My Process & Philosophy: Designing Florida Landscapes That Actually Work
When I design and install a landscape, I’m not just placing plants—I’m creating something that will live, grow, and evolve over time.
And that starts with one core belief inspired by Beatrix Farrand:
👉 Work with the land, not against it.
Work With Nature—Not Against It
Florida is not the Midwest. It’s not the Northeast.
Our soil, sun, rain patterns, and pests are completely different.
So instead of forcing plants into conditions they don’t belong in, I design landscapes that:
respect the natural environment
align with sun and soil conditions
embrace Florida’s unique climate
Because when you fight the land…
👉 you end up with constant maintenance, struggling plants, and frustration.
I Design Conservatively (And That’s a Good Thing)
When I say I’m a conservative designer, I don’t mean boring.
I mean intentional.
I plant less than most landscapers on purpose.
Why?
Plants need space to grow
Overplanting creates:
poor airflow
pest and disease issues
crowded, chaotic landscapes
More plants = more maintenance
If a plant is supposed to grow 5 feet wide, I give it 5 feet.
Not 2 feet and a hope that it “works out.”
👉 The goal is a landscape that looks better as it matures, not worse.
Space Matters More Than You Think
I also believe strongly in giving plants room from:
houses
pool cages
walkways
Too often, plants are installed too close and become a problem later:
constant pruning
structural damage
overcrowding
👉 A little restraint upfront saves a lot of headaches later.
Less Is More (And Looks Better)
One of the biggest mistakes I see?
Too much variety.
I believe in:
fewer plant types
repeated patterns
cohesive design
Not a scattered mix of one of this and two of that.
👉 Repetition creates flow.
👉 Simplicity creates elegance.
Now—don’t get me wrong—I love:
texture
layers
color
But it’s done with intention, not chaos.
Native First… But Not Native Only
I prioritize:
Florida native trees and shrubs
plants that support wildlife
But I am not a 100% native purist.
👉 You can absolutely have a wildlife-friendly landscape without being fully native
I thoughtfully incorporate:
Florida-friendly, non-native plants
reliable bloomers
low-maintenance color
It’s about balance:
beauty
function
sustainability
Every Plant Should Give Something Back
One of my biggest philosophies:
👉 Your landscape should support life
That means choosing plants that:
feed pollinators
provide habitat for birds
support beneficial insects
Because the more balanced your ecosystem is…
👉 the less you’ll deal with pest problems.
Nature helps regulate itself—if you let it.
What I Don’t Believe In
There are a few things I avoid (and will always be honest about):
❌ Overplanting
❌ Landscape fabric under plant beds
❌ Highly invasive plants (yes… including Mexican petunias)
❌ “Problem plants” that constantly struggle in Florida
If I think something won’t work long-term…
👉 I will tell you.
Because I’d rather have an honest conversation now than a disappointed client later.
Low Maintenance Is the Goal
I design for:
sustainability
ease of care
long-term success
That includes:
proper spacing
plant selection
reducing lawn when possible
increasing trees and layered plantings
👉 A well-designed landscape should not feel like a full-time job.
The Most Important Part of My Process: Listening
At the end of the day…
👉 This is your landscape. Not mine.
My job is to:
guide you
educate you
design something that works
But most importantly…
👉 I listen.
The more information you can give me:
plants you love
colors you’re drawn to
how you want the space to feel
…the better the outcome will be.
Where Expectations Sometimes Clash
I’ll be honest—this is where things can get tricky.
Clients who are new to Florida (especially from up north) often have expectations that don’t translate well here.
The plants are different
The growth patterns are different
The maintenance is different
👉 What you want and what actually works can be two different things.
And that’s where my job comes in:
to bridge that gap
to guide you toward something you’ll love long-term
Final Thoughts
My process is rooted in:
intention
honesty
experience
I design landscapes that:
grow into themselves
support the environment
feel cohesive and natural
and most importantly… work for you
Because a successful landscape isn’t just about how it looks the day it’s installed.
👉 It’s about how it looks—and feels—years later.
If you’re ready to create something thoughtful, functional, and uniquely yours…
just know I’ll be listening.
