Landscape design & build for Park City

Landscape designs in Park City draw inspiration from the mid-to high-altitude ecosystems that surround the city, generally expressing a naturalistic planting style. Native grasses like Blue Grama and Little Bluestem, shrubs like Great Basin Sagebrush and Utah Mountain Lilac, and perennials like Butterfly Weed and Desert Marigold all feature prominently. Trees represent a blend of evergreen conifers and leafy deciduous species like the native Rocky Mountain Maple. Boulders and rock features are common as well, hearkening rock faces from the nearby mountains.

With Utah in the midst of a drought, xeriscape, low water, and drought tolerant designs are becoming increasingly popular, and necessary, in and around Park City. These designs commonly feature low water species native to the region, along with other sturdy, drought tolerant species from similar climates.

While planting designs are reliably naturalistic in Park City, hardscape designs run the stylistic gamut. More traditional spaces feature stone paving, wood pergolas, and gratefully curving paths, while modern spaces emphasize concrete and cool gray pavers within layouts that are dominated by straight lines.

Park City landscapes are designed to help people spend time outside, enjoying the gorgeous scenery and climate.

Amenities for outdoor living like outdoor kitchens, dining areas, and flexible entertaining areas are all very popular. Pergolas are prized for their multi-functionality, offering a framework for infrared heaters and windscreens for cool evenings outside, or a breeze- and shade-cooled space for warmer summer months.

Fire pits and hot tubs are also very popular, offering a warm way to enjoy evenings outside even as the weather turns cooler.

No matter where you live, native plants are an excellent choice for your landscape. As lovers of the local climate, native plants typically require fewer inputs of water, fertilizer, and maintenance than species introduced from elsewhere. With natives, you’ll get great plant performance with less expense and fuss.

At the same time, native plants offer unmatched habitat value for local wildlife and help designed landscapes feel connected to the broader regional landscape.

In a setting as visually dominated by the wild landscape as Park City, native plants will also help your designed space feel cohesive with the natural surroundings.

Looking for a few natives to get you started? Here are a few of the many local favorites:

Butterfly weed

Yarrow

Fragrant sand verbena

Western columbine

White sage

Desert marigold

Serviceberry

Utah holly

Great Basin sagebrush

Utah mountain lilac

Silvery lupine

Climate tolerance is the primary concern when designing a Park City landscape. Hardscape materials must hold up to snow and the baking sun. Plants must be able to tolerate the peak of summer heat and the depth of winter cold. Natives are a safe bet, having evolved to thrive in the local climate.

When choosing plants, don’t forget to consider winter interest. Look for plants that bloom late in the fall and early in the spring. Incorporate trees and shrubs with colorful or architectural branches. Be considerate with the placement of evergreens such that they can command the scene when other plants are in winter dormancy.

Because of the proximity of wild landscapes, it’s particularly important to avoid using any potentially invasive species in Park City designs. Invasive species commonly escape residential designs and can quickly colonize and destroy natural plant communities, causing significant environmental damage in the process. Take care to avoid invasives!

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project.

When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase – this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer.

If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.