Landscape Design Consultations 

by Landscape Designer, Janette Higgins             

    

       Examples of Janette's Concept Sketches   

                                                                           

A landscape design consultation at your home gives you

 

• a landscape concept for front and back that reflects your budget and style preferences and considers the dictates of your property
• solutions to problems (dry shade, awkward levels, overgrown shrubs, lack of privacy)

• details for gardens, paving, pathways, fences, patios and other features

• ideas for plants, trees and shrubs

• tips for your outdoor décor and colour schemes
• usually two concept sketches (not to scale*), one for the front and one for the back OR a staked-out design if you're ready to start right away. 
• an audio tape recording of the consultation for you to listen to or transcribe notes from later.  You are welcome to video-record the consult.
• some general written materials relevant to landscape design

• fees for a complete consultation, giving you a multi-year plan, usually range from $275-325 but it could be as low as $250 or has high as $400 or so depending on the circumstances.  Beyond my home in Port Hope there is a travel surcharge which usually ranges from $10-$50 depending on the distance.

•  Please go to the 'Contact Janette' page and email or phone 905-885-9653 for further information

 

*I have a pretty good eye for scale and proportion and hence don't spend the substantial time (which you'd be paying for) taking measurements and drawing plans to scale as many landscape designers are wont to do.  I find my clients are able to interpret my concept sketches to good effect and prefer to do their own measuring if necessary.  If you feel the same way then I could well be the landscape designer for you.

 

Note: Consultations are weather-dependent since we spend most of our time outside and I do all my sketching outside.  If it's too cold, windy or rainy (or snowing!) be prepared for a last-minute re-scheduling.  Even my tape machine stops working when it's too cold.  I do landscape design consultations for gardeners in Peterborough, Toronto, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Port Hope, Cobourg, Brighton and other places in Ontario. Please enquire. 

 

Meet me in my garden

 

You are welcome to phone me in spring/summer/fall to set up a mutually convenient time to meet me and stroll about my Port Hope garden.  My number is 905-885-9653.  I can show you some examples of concept sketches I've done for other clients and answer any questions you might have.  You will also gain a clearer understanding of what I do and leave with a better idea of whether I can help you.

 

 

 

May 7, 2006 in my garden; double lilac tulips, orange crown imperials and white anemone blanda steal the show.

 

Garden Design

 

If you would like actual gardens designed, I meet with you to discuss the concept and you are as involved as you want to be in the choices. I  do detailed garden design plans and you obtain and install the plant material yourself.  A word of warning though; this type of design is labour-intensive (read expensive!) so you may want to think twice about asking me to be your garden designer! I am so budget-conscious that I really prefer to help homeowners save money which is  the paradoxical outcome of a landscape design consultation. 

 

Your Garden Coach

 

Some clients in and around where I live in Port Hope call me in on an as-needed basis to advise them on their gardens. This could involve pruning, renovating an older garden or moving plants around for a more pleasing ‘picture’. One client bought a bunch of trees and shrubs on sale and knew enough to call me for help before her husband started planting them willy nilly.  Fortunately it was a large property and my brief involvement not only ensured a pleasing design but saved this homeowner from the overgrown shrub syndrome down the road.   A few clients even get me back every year to help with their progress on my initial plan.  In short, I'm there for whatever you need and work with everyone from the novice to the knowledgeable. The minimum fee for coaching is $125  and there could be a distance surcharge.

 

Speaker

 

I also give talks around Ontario about landscape design for the homeowner.  See page bottom of Contact Janette Higgins for brief bio and contact me for further information.

 

The gold-leaved caryopteris echoes the chartreuse blooms of ladies mantle.

Both play off against the flowers of a dwarf lilac. 

Leaf shapes colours and textures provide visual interest as well

 

Janette Higgins:  Unique amongst landscape designers

Get in touch to see if her service is a right fit for your needs.

 

Inspiration for homeowners in Peterborough, Toronto, Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Bowmanville, Newcastle,

Port Hope, Cobourg, Brighton and other places in Ontario.