An Interview With Jason Allison, Landscape Designer And Outdoor Problem Solver

Jason Allison, Landscape Designer with the Sanders Design Group, has graciously agreed to an interview for today’s post.  Sanders Design Group is a full service landscaping company located in Central Texas.

It’s Spring in Texas.  Just look outside and you cannot help but be impressed with the spectrum of colors that grace our yards and flowerbeds.  I can feel my sap begin to rise just thinking about what I will plant this year.  Perhaps it was pure selfishness that led me to ask these questions of Jason Allison, hoping to gather insight from the mastermind behind most of the Jenkins Custom Homes landscapes.  He did not disappoint.  He has proven himself, yet again, to be both knowledgeable and eloquent – a unique combination to be sure.

Me: What types of perennials do you like to use and why?

Jason: First, I prefer to see what the customer likes. Even if they just have preferences as simple as color or size, their initial input is very valuable. I then like to take into consideration the individual environment. Is the area sunny or shady? Is there a pet or deer issue? I will then put together some ideas that incorporate native or adaptive plant choices that will give a good mixture of color and texture throughout the year. Some of my favorite choices include: Lantana (many varieties), Esperanza, Salvia, Mexican Bush Sage, Plumbago, Artemisia, Skull Cap, and Jerusalem Sage; just to name a few. These selections, amongst others, can provide that season long and year-round interest and have proven reliability in our Central Texas climate.

Me: What do you recommend people do to spruce up their yards?

Jason: One quick way to spruce up a yard is to clean out the overgrown and “past-prime” plantings around the landscape. A simple clean-up and often regrouping of existing plants will help make dated yards look fresh and also open up some space for new plants and color to be added. Sometimes a simple cut-back and fresh layer of mulch can really shape things up as well. Also, one great way to add a real “punch” is to add some decorative pots with new color and evergreen plantings.

Me: What are people asking you about these days? What’s on people’s minds?

Jason: It seems more and more common these days to be asked about sustainable, environmentally conscious, or “green” options for the landscape. There are a lot of new concepts and products out there to accommodate those desires and it is exciting to be involved in creating responsible landscapes with that in mind.

Me: Would you mind telling us a little about how you design the landscaping for a particular house?

Jason: Like I mentioned before, the first thing I like to do is get a good input from the customer. After all, it is their home and their happiness in the end that is most important. I take their thoughts and ideas into consideration and then I interject my own in to the overall concept based on what I know will work together well both functionally and aesthetically. Once I have a good general idea of what is needed I then will make a concept design and put together a materials list. Next I usually revisit the project with the customer to make sure we are on the same page and I am heading in the right direction. After that meeting I will then put together a detailed design and overall plan for the project as well as a cost estimate as needed.

There are many factors that go into a good landscape plan. Elevation, drainage, hard-scape, existing vegetation, bed size and shape; to name a few. However, for me, it always comes back to what the customer has in their minds for what they envision the landscape to be. Sometimes more guidance from me is required then others, but overcoming the challenges each project presents to achieve those results is one of the most rewarding parts of what I get to do. Maybe instead of being titled a “Landscape Designer” I should be called an “Outdoor Problem Solver”, in a creative and beautiful way of course.

Me: If you don’t mind me asking, how is business?

Jason: I am glad to say that business is good. Personally I am as busy as I have ever been and I hope that is due not only to a resurgence in the economy but also as a result of satisfied customers. I truly believe that if you provide a great product, the desire for that service will always be there in some form.

The Skinny On Energy Efficiency

Google's PowerMeter

When faced with building a new home, you may be surprised at the number of options available for lowering your energy consumption, and thus, your utility bills. However, some ideas are better than others, and a good rule of thumb, according to Bethany Jenkins, Vice-President of Jenkins Custom Homes, is to evaluate the product and choose those with a 2-4 year payback. One of the benefits of building a new home – as opposed to purchasing an existing – is the flexibility you have in design. Here are some of our favorite ways to control energy costs:

1. Start with a great design. Your home’s orientation on the lot, as well as the location of windows and doors, can take into consideration cross-ventilation and the direction of the sun in both winter and summer months.
   
