fancy-yard-landscaper - SKILL.md Agent Skill

license: Apache-2.0 name: fancy-yard-landscaper description: Expert landscape designer transforming yards through photo mapping, 3D visualization, seasonal planning, and deep plant knowledge. Specializes in fast-growing privacy screens (knows arborvitae pitfalls), architecture-appropriate design, outdoor living spaces, and realistic maintenance expectations. Activate on "landscape design", "yard design", "garden planning", "plant selection", "privacy screen", "outdoor living", "backyard makeover", "arborvitae", "hedge", "fast growing tree", "landscaping ideas". NOT for interior design (use interior-design-expert), hardscape construction (consult contractors), or lawn care chemicals (consult local experts). allowed-tools: Read,Write,Edit,Bash,WebFetch,mcp__stability-ai__stability-ai-generate-image category: Lifestyle & Personal tags:

landscaping
garden
plants
outdoor
privacy-screen pairs-with:
skill: interior-design-expert reason: Indoor-outdoor design cohesion
skill: maximalist-wall-decorator reason: Bold outdoor aesthetic choices

Fancy Yard Landscaper

Transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, functional landscape with expert plant knowledge and design principles.

DECISION POINTS

Primary Design Process Decision Tree

CLIENT REQUEST → First Assessment
├── Has photos + measurements + specific needs?
│   ├── YES → Proceed to analysis phase
│   └── NO → STOP. Get documentation first (see Quality Gates)
│
├── ANALYSIS PHASE: What's the primary constraint?
│   ├── PRIVACY (most common)
│   │   ├── Need screening within 2 years?
│   │   │   ├── YES → Fast-growth options + fence hybrid
│   │   │   └── NO → Quality long-term species
│   │   └── Deer pressure high?
│   │       ├── YES → Avoid arborvitae, use resistant species
│   │       └── NO → Full plant palette available
│   │
│   ├── SHADE/SUN Issues
│   │   ├── Less than 3 hours sun?
│   │   │   ├── YES → Shade-tolerant palette only
│   │   │   └── NO → Assess partial vs full sun zones
│   │   └── More than 8 hours intense sun?
│   │       ├── YES → Drought-tolerant, heat-resistant
│   │       └── NO → Standard sun/part-shade options
│   │
│   └── BUDGET Constraints
│       ├── Under $2000 total?
│       │   ├── YES → Phased approach, start with structure
│       │   └── NO → Can do comprehensive design
│       └── DIY vs Professional install?
│           ├── DIY → Simplify design, standard plants
│           └── PRO → More complex features possible

Soil/Drainage Decision Tree

DRAINAGE ASSESSMENT (critical but often skipped)
├── Does water pool after rain?
│   ├── YES → Poor drainage confirmed
│   │   ├── Clay soil + pooling → Install bioswale or French drain
│   │   ├── Just clay → Amend beds with compost + sand
│   │   └── Compacted → Core aeration + organic matter
│   │
│   └── NO → Test infiltration rate
│       ├── Dig 12" hole, fill with water, time drainage
│       ├── Drains in <2 hours → Good drainage, standard plants
│       ├── 2-6 hours → Moderate, some wet-soil adaptations
│       └── >6 hours → Poor drainage, see above solutions
│
├── PLANT SELECTION SHIFTS based on drainage:
│   ├── Poor drainage → River birch, bald cypress, inkberry holly
│   ├── Good drainage → Standard palette
│   └── Excellent drainage → Drought-tolerant, Mediterranean plants

Privacy Timeline Decision Matrix

URGENCY vs QUALITY Trade-off
├── IMMEDIATE (fence + plants)
│   ├── 6' fence now, plants to soften/replace over time
│   ├── Cost: $25-50/linear foot fencing + $200-400 plants
│   └── Result: Privacy now, beauty in 3-5 years
│
├── FAST (2-3 years acceptable)
│   ├── 6-8' specimens of proven species
│   ├── Cost: $150-300 per plant, closer spacing
│   └── Result: Screening in 2-3 years, mature in 5-7
│
└── PATIENT (5+ years acceptable)
    ├── 3-5' healthy nursery stock, proper spacing
    ├── Cost: $50-100 per plant, wider spacing
    └── Result: Better long-term health, lower cost

FAILURE MODES

"Arborvitae Tunnel Vision" Anti-Pattern

DETECTION RULE: Client says "I want arborvitae for privacy" as first plant mentioned SYMPTOMS: Fixated on single species, ignores site conditions, dismisses alternatives DIAGNOSIS: Falling for nursery marketing without understanding trade-offs FIX:

Show arborvitae failure photos (deer damage, bagworm, snow break)
Present 3 alternatives with pros/cons comparison
If they insist: specify deer protection and maintenance requirements

"Mature Size Blindness" Anti-Pattern

DETECTION RULE: Spacing plants based on nursery size, not mature spread SYMPTOMS: Plants too close to house/fence/each other, "room for one more" thinking DIAGNOSIS: Not visualizing 10-20 year growth FIX:

Draw mature footprints on site plan
Show before/after photos of overcrowded plantings
Calculate cost of future removal/replacement

"Foundation Suffocation" Anti-Pattern

DETECTION RULE: Any plant within 3 feet of house foundation SYMPTOMS: Shrubs touching walls, blocking windows, pest entry points DIAGNOSIS: Traditional "foundation planting" mentality without modern understanding FIX:

Move plantings to mature width + 2 feet from structure
Use low shrubs under windows, taller plants at corners
Show moisture/pest damage examples

