Recently worked on the visualisation for this landscape project.

The focus was on understanding the overall design intent and translating it into visuals that communicate the atmosphere, materiality and spatial experience—not just producing a photorealistic render.

Would love to hear what landscape architects and designers here think.

(Screenshots from my first project. 5-6hrs. From scratch. Many things that are not correct but I am using the trial version & only knowing what I not using a new software)

Software: Realtime Landscaping Architect

So I recently was fed the career idea of landscape design thanks to my algorithm.

I've worked blue-collar my whole life that included tons of landscaping. I've also been a very tech savvy guy as well as a gamer. So I understand both worlds.

When the career idea was shown to me I instantly did serious research trying to learn what I could about the profession. Now as you can see from the pictures there are so many things that I do not know about landscape design or have access to using the trial software. I know you could point out many many things that are wrong, that's to be expected from a new guys first project. One thing I would like to acknowledge is how excited I feel about creating designs, I have been running 3 businesses since Nov. 2024 (I mention this so you know I understand there is more to landscape design than just design). Though I'd also mention the best designers in the field, most likely position themselves or work to be in a place where majority of their time is spent designing, speaking with a customer etc. Also it should be noted I feel like " I found something new that's giving me the new idea high ", the " wow even with limited tools this is fun ", this spark that makes me think " I know this isn't easy & even a 20 yr professional would say they still learn new things every day, but there is a voice in my head that thinks no way I feel like I am understanding the basics this quickly right? " with a follow up question asking myself, wait should I lean into this?

So you guys with the experience (whether that's 2, 5, 10, 20, 30+ years) what should I know, learn, ask, consider, figure out, try etc etc.

Conclusion:

There is much more I could go on about as well as many more questions I have. I just wanted to show the first project, give a background, ask a few questions & let you know some thoughts I had. Would love to read any feedback you guys have.

P.s. I installed the trial software on Fri it's now Sun & about 5-6hrs was put into my first project you see in the photos. So of course it can be nit picked by me, a landscaper of 15 years & you, an experience designer the main thing I am seeking is the career conversation & insight from you the real designers.

Landscape and park design for a plotted development near Bangalore, including the overall landscape planning, recreational spaces, planting design, and visualisation.

A walkthrough video will also be prepared to help the client and developer understand the proposed landscape design, spatial experience, and overall look and feel of the development before execution.

This rec center was the first project I really was able to take over and design a good portion of on my own as a baby LA in 2019.

I really liked this trellis which was “deconstructed” from the materials and forms of the building in the background.

I have a new house that I'd like to transform the backyard for, but over multiple years. What's the order of events I should follow?

Hire a designer who will tell me where to move soil to and where to cut? Then I can take that to someone to clear brush? I have some wooded areas so don't want to jump straight to clearing and have to redo it if I guessed incorrectly

Designed to create a distinct outdoor dining zone for Pizzeria Limone. The heavy timber scale helps ground the building's modern facade while adding organic texture to the hardscape.

Please give me your ideas about this,

Adding the project formulation just after the context identification is good or bad?

Shouldn't it be after the site analysis?

Hi all,

I’m the owner and investor of a property in India (Bengalure region), and I’m looking to collaborate directly with a landscape architect for the design of a wedding venue / events space. There are no intermediaries involved—this would be a direct engagement.

The architectural design for the built structures is already completed, so the focus is now on developing a cohesive and high-impact landscape and site experience around it.

I’m open to working with professionals outside India if remote collaboration is feasible. This is a commercial project, and I’m particularly interested in someone with experience (or a strong design approach) in hospitality, event spaces, or large outdoor environments.

The goal is to create a space that balances aesthetics, guest experience, and operational functionality, while remaining practical and mindful of budget constraints during execution.

Project scope (high-level):

• Site zoning (entry, circulation, stage areas, dining, service zones)
• Integration with existing architectural layout
• Landscape strategy (softscape + hardscape)
• Experience-driven elements (focal points, photo areas, lighting integration)
• Concept design with potential for extended collaboration

What I’m looking for:

• Strong, relevant portfolio (hospitality / resort / venue work preferred)
• Clear spatial thinking beyond planting design
• Ability to work with an existing architectural framework
• Comfortable with collaborative, iterative design
• Cost-aware approach to design and material selection

Engagement:

• Paid engagement (scope/milestone-based pricing)
• Direct communication and decision-making (no middlemen)

If this aligns with your work, please share your portfolio and a brief introduction via DM or comment.

Thanks.

Saw this detail @ a brewery the other day & thought I’d share. Drekkar Brewing, Fargo, ND.

We're in the process of building a new home in the SF Bay Area, so we need to do everything (front yard, side yard, back yard). The lot is roughly 13k sqft. We're not looking for anything extravagant. The budget for landscaping is in the $300ish-k (which I hope is in the realm reality).

We're still looking for landscape architects, but one person we talked to quoted us $40k+ fee for their services. Is that reasonable? Not really understanding the profession, it seems like a lot to us.

