How to Plan a New Landscape Installation: A 5-Step Guide

A blank slate can be overwhelming. Whether you're standing in front of a new-build home with a patch of bare dirt or you've just cleared an old, overgrown area, the first question is always, "Where do I even begin?"

A beautiful, cohesive, and low-maintenance landscape doesn't happen by accident. It's the result of a smart, simple plan.

We've developed this 5-step guide to help you think like a professional designer. This is the exact process we use to plan a new landscape installation. This is a foundational part of our Central VA Landscape & Garden Guide, designed to help you build a garden you'll love for years.

Start with Your "Why": Function First

Before you buy a single plant, ask yourself: What is the job of this space? The answer will guide every other decision.

  • "Curb Appeal": Is the job to frame your house and look great from the street? This means focusing on four-season structure and color.

  • "Privacy": Is the job to block a nosy neighbor or an ugly view? This means your plan will be built around a living "green screen" of hedges or evergreens.

  • "An Outdoor Room": Is the job to create a space for relaxing and entertaining? This means the landscape will be designed around a hardscape, like a patio or fire pit.

Assess Your Site: Sun, Soil, & Water

This is the "boring" step that saves you thousands of dollars. You must plant what wants to live on your property, not what just looks good at the nursery.

  • Sun Exposure: "Full Sun" (6+ hours), "Part Shade" (3-6 hours), or "Full Shade" (less than 3 hours)? This is the #1 rule for plant selection.

  • Soil: In our area, the answer is almost always heavy clay. You must choose plants that can handle it. (See our guide to Best Plants for Virginia Clay Soil).

  • Water: Is this a low, wet spot that holds water after a rain? Or is it a dry, hot slope?

Create "Structure" with Evergreens & Shrubs

This is the most common mistake homeowners make: they only buy flowers (perennials). A garden of only perennials looks like a bare, mulched-over patch of dirt for 5 months of the year.

Your landscape needs "bones." This is the structure that looks good even in the middle of January.

  • Start with evergreens: These are the plants that stay green all year (like Hollies, Boxwoods, or Junipers). They create the permanent shape of your garden.

  • Add deciduous shrubs: These are the larger shrubs that lose their leaves but provide big seasonal shows (like Hydrangeas, Fothergilla, or Weigela).

Add Color & Texture with Perennials

After your structure is in place, you can "paint" with perennials. These are the colorful, flowering plants that come back every year.

  • Plant in Groups: Don't buy one of ten different things (the "polka dot" look). Buy 3, 5, or 7 of one plant (like Black-Eyed Susans) and plant them in a cluster. This creates a bold, professional "drift" of color that has a much bigger impact.

  • Plan for 4-Season Interest: Choose a mix of plants that bloom at different times. Get something for spring (like Fothergilla), something for summer (like Coneflower), and something for fall (like Chokeberry).

Define the Space: Edging & Mulch

This is the final, professional step that makes a landscape look "finished."

  • Install Edging: A clean, deep edge (whether it's a natural "spade edge" or a permanent stone border) is the frame for your painting. It keeps the lawn out and the mulch in.

  • Apply Mulch: A 2-3 inch layer of high-quality hardwood mulch is the final touch. It suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and ties the entire design together with a single, uniform color.

Let Us Bring Your Vision to Life

Planning a new landscape is a big project. If you're ready to turn your vision into a professional, low-maintenance reality, we're here to help.

We are a fully insured team that can handle the entire process, from the initial design to the final installation.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation