Landscape Design and Plantings in Olathe & Shawnee, KS: Create the Perfect Space for Outdoor Gatherings
If you love hosting backyard gatherings in Kansas, then your outdoor space should be just as inviting as the inside of your home. With expert landscape design and plantings in Olathe and Shawnee, KS, you can have an outdoor setting that’s lush, vibrant, and perfect for everything from summer cookouts to crisp fall evenings by the fire pit.
But great outdoor spaces don’t happen by accident. They require strategic design, expert plant selection, and the right hardscape features to make every gathering feel effortless. Whether you want a pergola for shade, a paver patio for durability, or outdoor lighting to set the perfect mood, it all comes together to make your landscape work for you.
Related: Top Pergola and Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Olathe, KS Homes
How to Layer Landscaping Plants
Layering plantings in a landscape is about more than just filling space—it’s about creating depth, contrast, and a design that looks intentional from every angle. We take a strategic approach to plant selection, ensuring your landscape has a balanced mix of textures, colors, and seasonal interest.
Foundation Layer: Tall and Structural
The foundation layer consists of trees and large shrubs that provide a natural frame for your outdoor space. These elements add height, structure, and a sense of permanence to the design. In this region, we often incorporate trees like red maples, dogwoods, and serviceberries, which not only thrive in the Kansas climate but also offer stunning seasonal changes. Well-placed evergreens can provide year-round greenery and privacy, while ornamental trees like Japanese maples or magnolias create focal points with their unique shapes and blooms.
Mid-Layer: Filling the Space
The mid-layer brings the design together by adding depth and lush greenery. This is where shrubs and medium-height plants create a soft transition between the taller structural elements and the lower groundcover. We often use boxwoods for their structured form, hydrangeas for their dramatic blooms, and ornamental grasses for movement and texture. Plants like spirea and viburnum add additional seasonal color, while flowering shrubs can create eye-catching accents throughout the year.
Front Layer: Low and Flowing
The front layer is where we introduce color and texture to soften the landscape's edges. This is the space for perennials, groundcovers, and seasonal flowers that bring the design to life. Creeping phlox spills beautifully over stone edges, hostas thrive in shaded areas, and daylilies offer bursts of vibrant color. We often incorporate native plants like black-eyed Susans and purple coneflowers, which not only add beauty but also attract pollinators and withstand the region’s climate.
Kansas-Specific Considerations
Every landscape design needs to take the local climate into account, and in this region, that means planning for both extreme summers and cold winters.
Summers can be hot and dry, so we choose drought-resistant plants that can handle intense sun exposure. Prairie dropseed and Russian sage are excellent options for adding texture and resilience.
Winters can be harsh and unpredictable, which is why we incorporate evergreens like yews and junipers to ensure there’s visual interest year-round.
By carefully layering these plant elements, we create landscapes that feel natural yet structured—designed for both beauty and functionality. Whether you’re looking for a backyard that’s lush and inviting or a design that minimizes maintenance while maximizing impact, we create plantings that make every outdoor gathering space feel complete.
How to Arrange Landscape Lighting
Lighting isn’t just about making your outdoor space visible at night—it’s about creating atmosphere, depth, and an inviting ambiance. Whether you’re hosting a lively gathering or enjoying a peaceful evening outdoors, the right lighting design enhances both the functionality and aesthetics of your landscape. We design outdoor lighting solutions that bring warmth, safety, and style to every corner of your backyard.
Pathways and Walkways
Well-lit pathways not only improve safety but also set the tone for your landscape’s overall ambiance. Low-voltage LED path lights offer a soft, welcoming glow that guides guests through your outdoor space without overpowering the surroundings. We often use warm-toned lighting for a natural look, incorporating fixtures that blend seamlessly into the landscape. For a more modern feel, recessed lights along stone walkways create a clean, sophisticated effect.
Paver Patio Lighting
A paver patio should feel just as inviting at night as it does during the day. We achieve this by installing recessed under-cap lights along retaining walls, seat walls, and steps, which provide subtle, indirect illumination. Bistro string lights draped overhead create a relaxed, festive atmosphere, making the patio an ideal spot for entertaining. For a high-end finish, we also integrate LED strip lighting along the patio’s edges to define the space with a soft, elegant glow.
Fire Pit Area
The flickering flames of a fire pit naturally draw people in, but additional lighting around the area enhances the ambiance even further. Lantern-style fixtures or downlighting from nearby trees create a cozy, intimate feel, perfect for late-night conversations. We often use low-voltage uplighting around the perimeter to softly illuminate the seating area without competing with the fire’s natural glow.
Pergolas and Outdoor Structures
A pergola serves as a striking architectural feature during the day, and with the right lighting, it becomes even more enchanting at night. We integrate downlighting into the beams to cast a gentle wash of light over dining or lounge areas. String lights woven through the structure provide a warm, ambient glow, while recessed LED fixtures along the posts highlight the structure’s design. For a modern touch, we incorporate smart lighting controls that allow homeowners to adjust brightness and color temperature for different moods and occasions.
Layering Light for Maximum Impact
A well-designed outdoor lighting plan isn’t just about placing fixtures where they’re needed—it’s about layering different types of light to create depth and dimension.
Ambient Lighting provides general illumination and a warm, inviting glow. This includes wall-mounted sconces, bistro lights, and overhead fixtures.
Task Lighting focuses on specific areas where functionality is key. This might be pendant lights over an outdoor kitchen or spotlights near a grilling station.
Accent Lighting highlights focal points like trees, sculptures, or water features. We use uplighting, downlighting, and spotlights to add drama and visual interest.
