CLIENT QUESTIONNAIRE AND SITE ANALYSIS CHECK LIST FOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN   To better understand your needs and wishes for your garden and the unique characteristics of your site, please take a few minutes to fill out this “Client Questionnaire” (A). You can ”copy and paste “ from this site into a word document. In addition, please review the “Checklist for Site Analysis” (B).  Considering these factors before our meeting will effectively guide our garden conversation and ensure a thorough planning process. Thank you!   A. Client Questionnaire (check all that apply, please) What style of landscaping do you wish to achieve? o Formal (symmetrical with emphasis on shaped evergreens) o Natural (asymmetrical, mix of trees, shrubs, perennials) o English cottage style (mix of colorful perennials) o Other (please describe) Please check your preference o Low maintenance garden (spring and fall cleanups with mostly shrubs and evergreens) o Medium maintenance ( mixed plantings that need occasional care, some dividing, shaping and         pruning) o Hobby gardener (don’t mind dividing, staking, pruning, prefer seasonally changing gardens with lots of flowers) What is your main goal in creating or renovating your landscapes and gardens? o to aesthetically and functionally improve my home / business. o to create an  ecologically inspired landscape that is beautiful, multifunctioning and built on sustainable principles, i.e. a ‘Close to Nature’ landscape * o I am environmentally inclined, but not entirely sure. Please explain more  *          * please read more on my ‘Close to Nature’ landscape approach at the end of questionnaire o other: What season, if any in particular,  would you like to place emphasis on? o Spring o Summer o Fall colors o Winter aspect o All season aspect Which area of your garden would you like to place emphasis on? o Front garden o Back yard o Others Please check your preference o Low maintenance garden (spring and fall cleanups with mostly shrubs and evergreens) o Medium maintenance ( mixed plantings that need occasional care ,  some dividing and pruning) o Hobby gardener (don’t mind dividing, staking, pruning, prefer seasonally changing gardens with lots of flowers) Who is going to install the garden? o Myself o Professional landscape company (please name): o I would like references o Not sure yet What is the time frame for the installation? o Everything as soon as possible o Everything within this coming season o Over the next …… years (please let us know which property section should be landscaped first) What color or color scheme preferences, if any, do you have?  I like:  I dislike: What plant preferences/dislikes, if any, do you have?  I like: I dislike: Small children in the house? o Yes (Please list the ages) o No MUST HAVES in your garden (Your Wish List!) Structures (i.e. lawn area, pergola, play structure, fence, retaining wall, paths, patio, water elements, etc) Plants (trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, annuals, bulbs, etc) WOULD LIKE to have: B. Check List for Site Analysis Technical Features 1. Style of house and neighborhood 2. Room locations in the house (most frequented rooms like living room, kitchen) 3. Property lines 4. Location of service lines 5. Location of utilities (overhead wires, septic, sewer, gas) 6. Snow lines 7. Drip lines 8. House and property measurements (existing site plans?) Site Properties 1. North-South exposure 2. Hardiness zone 3. Seasonal sun-shade patterns 4. Existing plant inventory 5. Views to open / screen /or emphasize 6. Welcoming site 7. Soil type and conditions (ledge?) 8. Type and condition of existing gardens 9. Favorite areas in the garden 10. Existing garden rooms and their function Existing Problem Areas 1. Screening from neighbors needed 2. Foundation screening needed 3. Water problems (seasonal wet spots?) 4. Steep slopes 5. Wildlife problems 6. Winter (snow plowing/mounding,salt) 7. Wind 8. Extreme microclimates (deep shade, cold air pockets) 9. Plants to be removed, replaced or replanted 10. Specific requirements for small children, elderly or disabled                                              Intro to ‘CLOSE TO NATURE’ Landscaping   Are you interested in a new ecologically inspired approach which creates landscapes that are ·  beautiful and multifunctioning ·  built on sustainable and energy ‘wise’ principles  ·  visually work as an artful interpretation of nature rather than ‘decorative plant collections’ ? ·  can save you money, time and effort in the long run ? WHY A NEW APPROACH? Due to human development, our natural environments are increasingly under threat, resulting in loss of native plants and habitat, decline in pollinators for our crops and loss of healthy soils, clean air and water. Unfortunately, our traditional home landscape practices (use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, exotic and invasive plants, excess machinery, etc.)  are part of the problem as their focus is  mostly on creating beauty and comfort for people, often at the expense of the other creatures inhabiting the planet. WHAT IS CHANGING? More and more people now realize that nature is not just “nice to have” but literally is our life support system. Fortunately, a growing number of us in the landscape industry  have embraced greener, ‘Close to Nature’ practices, which I would love to share with you. HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM TRADITIONAL LANDSCAPE PLANNING? While I am not a purist in my approach, I prefer to design with  native plants over exotic ornamentals (like lilacs and peonies), as natives offer nectar, pollen and seed sources as well as an overwintering habitat for our beneficial pollinators and wildlife when managed properly.  Further I educate my clients, if interested, on the importance of building healthy soils, managing storm water runoff, using on-site green resources (compost, leaf mulch), alternatives to traditional turf grass lawn and ‘greener’ fall and spring cleanup practices.  Visually speaking, these ‘Close to Nature’ landscapes are often layered gardens with native  ground covers underneath shrubs and trees. They consist of a variety of plants instead of individual plants in isolated, heavily mulched planting islands. When set into a strong visual framework  and layout with easy to read patterns, native landscapes are just as beautiful, if not more, as they reflect the beauty of nature as well as the homeowner’s environmental values. INTRIGUED AND CURIOUS TO HEAR SPECIFICS? During our initial consultation YOUR SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND GOALS ALWAYS COME FIRST and then, if you're interested, we can discuss how a  ‘Close to Nature’ approach can aid in creating and managing your future landscape.  I am looking forward to our landscape conversation! Thank you for your time!