Most of a planting job happens below the plant: the ground it goes into and the edge that holds it.
Native and climate suited planting, with the bed preparation, mulching and edging that lets it take.
We plant with species that are native to this part of the country or well suited to the Tennessee Valley climate. That choice is practical before it is anything else. Plants that suit the place settle in more readily and ask less of you afterwards.
Before anything goes in, the beds are prepared. After planting they are mulched and given a clean edge. Edging is the part people notice without knowing why: it is the line between bed and lawn, and when it is crisp the whole garden looks looked after.
Planting follows the planting plan from the design stage, so each bed is part of the larger picture and not a one off.
Getting the ground ready before planting, so roots have somewhere good to go.
Native and climate suited plants, set out to the planting plan.
A layer of mulch over the finished bed.
A clear, clean line where the bed meets lawn or path.
None of this is required. It just makes the site visit more useful.