Landscape design in Arizona — planned for 20 years, not 20 days.
Most Phoenix-area landscape failures aren't plant problems — they're design problems. The wrong species in the wrong sun. Drip irrigation that should have been a real grading plan. Plants installed at the right size for opening day and the wrong size for year five. AE Outdoor Living's landscape design service covers the full envelope: site analysis, planting, hardscape, irrigation, lighting, drainage, and HOA approval — together, in writing, before anyone breaks ground.
- AZ ROC 211530 · 347738 · 341002 · 340966
- Arizona-built since 2005
- President, Southwest Hardscapes Association
What's included in AE landscape design
- Site analysis: sun mapping, drainage walk, soil check, HOA review, sight-line study
- Planting plan: desert-hardy species sized to your space, with 5-, 10-, and 20-year maturity
- Hardscape layout: pathways, patios, walls, dry creeks, boulder placement, edging
- Irrigation design: drip zones, smart controller, rain sensor, monsoon-aware programming
- Lighting design: path, accent, security, and tree uplighting on integrated low-voltage system
- Drainage and grading: French drains, swales, dry creek beds, and runoff management
- Phasing plan: if you'll build in stages, we sequence so each phase stands on its own
- HOA submittal packet: every community we work in (Verrado, Eastmark, DC Ranch, etc.)
Where AE landscape design fits in Arizona
We design for the full outdoor envelope — front yard, backyard, side yards, driveways, courtyards, pool surrounds, and commercial properties. Specifically:
- Front yard remodels — curb appeal, low-water, HOA-ready
- Backyard transformations — landscape integrated with pool, pergola, kitchen
- Side yard redesign — narrow lots, dog runs, utility access, privacy
- Driveway and entry refresh — courtyards, gated entries, specimen trees
- Commercial properties — restaurants, hotels, HOA common areas, mixed-use
- Short-term rental landscaping — designed for photography and low maintenance
Want a number for your own property?
Tell us the space and we'll come back with a real range for your site — no pressure, no "call for pricing."
Arizona-native plant palette we design from
Our default planting palette is selected for low water, year-round structure, HOA compliance, and minimal failure rate in Phoenix-metro soils:
- Structural shrubs: Hopseed Bush, Texas Sage, Arizona Rosewood, Carolina Cherry, Mountain Laurel
- Privacy: Italian Cypress, Carolina Cherry hedge, Hopseed (fast-growing screen)
- Trees: Desert Museum Palo Verde, Chilean Mesquite, Ironwood, Mastic, Texas Ebony, Fruitless Olive
- Accents: Agave (Weberi, Geminiflora, Parryi), Yucca, Red Yucca, Damianita, Penstemon
- Groundcover: Dymondia, Lantana (perennial varieties), Trailing Rosemary
- Bloom calendar: we sequence species for staggered flowering Feb–November
Plants and patterns we won't design with
- Oleander in pet-access yards — severe toxicity, very common mistake
- Eucalyptus near structures, walls, or pools — root and limb issues
- Lawn-style turf in unshaded areas — water cost and replacement cycle don't pencil
- Tropical plants that need year-round irrigation in zone 9b/10a — they don't survive winter or summer
- Single-species hedges that mature to one height in year five and look static for the next 20
Hardscape integrated with planting
Real landscape design doesn't stop at plants — hardscape sets the bones:
- Permeable pathways (DG, flagstone, paver) sized for actual walking patterns
- Boulder placement (real placement, not 'three rocks and a yucca')
- Dry creek beds that double as monsoon drainage
- Low retaining walls and planter beds that establish grade and create planting depth
- Integrated edging (steel, concrete, paver) that holds material lines for 20+ years
Irrigation design (this is where most yards fail)
- Drip irrigation zoned by plant type, sun exposure, and water need
- Smart controller (Hydrawise, Rachio, Hunter X2) with seasonal scheduling
- Rain sensor integration — suspends drip after measurable rainfall
- Pressure-regulating emitters sized to actual plant root zones (not generic 1-GPH everywhere)
- Annual irrigation tune-ups as part of AE warranty/care program
Landscape lighting design (the night-time half of the yard)
- Path lighting on a unified low-voltage system
- Tree uplighting on mature specimen trees (Mesquite, Palo Verde, Ironwood)
- Accent lighting on architectural elements, walls, water features
- Security lighting on driveways, side yards, and pool barriers (motion-aware)
- Permanent trim lighting (AE LEDs) integrated into the lighting plan, not bolted on later
Commercial landscape design
AE designs and installs landscape for restaurants, hotels, short-term rentals, HOA common areas, and mixed-use developments across Phoenix metro. Commercial work follows the same site-analysis-first process, with added scope for: commercial-grade irrigation (with backflow), maintenance-cycle planning, ADA-compliant pathways, and lighting designed for occupancy and security.
What it costs
- Spot consult (single-area advice, planting list, 1-hour visit): $300–$800
- Front yard or backyard design (typical residential): $1,200–$4,500
- Full property design (front + back + courtyards): $4,500–$12,000
- Commercial / estate-scale design: custom quote
- Design fee credited toward install if you build with AE
Why design first, install second
AE Outdoor Living doesn't separate design and build. Every install comes from a real design — site-analyzed, irrigation-planned, HOA-approved, and signed off in writing. We don't 'wing it' in the field, we don't change scope mid-install, and we don't install a plant or a paver that isn't on the plan. Design is the cheapest part of any landscape project. Skipping it is the most expensive mistake.
Use the right planning tool for this project.
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Common questions.
Want a real landscape design for your Arizona yard?
Send a few photos of your yard and a quick description of how you want to use it. We'll come out, walk the site, and quote a design that accounts for plants, hardscape, irrigation, lighting, drainage, and HOA approval — all in one plan.
Request a Landscape Design ConsultationWhy this is an investment, not a cost.
An AE backyard is engineered to add daily livability and long-term home value. We publish honest ranges and build to code with a licensed and bonded Arizona crew. AE provides project-specific workmanship and manufacturer-warranty information in the signed agreement. Website summaries are for planning only.
- Licensed, bonded & insured in Arizona. ROC 340966 (R-62) · ROC 341002 (R-3) · ROC 347738 (KA-5) · ROC 211530 (CR-21). Most Arizona contracting work valued at $1,000 or more — or requiring a permit — must be performed by a properly licensed contractor, subject to statutory exemptions. Verify the legal entity, license status, and classification with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors.
- Real ranges, itemized scope. You see materials, finishes, equipment models, and a line-item budget before you sign — not a one-line "pool — $90,000."
Plan your investment with a designer.
Five minutes, a real range, and no sales pressure. Or vet any Arizona contractor (us included) before you spend a dollar.
Control your irrigation from your phone with Hydrawise
If we installed a Hunter Hydrawise smart controller on your irrigation system, the free Hydrawise app lets you run schedules, adjust zones, skip watering when it rains, and monitor water usage — from anywhere.
Requires a Hunter Hydrawise-compatible controller. Ask your AE project lead if you're not sure.
Commercial amenity add-ons
Designing landscape for a hotel, HOA, corporate campus, senior-living community, or short-term rental? Putting greens are one of the highest-use amenities we add into commercial landscape plans.
New construction homes
Just closed on a new build, or building one? Start the yard during construction — design, HOA approval, and sleeving are cheapest before the dirt is finished.