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i second the 75% size rule as well.  seems to work well.

75% of mature size.

That’s why I had originally differentiated between Concept Plan (Rendering to sell your idea) and the Planting Plan who’s making the price. Our forefathers had that “Generation Look”. Unfortunately that got lost over the decades.

Of course the thing is, plants (especially woodies) don’t have a set “ultimate size” or even “mature height.” How big that red oak will get depends on many factors. And is 50 years the period we use as “mature”? Or 100?
The 15 year ROT is fine because it sets a reasonable time. But the client had better understand when you show the plans the…[Read more]

There is a difference between size when planted, mature size, and ultimate full size . Then there is the size range that it is intended to have during the life span of the landscape that is going to be defined by maintenance, like it or not philosophically,. Some plants can be allowed to grow to their ultimate size. Some need to be…[Read more]

Hi Craig, I had given a RoT a bit further down. Footprint at plant age of 15 years for concept. Common practice in Germany.   

I have learned that one should show the footprint of a plant expected after 15 years off planting. It sounds right to me as plants and elevations are the space creating elements and will hardly ever change. This accounts for the concept. When it comes to planting plans I believe one should aim for a surface closure to be achieved within one year…[Read more]

Plants don’t come out off a form. Every species is different and should be addressed accordingly. We LS should know the material which makes us unique to the rest of the civil-, architecture, electrical-, structural-, and so on, world.

I did residential design/build 15 years before I got my degree and 14 years of residential after I got licensed. I draw plants “in between” as Rob wrote. Basically, I draw them at a size that is based on looking good in a plan with the actual spacing that they will be planted at … if that makes sense. A 5′ tall holly would be drafted at a d…[Read more]

I think I walk a line in between.
Locate plants based on mature size but show them at a size reasonable after a few years. I do not want to confuse my clients who look at the plan and don’t know why all the trees and shrubs look so small when planted. They need to have a sense of what the landscape will lok like when done.
But my landscapes are…[Read more]

In my experience, it seems that it is the D&B landscape companies that over plant, simply because they want to cram as many plants in there as they can and $$$$$ on the job.

All at full size. LA’s have a tendency to over plant projects without looking at the landscape 3,5,7 years afterwards. Some of that stems from outdated planning regulations which require x number of plants per sq. foot. The result is maintenance has to come back and rip plants out that grow together or it creates burden for long term maintenance.…[Read more]

Mature size in Plan view.
20-25′ Shade
10-15′ Ornamental
3-5′ Shrub
Under 5′ small shrub/groundcover
Plant List : installed size ex. 3 gall shrub, 5/6′ Ornamental B&B etc.
 

Your approach sounds logical and correct.  While I generally avoid planting plans, I think I probably show mature size (or reasonably close).  Am I reading too much into your comments to think that you are being asked to show the installed size?  I’ve been in design/build (pools/hardscapes) for about 10 years.  My landscape installer typically doe…[Read more]

Most applications/listings say NO mail and NO calls.  My portfolio is around 20mb, (at the smallest legible quality) so I share via a dropbox link. That being said, I have found most principals are unable to understand technology even at a basic level and clicking a link to download a single PDF is too complicated.  For example, my first i…[Read more]

Andrew,
You are right that most firms will hire a “known quantity” – someone who is recommended by someone they know.  
I would also like to add something – I was the person who screened all the incoming job applications at one of my former offices – having a link to your portfolio may not be the best idea.  I would look at and print any folios t…[Read more]

I’m in a similar boat as you and I can confirm that you aren’t alone.  The market for L.A.’s really never recovered from 2008 and I suspect that those with experience are at a disadvantage to those with little experience who can be paid lower salaries, are more hip to the latest 3d graphics software coming out of school, and don’t have to be…[Read more]

Your degree doesnt/shouldnt matter, your skill set does. Ive always thought it was silly how some firms base salaries on a candidates degree. I would try to find salary data for your specific location. Base your expectations on where you believe you stand in terms of marketable skills–can you draw, do you have local code memorized, are you a…[Read more]