While I think that the "FAQ" as outlined by swanoir was presented tongue in cheek ('the humus'), many of the subsequent comments and/or links to threads that could/should be included in a FAQ were presented in a more serious tone. And maybe they do make sense as a foundation to a real LD forum FAQ. But I've also sensed something else in these comments that may contribute to the apparent lack of communication between new posters seeking advice and those that regularly frequent this forum and offer it. And that is that the long checklist provided by Miss R must be (or should be) answered in detail before posting. Well, of course not! But it is definitely something worth reviewing and giving some thought to. This checklist, or something very similar, is what most designers utilize when first meeting with a prospective client. It gives them a feeling for what the client wants to do with the property, how they intend to use it, what they hope to get out of it and how much effort (time/$$) are they are intending to put into it. Hopefully, reviewing an outline or checklist such as this could help to refine and focus some of those blank slate questions and even educate those new posters totally unfamiliar with the process the degree of complexity, the number of variables and exactly what is involved in the formulation of a landscape design. Even DIY landscape texts intended for the homeowner with no previous design or landscaping experience offer similar checklists to get one started thinking about the process. Obviously, this is overkill for those questions that are more issue-specific, but I think very appropriate for those that are much broader and far less focused.

In our previous home (which wasn't custom) we had a landscape designer come out right after we moved in and design a plan for us. So even though we knew we didn't have the $ to implement the plan right away...we had a wonderful plan to work with at our own pace. At first we just had the builder landscape, but we added pieces of the plan each year. When we moved out this past fall after having been there 14 years...the yard really was magnificent. The plan was worth every penny. The new home we are building includes some design time in our allowances, so we will take full advantage of that!

Most people do not want deciduous trees too close to a pool on account of tree debris getting in the water. Too, the space you've allotted for a tree is not enough. The "bed" to the right of the tree is seriously too small to be good for anything thing. But on that side of the deck is the better place for a small tree. Enlarge that bed substantially and put the Japanese maple over there. Around the pool you are only allowing enough room for perennial. There are many options for perennials but hybrid daylilies come to mind and one of the cheery looking, longer blooming ones.

Our builder connected us with a pool builder, but he was just that, a pool builder, and didn't seem to have any design ideas. We weren't impressed. Our builder then had us go to another pool builder and this one was much more creative. We sat with him for 4 hours, brainstormed and he designed it on his design program as we spoke. By the end of the meeting we had a design and exact pricing. Using a good pool designer/builder also means that he knows he can build what he is designing. Our architect had drawn a pool into the plans, but the orientation and design wasn't the best fit once we actually started building.