Landscape architects

Find out what expert landscape architects can do for your outdoor area.

Q. Do you provide insurance or guarantees of the landscaping job?

A. No. That would be a building matter, to be sorted out with contracts and so on. And there are too many variables at play. You've only got so much control over the project once people have walked away with your plans.

Q. Do you need experience in flora or botany to be a landscape architect?

A. Not necessarily, but it helps. It's a big part of the job, and it's a knowledge base which is always growing. The more you understand about garden plant characteristics, the easier your job will be. But you certainly don't need to be a botanist to be a landscape architect. Planting is just part of a long and involved process.

Q. Are garden water features expensive? And do they use lots of water?

A. They can be quite expensive, but you can go cheaply if you really want to. Properly designed, self-recycling water features only use as much water as the sun evaporates, but I probably wouldn't recommend them in severe drought areas. The advantage is that they bring serenity and tranquillity to the garden.

Q. What are some new trends in garden landscape designs?

A. The dominant trend is the backyard as courtyard. The shrinking backyard has really changed people's focus from the massive backyard lawn for kids to kick the footy on to a multi-functional space where the yard becomes an extension of the house, almost like another room.

Q. Does a landscape architect construct the garden too?

A. Not in my case, but there are design construction firms out there that do.

Q. What should people look for when choosing a landscape architect?

A. They should look for someone they can communicate with, someone who comes recommended, or whose work they've seen and they like. They need to find someone who can work sympathetically in design terms with what they're looking for in the space. They should also look for a demonstrated ability to work within different landscapes, materials and budgets.

Contact a landscape architect in your area to find out how you can get the most of your garden: