Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder. And a client’s opinion of their landscape is all about personal preference,” as Harry Lamberton, CEO of Yellowstone Landscape, says.
What does that mean for landscape designers and the clients they serve?
It means having experience and expertise in horticulture and design philosophy isn’t enough. A top-tier landscape designer is someone who’s also able to understand what each client desires from their outdoor space. What feeling do they want the landscape to give their residents, staff, or guests?
With that deeper understanding, a professional designer can then draw out what “beauty” means to that particular client. Once that’s clarified, the right landscape style can be presented to the customer.
This article reveals how to choose a landscape design style that fits your goals for the properties you own and manage. We will also break down:
- Why Style Matters So Much in Landscape Design
- 5 Commercial Landscape Styles to Know
- How Yellowstone Helps Clients Define Their Landscape Style
- 2 Case Studies Highlight Specific Landscape Styles
- Trends Fade, So Go for the Best Fit
- Yellowstone Landscape Designer Q&As Sprinkled In Throughout
Why Style Matters So Much in Landscape Design
“Properties with appealing exteriors tend to sell faster than those that lack curb appeal.” ~Coldwell Banker
Some of the reasons style matters are more obvious than others. Starting with curb appeal, most people understand a quality landscape design is pleasing to the eyes. Also, we find most clients agree that first impressions are crucial to attracting shoppers, residents, tenants, and guests to a property.
Then, there’s brand alignment to consider for businesses. A living landscape is a perfect way to enhance branding. The right plants and trees can communicate trust and tradition. They can also reinforce modern aesthetics alongside eco-friendliness. Logos and letterhead are one thing, but mindfully styled outdoor areas make an impact before customers or employees even enter a business.
Next is resident satisfaction. Whether you’re managing an HOA community or a multi-family housing community, residents appreciate certain landscape styles more than others. An active community may want a “high-energy” landscape bursting with color. Alternatively, a 55+ neighborhood might prefer a relaxed landscape style with low-maintenance greenery.
“Leisure-time physical activity levels played a mediating role in the relation between social capital and health as well as quality of life.” ~NIH
Speaking of plant care, you should always consider maintenance and other long-term cost factors of these various landscape styles. Native plantings don’t require as much labor to keep them thriving. Drought-tolerant species reduce water waste while lowering utility bills. Contrast that with detailed designs and exotic, non-native plants, which increase labor and require extra water and nutrients.
5 Commercial Landscape Styles to Know
1. Formal and Symmetrical
This style is often a great fit for people who appreciate a “buttoned-up” approach. It’s all about order over chaos. Crisp lines and perfectly aligned shapes and patterns are hallmarks of this landscape design style.
Some tangible features include:
- Symmetrical beds
- Neatly trimmed hedges
- Straight-edged walkways
What types of locations typically work best with this approach? Upscale entrances, public buildings, and luxury resorts. Premier HOA clubhouses are a fit, too.
2. Modern and Minimalist
Clients who are “anti-clutter” often enjoy a modern and minimalist landscape. This outdoor design style makes a big splash with minimal effort and no chaotic visuals. Beds are never crowded. The lighting is subtle. An overwhelming color palette is not needed.
Commonly-used features include:
- Sleek hardscaping
- Ornamental grasses
- Modern metal or concrete elements
Spaces that are a good fit for this landscape style are corporate headquarters, office parks, and businesses focused on modern trends. They get handsome curb appeal with just the right amount of softscape features.
3. Naturalistic and Organic
People who “stroll their backyards barefoot” are keen on the natural landscape style. They welcome unbridled edges and native blooms. This style allows for a little natural wildness that can also produce the bonus of attracting honeybees and butterflies. These valuable pollinators add visual interest and biodiversity, which enhances the landscape’s overall health.
Notable features of organic designs include:
- Water features
- Stones and boulders
- Naturally-shaped shrubs
A naturalistic green space can be ideal for a park, campus, and community developments focused on environmental stewardship.
4. Tropical and Resort-Inspired
This landscape style is great for people who are always on “beach time.” Often inspired by resort landscaping, this type of design appeals to all the senses. Swaying palms, bold colors, and eye-catching layers create a casual, weekend feel every day of the week.
Traits of a tropical landscape style may include:
- Lush plant groupings
- Breezy swaying stems
- Tall palms rising above vibrant shrubbery
Ideal locations include apartment communities, hotels, and amenity areas in the Southern U.S. (tropical plants can be used in Northern areas through interiorscape flexibility).
5. Drought-Tolerant and Xeriscapes
“Set it and forget it” personalities may find xeriscapes are the ideal style for unique outdoor spaces that are mostly worry-free. Xeriscapes use native and drought-tolerant plant species. Very little turf, if any, is used. This means the landscape has most of what it needs to thrive without much human intervention.
