One of the unique things about garden design is that gardens are always changing. They’re alive, evolving with the seasons, the weather, and even the way we use the space. That’s what makes them so special, and also what makes designing them well such a challenge.
At LandArt, we approach gardens a little differently. It’s not about following trends or creating something that looks good for one season. It’s about building spaces that grow better with time, and that tie your home and yard together.
Here are a few of the things our team keeps in mind when we’re designing a garden.
Right Plant, Right Place
This might sound obvious, but it’s one of the most important (and most overlooked) parts of good garden design.
Every plant has different needs: sun, shade, moisture, soil conditions. For example, if you put a lavender (Sun loving and drought tolerant) next to an astilbe (Shade and moist soil loving) neither will thrive. We always start by looking at the site and asking...
What direction does the sun come from?
How does water move through the space?
What kind of soil is there?
What other factors are in the area? Such as fences, structures, and trees.
How does each plant grow and act over time?
Designing a garden that thrives means understanding those conditions from the start, and choosing plantings that actually belong there.
Layering Adds Depth and Drama
Layering is a design technique that gives a garden structure and interest. It’s about combining plants at different heights and textures, tall ones at the back, midsize focal plants in the middle, and lower ones to fill out the front. When it’s done well, it creates a sense of movement and rhythm through the space.
It’s also a great way to bring in colour and texture without the space feeling overdone over unbalanced.
Seasonal Interest is Key
Some gardens look amazing in June, and then feel flat the rest of the year. At LandArt, we design gardens to avoid that. The best gardens change with the seasons, spring blooms, summer colour, fall texture, and something to catch your eye in winter too.
In Canada, we spend a lot of time looking out the window at our gardens when they’re covered in snow. So plants with interesting bark, shape, or evergreen qualities help give a garden structure when everything else has gone quiet.
Property Maintenance Matters
It’s one thing to design a garden that looks great, it’s another to make sure it’s sustainable over time.As an example, boxwoods may give your garden a clean, formal look, but they require frequent maintenance and are prone to pests and disease.
We always consider how much work a space will take to keep looking its best, and we try to match that to what the homeowner is comfortable with. A low-maintenance garden doesn’t have to mean less beautiful—it just means the design is smarter.
Materials That Shape the Story
Materials like stone, wood, and corten steel do more than just look good, they shape the feeling of the garden. Stone brings a sense of permanence and stability. Wood adds warmth, texture, and a professionally crafted touch. Corten steel introduces a quiet, modern edge.
These material choices matter because they help blend the property together, provide focal points to draw the eye, and elevate the overall character of the property.
Make It Personal
More and more, we design spaces that reflect the people who live in them. From tucked-away corners for morning coffee, to high-design patios for family dinners, or winding paths through the plants just because it feels good to walk there.
Every garden should feel like home, before the first flower even blooms.