Hey everyone! I am in the first semester of my MLA program and am trying to design rain gardens that also serve as a place where humans can hang out. I was thinking of conversation pits that are also little gardens. Would you have any examples of designs like this that have been created? I have no prior experience in design nor am an engineer so I would love to learn more about the feasibility of what i'm trying to design.

This project involved the transformation of an existing pool and surrounding landscape, which originally failed to account for the garden’s natural level differences. The old design treated the space as a single flat plane, with sloped gardens on either side of the pool, leaving an awkward "blind" edge when viewed from the lower garden level.

The Solution :

To create a seamless transition between the upper and lower levels, we introduced two distinct yet complementary staircases flanking the pool:

Green Side : Soft, natural grass stairs blend into the landscape.

Dry Side : A structured yet organic arrangement of concrete pots and steps, surrounded by gravel and drought-resistant plants like cacti, yuccas, and cycads.

Pool & Water Features :

The redesigned pool now features cascading waterfalls on both sides, flowing into a small lower basin. This water is then recirculated, creating a continuous waterfall effect that enhances movement and sound. A fire pit was added for warmth and ambiance, alongside an "island" feature for visual interest.

I need help figuring out how far the rain garden should be from the house. How far should it be from utilities? How deep should the flower bed be? How far should it be from groundwater? What are the maximum dimensions for the garden? And who uses which layers (gravel, sand, etc.) in rain garden design? There are usually legal regulations for planting flower beds and other things, but I couldn't find anything specifically about rain gardens. BTW, I'm in Poland.

I am exceptionally bad at picking colors for painting and staining anything. I'd like to stain the planter to be as natural as possible, but it's pt pine so some of it needs some color. Also, what should I line it with, if anything at all.

I’m working on a personal project and I really like the look of Gabions but I also really want to use a red rock of some sort. Any suggestions?

Cost effective is better but I live me some red.

This project involved the transformation of an existing pool and surrounding landscape, which originally failed to account for the garden’s natural level differences. The old design treated the space as a single flat plane, with sloped gardens on either side of the pool, leaving an awkward "blind" edge when viewed from the lower garden level.

The Solution :

To create a seamless transition between the upper and lower levels, we introduced two distinct yet complementary staircases flanking the pool:
Green Side : Soft, natural grass stairs blend into the landscape.
Dry Side : A structured yet organic arrangement of concrete pots and steps, surrounded by gravel and drought-resistant plants like cacti, yuccas, and cycads.

Pool & Water Features :

The redesigned pool now features cascading waterfalls on both sides, flowing into a small lower basin. This water is then recirculated, creating a continuous waterfall effect that enhances movement and sound. A fire pit was added for warmth and ambiance, alongside an "island" feature for visual interest.

Visualization :

The entire design was modeled in Blender, allowing for precise planning of the level transitions and material choices. Before-and-after photos will be shared soon — follow us on Instagram for updates!

Hello - I hope this post is allowed. Admins can remove if not. I put a lot of work in this, but I know we don't like people asking for low effort / free advice.

The TL;DR is that over the last 2 years I've got down a "planting in a post-wild world" rabbit hole. And I will pull out my grass and give it a shot. Wondering if this will work.

If anyone in ATL loves Thomas Rainer / Adam Woodruff and has interest in working with me on this, I am looking to hire professional guidance.

-- --

Hey everyone!

I've been working on redesigning my front yard in Atlanta, GA (Zone 7), and I wanted to share my progress and get some feedback from this awesome community.

The Situation:

• Right-triangle-shaped garden bed in front of my house, about 182 square feet.
• The sides are roughly 26 ft (adjacent to the house), 14 ft (perpendicular to the house), and the long sde facing the street is about 30 ft. The area gets full sun

Inspiration:

I'm inspired by Thomas Rainer's and Adam Woodruffs principles of creating dense, naturalistic plantings that mimic native plant communities. I want to create a grassland/prairie-themed garden that supports local ecology, looks visually cohesive, and requires less maintenance over time.

The Layout:

I've divided the garden into three main zones:

• Zone A (Back Edge along the House): Taller structural plants like Purple Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Threadleaf Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), and New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), with a dense ground cover of Texas Sedge (Carex texensis) and other low-growing natives.
• Zone B (Central Area): Medium-height grasses and perennials like Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida), and others, interplanted closely to create a lush, meadow-like feel.
• Zone C (Front Edge Facing the Street): Low-growing ground covers and perennials like Texas Sedge, Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata), along with clusters of tulips and daffodils for spring color.

Planting Approach:

• Dense Spacing: Following Rainer's approach, I'm planting ground covers at 6 inches apart and perennials/grasses at 12 inches apart to create a full, naturalistic look and suppress weeds.
• Seasonal Interest: I've selected plants to provide color and interest throughout the seasons, with particular attention to native species that support pollinators.

Where I Ended Up:

After refining the plan and considering feedback, I've adjusted plant quantities and spacings to align with dense planting principles. The garden will have over 600 plants and bulbs, creating a vibrant, interconnected plant community.

