Design Options
Choose Your Path
Naturalistic planting design options from early planning through to implementation-ready design and installation coordination
Founder’s pricing in effect until August 31, 2026
Core Engagement Sequence
All projects begin with the Project Intake Form, a short call to determine fit, and an on-site meeting. Scope, pricing, and the most suitable design option are confirmed after these steps.
Additional deliverables such as revisions, Project Notes, procurement coordination, and on-site coordination are described under each option below.
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Submit project information and site images through the Contact page.
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A free 15-minute phone or video conversation to confirm alignment, scope, and next steps.
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An in-person meeting at your property to review site conditions, goals, and constraints. This meeting is billed and typically lasts one to two hours. If you proceed with a design Agreement, the on-site meeting fee is credited toward the selected option. Travel fees are billed per visit. See Project Requirements and Fees below for current rates.
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A written proposal outlining scope and pricing is provided after the on-site meeting.
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Work begins after a design Agreement is signed and a start date is confirmed. Most residential projects are completed within three to six weeks once work begins. Timelines vary by season, scope, and availability.
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Design documents are delivered electronically as PDF files.
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An online or in-person meeting to review the design, answer questions, and confirm next steps.
How the Studio Designs Plantings
All planting designs are developed using a plant-driven method that organizes plantings according to how plants behave, where they perform best, and the level of long-term care they require. Rather than prioritizing individual plant appeal, the Studio’s designs emphasize plant compatibility and density so that plantings establish effectively, remain coherent, and thrive through time.
Options
Choose from three planting design options based on the level of detail, coordination, and hands-on involvement you want.
(1) Planting Framework Plan
A high-level layout that defines site structure and planting areas, allowing for phased development and ensuring informed decisions are made before detailed design begins.
From $1,650
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Want clear direction before committing to detailed design
Need a high-level plan to guide major site decisions
Are developing the site over time and want a flexible framework that can adapt as decisions are made
Want planting direction without full details such as precise placement and quantities
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A coherent spatial layout for major site components, including buildings, trees and planting areas
An understory approach that breaks the site into planting areas to support phased implementation without fine detail up front
A practical plant shortlist organized by planting area to support informed next steps
Avoidance of costly rework by clarifying spatial layout and planting areas before plants are purchased
Use this design option to plan layout, define planting areas, and begin phased work with a clear direction.
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Layout Plan showing major existing and proposed site components, including buildings, structures, fencing, surfaces, and trees
Planting Areas Plan showing zones for planting rather than individual plant placements
Plant Selection organized by zones with notes on intended use
Plant Images organized by plant layers and plant roles to clarify structure, theme, and ground relationships
One follow-up meeting, online or in person, to review the planting framework, answer questions, and clarify next steps
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Implementation-ready planting plans showing individual plant placements and quantities
Project Notes or guidance for procurement, site preparation, planting, or long-term care
Design revisions beyond clarification of the delivered framework
On-site layout or marking
Formal phase-by-phase implementation schedule
Detailed hardscape design such as paving patterns, lighting, or signage
Utility lines
Area calculations and quantities for cost estimating
(2) Implementation-Ready Planting Design
Implementation-ready planting plans and specifications with guidance for confident DIY or contractor-led installation.
From $3,750
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Want clear plant placement with quantities and densities defined
Are ready to commit to a fully developed planting design
Are installing independently or with a contractor and need implementation-ready documentation
Value a structured system that reduces uncertainty during procurement and installation
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A complete planting design that can be implemented with confidence
Clear direction on plant selection and placement, in what quantities, and at what density
Compatible plant groupings and layered composition that support establishment and coherence through time
Practical guidance that reduces guesswork during sourcing, planting, and early establishment
This design option reduces installation risk by making plant placement, quantities, and specifications explicit before sourcing begins.
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Layout Plan showing existing and proposed buildings, structures, fencing, provided utilities, surfaces, and planting areas
Tree Planting Plan indicating locations of existing and proposed trees
Understory Planting Plan showing individual plant placements or grouped planting units, depending on scale and design approach
Plant Specifications table for trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, groundcovers, biennials, and annuals, including recommended installation sizes, quantities, mature sizes, preferred growing conditions, sourcing options, and suitable alternatives
Plant Images to support plant recognition and sourcing
One design review meeting to review the design, address questions, and confirm whether one round of revisions is required before final delivery
Project Notes with practical guidance for procurement, site preparation, planting, and early establishment, tailored to your project
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Plant ordering or procurement coordination
Installation labour or on-site planting assistance
Contractor selection or management
On-site layout or marking
Irrigation or lighting design
Grading, drainage, or engineering services
Permitting or regulatory approvals
Cost estimates for plants, materials, or labour
Utility locating services
(3) Coordinated Planting Design
An implementation-ready planting design with coordinated procurement and guided installation support.
