Landscaping Project Guide

Transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, functional landscape that increases your property value and provides year-round enjoyment. This comprehensive guide covers design principles, plant selection, seasonal planning, and maintenance strategies.

HSG Landscaping Impact:

Professional landscaping increases property value by 5-12% and provides 100-200% ROI on well-planned projects. HSG has completed over 1,500 landscaping projects across all climate zones.

Chapter 1: Design Principles

Fundamental Landscaping Design Principles

Unity & Harmony:

Create cohesion through repeated elements (colors, textures, shapes)
Match landscaping style to home architecture
Use consistent materials throughout the design

Balance & Proportion:

Formal balance: symmetrical plantings and features
Informal balance: asymmetrical but visually balanced
Scale plants appropriately to structures and spaces

Focal Points & Flow:

Create clear focal points (specimen trees, water features, sculptures)
Guide movement through the landscape with pathways and sight lines
Layer plants by height: groundcover, shrubs, understory, canopy

Site Analysis Checklist

Sun/Shade Patterns: Document sunlight exposure throughout the day

Soil Conditions: Test pH, drainage, compaction, and nutrient levels

Water Sources: Identify irrigation needs and existing water access

Existing Features: Catalog mature trees, structures, and utilities

Microclimates: Note wind patterns, frost pockets, and heat zones

Views & Privacy: Identify what to showcase or screen

Chapter 2: Plant Selection Guide

Trees for Different Functions

Tree Type	Best For	Mature Size	Growth Rate	Special Features
Red Oak	Shade, street tree	60-80' tall	Medium	Fall color, wildlife value
Japanese Maple	Accent, small spaces	15-25' tall	Slow	Stunning fall color, graceful form
Crepe Myrtle	Flowering accent	10-30' tall	Fast	Summer blooms, attractive bark
Eastern Redbud	Spring interest	20-30' tall	Medium	Early spring flowers, heart-shaped leaves
Magnolia	Specimen, fragrance	20-40' tall	Medium	Large fragrant flowers, evergreen options

Shrubs by Function

Shrub Type	Best Use	Size	Bloom Time	Maintenance
Boxwood	Hedges, topiary	2-8' tall	Insignificant	Low-Medium
Hydrangea	Foundation, borders	3-6' tall	Summer	Low
Azalea/Rhododendron	Spring color, shade	2-12' tall	Spring	Medium
Spirea	Mass planting, borders	2-6' tall	Spring/Summer	Low
Holly	Screening, winter interest	4-15' tall	Spring	Low

Perennials for Color

Perennial	Bloom Time	Color Options	Height	Light Needs
Daylily	Summer	Yellow, orange, red, purple	1-4' tall	Full sun to part shade
Hosta	Summer	White, lavender (foliage plant)	1-4' tall	Part to full shade
Black-Eyed Susan	Summer-Fall	Yellow, orange	2-3' tall	Full sun
Purple Coneflower	Summer	Purple, white, pink	2-3' tall	Full sun
Astilbe	Late Spring	Pink, white, red, purple	1-4' tall	Part to full shade

Plant Selection Red Flags:

Invasive Species: Research local invasive plant lists before selecting
Wrong Hardiness Zone: Choose plants rated for your USDA zone or colder
Mature Size Ignorance: Consider 10-20 year mature size, not nursery size
Site Mismatch: Don't force shade plants into sun or vice versa

Chapter 3: Seasonal Planning

Seasonal Interest Planning

Spring Interest:

Early bulbs (crocuses, snowdrops, daffodils)
Flowering trees (cherry, redbud, serviceberry)
Spring-blooming shrubs (forsythia, spirea, azaleas)

Summer Color:

Long-blooming perennials (daylilies, coneflowers)
Annuals for continuous color
Flowering shrubs (hydrangeas, rose of sharon)

Fall Drama:

Trees with fall color (maples, oaks, dogwoods)
Late-blooming perennials (asters, mums)
Ornamental grasses for texture and movement

Winter Structure:

Evergreen trees and shrubs for year-round color
Interesting bark and branching patterns
Seed heads and ornamental grasses

Planting Calendar by Season

Spring (March-May): Bare root plants, early perennials, cool-season annuals
Summer (June-August): Container plants, warm-season annuals, established plants
Fall (September-November): Best time for trees/shrubs, spring bulbs, perennials
Winter (December-February): Planning season, bare root plants in mild climates

Chapter 4: Installation Best Practices

Site Preparation

Utility Marking: Call 811 to mark underground utilities before digging

Soil Preparation: Amend soil with compost, ensure proper drainage

Irrigation Planning: Install irrigation before planting

Hardscape First: Install paths, patios, retaining walls before planting

Proper Spacing: Research mature sizes and space accordingly

Planting Techniques

Hole Size: Dig holes 2-3x wider than root ball, same depth
Root Preparation: Loosen circled roots, score root ball if necessary
Planting Depth: Keep root flare at or slightly above soil level
Backfill Soil: Use native soil, don't amend heavily in planting hole
Initial Watering: Water thoroughly after planting, soak root zone
Mulching: Apply 2-3" organic mulch, keep away from plant stems

Chapter 5: Maintenance Tips

Seasonal Maintenance Calendar

Spring Tasks (March-May):

Remove winter protection and prune dead branches
Apply pre-emergent herbicide for weed control
Fertilize trees, shrubs, and perennials
Divide overcrowded perennials
Mulch beds and refresh as needed

Summer Tasks (June-August):

Deep, infrequent watering during dry periods
Deadhead flowers to encourage continued blooming
Monitor for pest and disease issues
Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooming
Maintain irrigation systems

Fall Tasks (September-November):

Plant new trees, shrubs, and perennials
Rake and compost fallen leaves
Cut back perennials after first frost
Apply winter fertilizer to lawns
Protect tender plants for winter

Winter Tasks (December-February):

Plan next year's garden projects
Prune dormant trees and shrubs (except spring bloomers)
Order seeds and plants for spring
Maintain tools and equipment
Apply winter protection as needed

Efficient Watering Strategies

Deep, Infrequent Watering: Better than frequent shallow watering
Early Morning Timing: Reduces evaporation and disease issues
Drip Irrigation: Most efficient for beds and established plants
Mulch Benefits: Reduces water needs by 25-50%
Native Plants: Require less water once established

HSG Water-Smart Landscaping:

Properly designed landscapes with native plants and efficient irrigation use 30-50% less water than traditional landscapes while providing better wildlife habitat and lower maintenance requirements.

Chapter 6: Common Landscaping Projects

Foundation Planting

Purpose: Soften building lines, provide year-round interest
Design Rule: Use odd numbers, layer by height, repeat key plants
Plant Selection: Choose slow-growing, compact varieties
Typical Budget: $15-40 per linear foot

Privacy Screening

Fast Options: Leyland cypress, bamboo, fast-growing shrubs
Long-term Options: Native evergreens, mixed hedge plantings
Spacing: Plant closer for immediate effect, wider for health
Typical Budget: $25-75 per linear foot

Pollinator Garden

Plant Selection: Native flowers, herbs, flowering shrubs
Bloom Succession: Ensure flowers spring through fall
Avoid Chemicals: No pesticides or herbicides
Water Source: Include shallow water feature

Rain Garden

Purpose: Manage stormwater runoff naturally
Location: Low spot that receives runoff
Plant Selection: Native plants that tolerate wet/dry cycles
Size: 20-30% of drainage area

Ready to Transform Your Landscape?

HSG landscaping specialists have completed over 1,500 projects with 94% customer satisfaction.

Get a free landscape consultation with design concepts and detailed project estimate.

Email: sales@hsgnationwide.com

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