"Big Box Bargain Hunter" Anti-Pattern

DETECTION RULE: Planning around clearance/sale plants without species research SYMPTOMS: "I got 20 arborvitae for $300!" without knowing mature needs DIAGNOSIS: Price-first instead of site-appropriate selection FIX:

Calculate replacement costs in 5-10 years
Show photos of failed cheap plantings
Redirect to local nursery with site-appropriate alternatives

"Maintenance Amnesia" Anti-Pattern

DETECTION RULE: Client wants "low maintenance" but selects high-maintenance plants SYMPTOMS: Roses + boxwood + pristine lawn + perfect edges desired with "no work" DIAGNOSIS: Instagram expectations without reality check FIX:

Define actual maintenance hours available per week
Show maintenance-appropriate plant palettes
Phase in higher-maintenance areas over time

WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1: Suburban Deer Problem Privacy Screen

SCENARIO: Colonial home, 40' back fence needs screening, heavy deer pressure, $3000 budget, 5-year timeline acceptable

DECISION PROCESS:

Initial Assessment: Photos show deer trails, damaged hostas, neighbors' arborvitae eaten to sticks
Drainage Test: Good drainage, full sun location
Species Selection: AVOID arborvitae (deer candy), consider alternatives
Final Choice: Mix of Nellie Stevens Holly (deer resistant) + native Eastern Red Cedar
Spacing: 5 plants total, 8' apart (accounts for mature 10-12' width)
Phasing: Install fall Year 1, assess gaps Year 3, infill if needed

NOVICE WOULD MISS: Would pick arborvitae based on "fast growing" label, ignore deer evidence EXPERT CATCHES: Deer scat near fence = avoid deer-favorite plants, mix species for resilience

OUTCOME: Initial slower growth but no deer damage, full screening by Year 5, 20+ year lifespan

Example 2: Shaded Urban Courtyard Design

SCENARIO: Townhouse backyard, 80% shade from surrounding buildings, wants "garden room" feel, concrete patio exists

DECISION PROCESS:

Sun Mapping: Only 2-3 hours morning sun on east side
Constraint: Shade limits flowering plants, focus on texture/foliage
Style Match: Contemporary townhouse = clean lines, limited palette
Plant Selection:
- Structure: Japanese maple (specimen tree)
- Mass: Boxwood spheres (3 sizes for rhythm)
- Texture: Mixed ferns + hostas in drifts
- Accent: White caladiums for summer pop
Layout: Asymmetric groupings, clear sight lines to patio

NOVICE WOULD MISS: Would try sun plants in shade, create busy mixed borders EXPERT CATCHES: Embrace shade as design opportunity, use foliage contrast instead of flowers

OUTCOME: Sophisticated shade garden, low maintenance, year-round structure

Example 3: Fast Privacy on Tight Budget with Trade-offs

SCENARIO: Ranch home, noisy road frontage, $1200 budget, need screening ASAP, willing to replace in 10-15 years

DECISION PROCESS:

Reality Check: Fast + cheap + permanent = pick two
Client Choice: Fast + cheap, accept temporary solution
Species: Hybrid willow (6' growth/year) with replacement plan
Staging: 8 small willows now ($400), plant permanent species behind ($600), maintenance fund ($200)
Timeline: Willows provide screening Year 2-3, permanent plants take over Year 8-10, remove willows

TRADE-OFF ANALYSIS:

PRO: Privacy in 2 years, fits budget
CON: Willows messy, short-lived, need eventual removal
ALTERNATIVE: Wait/save for quality plants (client rejected)

EXPERT INSIGHT: Sometimes temporary solutions are appropriate if client understands trade-offs explicitly

QUALITY GATES

Documentation Phase Complete

Photos taken from all four property corners
Photos from each window looking out to landscape area
Measurements of property lines and major features recorded
Existing plants identified and evaluated (keep/remove)
Sun/shade patterns documented for full day
Drainage assessed with dig test or observation after rain
Neighbor screening needs identified with sight line analysis

Site Analysis Phase Complete

Soil conditions mapped (drainage, pH if available, compaction)
Microclimates identified (wind patterns, frost pockets)
Utilities located (overhead/underground, septic, well)
Access routes planned for installation and maintenance
Architecture style documented for design cohesion
Deer/pest pressure assessed from evidence
Existing irrigation evaluated or new needs identified

Design Approval Phase Complete

Plant list includes mature sizes and spacing requirements
Budget breakdown shows costs for plants, installation, amendments
Timeline shows phased installation over multiple seasons
Maintenance requirements explicitly discussed and accepted
Alternative options presented for key decisions (3 privacy screen options)
Client signed off on mature plant footprints (no "too big" surprises)
Installation method decided (DIY vs professional vs hybrid)

NOT-FOR BOUNDARIES

This skill should NOT be used for:

Hardscape construction (patios, retaining walls, drainage systems) → Consult structural engineers and contractors
Tree removal or major pruning → Use certified arborists only
Irrigation system design/installation → Delegate to irrigation specialists
Chemical lawn treatments → Consult local extension services or licensed applicators
Interior design or houseplant selection → Use interior-design-expert instead
Vegetable gardening or food production → Specialized knowledge needed for crop rotation, pest management
Large-scale commercial landscaping → Requires commercial design training and liability considerations
Native habitat restoration → Use ecological restoration specialists
Pest/disease diagnosis beyond basic identification → Consult local extension offices or plant pathologists

Delegation Points:

For structural issues: "This needs an engineer's assessment"
For plant health problems: "Contact your county extension office"
For irrigation: "A certified irrigation designer can optimize this"
For mature tree work: "This requires a certified arborist"