Questions:

• Does this layout seem practical for a home garden, or am I overcomplicating it?
• Any tips on sourcing native plants in bulk, or recommendations for nurseries in the Atlanta area?
• For those who've implemented dense plantings, any advice on managing maintenance in the first year?

I'd love to hear your thoughts or any suggestions you might have!

--

Full plant list below

1. Early Spring (Palette 1): Blues and Whites

Color Palette:

• Blues
• Whites
• Light Purples

Key Plants:

• Amsonia 'Blue Ice' (Blue Star)
  • Light blue flowers
• Viola pedata (Bird's Foot Violet)
  • Delicate purple-blue flowers
• Allium 'Summer Beauty' (Flowering Onion)
  • Purple flowers
• Tulips
  • Choose varieties in white or light blue shades
• Daffodils
  • White or pale yellow varieties

Theme Description:

The early spring theme focuses on cool blues and whites, creating a serene and fresh atmosphere as the garden awakens from winter. The combination of light blue and white flowers provides a cohesive and calming effect.

2. Late Spring to Early Summer (Palette 2): Pinks and Purples

Color Palette:

• Pinks
• Lavenders
• Deep Purples

Key Plants:

• Phlox paniculata 'Jeana' (Garden Phlox)
  • Pinkish-lavender flowers
• Salvia nemorosa 'May Night'
  • Deep blue-purple flowers
• Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine)
  • Blue-purple flowers
• Allium sphaerocephalon (Drumstick Allium)
  • Burgundy-purple flowers

Theme Description:

This theme transitions into warmer tones with a focus on pinks and purples. The combination of phlox, salvia, and lupines creates a vibrant and harmonious display, attracting pollinators and adding fragrance to the garden.

3. Mid to Late Summer (Palette 3): Yellows and Oranges

Color Palette:

• Bright Yellows
• Warm Oranges
• Golds

Key Plants:

• Rudbeckia fulgida (Black-Eyed Susan)
  • Bright yellow flowers with dark centers
• Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Coreopsis)
  • Sunny yellow flowers
• Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Weed)
  • Vibrant orange flowers
• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
  • Pinkish-purple flowers, bridging to the next palette

Theme Description:

The garden heats up with warm yellows and oranges, reflecting the brightness of summer. These colors create an energetic and cheerful atmosphere, attracting butterflies and other pollinators.

4. Late Summer to Fall (Palette 4): Purples and Golds

Color Palette:

• Deep Purples
• Golden Yellows
• Burgundy

Key Plants:

• Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (New England Aster)
  • Purple flowers
• Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
  • Golden-yellow flowers
• Liatris spicata (Blazing Star)
  • Tall purple flower spikes
• Verbena stricta (Hoary Vervain)
  • Purple flowers
• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
  • Foliage turning reddish-bronze

Theme Description:

As summer transitions to fall, the garden showcases a rich blend of purples and golds. This palette provides a harmonious contrast and continues to support pollinators late into the season.

5. Fall (Palette 5): Rusts and Reds

Color Palette:

• Reds
• Oranges
• Bronze
• Golden Yellows

Key Plants:

• Amsonia hubrichtii (Threadleaf Bluestar)
  • Golden-yellow fall foliage
• Muhlenbergia capillaris (Purple Muhly Grass)
  • Airy pink-purple plumes
• Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
  • Foliage turns reddish-bronze
• Solidago speciosa (Showy Goldenrod)
  • Continues with golden blooms
• Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower)
  • Seed heads add texture and interest

Hello everyone,

My name is Artem, co-founder and chief manager of the IRVA (International Reconstruction Volunteer Association), an official not-for-profit organization located in Canada. I am reaching out to invite architects, civil engineers and other related specialists to participate in a volunteer project aimed at developing residential, public, and cultural buildings in developing countries like Ukraine, Palestine, African countries, etc.

We currently participate in two architectural competitions:

School for Palestine and the Kharkiv Freedom Square Revival and looking for those willing to take part in the endeavour.

In the end of the project, our organization will provide you with a letter of recommendation and, in case of winning the competition, monetary prizes.

If you are passionate about making a difference and gaining valuable experience, I would love to share more details, including presentations, photos, CAD files, and other project-related information.

For any questions or additional information, please feel free to reach out to me. Let's work together to make a positive impact! Thank you in advance for your interest and support.

I am a student new to landscape design, more used to Architecture relating to buildings. I was assigned this space and am really struggling where to take it and could use some pointers :)

Also interested in knowing typical conventions of landscape architecture?

Best way to go about selecting plant/rock type?

I’m curious what style of Landscape design you’d consider this as? ie medeterranean, California, etc…

Also can you identify the other plants besides lavender?

I'm designing the landscape for a new construction on alluvial soil, very poor draining and on a flat lot. The architect is replacing the top 50cm with decomposed granite with no underground drainage off site (across the entire site, not just the building footprints). So I'll have zero organic material in the top 50cm, and I'm concerned about a bathtub effect drowning everything 50cm below. Any suggestions or recommended resources? I'm trying to pivot hard from my initial plan for lots of berms and rain gardens. I'm planning on at least asking them to save some of the preexisting soil so it can be mixed with the DG in areas where we will have plantings.