Landscape Design Process

Think of it as three stages of detail. The concept plan sketches the initial layout for your feedback. The masterplan locks in the finished design — paving, planting, features and utilities. Construction drawings only come into play when a permit needs precise technical specs, like for a deck or pergola.

The 2D masterplan gives you accurate measurements and layout, while the 3D renders let you actually picture the finished space, such as materials, planting, and the whole feel of it. Together they mean far fewer surprises once construction starts.

It's simply the full list of plants specified for your garden, such as botanical and common names, quantities, and the size each one goes in at. It keeps planting accurate and gives you a clear record of exactly what's been chosen.

In most cases, yes. Walking the site lets us properly understand your property's conditions and talk through what you need in context, rather than guessing from photos. It's a big part of why the design ends up fitting your space so well.

Every design starts from scratch. Two properties never get the same plan, because we're working from your lifestyle, your taste and the quirks of your particular block. There is no single template that can be used for every job. 

It's the groundwork before any design begins. This means walking the property, taking levels and measurements, and noting environmental factors like sun, drainage and soil. Getting this right early is what makes the final design both practical and sustainable.

For anything beyond the simplest garden, a professional plan usually pays for itself. It's especially worth it if the project's complex or you're short on time and design experience. A proper plan tends to save money by avoiding costly rework later.

Sustainable design comes down to working with the site and understanding what's sustainable and feasible. At Foliage, we focus on choosing plants and materials that need less water and upkeep, and thinking about long-term ecological balance. It's a beautiful garden that's also kinder to run and maintain.

Site limitations and shifting client expectations are the two challenges we see most. We handle both the same way: thorough upfront analysis, honest communication, and a willingness to problem-solve creatively rather than force a plan that doesn't suit the site.

It runs in stages: a consultation and site analysis to understand your needs, a preliminary design to test the layout, then a refined masterplan covering materials, plants and every design element, which becomes the guide for construction.