Sep 11, 2026, 8:44:55 AM
If you’re choosing a professional landscape designer, the last thing that you want is to end up with a cookie-cutter landscape that looks like it came from a template. You don’t want a landscape that looks like everyone else’s on the block. You want something truly your own!
But what makes a landscape feel custom and designed for your particular property?
In this article, we’ll explore what’s involved in personalized landscape design and how you can ensure it’s what you’re investing in.
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The word “custom” is thrown around a lot these days. A landscaper might claim to do custom landscaping but a quick peek at their portfolio reveals work that looks replicated again and again.
So, what really is a custom landscape design and how is it different from what you might call standard or cookie-cutter landscaping?
A custom landscape design is one that was specifically created for your property. It means creating an outdoor space that is designed around the property’s needs, the homeowners’ style, and the homeowners’ preferences. All of these details are taken into account when coming up with a landscape design that will best meet all of that criteria.
On the flip side, what typically makes for a standard or cookie-cutter landscape design is one that uses standard plant material, has minimal connection to the architecture or the space, uses predictable hardscaping, and ignores the site’s unique features.
New home builders are notorious for using cookie-cutter landscaping. That means you can drive down a street and see the same generic foundational plantings and identical walkways and patios. It looks as though the landscaping at these homes was created from a standard template and the installation process was simply a bunch of “copy and paste” over and over. Generic landscaping basically just fills the space.
Since you want a custom landscape design for your Memphis property, let’s talk about what that really looks like at completion.
You want to make sure that you’re getting a curated selection of trees, shrubs, and other plants that help personalize your landscape design. Where this tends to go wrong with cookie-cutter landscaping is that a landscaper simply gets familiar with using certain plants that they know will perform well.
Of course, we’re not saying it’s bad to mix in some top performers that you know tend to work well on Memphis properties. We have our favorites, too. But when a landscaper gets in the habit of simply using the same mix of plants over and over and over again, all originality is lost.
A plant palette should be chosen based on factors like scale, seasonality, ecological fit for the site and its microclimate, how well plants work together, etc. This is going to look different for every site.
But a personalized landscape design that includes a custom plant palette does require true horticultural expertise, which surprisingly not all landscapers actually have.
It also requires hand selection, which is something that landscapers sometimes bypass in place of efficiency.
But you want a professional landscape designer who is actually going to go out and choose the plants that are going to work best for your property. That could mean visiting (and having a relationship with) more than one nursery. It boils down to someone who is willing to invest the time because your project is worth that level of customization!
Beyond-the-basics hardscaping is also so important when it comes to how to make landscaping unique. A cookie-cutter landscape has hardscape elements like walkways, patios, and retaining walls that look like standard additions.
But personalized landscaping ensures hardscape additions respond directly to the property’s terrain, architecture, and how the space is used by homeowners.
The type of material used also makes a difference in what makes a landscape feel custom. Cookie-cutter and frequently-replicated hardscaping uses the same standard material over and over. But customized hardscaping is all about thoughtful material selection. That might also mean that a mix of materials are used around the property.
It should also be integrated very well with the softscaping. The best hardscaping should not be competing against the landscape plants but working with them.
The addition of various enhancement features and other upgrades can also make a landscape feel beyond-the-ordinary. This might include elements like landscape lighting, fire features, and even additions like mulch and stone.
Of course, keep in mind it’s not just about adding more for the sake of adding more. In fact, sometimes with customized landscaping, we argue that “less is more.”
It’s more about the way in which these features are incorporated. In a custom landscape, they were added with the purpose of enhancing that specific space and the way it's used by the homeowners.
One of the challenges that you might feel like you’re facing is how you can tell whether a professional landscape designer is actually going to create a custom landscape design or not.
Here are a few key things to pay attention to:
One of the best tools that you’ll have to preview what an experience with a landscaper will be like is their portfolio of finished projects. As you look through pictures, does it feel like you’re looking at a carbon copy of the same project over and over?
That’s not to say that certain elements can’t repeat. After all, many homeowners specifically ask for ideas that they saw from a professional landscape designer’s previous work.
But the landscaping should look like it actually fits the space it is in. A cookie-cutter landscape typically looks like it can be transplanted from one property to another, without having to change. A custom landscape design has a strong connection to that home and the space that it is in.
A custom landscape design is the result of a professional landscape designer actually listening to the homeowner’s wants and needs. And that’s really only going to happen through engaged communication.
You can get a sense of what the experience is going to be like with a landscaper before you hire them simply by how those initial consultations go.
How are they on the phone or when you meet with them? Are they eager and willing to answer questions, listen to your ideas, and offer their own? If they aren’t doing this in
the initial stages, they certainly aren’t going to suddenly start doing it later on. And that can have an impact on the level of personalization when it comes to your design.
It doesn’t hurt to outright ask: How do you ensure your designs don’t look the same for every property?
A great landscape designer will be excited to share information about their landscape design philosophy and approach.
This is a big detail to pay attention to…though not always that easy to figure out. If you are one of dozens of landscaping projects happening at the same time, then there’s a good chance you’re not going to get a custom landscape design.
Often, landscapers default to using generic or standard landscaping features because they’re already tried-and-true. This makes them a major time saver. But it means that you miss out on major personalization opportunities.
It’s also critical what kind of oversight your project is getting. Who is handling the big decisions and overseeing everything from a higher level? That’s also going to make a difference with the level of personalization.
At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, Owner and President Jesse Wisley oversees all of the landscape design and installation projects.
When you begin a landscape project with Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, you are beginning a landscape project with Jesse himself. Jesse only takes on two or three projects at a time in order to ensure maximum service is provided to his clients. Throughout the duration of your landscaping project with Jesse, you will develop a personal relationship with him, and will always be able to contact him directly. That makes all the difference when it comes to getting the best results.
What is a custom landscape design?
A custom landscape design is one that was specifically created for your property. It means creating an outdoor space that is designed around the property’s needs, the homeowners’ style, and the homeowners’ preferences. All of these details are taken into account when coming up with a landscape design that will best meet all of that criteria.
How to make landscaping unique?
Landscaping is going to be unique to your property when it is designed with your property specifically in mind. That includes details like a customized plant palette, thoughtfully selected hardscape materials, and more.
How can I find a landscaper that uses personalized landscape design?
Look at the landscaper’s portfolio and talk to them about their process. You can usually get a good sense of the type of work that they do simply by looking at these details.
You can ask any professional landscape designer, Do you create custom designs? And they’re almost always going to say yes. But it’s pretty easy to tell the difference between a company that produces a lot of cookie-cutter landscapes and one that is truly focused on personalized and individual landscape design.
At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, we intentionally take on a small number of projects in order to fully be engaged in the process every step of the way. It all begins with a high-quality and detailed landscape design that incorporates your wants, needs, and ideas.
Then, we move on to the expert installation of your dream outdoor living space.
There are plenty of companies in Memphis offering design/build services, but you want to make sure that you choose wisely. When you make a good choice in landscape design/build firms, you gain valuable peace of mind that your investment in your property is going to get long-term enjoyment and value.
Are you ready to enjoy more time outside? Give us a call. We’re excited to get started bringing your vision to life.
Ready to talk about ideas and have your new landscape designed and built? Request a consultation today.
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