From $5,950
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Want professional coordination to reduce installation uncertainty
Are ready to implement a design and value on-site guidance for better outcomes
Want procurement simplified without managing multiple nurseries and substitutions on their own
Are prioritizing a high-quality outcome and a smoother installation process
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Full implementation-ready documentation with plans, specifications, and guidance
Coordinated plant sourcing that preserves design intent as availability shifts
Reduced procurement burden through supplier coordination and delivery planning
Improved installation accuracy through on-site staging, layout support, and spacing adjustments
Readiness planning that reduces installation delays and rework
This design option reduces installation risk by coordinating sourcing and substitutions, then guiding layout on site.
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Full-scope Implementation Ready Planting Design, including Layout, Tree, and Planting Plans, Plant Specifications, Plant Images, Project Notes, and one design review meeting with one round of revisions
Procurement coordination for one ordering cycle, including availability checks and ordering from nurseries, typically limited to three suppliers
Substitution management where exact specified plants are unavailable, preserving consideration for plant roles and plant layers, and overall design intent
Pre-installation readiness process, including a structured checklist and coordination call to confirm site preparation before ordering plant delivery and staging
One on-site coordination day, up to six working hours for plant staging, layout and marking, spacing adjustments, and planting instruction
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Installation services or contractor management
Labour and construction pricing for contractor-provided work
Irrigation or lighting design
Additional ordering cycles beyond the one included
On-site time aside from the included coordination day
Plant pricing guarantees before supplier quotes and order totals are confirmed
Utility locating services
Compare What’s Included
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Option 1
Planting Framework Plan
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● Design intent
● Site layout plan
● Planting areas plan
○ Detailed planting plan
● Plant images
○ Plant quantities
○ Plant specifications
● Design review meeting
○ One round of revisions
○ Project Notes
○ Procurement coordination
○ On-site coordination day
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Option 2
Implementation-Ready Planting Design
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● Design intent
● Site layout plan
○ Planting areas plan
● Detailed planting plan
● Plant images
● Plant quantities
● Plant specifications
● Design review meeting
● One round of revisions
● Project Notes
○ Procurement coordination
○ On-site coordination day
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Option 3
Coordinated Planting Design
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● Design intent
● Site layout plan
○ Planting areas plan
● Detailed planting plan
● Plant images
● Plant quantities
● Plant specifications
● Design review meeting
● One round of revisions
● Project Notes
● Procurement coordination
● On-site coordination day
Scope and pricing are confirmed after the on-site meeting.
Project Requirements and Fees
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Eligibility — Offers are intended for full-property, average-sized residential projects.
Complex projects — Acreages, estate-scale properties, phased master planning, or compressed timelines require tailored scopes of work.
Scope confirmation — Final scope and pricing are confirmed after the on-site meeting.
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Hourly rate — Initial on-site meetings are billed at $165/hr. If you proceed with a design Agreement, the on-site meeting fee is credited toward the selected design option.
Travel — Billed per visit and measured from PolyFlora Studio. $50 (within 20 km), $100 (20-40 km), $150 (40-60 km). Travel beyond 60 km is quoted in advance.
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Site documents — Clients are responsible for providing available site documentation early in the process so design drawings can be produced accurately. This may include a Real Property Report, survey, and any existing site drawings. Digital files are preferred.
Utility locations for design — Clients are responsible for providing a digital record of utility line locations early enough to be incorporated into the design drawings. This may be a marked-up site plan, PDF, or clear photos mapped to the site.
Utility line locating service — Clients are responsible for arranging free underground utility marking through Utility Safety Partners’ Click Before You Dig service and keeping the documentation for reference.
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Design files — All design work is delivered as 11" × 17" PDF files.
Project Notes — Project Notes are delivered as 8.5" × 11" PDF files.
Printing — Printing is not included, but can be arranged for a fee.
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Estimates — Costs for plants, materials, and labour are provided by suppliers and contractors.
Start a Project Inquiry
Begin with the Project Intake Form. The Studio will then schedule a short call to confirm alignment and next steps before arranging an on-site meeting.
Not sure which option fits? The Studio will recommend the right path or propose a tailored scope of work.