Expert Insights on How to Design a Landscape in Boalsburg, PA
- Adam Allen
- May 5
- 7 min read
Before you start sketching ideas or eyeing plants at the garden center, pause for a moment. Jumping into a project without a plan often leads to mismatched elements, budget creep, or a yard that looks good for one season and then struggles the rest of the year.
If you're wondering how to design a landscape that actually fits your life, the first step is clarity. It should go beyond what you want it to look like and also include how you want it to feel, function, and evolve. It's less about picture-perfect flower beds and more about flow, balance, and knowing what works on your property and not someone else's.
This isn't about learning landscape architecture overnight. It's about getting a better handle on your outdoor space so that when it's time to bring in the professionals, you know which direction you're headed. Let's talk about landscape design in detail without getting academic.
Key Takeaways
Every successful landscape design starts with understanding your property's natural conditions and how you want to use the space.
A cohesive landscape balances structure, plantings, and accents to complement your home and support long-term usability.
Planning for growth and choosing plants wisely ensures your outdoor space stays beautiful, functional, and low-maintenance for years to come.
Take Stock of the Site (And Be Honest About It)
Before anything gets planted or built, the land itself has something to say. Every outdoor space has its own rules—sun exposure, soil type, drainage, slope—and ignoring those details is one of the quickest ways to end up with struggling plants or designs that just don't fit.
At Landscape II, we start every project by reading the site like a blueprint. We look at how light moves through the space, where water collects, which areas feel exposed or sheltered, and what's already thriving—or not. These natural clues shape everything that follows, from the layout of your flower beds to where that fire pit will actually make sense.
Work with what's already there to create something better. A thoughtful landscape plan doesn't fight the property—it builds on it. And once the groundwork is understood, we can start thinking about how the space will actually be used.
Think About How You Actually Use the Space
A beautiful yard is easy to admire, but a well-used one is entirely different. The difference often comes down to how the space works for your daily life, not just how it looks in a photo.
As landscape professionals, before we start on a garden design, we usually ask our clients what they want to do in their outdoor space. Not everyone needs a large patio or a sprawling lawn. Some want a quiet spot to read under the trees.
Others need space for kids to run, pets to play, or evenings spent around a fire pit with friends. Some dream of a lush garden to tend, while others want a low-maintenance setup that simply looks good without constant upkeep.
We design with those real-life rhythms in mind. That means defining clear zones—maybe a shaded seating area here, a compact vegetable garden there—without turning your yard into a patchwork. It's about flow, comfort, and the right kind of functionality.
When a landscape reflects how you actually live, everything fits together more naturally. That's where the design starts to feel personal and where it starts to last.
Match the Landscape to the Architecture
Good landscape design doesn't just fill space—it connects with the structure it surrounds. A sleek, modern home calls for clean lines and intentional simplicity, while a historic farmhouse or cottage might lean into layered plantings, soft curves, and timeless materials.
We design with the house in mind. We study the details—rooflines, windows, siding, scale—and build a landscape design plan that complements them, not competes with them. That could mean matching hardscape elements to the home's materials, echoing architectural forms in planting beds, or using outdoor lighting to highlight key features after dark.
This kind of visual connection is what gives a yard its rhythm. It's how a landscape plan becomes a seamless extension of the home rather than an add-on. And it's a big part of what makes a space feel pulled together, no matter the size.
Next, we'll get into the layers—because once the bones are right, the real character starts to show.
Layer in the Elements That Matter Most
A truly well-designed landscape is built from layers that work together. Structure, planting, and detail all have their place, and the magic happens when they're balanced just right.
Landscape II starts by defining the bones of the space. That could be a winding path through the garden, a stone patio that anchors your outdoor area, or a retaining wall that reshapes the slope of your yard. These hardscape elements give the layout its shape and flow.
From there, we add the life. Trees for height and shade. Shrubs for structure. Flowers and smaller plants for color, texture, and movement. We select each one with purpose—based on light, soil, and the kind of maintenance you're willing to take on.
Then come the finishing touches: lighting that adds drama and safety after dark, water features that invite calm, or sculptural accents that make the space feel curated rather than crowded.
Choose what fits. When each layer serves a role, the result is a landscape that feels natural, intentional, and complete. Now that the design is coming together, let's talk about choosing plants that won't just survive but thrive.
Choose the Right Plants, Not Just the Pretty Ones
It's easy to fall for the showstoppers—the bold blooms, dramatic foliage, or trending plant of the moment. But when it comes to smart landscape design, beauty has to go hand in hand with staying power.
Landscape II focuses on selecting plants that do more than look good. We consider what will thrive on your specific site—taking into account sun, shade, soil, and how much maintenance you're up for. That might include native plants, low-maintenance varieties, or a mix that balances beauty with practicality.
The goal isn't to limit your options but to make choices that work for your yard. Plants that stay healthy without constant attention tend to look better, longer. And when selected with the full design in mind, they add structure, seasonal interest, and natural flow throughout the year for a captivating landscape.
With the planting strategy in place, the final step is making sure that what you build today still works tomorrow. Let's talk about planning for growth.
Plan for Growth (and Change)
A landscape might start strong, but the real test is how it looks and functions five or ten years down the road. What feels open today could feel crowded tomorrow. Plants mature, trees cast wider shade, and how you use your yard might shift with time.
As landscape designers and landscape architects, we design with that evolution in mind. We consider how fast different plants grow, how much space they'll eventually need, and how they'll interact as the seasons—and years—go by.
That means proper spacing from the start, along with smart placement of trees, shrubs, and garden beds that won't overwhelm walkways or block views as they fill in.
We also keep long-term maintenance in view. A dream yard shouldn't turn into a chore down the line. By building in flexibility—space to add more plants, reroute a path, or adjust for future features—you get a landscape that can adapt, not just age.
This kind of planning doesn't overcomplicate things. It just helps protect your investment, support plant health, and make sure your outdoor area keeps working for you year after year.
Conclusion
Designing a landscape is shaping a space that fits your property, your lifestyle, and the rhythm of your everyday life. From the first pencil sketch to the final planted bed, every choice should bring clarity, not complication.
Your yard doesn't need to be loud to make an impact. It just needs to be done with purpose. And that's what we're here to do.
Work With a Team That Knows What It's Doing
You don't need acres of land or a huge budget to benefit from professional landscape design. What you do need is a clear plan, the right plant choices, and a team that understands how to pull it all together without the stress.
At Landscape II, we make the design process approachable—from the first conversation to the final walk-through. We listen, we plan, and we build with long-term success in mind. No guesswork. No cookie-cutter layouts. Just a thoughtful landscape plan tailored to your yard, your home, and how you actually live.
Let's create a space that feels like it was meant to be there all along. Start your project with us today. Book your FREE consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to design a landscape step by step?
Start by evaluating your space—sunlight, soil, and existing features. Then, define how you want to use the area and outline a basic landscape plan that includes structural elements, plantings, and any special features like lighting or water.
From there, select plants suited to your environment, create a layout that balances form and function, and consider long-term care before bringing it all to life.
What are the 7 steps to landscape design?
How do you design a landscape?
Designing a landscape starts with observation—how the space functions, where the natural light falls, and what needs attention. From there, create a visual representation (even if it's just on graph paper) that outlines zones, paths, plant groupings, and focal points. It's helpful to work with a landscape contractor to turn your concept into a detailed, actionable plan.
What are the 5 basic elements of landscape design?
The five foundational elements are line, form, color, texture, and scale. These principles guide how different plants, hardscape features, and open areas interact to create a cohesive, visually appealing space. They're also essential when aiming for sustainable landscaping that looks good and functions well over time.
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