Landscape designers understand that when you glance at a house, what captures your attention isn’t just the structure; it’s the garden too. A garden can truly make a house feel like a home, but it must complement the style of the house. You have heard about “curb appeal” – ARO College can teach you all about it.

The people who design gardens are usually qualified in Landscape Design. ARO College offers the subsidised qualification AHC50621 Diploma of Landscape Design AHC50621 – Diploma of Landscape Design – Aro College to people wishing to learn the skills required to design beautiful, sustainable, and functional green spaces.

Landscape designers typically perform the following tasks as part of their regular work.

• Conduct thorough site analysis, assessing the topography, soil conditions, climate, and existing vegetation to inform the design process.
• Collaborate with clients to understand their preferences, needs, and budget constraints, ensuring the design aligns with their vision.
• Develop conceptual designs, incorporating elements, such as hardscape features, plantings, water features, and outdoor furniture to create a cohesive and visually appealing plan.
• Design hardscape elements such as patios, walkways, walls, and structures, considering functionality, aesthetics, and materials.
• Integrate sustainable and eco-friendly practices into landscape designs, such as water-efficient irrigation systems, native plantings, and environmentally conscious material choices.
• Utilise computer-aided design (CAD) software or other design tools to create 3D models or visual representations of the landscape design for client presentations.
• Develop detailed construction documents, including plans, specifications, and material lists, to guide contractors during the implementation phase.

Landscape designers need to be able to be creative when working with houses of various styles and in differing locations, and gardens should reflect those styles. However, they often need the expertise of a horticulturalist to select the appropriate plants.

ARO College has multiple qualifications for budding horticulturalists to choose from. There is AHC20422 – Certificate II in Horticulture – Aro College aimed at school students wanting to learn some basics before entering the industry, AHC30722 – Certificate III in Horticulture – Aro College for trainees that are starting their career, AHC40422 – Certificate IV in Horticulture – Aro College for those with experience looking for supervisory roles, and AHC50422 – Diploma of Horticulture Management – Aro College for those in senior and managerial roles.

Local knowledge is fundamental, and ARO College is based in the Adelaide Hills with students across the state of South Australia. Our trainers have decades of local experience that they are particularly keen to share. Here are some tips for SA gardeners from the team at ARO College.

Some of Adelaide’s common house styles and the plants that would work best with them:

• Suburban Brick House: For this classic style, think about plants that bring warmth and coziness. Flowering plants like hydrangeas, roses, and perennials. Flowering shrubs such as tall gardenias and loropetalums can provide structure and balance.
• House with a Lovely View: If a house has a beautiful view, you don’t want plants that block it. Choose low-growing shrubs like lavender or ornamental grasses that won’t obstruct the scenery. You want to frame the view, not hide it.
• Country House on Acreage: A country house calls for plants that embrace the rustic vibe. Consider trees that survive the local conditions, native grasses, wildflowers and, nearer the house, herbs like lavender or rosemary.
• State-of-the-Art Modern House: Choose plants with clean lines and a minimalist feel for a sleek and contemporary home. Think about architectural plants like bamboo, ornamental grasses, or succulents. Keep it simple and elegant to complement the modern aesthetic.

Just as the right plants can enhance a house’s style, the wrong ones can throw off the whole look. Here are a few examples:

• Tropical Plants in the Garden of an Adelaide Hills House: While palm trees and exotic flowers might bring a taste of the tropics, they clash with the Australian native trees common in the area.
• Tall Growing Plants around a House with a Lovely View: Tall trees or bushes might seem like a good idea for privacy, but they can block a wonderful view.
• Cactus and Spiky Plants around a Country House: While cacti are cool, they don’t belong in a country setting. Their sharp edges disrupt the laid-back vibe of a country house.
• Roses and Flowering Shrubs in a Modern House Garden: While roses and other traditional shrubs can be beautiful, they can also feel out of step with the clean lines and minimalism of a modern home.

Matching a garden to a house style isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating an overall look that feels ‘right’. Landscape designers, constructors and horticulturalists are the professionals who work together to create beautiful gardens and parks all across South Australia.

If you want to learn more about designing landscapes or planning and planting gardens and become a professional landscape designer, enrol in a course at ARO College. Our website, www.aro.edu.au, has valuable information and our helpful team are just a phone call away 1300 276 786.

Garden design and construction in cool climates like the Adelaide Hills can be a fulfilling endeavour. If you’ve ever dreamt of designing or building a sprawling garden in the Adelaide Hills, or an area in a similar cool weather climate, you could be in for an exciting project. Designing and constructing a large garden, especially one that may span a number of hectares, requires careful planning, a keen eye for detail, and a deep appreciation for the potential of nature’s beauty. ARO College can teach you all the essential steps that you’ll need to understand to bring such a garden vision to life; from initial brainstorming sessions to the final implementation phase.

1. Decide What Can Be Done

The first step in creating a large garden is to engage in open dialogue with your client. Understanding their needs, desires, and preferences is paramount. Take the time to listen attentively to their ideas, and take notes, while also sharing your expertise and insights. Together, you’ll lay the vision and groundwork for a garden that has both practicality and aesthetic appeal.

2. Agree on a Plan

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to draft a comprehensive plan for implementing garden design and construction. Consider whether the project can be completed in one fell swoop or if a staged approach would be more suitable. Factors such as budget constraints, time limitations, and seasonal considerations should all weigh into this decision. Also, by breaking the project into manageable stages, you can ensure a smoother execution while accommodating any unforeseen challenges that may arise along the way.

3. Create a Design

With the plan in place, it’s time to unleash your creativity and craft a captivating garden design. It can be worthwhile to embrace technology by utilising drones equipped with cameras to map out the garden area from a bird’s-eye view. This aerial perspective allows for better visualisation of the space and facilitates more informed decision-making in garden design and construction.

Incorporate into your design key elements such as winding paths, tranquil water features, sturdy walls, and elegant steps to enhance the garden’s functionality and charm. When selecting plants and trees, aim for a diverse mix that offers year-round interest. For stunning autumn foliage, consider adding Japanese Maples, Claret Ashes, Golden Ashes, Irish Strawberry Trees, Maples, Ginkgos, Chinese Tallow Trees and even Tupelos to the landscape.

4. Agree the Design with the Client and Implement the Plan

Once the design is finalised, present it to the client for approval. Be open to feedback and willing to make necessary adjustments to ensure your plan meets the goals in the garden design and construction process. However, it’s essential to strike a balance and avoid veering too far from the original vision, as excessive modifications can compromise the project’s success.

With the design approved, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and bring the garden to life. Whether you’re planting trees, laying down pathways, or installing water features, attention to detail is key. Remember that every action you take contributes to the overall beauty and functionality of the garden, so approach each task with care and precision.

Training and Certification Opportunities in Garden Design and Construction

Embarking on a project of this scale does require a solid foundation of knowledge and skills in garden design and construction. If you’re eager to learn the ropes of garden design and construction, consider enrolling in the various Landscape Design Landscape Design – Aro College and Construction AHC52021 – Diploma of Landscape Construction Management – Aro College qualifications offered by ARO College. As a highly regarded South Australian training organisation, ARO College provides industry and national Government-recognized qualifications that will equip you with the expertise needed to create amazing outdoor spaces.