good understanding of materials and techniques. For example, a client may rule out natural stone as too expensive, but the designer may know that some imported stone can be half the price of domestic stone.

GOODWIN: A designer offers a bigger vision and inspiration to their clients. A well-thought-out design makes for clear expectations and ease of estimating. We specialize in “power designing,” which means we do the design on-site. A designer can save the client money by working through the design first — small changes can easily be made on paper.

SCHMAHL: I like to design a space initially without considering the budget — imagine what could be in a space. Then you set the design priorities, starting with the important things and doing them well. John Brookes taught me to design the space for the client, see the inside of his home and then use the garden to expand living space as an outdoor room. A designed landscape is like a retirement fund that you get to enjoy from day one. You get to enjoy your space while you live in the house and then you recoup your investment when you sell the house. A nice garden really does help to sell a house.

BIDERMANN: Having a plan suited to their particular needs and lifestyle is the greatest benefit to homeowners. A designer will gather information and turn it into a design that the client can enjoy for a long time to come. A good design is efficient and acknowledges the value of the property — this is key. We are using native materials more and more. They incorporate well into a rural setting, and we can show clients their benefits.

Can landscape design improve both the image and the bottom line for a commercial client?

LINDSAY: The key is in knowing the avenues that will appeal to your clients. Are they image conscious? Are they interested in community responsibility and working towards a greener world? Would they consider leaving a legacy — what are they doing for future generations? In terms of cost savings, incorporating a green roof on a large warehouse will save maintenance costs in the long run. It will have a cooling effect and last longer than a conventional roof.

LAVIOLETTE: In the past, the Niagara Parks changed seasonal displays three times a year, now we are working toward more permanent displays. Our design changes are completed a full year in advance, which offers many advantages. It allows time to do the design work and our production facilities have a chance to test new plants. Also, we only produce the plants that we need, so we save money. We are also computerizing our drawings. This allows us to document seasonal plantings, and turn hard measurements into templates for future plans. It also creates an archive of past designs.

FORD: A designed landscape will help to portray the firm’s corporate image through distinctive signage, unique planting material and branding the company. The property can be identified as a landmark in the community.

GOODWIN: I believe a structural plan makes a strong statement for a business client that translates as, “we care about details,” and “we attract success.”

SCHMAHL: Landscape design raises the profile of a business property. If it is green and well-kept, the first impression is one of professionalism.

BIDERMANN: An investment in landscape design creates a good first impression for clients and sales people coming to a facility. “Oh, they’re doing something really nice here.” It reflects the overall philosophy of the company. To me, a nice landscape is equivalent to the food offered to staff in the cafeteria. Good food makes you feel better and increases productivity. Green spaces around the building can work in the same way.

Can you share an example of a residential or commercial project?

LINDSAY: We are currently renovating our studio and designing a garden for the space the studio overlooks. Many of our favourite design features will be included in this project: a fire pit, pond and even a meditation pavilion. For our grand opening, we’re planning a lantern party on the fall equinox. The garden will have two benefits: it will provide a healthy environment for staff, which in turn may increase productivity; but it will also be a place to showcase the value of outdoor rooms to our clients, many of whom are big developers. We can show them the value of a more humanistic design and how it can be adapted for multi-family developments.

FORD: Our 2006 Dunington Grubb Award project, “Water by the Water,” is a case study in advance design planning. Beyond the usual pool permits required by the city, we also had to gain approvals from the local conservation and marine authorities. Rigid side-property-line and lakefront setbacks were dictated. A geotechnical (soils) study was also required. The siting of the pool became like locating a new house for site plan approval. These fixed requirements, combined with the clients’ design program, created an intensive design and approvals process, which took over a year to complete before ground was broken. I would encourage all landscape designers to consider their role in any project as important and as the architect’s, and to become involved in the site planning and approvals process as early as possible.
GOODWIN: We were asked to design an entrance garden for clients who had a boring building — they looked out of their windows onto the walls of the building next door. To make matters worse, the wall was adorned with a painting of a beaver on a surfboard. We decided to go with a river theme for the space — boulders, a paving material with a wave pattern and water type plants, such as Siberian iris and daylilies, were used to set the mood. It looked pretty cool when it was finished. The building sold recently and the owner said that the new landscaping was a big part of that sale.

