Why Ecological Planting Design?

Ecologically informed planting design is rapidly becoming an essential aspect of hoticulture, especially in urban contexts. The high inputs of energy required by conventional planting schemes is making them increasingly difficult to sustain.

Obviously these schemes still have to look great, this isn't an exercise in conservation. I'm simply taking advantage of more detailed ecological knowledge to create healthier and more sustainable planting schemes.

I find that always the first thing clients ask for is low maintenance. My heart sinks when this is coupled with a long wish list which makes low maintenance an impossibility. However, this is one of the main gains for clients in choosing an ecologically informed planting scheme over a conventional one. The whims of a designer conventionally result in complex and time consuming schemes which will fail if they are not looked after properly. Most clients over estimate the time they will spend in the garden. Make your life easier and allow the designer to select plants appropriate to the site that will fulfil your broad aesthetic ideas as well. In this respect ecologically informed design is a no-brainer. But please note I use the phrase 'low maintenance' and not 'no maintenance'.