All Mr. Handyman franchises are locally owned and operated and may offer fewer or more services than those listed here. To learn more about the landscaping design offered in your area, contact your local Mr. Handyman for details or a customized on-site assessment.

Landscaping Design FAQs

Mr. Handyman has been helping homeowners repair, maintain, and enhance their spaces for over 25 years! We are the one-stop solution for everything on your to-do list. This includes answering your questions about home repairs, maintenance, and improvements. Here are answers to some of your most frequently asked questions about landscaping services.

What are the three major principles of landscape design?

Unity, balance, and proportion are the three principles of landscape design.

Achieve unity through repetition of key elements, like color schemes, textures, forms, and materials and create a sense of harmony in your space.

Balance gives your landscaping a sense of comfort through organization. Distribute plants, for example, in a way that maintains visual balance through symmetry (or asymmetry) or a balanced variety of plant colors.

Bringing the proper relationship among different elements to achieve a well-proportioned look and feel. Your furniture, for example, should be proportional to the space rather than oversized or too small. You can also use plant groupings of varying height to create interest and depth.

What are the five basic elements of landscape design?

Consider five basic elements for your t landscaping design: line, form, texture, color, and scale. Line is how your eye moves through the space, like a path or edge of a garden bed. Form is the shape of things, whether it's tall trees or round bushes, they all give off different vibes. Texture is all about how things feel, like soft grass vs. rough stone; a mix of both adds depth. Color sets the mood. And finally, scale ensures the different elements fit harmoniously together throughout your landscape.

How do I plan a landscape design for my yard?

Start by deciding how you want to use the space, whether it's for relaxing or entertainment. Sketch out a rough plan of where you want key features like paths, plants, or seating areas. Decide where key elements like garden beds, trees, patios, or walkways will go. Use lines to guide the eye and make sure the plants and different hardscape materials work with the overall flow.

From a maintenance perspective, you want to consider how you want to satisfy your watering needs (drip irrigation, automatic sprinklers, etc.) as well as any electrical needs to e.g. illuminate pathways. Your budget will determine if you can execute your vision at once or if you take a phased approach to creating the perfect yard for your needs.

What are the best plants for a low-maintenance landscape?

Native or drought-tolerant plants that need less water and care are the key to low maintenance landscaping. Replace traditional grass with ground covers or hardscaping like gravel or stones to reduce mowing and upkeep. Adding mulch and an automatic irrigation system can further minimize the effort needed to maintain your landscape.

How can I ensure my new landscape plants thrive?

Once you have finished creating your new landscape, it’s time to get into maintenance mode. Set up a consistent watering schedule, and keep up with weeding, fertilizing, and mulching. Prune and adjust as needed while your plants are getting established.