Collaborating for Better Landscape Design: The Value of Working Closely with Suppliers
As landscape designers, the goal is to create beautiful, functional spaces for clients. But we often encounter a disconnect between what's designed and what's available. At the heart of this issue is the choice of plant materials—sometimes, plants specified in designs are not hardy for the region or aren't in production at local nurseries.
Many major growers promote new varieties, often protected by patents, which are only in the early stages of production. While these plants are exciting, they typically are available in smaller sizes, leaving designers and clients frustrated when they cannot source them. Growing and potting up material takes time, and many nurseries are only equipped to grow specialty plants to large sizes if there's strong demand.
Additionally, requesting mature sizes of new plant varieties presents a challenge when entering the market. Nurseries need time to build stock, which often means these varieties aren't readily available for use on current projects.
On the other hand, we sometimes see the opposite problem: designers rely on the same 15 or so plants for every project. While these choices are tried and true, they miss opportunities for innovation and variety in the landscape.
The Supplier's Perspective
As a supplier, I frequently see landscapers caught in a delicate position. They are often contracted with the property owner or their agent, trying to meet the designer's goals and fulfill the vision sold to the client. This creates a challenging scenario—how do you tell a client that their designer's vision includes an unavailable or suitable plant palette? It can be awkward, and the landscaper often delivers disappointing news.
In cases like this, we often work closely with the landscaper to negotiate with the designer or architect, trying to find suitable alternatives that still meet the design scope but are readily available. It's a balancing act that requires good communication and collaboration to ensure the project stays on track while satisfying everyone involved.
Challenges of Long-Lead Projects
This issue becomes even more complex with larger commercial projects, often designed months or years before construction begins. Forecasting plant availability over such long periods can be difficult, as the nursery industry is subject to factors like market demand, seasonal changes, and the time required to grow plants to the specified sizes.
However, long timelines can also offer an opportunity for better collaboration between designers and growers. Early communication with growers may allow for custom grows or planning to ensure that the desired plants will be available at the correct size when the project is installed. By engaging nurseries early, it may be possible to forecast needs and reserve stock accordingly, giving growers time to accommodate requests for unusual varieties that may not be typically available in larger quantities.
Enhancing Communication for a Smooth Process
Strong communication between designers, landscapers, and suppliers is critical to avoiding these common challenges. The following are a few ways to enhance collaboration.
Early Involvement of Suppliers: Involve suppliers from the early stages of the design process. By collaborating before the plant list is finalized, suppliers can provide input on what's available, what's growing, and what can be forecasted over time. This foresight can even allow nurseries to grow plants specifically for more extensive, long-term projects, mitigating the risk of unavailable plant stock when installation finally occurs.
Regular Check-Ins: Landscape projects often evolve. Scheduling regular check-ins between designers, landscapers, and suppliers ensures that all parties stay updated on availability changes, production timelines, and any potential need for substitutes. This also provides opportunities to adjust designs based on new information.
Clear Communication of Limitations: Being transparent about what nurseries can offer and what growth cycles look like is essential. Explaining why certain plants may not be available in the desired sizes (due to the time required for potting and growing) helps set realistic expectations with both the designer and the property owner.
Proactive Problem-Solving: If a requested plant is unavailable, it helps to proactively present alternative options. You can maintain the project's momentum without compromising the aesthetic by offering comparable plants that fit the design scope and are more readily available.
Create a Feedback Loop: Establishing a feedback loop where suppliers and landscapers provide input on what plants are being requested and purchased most often can help nurseries plan their production more effectively. This ongoing dialogue ensures that nurseries are prepared for future demand while assisting designers to stay on trend with what is realistically available.
Closing the Gap Between Creativity and Availability
Designers can find a middle ground by collaborating more closely with growers and suppliers. You'll be introduced to available and adaptable material while learning about attractive, underutilized options that could enrich your designs. Developing a stronger relationship with suppliers gives you the advantage of understanding their production cycles and ensuring the plants are available when needed.
Designing with availability in mind doesn't mean sacrificing creativity. Instead, it fosters a collaborative process that meets the client's vision and aligns with what's practically achievable.