Professional landscape designers consider many elements when planning an outdoor space, from soil type and weather conditions to aesthetics to intended uses. COURTESY LOWCO GARDENERS

Do you love to work in your yard? Or would you rather sit back, relax, and simply enjoy the view?

Regardless of which camp you find yourself in, one thing is for certain: A well thought-out, planned, and executed landscape design strategy is key. A thoughtfully crafted landscape design plan not only will give you an idea of what your outdoor space will look like, it also will allow you to experience it before installation even begins.

Creating outdoor spaces and foundation plantings is far more involved than designing the interior of your home, which is a controlled environment. In an outdoor setting, we are working with a living, breathing, and growing ecosystem.

Experienced professional landscape designers consider the ecology of outdoor spaces, from weather conditions, problematic soil, and erosion issues, while creating and maintaining natural habitats for bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators.

Whether your landscape is intended to provide curb appeal or to create balance within the natural landscape so you have places for unwinding and entertaining, planning is critical. A professional designer will work hard to highlight the natural beauty of your property by carefully selecting plants and outdoor features to install – while keeping future outcomes in mind in order to eliminate future headaches and maintenance issues.

Not only can you increase your overall living space by creating “outdoor rooms” in your landscape, you also can improve the value of your property both aesthetically and financially. If you are looking to sell your home in the future, refurbishing your landscape and adding outdoor amenities can greatly improve your property’s appeal and worth.

With the amazing weather we are so fortunate to have here in the Lowcountry, make the most out of your landscape with a thoughtful, carefully planned landscape design.

Robin Hartman is a landscape designer for LowCo Gardeners, serving all of Beaufort County. lowcogardeners.com