Custom Atlanta home landscaping designs offer the chance to transform your yard into a beautiful oasis, ideally suited for your lifestyle. From soothing waterfalls to intimate screened in porches and outdoor kitchens, working directly with a professional landscape architect can add beauty and function to your property.
Atlanta’s humid climate and steady rain make it an ideal environment for growing plants, with gorgeous autumn colors, manageable winter weather and warm summer nights perfect for kicking back and enjoying your backyard. Landscapes here frequently take advantage of the area’s natural beauty, incorporating native trees and shrubs, flowering gardens, luscious grasses and water features.
In addition to creating a beautiful space, a well-designed garden can improve your property value and help you save on utility bills, because native plants require less maintenance. Choosing the right species for your yard is important, and local experts suggest looking for plants that thrive in your particular geographic region. For example, if your yard receives a lot of shade, consider planting evergreens like spruce or hemlock. If you prefer a colorful bloom, try native flowers and shrubs, such as dogwoods, azaleas or hydrangeas.
Adding a pond, fountain or waterfall to your yard can create a relaxing ambiance, and you can choose from a wide variety of materials and shapes for the feature. Waterfalls can be especially effective, as the sound and movement of the water can be extremely calming. Other popular options include fire pits and fireplaces, which can provide a cozy atmosphere for evening outdoor living.
Planting beds of blooming perennials is a great way to add color and interest to your garden, and Atlanta has several fine gardening centers where you can find a wide selection of plants. For a traditional garden, try oakleaf hydrangeas or ‘Alice’ cultivars, while the spiky leaves of bottlebrush buckeye and the deep blue-green color of plumbago are also good choices. Many landscape designers can help you select plants that are hardy and tolerant of the heat, humidity and soil conditions in your area.
Another low-maintenance option for your lawn is a ground cover, such as straggler daisy, coastal indigo or Texas frogfruit. These plants spread and grow much like grass, but they aren’t as prone to disease, insect pests or weeds. Some even require less water than a conventional lawn, so if you’re tired of the constant upkeep of traditional turf, wave goodbye to it in favor of a low-maintenance alternative.
In addition to designing the layout of your yard, a qualified landscaping company will be able to implement the project as well. Some landscapers will only handle the design phase, while others will take care of the entire build and construction process, including excavation and installation of walkways, patios, fences and garden aspects. To start your search for an Atlanta home landscape designer, narrow your results in the Professionals section of Houzz to those who offer both design and implementation services. Look for a landscape designer who has both ecological and aesthetic training to ensure that your yard’s landscaping plan maximizes the potential of your property.