Do you sometimes look at a landscape and think, “That one isn’t as beautiful as mine!” or “Oh, cool, I bet that would look great in my landscape.” Or even, “Wow, that one just outshines my landscape; I wonder what the secret is?”
We all do it with almost every material thing we own or control. For example, you’re standing in line at a theater and become aware that the party in front of you seems to be overdressed for the movies. Do you wonder what the occasion is, or look down at your shoes? Do you even strike up a conversation? Curiosity would be the primary itch and one that might not get scratched.
Landscape Envy
What are we comparing today? Cars. Pets. Grandkids. 
Computers. Landscapes. Ah, there we go. Let’s break this down. Their landscape represents their lives, what is affordable to them, and how much they might want to impress the neighbors, including you. Other landscapes have other reasons for the plantings and arrangement, but they represent the family living in that house.
Your landscape team at Custom Acres does pay attention to other landscapes. They keep those things in mind when a client wants to make a few changes or finish a project that was temporarily stopped because of illness or finances.
The result is a landscape that’s unique to you and your family. It reflects your family’s joy when hosting a big barbeque in the outdoor living space that finished last summer. It shows the individual tastes of each family member, including kids, by showcasing the areas that are unique to one person. Even the one your youngest keeps tearing down and rebuilding continuously.
Is it possible to fail at your landscape?
Can you fail at something entirely subjective? Something unique? Absolutely not. Your opinion will shape the direction of your design or refreshing plans. But, the reality is, for most of us, we do care what others think.
What others say about your landscape can trigger other ideas, new plans, and new arrangements.
Making changes
Some people change their landscapes every year – most leave trees and large installations where they are placed but moving flower beds and other small plants is relatively easy and can make a significant visual impact. Changing the color of the mulch can make a significant visual impact. Painting your house a different color or even a different shade of the same color can make that whole part of your landscape look very different and refreshing.
If you are having trouble with your back or knees, you might decide to change your flower beds to raised or terraced beds. It’s much easier to keep up with your garden chores if the beds are raised to a height you can reach more easily.
You can even make changes around your hardscaping. Of course, you won’t be able to move the extended patios or the built-in appliances, but will you can change the color of your pots and pans and dishes and glassware in your outdoor kitchen. You might even be able to purchase panels that change the color of the appliances, depending on the manufacturer.
You can undoubtedly change color, style, and pattern if you have curtain walls in your outdoor area. You can move furniture, reconfigure conversation areas, change the direction of lounges, and make reading nooks more comfortable and accommodating. A change in the color of cushions and accents to match or contrast with the new curtain walls would tie everything together.
Change is good, it’s normal, and it’s fun to think about.
Your landscaping team at Custom Acres will probably have some insight about moving plants – they might recommend a spot with more sun and less wind. However, remember any changes to plant locations will require reconfiguring some of the irrigation system and drainage.
You get an A+!
If you were being graded, you would get an A+. You are creative and versatile, and change paired with design is always possible. Your landscape is your own, and the opinions that matter are yours and your family’s.
Keep on growing; you’re doing great!