Landscape design & build for Orlando

Orlando landscapes often draw inspiration from the English colonial style, incorporating hedges, symmetrical evergreen accents, and, above all, large lawns, which are ubiquitous in many neighborhoods.

Many landscapes eschew flower color, relying exclusively on low maintenance evergreens. Others blend in bold pops of flower color in mulched beds, often mixing multiple colorful species to play foreground to a tidier set of background shrubs.

This being Florida, plants like palms and ferns work their way into many designs, adding a dash of tropical flavor to any and all design styles.

Stone paving is popular, offering an upscale look and good slip resistance – a necessary consideration for pool decks and anywhere exposed to rain.

Orlando landscapes embrace outdoor living, frequently featuring outdoor kitchens and dining, flexible lounge spaces for entertaining friends, and even outdoor showers.

Swimming pools (big and small) along with simpler decorative water features are popular and effective choices for keeping cool, whether or not you actually get wet.

Pergolas are immensely popular as well, defining comfortable outdoor “rooms”, ready-made visual focal points, and functional flexibility.

Surprisingly, fire pits and hot tubs – also popular landscape elements – are also great amenities to beat the summer heat, offering a fun activity to get you outside during the cooler evening hours. Fire pits and hot tubs work double-duty, providing a heat source to keep you outside through the odd cold snap that hits the city.

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? Beautyberry, pink muhly grass, the sabal palm, and the Southern magnolia are popular local staples. And for those looking for hedges, the Southern wax myrtle makes for a great native option.

Despite the wet summers, drought can be a serious issue in Central Florida. Drought tolerant plants, especially drought tolerant natives, can withstand dry spells, and will save money on irrigation to boot. Sabal palm, passion flower, and pink Muhly grass are a few of many drought tolerant natives available for Central Florida landscapes.

Wind tolerance is another factor to consider. To avoid damage to your landscape design, opt for plants like beautyberry, which can withstand hurricane winds.

Heavy rains also can raise drainage challenges. Utilizing proper stormwater management techniques can capture water in desirable locations, recharging groundwater while minimizing the mess that unchecked stormwater can spread across a property.

Given the abundant heat and sunshine, solar exposure should be accounted for – avoid blasting outdoor spaces with harsh late afternoon western light, unless shade trees or structures are being utilized.

Wildfire can also be a concern. Designs can be tailored to meet a client’s desired level of fire safety, at a minimum providing defensible space around the perimeter of the home.

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.