Landscape design in Arizona — planned for 20 years, not 20 days.

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

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.