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Logistical Considerations

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Perhaps you are already having visions of the artistic masterpiece that your landscape will become. Before you get too carried away, however, you should realize that unlike a landscape painting, a real landscape has many very practical considerations, which must be taken into account during the design stage. Here are just a few:

• Space: How much space do you actually have to work with? Is it sloped or flat land? Does it receive ample sunlight? All of these questions will provide some guidelines for what type of plants you can place in your landscape. In addition, remember that your plants will grow; plan your landscape based on the eventual, rather than current, size of your plants.
• Maintenance: Think about how much time you are willing to spend maintaining your landscape. Do you just want to water it once a week, or are you willing to have a high-maintenance landscape?
• What will actually grow: Sorry, but no matter how much you want a banana tree as part of your Minnesota landscape, it's probably not going to happen. Learn about your soil conditions and what plants will actually grow on your property. Native plants are also generally the best for the soil, as we will see in an article on environmental landscaping.
• Seasons: Be aware that you have to live with your landscape 365 days a year, so determine what you landscape will look like during each season of the year. Many plants are only in full bloom for a few weeks out of the year, so be careful planning your entire landscape around those plants.

Finally, you should consider the money you're willing to put into your landscape project. Landscaping can be an expensive endeavor, particularly if you hire a landscape architect.

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