SCHMAHL: The landscaping on Main Street in Jordan, Ont., is a good example of how businesses can improve their profile with landscaping. We originally did a street garden for Cave Spring Cellars on Main Street, and it was so popular that the idea just caught on. Today, the gardens extend along the street and are supported by the local residents and merchants. They really help bring people into town to shop and enjoy the gardens.

BIDERMANN: While 95 per cent of my work is residential, a few years ago the business improvement group for the town of Shelburne, N.S., approached me to design a small commercial project. The planters were such a success that passersby even began helping with the weeding and maintenance. You could see that they really appreciated what had been created. I believe that as designers we are changing people’s lives.

If a promising student asked for your advice on following a career in landscape design, how would you advise him or her?

LINDSAY: A strong background in horticulture will really help you out. My studies at the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture really gave me credibility. This opened many doors for me with the municipalities here in British Columbia. Remember that clients know if you really care about them — if it’s coming from the heart.

LAVIOLETTE: Finish a practically based horticulture program to give yourself a good base; ideally you should experience as many facets of that program as possible. When you are finished, go on to study a landscape architecture program at university. In the interim, work for a firm that will enhance your study experience. Secure as many applicable certifications as possible.

FORD: Attend a good school, they have the best lecturers. Apprentice with at least three different firms; try to experience both large- and small-scale projects. Visit several project sites and see the before and after. Learn about grading.

GOODWIN: Get a variety of hands-on experience, including retail sales as it will really help you learn your plant materials. Apprentice for someone who is really good — an “attention to details” contractor. Look for someone who stands behind his work. Also, work in maintenance for a while — you’ll learn how easy or hard something is to maintain. For example, if you choose a hedging plant that matures at the height you need, there will be less trimming required later on.

SCHMAHL: I’d be very blunt with him or her — it’s a hard profession to crack. It’s not easy to get experience. I would suggest working with a landscaping company first, to get experience, and then move on to design. A good designer is half practical, half artist. Here’s an example. A talented graduate was recommended to me, but we couldn’t afford to hire him just for design work initially. We gave him an opportunity, and he learned in the field. Today he is doing the bulk of my design work and was just featured in an article in Gardening Life magazine.

BIDERMANN: Get an education in horticulture first, then get your hands dirty and see if it works out for you. You should work out in the field before you decide on a career. Try a variety of firms to see how they do things. Go on to a university program in landscape architecture or study design at your community college. Remember, landscape architects don’t necessarily work with the horticultural side.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

LINDSAY: My business philosophy is that if you are really passionate about what you do, you will really care about your clients and key into their needs. The bulk of our work is with ongoing clients and referrals from other developers. I believe the good relationships we have with our clients, along with hard work and perseverance, are the keys to our success.

LAVIOLETTE: I have been fortunate to be involved in so many different aspects of design — from indoor to outdoor large-scale flower shows, and from public-scale horticulture, as we do at the Niagara Parks, to landscaping on a residential scale. The con-tribution you make to enhance the overall aesthetic for all to enjoy is the true reward.

FORD: After 21 years of working in the field of design, I still get asked what I do in the winter — they just don’t get it. Many people don’t understand what a designer does, and I feel it’s the industry’s responsibility to promote what landscape design is. Design is about seeing the larger vision; it’s important that we place more value on the idea.

GOODWIN: Plants should pull their weight for the whole season. Good design doesn’t have to go with fashion — a designer will see the plantings from a structural standpoint.

SCHMAHL: Landscape is the area outside of your house. So many people overlook it. Done well, it gives extra appeal, both curb appeal and the pleasure you receive while living in the house. You get to enjoy the beautiful surroundings yourself. If someone could show homeowners how nice it could be, they might be inclined to do it, just like what happened on Main Street in Jordan — the whole garden idea was contagious.

BIDERMANN: I think of this as a great job. The most exciting job we can have is to design a landscape and then implement that design. I enjoy the small steps along the way; it never gets boring. I emigrated from Germany to work here in Nova Scotia — I love Canada and the work I can do here. Life is too short to end up doing something that you don’t enjoy. LT

                    
Theresa M. Forte is a garden consultant, garden columnist and photographer based in the Niagara peninsula.