Why You Need a Native Landscape Design Checklist
The best native landscape designs create harmony among your personal needs and those of the surrounding ecosystem. Whether you hire a professional or do it yourself, knowing your needs and preferences before you dive into the project will not only help you create a functional garden design, but will also reflect your unique personal style and the character of your property. Use this native landscape design checklist to spark your imagination and help ensure you can get the most out of your outdoor living spaces.
Defining a Vision for Your Native Landscape Design
Some people start planning their native landscape design with a highly specific image in mind of the final result, while others simply know they dislike their existing yard. Hone in on your vision for the space with the following questions:
What do you appreciate most about your home's exterior and surroundings? Consider your home's architectural style, your neighborhood and views, and your local ecology.
How much time do you currently spend outside, and how do you spend that time? How do you see that changing after your new landscape is installed?
What outdoor living spaces or activity zones would you like to create?
What views do you want to enjoy when you look out your windows?
What types of landscapes and plants do you find most pleasing?
What feelings do you want to create when you walk outside?
What do you like least about your home's exterior spaces right now?
Creating a Functional and Healthy Environment
To create a functional, pleasant experience for everyone using your space, it's critical to identify the members of your household, their unique needs, and the activities you want to enjoy. A good native landscape design marries these needs with not only the health of your property and its surrounding environment, but also the wellbeing of your loved ones.
At the outset of planning, you can also identify whether there are specific gardening practices you want to limit or emphasize on your property. Our native landscape designs and planting plans are developed to optimize the use of rainwater, limit significant disruptions of soil, and support healthy plants without chemical pesticides or fertilizers.
Use this list to identify your core functional needs:
Who lives in the household?
How many adults? Kids/teens? Seniors?
Do you have live-in staff? Do you like to host long-term visitors? Do you operate a rental unit on the property?
Do you have cats/dogs/other pets that will spend time outside?
What activities should the space accommodate, ideally? How many people will be partaking, and how often will they take place? What time of day or season(s) will they take place?
Indoor/outdoor entertaining with small groups
Parties and larger events
Outdoor dining
Birdwatching/butterfly and nature viewing
Reading
Playing/listening to music or watching movies/TV
Exercising
Playing sports or outdoor games
Doing DIY projects
Hobbies and crafts
Food or flower gardening
Meditation/reflection/prayer
Cultural, regional/national, or religious traditions
Working with tradespeople/contractors or other staff
Are there special needs or accommodations to include in the planning, such as:
Accessibility/ADA requirements
Severe allergies
Aging in place
Environmental sensitivities
Sensory challenges
Technology preferences
Integrating with Your Natural Setting
A fundamental tenet of native landscape design is to consider the character and location of the land itself. Rather than fight an ongoing battle against nature, you can forgo harsh chemical treatments and other aggressive tactics—and just enjoy the gifts of nature. With native landscape design, you are able to build an enriching, mutually beneficial relationship with your local ecosystem that brings joy and connection to everyday life. You can consider:
Where is your property located? What aspects of the area's climate and ecology are most notable?
What are the unique features of your property? (e.g. Flat/sloped spaces, ponds or other water features, significant mature trees, etc.)
What is your USDA climate zone and Sunset zone?
How does seasonal weather impact your household and the land itself? How much rain do you typically get each year? How does rainwater move/stagnate around your property?
Are there special precautions you need to take around natural disasters, such as fires or mudslides?
What are your microclimates around the property? (e.g. Directionality/timing of sun exposure throughout the year, moisture levels, areas with minimal sunlight, frequent wind patterns, etc.)
What is your soil type? How quickly does water drain in your soil? How well does it percolate?
Are there natural features that you want to highlight or minimize? Are there significant plants you would like to keep in place or relocate?
Are there problematic or unsafe areas that may need more intensive intervention?
Are there particular native birds, butterflies, or other friendly fauna you want to attract? Are there existing pests, rodents, predators, or deer that you want to deter?
Engaging the Built Environment
A home's style and physical footprint will play a significant role in your project, as you want your landscape to be compatible with your exterior design. Important questions about the built environment include:
What is the style and age of your home? Are there unique features that give it distinct character that you particularly like or dislike?
Are there special motifs, design elements, or materials that you would like to carry from the interior/exterior into the garden?
Do you have plot plans or surveys? Do you know where your property lines are?
Do you consider this a permanent residence or an interim home?
Where are your underground utilities? Where are your water spigots, gas/electrical hookups, irrigation systems, etc.?
Do you have gutters or other drainage systems? Where are your downspouts? Have you encountered any issues with them before?
Do you have equipment like AC units, solar panels, or cisterns that need to be accommodated?
Do you have any walls or fences that you are planning to keep or want to remove/remodel?
What type of hardscape do you have outdoors? Would you like to keep or change it?
Where is your driveway located? Is it shared with a neighbor or along a property line? Do you want to expand or minimize it?
Are you or your neighbors planning any major construction?
Do you belong to a homeowners' association (HOA) or live in a gated community? Does your property have any covenants or regulations that must be honored?
Do you need to create more privacy around your property? Are there nearby visuals (e.g. a neighbor's RV, a wall with a clashing paint color) or sounds (e.g. traffic, barking dogs) that you want to distract from?
