Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1470856
7 QUESTIONS WITH A L A N D S C A P E D E S I G N E R Joseph Reed tells us what it takes to beautify your outdoor space. That backyard you've been neglecting has so much potential. You know it. They know it. We all know it. Your years of growing—and forgetting—shrubs, flowers, and gardens have fizzled without much to show, besides a few weeds and clumps of mulch and dirt. Designing and maintaining a nice, lasting landscape is hard. That's why professional landscape designers are so valued. We sat down with Joseph Reed, owner and operator of Lone Star Landscapes, to get the dirt on what landscape designers are, what they do, and why you need one. What does a landscape designer do? In short, a landscape designer beautifies and designs landscapes and outdoor spaces. While we do create designs that highlight and complement the architectural features of your home and produce a look that's aesthetically pleasing from front to back, it's a little more than that. In my role, I collaborate with both residential and commercial clients to understand their landscaping vision, generate a visual representation on paper, manage their budget, oversee installation, and provide ongoing maintenance. Why should homeowners hire a landscape designer? Designing and installing a landscape takes more work than homeowners realize. It isn't just picking out nice flowers and planting them where you think they'll look good. Growing zones (the geographical area where specific plants will grow best), water requirements, and plants' sun and shade adaptability must be factored in. Many homeowners don't have this breadth of knowledge, but landscape designers do. We can make things attractive and group plants with similar water and light needs. Lastly, we can see the big picture. We comprehend mature plant heights and widths, so the landscape stays cohesive when everything is fully grown. Basically, if you don't love lawn care, resent spending your Saturdays outside in the heat, take pride in a nice lawn, don't want to buy the tools, or don't have the time or energy for maintenance, hiring a landscape designer is probably the right move for you. 1 2 26