2. Have a carefully planned “thermal envelope”. The thermal envelope is a technical term for the insulation in your home. Think of it like a thermos – the quality of the insulation is what determines how hot or cold your liquid inside remains. The same is true of your home. Putting your money into a high-density foam insulation and highly efficient windows will keep your home warmer or cooler, therefore reducing the number of times the A/C or heater has to cycle on and off.
   
3. Require high-performance mechanical systems (heating and cooling systems, hot water heaters), as well as appliances.
   
4. Employee technology when cost-effective (occupancy sensors for lights, A/C & heater, for instance).
5. Carefully placed trees can shade your house from cold winds or the summer heat, and drought resistant landscaping will lower your water usage.  A good landscape architect can design your green space with eye toward lowering your energy costs.
   

Hardscape in your Landscape, Pt. 2

In his first post, Jason Allison introduced us to the concept of hardscape in our landscaping.  In part two, Jason will conclude his article with issues that need to be addressed when bringing hardscape into your landscape.

When adding hardscape to your landscaping, always consider your drainage. If this is not addressed properly from the onset, it can cause many problems down the line. It is always important to consider the run-off from the hardscape as well as different options to catch and control the water.

Although many of the material options are considered “permeable”, or will let water drain through, even they cannot completely absorb all of the rainfall that can come down in a hurry from time to time. Proper planning and implementing can alleviate these problems.  Often creative solutions, like dry creek beds, can actually add to the landscape as a whole.

Last, and by no means least, it is important to consider how the hardscape will work with the rest of the landscape as a whole. As I said before, they both can compliment each other greatly and a good planting design will only enhance your enjoyment of your hardscape.

Often you can soften the edges with plantings like vines or Rosemary training over walls and edges. Also, a hardscape generally lends itself to boundaries that are ideal for creating planting beds that can be filled with flowers, shrubs and trees that can add colors, scents, textures and shade to the area.

All in all, hardscapes can definitely add value and useable space to any landscape or home in general. Just keep in mind a few things when planning and implementing the project and you will have a permanent structure that you will be able to enjoy for years to come with little maintenance required.

Hardscape in your Landscape

By Jason Allison, Landscape Designer, Elements Group

Adding hardscape into a landscape is sometimes viewed as a contradiction of ideals. After all, landscapes are soft and organic while hardscapes are, well, hard and permanent, right? So, how can they work together?

Well, beautifully. You see, when planned properly the hardscape can add great value to the landscape, and vice versa, to create an overall appealing space that is conducive to flowers, scents, green space and high heels.

Hardscape materials can vary from impermeable surfaces like concrete and mortared in flagstone to the permeable such as tumbled pavers and stone with decomposed granite joints. Even more natural materials like wood decks can be considered “hardscape”. These structures offer a permanent surface that can be enjoyed as an entertaining or relaxing space, create defined pathways, or even act as parking for automobiles. The advantages of hardscapes are numerous but in the planning and constructing of the areas a few things need to be kept in mind.

First, consider the type of material you would like to use. Do you want it to be smooth and solid? Then maybe concrete would be an option. With the many stamping, texturing, and staining options today it does not have to be a plain grey slab.

Would you prefer an “Old World” or “Tuscan” feel? Then you might want to consider clay or tumbled concrete pavers. There are countless patterns to choose from and this option does give you the ability to remove a single paver should it ever become damaged. These pavers do have some added texture, which, depending on your preference can be seen as a good thing.

How about a natural feel? Then natural stone materials could be what you are looking for. From rough, natural flagstone to smooth saw-cut limestone the options here are numerous as well. One other important thing to consider with natural materials is what you would like the space between the stones to contain. Several popular options are solid mortared joints, decomposed granite, or even pea gravel. Each has its own pros and cons.

Read part two of this article in Jason’s next post