I haven't used them, but I did work for Pike's. Some of the customers that came in were very happy, others not so much. I think the biggest difference is how much time you spend with them and how well you explain your needs. The more they know about what you want, the better off you'll be. But I think that advice applies to anyone that you use.

Also, if you're quite dissatisfied, and you were specific about your needs/desires (i.e., high traffic area, low maintenance, etc.), you can contact them to try to work something out. They have a reputation to uphold, more so than "joe landscaper" does.

The other plus to using Pike's is that you get a discount card to use when you buy stuff to implement your plan. I also think they usually run discounts on their landscaping plans this time of year because it's their slow season.

Good luck. And let us know how it turns out if you use them.

We asked landscapers to do a plan for us a few years ago. While the plans were OK, 2 of the 3 told us that our budget wasn't enough and we needed to spend almost double. We went with the local guy who didn't do a fancy plan but gave us what we wanted for our budget. We couldn't afford to 'do' the whole yard so he just did the bare bones.

We checked out Pikes when we had our design done. Just from talking to them I wasn't very impressed. They were suggesting boxwoods,azaleas,acuba, etc. I got the impression my yard would look like every new cookie-cutter subdivision. We went with an individual who designed around what we had and what we wanted. You really need to be able to tell them what your expectations are.

I would have a problem with someone designing my yard without actually coming out to see it. Especially if you have specific issues to address such as you have, personally I would want someone to come out an see it first hand. They just work form photos and drawings, it is hard for them to see how everything relates, for example, the slope of my front yard effects how I would choose to situate certain plants to make it the best view from both the house and the street, yet it is hard to show them that from a photo, and the grade is inconsistent so that would be hard to show them. I would find someone who's yard you like and see who they used if you can.

I wouldn't take advice from anyone who would plant Boxwoods. Talk about lack of imagination!

Ah, whaddaymean!?!? Boxwoods can be great when the situation calls for it! Indeed not very unique but as classically south as it gets. And it is tough to find an evergreen small leaved shrub, tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, that requires less maintenance (i.e. pruning) than boxwood. The old adage is true enough though - "there's no accounting for taste!", and as a designer, if someone doesn't like boxwood, better not put it in the plan!!

Boxwoods are a great foundation plant and required if you are doing any kid of formal gardening.

I wouldn't do my entire yard with them, but they have a place.

If you have drainage issues you should seek out a Landscape Architect. They are trained in dealing with and resolving these bigger issues, as well as, designing a planting plan. Designers are not, and legally cannot, make adjustments in grading which can fix drainage problems.

I second the idea of using a Landscape Architect to resolve the drainage issues. These folks will cost more than a designer because of the degrees they hold but they can save you money in the end by resolving the water issues. I would use a designer for the plan unless your made of money!

Seek more that one proposal for the design. Aand once you have it, double check a few of the plants combinations that are recommended - just because something looks nice together doesn't mean they'll get along culturally.

I'm happy with the plan, the guy from Pike came and spent 2 1/2 hours going over what I wanted for the front yard and providing some suggestions for the back. I'm happy to say that although I may have to move them, almost all my existing plants are incorporated in the plan designed for my front yard.

The only complaint I have is that the guy Pike sent to do the plan had no understanding about the limitations of septic tanks & fields. So if I do have a plan made for my backyard, I'm going to make certain Pike sends someone knowledgeable about septic fields and tanks.

I've had two landscapers come out to review the plans and give me estimates on the cost for carrying out the entire plan and a separate estimate just to redo the lawn (it's very uneven and the soil is rock hard, it needs to be tilled, have better soil incorporated into it and evened out). One of the landscapers impressed me much more with his understanding of the plan & with the additional services he could provide to assist me in my goal of redoing my flower gardens.

I should hear the bids later this week. As soon as I recover from passing out in shock from the prices I'll provide another update.

Thanks for the advice about getting a landscape architect for the slope problem and about making certain the plants are right for each other.

Incidentally, no boxwoods in the plan, it's a large variety of plants (Camelia Sasanqua "Jean May", Indian Hawthorn 'Eleanor Tabor', Japanese Maple - small 5-6', Nandina 'Firepower', Drawf Gardenias, Nandina 'Firepower', Indian Hawthorn 'Eleanor Tabor', Steed's Japanese Holly, Needlepoint Holly, Cleyera, Drarf Yaupon Holly, Loropetalum 'Ruby', Spreading Plum Yew, Illicium Parviflorum, Otto Luyken Laurel, Edward Goucher Obelia, Pennisetum 'Hamelyn', and Cleyera) some of which I already and I only will have to remove one tree, a 3 year old maple, & I completely agree with its removal as it does hide the view of the house. My lawn will continue to be the grass I already have and like, centipede.