Re: survey

Hello Joe --
Well, you've asked that people let the subject drop, and here I am not dropping it.  But I just had to weigh in and say that I, for one, didn't feel your question was at all inappropriate.  I've only done a little bit of professional design work, so I may not be in your target group, but I am starting to expand my business in that area.  I did intend to write in with the types of questions I ask people, and was looking forward to hearing others' responses.  It's true it took a while to type up a list of questions, and I might not to have been willing to if I didn't already need the list for my own purposes.  But maybe if I start, other more experienced folks will be inclined to point out major areas I've missed... Here goes:

Site-related:  Areas of winter standing water (I'm in western Oregon, and we get a lot of rain). Where sewer lines or septic systems are located, locations of water supply lines, gas, other underground utilities (they may need to be dug up sometime, so not a good place for a tree or large shrub).   Areas with invasive growth that needs to be accessible for control -- removing blackberries and ivy is great, but seldom successful in one year, so the areas need to be accessible and visible for future upkeep.  Planned future building projects -- additions to the house, decks, pools, etc.  May want no landscaping there now, or something quick and temporary like annual beds or wildflower mix.

Style: What does the client like, maybe show pictures as an aid to discussion.  My focus is on planting design -- I have a business partner who does the landscape architecture side of things -- so my questions are about styles of planting -- xeriscape, natives, tropicals, etc.  Do you like a bit of bare space (mulch) between plants, or everything filled in and twining together?  What balance of long-blooming for continuity, versus short-blooming for variety and seasonal change?  Do you prefer to deadhead or leave seed stalks standing? (This affects choice of species.)

Use:  Which garden areas are seen / used in the winter?  Is space needed/desired for container plants, compost piles, a potting area, children's play area, sunbathing, outdoor eating/entertaining?  Are there pets or small children that might tend to run or dig in ground-level beds?  Or nibble on the foliage?  (These aren't bad things -- just need to be planned for.)  Do you want to attract birds, butterflies, dragonflies?  How about amounts of edibles -- fruit trees, berries, cooking herbs -- lots?  None?

Environments: Garden rooms, hidden shady corners, sunny meadows, screening and privacy from street or neighbors, deciduous or evergreen shade to cool the house, trellises, archways, and walls -- all the ways that plants can create or alter the feel of a space.  To me this is the heart of planting design.  On a first site visit, I try to get a sense of what kind of spaces the client would like to have included, and what I think the site wants.

Specific plants: Existing plants or trees the client wants to keep.  Is it OK to move them?  Particular favorites the client would like me to include -- sentimental shrubs from Grandma's garden, favorite natives, spring daffodils, etc. Also any plants you particular dislike.

So, that's it, off the top of my head.  I'm sure as soon as I hit send I'll think of something else.  Thinking of more already, really, but I'm sick of being on the computer :-).



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