Front and Backyard Landscape Design Full Replacement

At our first meeting with this family, they emphasized the need to remove all the overgrown plants and shrubs and then create a design that would maximize lawn space. They needed a landscape design for both the front yard and the backyard that would give them plenty of room to play.

BEFORE PICTURES

After a detailed walk through we decided to remove all existing foundation and ornamental plants from the front yard, including a large but declining Ligustrum tree. This tree had trunk rot from poor pruning techniques and would have eventually given out anyway. We decided to leave the Robellini palms as they appeared to be in good shape. We also decided to keep the Asiatic Jasmine ground cover between the sidewalk and the street and to salvage a large portion from the backyard to fill in an area that had declined.

They requested that we plant a single row of shrubs along the front in order to maximize lawn space for his children to play and practice sports. We filled in the odd areas near the front door with a few flowering plants, some mid-level foliage plants for contrast and a flowering ground cover called blue daze.

We agreed the irrigation system would need to be modified to accommodate the redesign and some rotors along the street should be replaced to improve coverage (they had been broken up by automobiles running over the curb and landscape maintenance edgers).

We also agreed that the overly mature and poorly maintained Viburnum odoratissimum shrubs lining the sides of the house needed to be replace. They had been hedged and hedged for years and had only a thin layer of foliage on top with no foliage on the sides. They looked spindly and ugly.

In the backyard it was very clear that it had been allowed to get overgrown and out of control. We had to bring in a tree service to remove several small trees, a large branch that had fallen into the mass of plants and then grind down about a dozen stumps.

Since there was a wall along the back of the property, we only had to worry about privacy along the sides. We employed a new row of hardy shrubs that would fill in quickly and provide privacy. There was also a lot of gravel that had been used around the pool deck and then connecting to a path that led out front. It was all installed without landscape fabric so we had to dig down several inches to get it out and then backfill with good soil for the lawn. The took a couple extra days but ensured the success of the new lawn. Grass does not grow in rocky soil.

In general, we opened up the entire backyard so that we could maximize lawn space for sports play. The entire irrigation zone had to be reconfigured as well.

During the design and consultation, I discussed plant options and provided pictures and pros/cons. They selected the plants they liked best. I also covered their options for the new lawn and what it would take to ensure long term success for the option they selected.

Landscape design Orlando Winter Park Winter Springs with a plan to maximize the front yard lawn

Earthwise landscape design Orlando Winter Park Winter Springs Fl front yard perspective view trees hidden

Please note: The trees have been hidden in this perspective view of the Orlando Maitland landscape design in order to give a clear view of the plan. You can see in the landscape design plan view below the black circles indicate the location of large Oak trees in the front yard. Because of the large trees, there is a lot of shade. Turfgrass does not like shade. Special care parameters must be in place in order to have a successful lawn under shade. Factors such as irrigation frequency and duration, fertilization, disease control, and pest prevention must be taken into account. Before investing thousands in a new landscape make sure to hire an experienced landscape professional who takes a holistic approach to your project. Make sure to contact Earthwise Scott for a consultation if you are considering this type of work.

Earthwise landscape design Orlando Winter Park Winter Springs Fl for front yard plan view trees hidden

Mid project after removal/demo of the overgrown shrubs and plants

We removed the declining weedy lawn. We also chopped out root mats and dug out several inches of dirty rock before reapplying clean topsoil.

Completed project front yard and backyard St. Augustine landscape design

You might ask how a St. Augustine dominant lawn is Earthwise. First, I always honor my clients requests. Second, if they want to do St. Augustine or Zoyisa then I guide them through the best practices that will ensure long term success. I also provide a plan to water and mow the lawn correctly. Finally, I make sure they have a good fertilization and chemical management company. When all these factors are managed correctly this reduces the environmental impact of an otherwise resource dependent lawn. St. Augustine can be healthy and tough when it gets the care that it needs. When people ignore the factors that ensure longterm success, wasteful practices often ensue; such as over watering, over fertilizing, over application of chemicals, and poor maintenance practices. A healthy lawn uses less resources overall and if a client requests this type of landscape I make sure they know how to take care of it and reduce waste. This practice is a step in the right direction.