Original research
How to read a landscape design plan before you pay to build it
Scale, symbols and the plant schedule, plus the details a plan needs before two contractors can bid on the same job.
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Written by HyreYard Research Desk Research and fact checking
The short answer
A landscape design plan is a scaled overhead drawing: find the scale bar and north arrow first, read each symbol against the legend, and use the plant schedule to see exactly which plants, how many, and at what size. Plant symbols are usually drawn at a planned mature size, not the size delivered, so a sparse-looking new bed can still match the plan.
Reading the drawing is half the job. The other half is checking whether the plan is complete enough to build from.
A concept sketch shows layout; a construction-ready plan adds grades, drainage, hardscape materials and base, plant sizes and irrigation. If those are missing, every contractor fills the gaps differently and their quotes stop being comparable. The checklist below shows what to look for.
Ask the designer about anything the legend does not explain, and ask who owns the drawing before you pay for the design work.
The parts of a landscape plan
| Element | Where to find it | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Title block or bottom edge | Common landscape scales include 1 inch = 10 or 20 feet; measure with a scale ruler, not by eye |
| North arrow | Beside the scale | Sun exposure for every bed |
| Property line and house | Outline of the drawing | What the design is fitted to |
| Plant symbols | Circles and shapes, labeled once | Location and spacing; trees often show a canopy circle with a trunk mark |
| Plant schedule | A table on the sheet | Botanical and common name, quantity, and size to order |
| Hardscape | Hatched areas and outlines | Patios, walks, walls; material notes |
| Hatch patterns | Legend | Ground covers, mulch, gravel, lawn |
| Removals | Dashed or X-marked items | Existing plants or features coming out |
Conventions differ between designers; the legend on your sheet governs.
Reading the plan in order
Find the north arrow and stand where the drawing’s bottom edge would be. Identify the house, drive and property line.
Measure one known dimension, such as the house width, against the scale to confirm the drawing is to scale.
Trace each patio, walk and wall. Note materials and any dimensions written beside them.
Pick each symbol, find it in the schedule, and count the symbols on the drawing to confirm quantities match.
Using the north arrow, see whether sun-loving plants sit on the shaded side of the house. See sun exposure landscape plants.
Look for removal notes on existing trees and shrubs, and check tree removal rules at tree removal permit rules.
Is the plan complete enough to bid?
Spot elevations or arrows showing which way water runs, and where it leaves the yard. See drainage and grading.
Material, pattern, and base depth or a reference to a base spec. See the hardscape base specification.
Retaining walls labeled with exposed height, so permit thresholds can be checked.
Container size or caliper for each plant in the schedule.
Zones, drip vs spray, controller location, or a note that irrigation is by others.
Fixture locations and transformer, if lighting is planned.
Key dimensions written, not just scaled.
Questions to ask the designer
Who owns the plan?
Ownership matters if you want to bid the plan to several contractors. Some design-build firms provide plans only for their own installation. Ask before you pay. See landscape architecture vs landscape design for who may stamp what.
At what age are plants drawn?
Bower & Branch says its symbols show a plant’s size after three years of growth; other designers use full maturity. Knowing which tells you how full the bed will look and when.
What is the base and drainage design?
A designer may leave base and drainage to the contractor. If so, ask the contractors to state theirs in writing so quotes can be compared, as our estimates guide explains.
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Questions
What does a landscape design plan include?
What scale are landscape plans drawn at?
What do circles mean on a landscape plan?
What is a plant schedule?
Can I get contractors to bid on a designer’s plan?
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