There’s no question that AI can be helpful in many areas of daily life. It makes sense to keep up with evolving technology and use it to your advantage. At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we definitely care about keeping up with what’s new and cutting-edge.
But it’s also essential to have realistic expectations about what AI can do. When using AI to design a landscape, there are significant shortcomings to be aware of.
In fact, our Designers have seen some of the ways that AI has gone wrong first-hand. We spoke to two of our Landscape Designers to discuss using AI landscape design vs. a pro.
If you’re considering redoing your home's landscaping, we want to help you set yourself up for maximum success.
Can I Use AI Tools to Create A Landscape Design?Yes, AI can be used to create landscape designs, or at least generate ideas, but it’s essential to understand its shortcomings.
“I think AI can be a helpful tool for homeowners to get started with ideas, but you don’t want to get your hopes totally set on any picture or idea that AI generates, because it can sometimes be misleading or downright wrong,” says Amanda McNiff, Landscape Designer.
Amanda says that she has seen numerous AI-generated images that aren’t achievable. And various ways of using AI to create a landscape design can go wrong.
She shared a few examples.
Inaccurate bloom times: One of the ways that AI can really mislead homeowners is by showing various plants in bloom at the same time that would never actually bloom together.
Scale: It’s not uncommon for scale to be off when using AI for landscape design ideas. Plants may appear larger (or smaller) than they actually are, and the project's overall scale might be misleading or incorrect.
Failing to account for landscape challenges: Amanda says AI might also fail to understand landscape challenges that can only be determined at ground level. For instance, you might see a flat patio in a yard with a slope, instead of a tiered patio or retaining walls that would really be needed. AI also won't account for drainage.
Unavailable materials: Whether it’s plants that aren’t well-suited to our growing zone or hardscaping materials that aren’t best-suited to our region, Amanda says AI can make mistakes with its suggestions.
Lack of creativity or customization: AI can also be highly generic. It’s pulling from existing content that’s out there, but it’s not focused on the specifics of your property…or your wants or needs. It’s not going to be able to provide the “listening ear” of a landscape expert who can create a customized solution tailored to you.
Failure to take your budget into account: Since AI-generated images and plans are simply pulling information from what exists on the Internet, you might end up with information that is not in line with your budget.
The cost of labor & materials in Northern Virginia can differ significantly from other parts of the country, and AI is likely pulling data from everywhere.
No, AI cannot replace a landscape designer. If you are comparing AI landscape ideas vs. designers, it’s essential to understand that AI can’t replace the human expertise that a landscaper is going to offer.
But that doesn’t mean AI can’t provide a good starting point.
Alan Macbeth, Senior Landscape Designer, says: “Anytime a homeowner comes to us with some preparation and enthusiasm, that's always a win. Even if we have to tweak things, it’s still a great start to see what they’re thinking.”
Alan says AI can be a great tool to help homeowners turn an idea in their head into a picture. But like Amanda, he stresses that it’s just essential that homeowners don’t get too attached to specifics in an AI-generated design.
“There can definitely be elements that end up being wrong or challenging,” he continues. “For instance, a particular plant list that might have some plant species we don’t have here can present problems. But seeing a visual of what the homeowner has in mind or likes gives us the chance to find alternatives that will work for their landscape design.”
One of the key reasons AI-generated design is not going to replace a landscaper’s professional design is that AI requires expert prompts to function. That means you do still need an understanding of what can be done with the space to get the best suggestions out of AI. That includes horticultural expertise.
“There’s no replacement for professional creativity and horticultural knowledge,” Amanda says. “Even if AI gives some plant suggestions, knowing where they’re best installed on a property comes from experience.”
There are always site-specific considerations, adds Alan.
“Just because you put in a prompt to find plants in zone 7, does not mean you’ll end up with plants that will definitely work for your property,” he explains. “There are nuances to the site location and environmental aspects that have to be weighed by a professional. AI can be a really great starting point, but it’s not a replacement for an expert.”
Yes, AI landscape design can be a good starting point for beginners. Both Amanda and Alan say that using AI to brainstorm ideas is a good way to get the design process underway.
Sometimes it can be challenging to have ideas in your head and find a way to “bring them to life.” AI can be a tool that provides visualization and helps bridge the gap between your ideas and your landscape designer’s expert design abilities.
Bottom line: Using AI for landscape design can be a valuable way to get inspiration and share ideas with your landscape professional.
Getting the most out of landscape design really does boil down to working with an experienced, highly qualified professional. While AI can be a helpful tool, it shouldn’t be seen as a standalone option or a “workaround” for using a pro.
“AI can be helpful for some brainstorming or for some general ideas, but it will not replace meeting with a professional landscape designer,” Amanda sums up.
“I think there are definitely pros and cons to using AI for landscape design,” Alan adds. “Sometimes it’s hard to get an obvious picture of what the homeowner is imagining, so AI can be helpful to get us all on the same page. But it’s unrealistic to think that everything AI generates will work in the real world. As long as homeowners go into the process understanding that, there’s no issue with using it!”
At the end of the day, working with a professional landscape designer will help steer you in the best direction for your property. They can develop a design that incorporates your landscape design style ideas. This will involve aligning your ideas with their expertise and experience to deliver a custom result.
Often, a finished landscape design includes elements from different landscaping themes, inspirations, and ideas. It is not an all-or-nothing process; it should be highly customized to your wants and needs.
At Kingstowne Lawn & Landscape, we have the experience and know-how to blend your wants, needs, and ideas with our expertise to deliver projects. We are ready to help you get precisely what you want and need for your customized landscape.
Are you ready for an outdoor living area that helps you enjoy your time to the fullest at your Alexandria, Arlington, or Springfield, VA home? If so, request your consultation, get your customized plan, and relax as you get the royal treatment.