Charlotte-area designs run the gamut. More than any style, you’ll see variations on the classic 20th-century landscape archetype of foundation planting, hedges, floral accents, and vast lawns. Planting areas have gracefully swooping edges, and hardscape colors tend toward natural tones inflected with warm tans and grays. Among younger homeowners, in particular, you’ll also see more recently popular styles. Native-heavy, pollinator-friendly planting designs that emulate the wild landscapes of the Piedmont region are gaining steam. So are modern, urban-flavored designs, with clean concrete hardscaping, ornamental grasses, and rectilinear layouts. When it comes to landscape styles, Yardzen has done it all. Whatever your style may be, our designers are ready to help you achieve it.

Charlotte landscapes capitalize on the beautiful region and lovely climate with prominent planting designs and plenty of amenities for outdoor living. Yards are built to perform in all four seasons. Planting areas account for winter interest by incorporating early-blooming bulbs and evergreen shrubs, while also providing crucial summer shade from deciduous trees. Amenities for outdoor living are popular, from outdoor kitchen and dining areas, to flexible entertaining spaces – use these areas for a quiet night outside, or to host your pals for the Duke/NC State/UNC game Shade structures like pergolas and shade sails are gaining in popularity, as is outdoor lighting, which helps people take advantage of the cool weather of summer evenings. On the other end of the spectrum, fire pits, heaters, and outdoor rugs are popular to help people stay outside as the weather starts to turn chilly. While hardscape aesthetics vary as much as design styles, natural stone paving and decorative rock features are popular both for their durability and the sense of belonging within the regional landscape that they express.

No matter where you live, native plants are an excellent choice for your landscape. As lovers of the local climate, native plants typically require fewer inputs of water, fertilizer, and maintenance than species introduced from elsewhere. With natives, you’ll get great plant performance with less expense and fuss. At the same time, native plants offer unmatched habitat value for local wildlife and help designed landscapes feel connected to the broader regional landscape. Looking for a few natives to get you started? Here are a few of the many local favorites: → Wood Anemone → Northern Maidenhair Fern → Swamp Milkweed → Joe Pye Weed → Woodland Phlox → Carolina Cherry Laurel → Serviceberry → Eastern Red Cedar → Green Hawthorne

Even though Charlotte has a fairly mild climate, it is still crucial to consider the climate when designing Charlotte landscapes. Landscape designs must take care to choose plants and materials that will stand up to heat, rain, snow, and freezing conditions. They should also incorporate features to provide comfortable spaces for any season, including shade trees, overhead structures, and water features to help folks cool off in the summer, and evergreen windbreaks, fire pits, and outdoor heaters to keep people warm in the fall and winter. Seasonal interest is another climate factor to account for – landscapes ought to be dynamic, changing their appearance throughout the year. Careful plant selection can ensure an attractive display year-round by incorporating fall color, winter interest, and early spring blooms. With beautiful natural landscapes within reach, wildlife herbivory, from deer, in particular, is also a factor for Charlotte landscapes. While no plants are outright deer-proof, landscape designs can prioritize species that stand better odds of being avoided by deer. Charlotte is an expansive city, and some Charlotte yards can get pretty big. Clients should proactively partner with their landscape designer to figure out the best approach to designing their large yard, balancing budget goals with functional and aesthetic goals, and seeing what existing features may remain unchanged.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project. When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase – this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer. If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project. When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase – this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer. If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.