Xeriscape landscape styles often utilize the following features:
- Succulents
- Hardy ornamental grasses
- Decorative stones and pebbles
Good regions for a drought-resistant landscape style are Western states, water-conscious areas, and properties without irrigation.
Now that we’ve covered those five commercial landscape design styles, what about property-specific guidance?
Yellowstone Landscape Designer Q&A
Which commercial landscape design styles are best suited for the following properties:
Office parks?
The modern and minimalist style is most common. These spaces lean into clean lines, ornamental grasses, and strategically placed hardscapes that complement architecture and appeal to professional tenants.
Multi-family communities?
Naturalistic/organic and resort-inspired styles are consistently used at multi-family developments. Winding paths, native plantings, water features, or tropical textures are meant to offer a relaxing atmosphere and build community connection in the green spaces.
Resorts or hospitality?
Tropical and coastal landscape styles work at large resorts, boutique hotels, or even Airbnb properties. It’s about hospitality and offering a welcoming experience. Vibrant blooms, bright green turf, and regal palms provide the wow-factor that should come with any kind of travel. Outdoor rooms and water features are icing on the cake for properties using this style of landscaping.
HOAs?
Naturalistic styles are the most widely used for HOA communities. Sustainability, pollinator gardens, and regional plant palettes keep getting more popular. More than ever before, homeowners notice eco-friendly efforts where they live and play with their kids or pets. Natural-style landscaping checks that box and balances curb appeal with reduced maintenance
How Yellowstone Helps Clients Define Their Landscape Style
Fortunately, there are proven ways your landscape designer can help you define your landscape style. At Yellowstone Landscape, we’ve found three consistent ways to be a helpful guide to clients.
Collaborative Design Process
The crucial first step is listening. Yellowstone Landscape designers work with clients to determine what their must-haves are and what are their wish list features. Together with the client, they explore options from a broad perspective, before dialing in on exactly how to bring the customer’s vision to life.
Visual Tools
Words sometimes fall short of landscape style descriptions. That’s where painting a clear picture comes in. Our design team has found mood boards, photo galleries, and case studies to be excellent for showing clients what their vision could look like.
And design software has come a long way, quick sketches can look more realistic than ever and are easily shareable.
Budget and Right Style, Right Place
Yellowstone Landscape design teams have years of experience collaborating with each other in branches across all our locations. This regional knowledge sharing helps our designers guide clients on the right plants, right place philosophy.
Plants, turf, and trees that fit the region’s climate will thrive without constant, costly upkeep. Native plantings can make a property stand out in a sea of cookie-cutter designs while offering a chance to match the geographical branding.
Yellowstone Landscape Designer Q&AHow much do maintenance and budget influence the style that’s chosen? Maintenance and budget affect every style conversation. Native and drought-tolerant plants reduce costs and headaches, fitting tight HOA and municipal budgets. Resort-style designs in hospitality often get higher maintenance budgets for that wow factor. Modern landscape design for offices provides a tidy look with easy upkeep. Efficient and attractive landscape design saves money over time by using plants and layouts that thrive with minimal care. |
2 Case Studies Highlight Specific Landscape Styles
Naturalistic Style: Multi-Purpose Entertainment Venue
Native plants were chosen for the property below based on hardiness and exciting colors complement the bustling venue. Coralbells, coneflowers, and salvia stand out as sustainable eye-catchers for visitors. Drought-resistant plants are reducing maintenance needs while upholding standards set by the property’s 2016 SITES Gold sustainability certification.
Tropical Style: Luxury Hotel and Gaming Resort
The photos below show the results of having a clear mission to create the best landscape any resort can offer. The tropical style is on display, whispering relaxation and luxury. Our Tampa team is proud to have accomplished the ideal visuals and thrilled to maintain this premier property.
Yellowstone Landscape Designer Q&AHow do you guide clients through the style discovery process? We get to know each client and their brand, audience, and maintenance goals. We offer them portfolio examples and do property walkthroughs (digital and on-site) to find the style that resonates. Then we try to educate them on plant palettes that’ll thrive based on site conditions and the local climate. How much wear and tear the landscape absorbs is also discussed. |
Trends Fade, So Go For The Best Fit
Trends Fade, So Go for the Best Fit
We kept the number of landscape styles to a reasonable level. That’s because having too many options can be a bit confusing and overwhelming. Of course, property owners and managers eventually have to make tough choices.
The good news - as long as your landscape designer has taken the time to lay out all the options, you can make an informed decision.
With a good guide, you’ll be more likely to choose what’s right for your property and not just what’s trendy at the moment. Remember, trends come and go. Not to mention that just because a landscaping style is popular doesn’t mean it’s right for your property.
Yellowstone Landscape designers aim to give clients the most value for their budget. They want their landscape to stay healthy and vibrant over the life of the landscape. Our designers map out the possibilities, ask and answer questions, and then guide clients toward the style that feels perfect to them.
Do you want to explore your landscape style on a deeper level? Schedule a consultation with our design team today.