Identifying Your Aesthetic Preferences
One of the most fun aspects of planning your native landscape design is the process of choosing themes, materials, and other style elements. However, with so many possibilities to choose from, it's easy to get overwhelmed or create a design that lacks cohesion. We recommend the following questions to help you create structure when identifying and communicating your preferences:
What mood do you want to create for your space? Consider both overall mood and the vibe of individual zones. For example, you might select one or several of the following:
Relaxing
Secret/private
Sophisticated
Casual
Playful
Energizing
Spiritual
Joyful
Exciting
Open
Healthy
Expansive
Serene
Playful
Minimalist
Maximalist
Organic
Elegant
Enclosed
Nourishing
Quaint
Sophisticated
Nostalgic
Do you have preferences on a design theme? Are there multiple styles you gravitate toward?
Mediterranean (white stucco walls, bright splashes of color, terracotta pottery, emphasis on sunlight)
Desert (prominent cactus and agave plants, large boulders/rock gardens)
Coastal (neutral palette, rich wood furniture, overhead sails, white flowers)
Contemporary (strong shape and color contrasts, dramatic foliage, bold sculptural features, mass plantings)
Naturalistic (winding unpaved paths, wood split-rail fences, mulch, loose arrangement of plants)
Minimalist (emphasis on greenery, simplicity, squared lines, use of stone)
Tropical (vibrant flower colors, extra-large foliage, jungle-like atmosphere)
Formal (symmetry, topiaries, clipped hedges, Classical architecture)
Woodland (dense mature trees, ferns and low-growers, dappled shade)
Cottage (quaint architecture, picket fences, meadow-like flowers and grasses, whimsical or recycled art)
Culturally/geographically specific style (e.g. Japanese, English, Chinese)
Other
Which design forms, shapes, and styles do you prefer? Multiple may apply.
Curves
Rectangles/squares
Formal
Informal
Rustic
Raised beds
Tiers/steps
Hidden
Sunken
Other
Which building materials appeal to you? Multiple may apply.
Wood
Flagstone
Decomposed granite/fine gravel
Pea gravel
Bark/mulch
Concrete
Slate
Marble, limestone
Rocks, boulders
Brick
Copper
Steel
Wrought iron
Glass
Other
Are there any utility structures you want to add/repurpose in your landscape plan? Multiple may apply.
Paths
Fences/gates
Pet patio/dog run
Maintenance shed
Compost station
Potting station
Greenhouse
Firewood storage
Additional parking
Waste bin storage
Bike/toy/seasonal storage
Dog washing station
Other
Are there new or repurposed structural features you would like to include? Multiple may apply.
Deck
Patio/terrace
Gazebo
Pergola/arbor
Trellises/arches
Built-in seating
Swimming pool
Plunge pool/cocktail pool
Outdoor shower
Sauna
Hot tub/Jacuzzi
Fire pit/fireplace
Pond
Fountain or other water feature
Sculpture
Paths/steps
Retaining wall
Outdoor kitchen (i.e. sink, grill, mini-fridge, bar/countertop)
Feature or pathway lighting
Children's play area or swing set
Playhouse
Hammock
Athletic court
Stage or performing area
Other
Selecting the Right Plants for Your Needs
The adage "Right plant, right place," is at the core of every design we create. We help our clients select the most appropriate plants throughout the landscape based on their location and the goals of the project. With this approach to native plants, we not only enhance the look of your outdoor areas and reduce your supplemental water consumption, but we also help you eliminate the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers on your property.
To choose the best plants for your household's needs, think through the following questions:
What are your goals when selecting plants?
Attract friendly wildlife
Minimize maintenance
Reduce supplemental water use
Be pet-friendly
Be child-friendly
Create shade
Reduce AC/heating costs
Reduce wind
Reduce undesirable noise
Enhance seasonal/year-round interest
Grow cut flowers
Make space for exercise or games
Create privacy
Enrich sensory experience (e.g. fragrances, textures, soft sounds)
Grow an edible garden/fruit orchard
Are there any plants that you are especially fond of?
Are there any plants you especially dislike or are allergic to?
What floral/foliage colors would you like to emphasize around the garden?
Do you need open, walkable green space? Are there specific uses to note? How large does it need to be?
Do you have a favorite season?
When will you most often use the garden (e.g. weekdays/weekends, mornings/afternoons/evenings, specific seasons, etc.)
Planning for Installation, Care, and Maintenance
A good native landscape design and planting plan will ensure plants are selected and installed where they will be most likely to thrive. Natives have adapted over millennia to the local environment and our unique California climates, which allows them to grow rapidly with less fussiness than non-natives. As such, they typically need less frequent, but more specialized, installation and maintenance services than most conventional gardening services can offer.
When you are planning your native landscape design, be sure to plan around the following:
How much time will you/your household members plan to dedicate to maintenance each week/month?
Will you employ a native gardening service or other maintenance team?
How much of your landscape do you want to install using larger/more mature plants vs. smaller/younger?
Do you want to complete your landscape in one go, or will you install it in phases?
How much do you plan to install with a professional? Are there components you plan to install yourself?
What is the approximate overall budget for your project? Are there components that must be prioritized now if budget limitations were to become a factor?
During what season are you installing your project? Are you working against any time constraints, events, or deadlines?
About Besanti Natives
Besanti Natives is a native landscape design company based in Los Angeles specializing in bespoke outdoor spaces inspired by the natural wonders of the Golden State. Our Certified California Native Plant Landscapers offer a refreshing, holistic approach to your landscape to help you cultivate more meaningful connections to nature, your loved ones, and yourself.
Our team is dedicated to preserving the unique character of your property while providing modern solutions to enhance your outdoor experience and protect your investment in your home. Book an appointment with us today to get started.
