What a landscape designer does
A landscape designer plans your outdoor space before anyone digs. That means a site survey, a scaled plan, plant selections, hardscape layout (patios, walkways, retaining walls), drainage, lighting, and often a phased budget. Some firms only design. Others also build, or hand your plan to a installer they trust.
Charlotte adds its own wrinkles. Heavy red clay, summer heat, and slopes in areas like Myers Park or the lake communities all affect plant choice and drainage. HOA review and city or county permits can also apply to walls, grading, and tree removal.
What to look for
- A portfolio of completed Charlotte-area projects, not just renderings.
- Clear deliverables: scaled drawings, plant lists, and a written scope.
- Experience with clay soil, stormwater runoff, and native or heat-tolerant plantings.
- Licensing or insurance for any construction they manage, plus references you can call.
How our scoring helps
We list 10 designers in this category and score them on public review evidence and consistency. Our ranked guide to Charlotte landscape designers puts those results side by side. To see how scores are calculated, read the methodology.