Why LED is the Best Choice
In this region, LED lighting is the preferred option due to its energy efficiency, durability, and adaptability to Kansas weather. LED fixtures consume less electricity while producing crisp, high-quality light, ensuring your landscape looks stunning year-round. These fixtures also have a longer lifespan, reducing maintenance and replacement costs over time.
A well-planned outdoor lighting design transforms your landscape, making it just as inviting at night as it is during the day. Whether you’re highlighting key features, enhancing safety, or setting the mood for outdoor gatherings, we tailor every lighting element to complement your space.
The Best Plant to Grow on a Pergola
A pergola instantly enhances an outdoor space, adding shade, structure, and a striking focal point. But what really transforms it? The right climbing plants. Whether you want lush greenery, bold flowers, or fragrant blooms, selecting the right vine can take your pergola from a simple structure to a living, breathing masterpiece.
Top Pergola Plants for Kansas Climates
With the region’s hot summers and cold winters, not all climbing plants thrive here. We select vines that can handle Kansas weather while bringing beauty and function to the landscape.
Wisteria
For a true showstopper, wisteria is hard to beat. Its cascading clusters of lavender-purple flowers make any pergola look straight out of a dream. It thrives in full sun and loves the heat but does require strong structural support and regular pruning to keep it from taking over.
Climbing Roses
For a classic, elegant look, climbing roses provide long-lasting blooms and a timeless aesthetic. Varieties like ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ offer fragrant, thornless roses in a rich pink hue, perfect for adding color and softness to a pergola. These roses perform best in full sun and require proper support to climb.
Clematis
If you want pops of vibrant color, clematis is an excellent choice. With blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and red, this vine provides seasonal interest throughout the growing season. It does well in full sun but appreciates shade at its roots, making it ideal for pairing with lower-growing perennials.
Trumpet Vine
For a fast-growing, low-maintenance option, trumpet vine thrives in Kansas heat. With bright orange-red flowers, it attracts hummingbirds and pollinators while offering dense, leafy coverage for shade. This vine is aggressive, so we place it strategically where it has room to grow without overtaking other plants.
Honeysuckle
If fragrance is a priority, honeysuckle is a top contender. This hardy, adaptable vine produces clusters of tubular flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and red, creating a welcoming environment for bees and butterflies. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade, making it a versatile option for any pergola.
What to Surround a Fire Pit With
Lighting isn’t just about making your outdoor space visible at night—it’s about creating atmosphere, depth, and an inviting ambiance. The right lighting design enhances both the functionality and aesthetics of your landscape, making every gathering feel effortless. We design outdoor lighting solutions that bring warmth, safety, and style to every corner of your backyard, ensuring your outdoor space is just as inviting at night as it is during the day.
Pathways and Walkways
A well-lit pathway not only improves safety but also sets the tone for your landscape’s overall ambiance. Thoughtfully placed lighting ensures guests can navigate your outdoor space with ease while enhancing the surrounding landscape.
We often use low-voltage LED path lights for a soft, natural glow that blends seamlessly into garden beds or along walkways. These fixtures provide just enough illumination to guide movement without creating harsh, overpowering brightness. For a modern, minimalist look, we integrate recessed lights along stone walkways or under steps, delivering a sleek, subtle effect that highlights the craftsmanship of the pathway itself.
Paver Patio Lighting
A paver patio should be just as inviting after sunset as it is during the day. The key is layering soft, indirect lighting that enhances the space without overwhelming it.
We install under-cap lights along retaining walls and seat walls, which provide subtle illumination without visible fixtures. This keeps the focus on the natural beauty of the patio while ensuring a comfortable level of light for guests. For a more festive feel, bistro string lights draped overhead can create an inviting, intimate atmosphere—perfect for dining and entertaining.
For a high-end finish, we often integrate LED strip lighting along the patio’s edges or recessed fixtures within the pavers to subtly define the space. These small details make a significant impact on the overall aesthetic, giving the patio a polished, luxurious feel.
Fire Pit Area
The natural glow of a fire pit is already a built-in light source, but additional lighting around the area enhances its warmth and functionality. The goal is to create a cozy, inviting space while ensuring safety for those moving around the fire.
We often place lantern-style fixtures or low-voltage downlighting from nearby trees to cast a gentle glow over the seating area. This type of lighting provides just enough visibility without competing with the fire’s natural flicker. Uplighting around the perimeter of the fire pit area adds depth and dimension, softly illuminating the surrounding landscape while maintaining a natural, relaxed ambiance.
Pergolas and Outdoor Structures
A pergola is more than just an architectural statement—it’s an opportunity to integrate thoughtful, artistic lighting into your outdoor design. The right lighting choices can turn a pergola into a warm and inviting focal point after dark.
We often install downlighting in the pergola beams, casting a soft wash of light over dining or lounge areas. String lights woven through the structure create a casual, inviting glow, while recessed LED fixtures along the posts subtly highlight the architectural lines. For a sleek, modern touch, we incorporate smart lighting controls, allowing homeowners to adjust brightness and even color temperature depending on the occasion.
What to Put Around a Paver Patio?
A paver patio is the foundation of your outdoor space, but what surrounds it is just as important. The right finishing touches make the patio feel integrated, inviting, and visually complete—instead of looking like a disconnected slab of stone. Whether the goal is to create a seamless transition into the rest of the landscape or add contrast with texture and color, we incorporate elements that bring both beauty and function.
Low-Growing Plants for Soft Edges
A structured patio can feel harsh or abrupt without the right balance of greenery. Low-growing plants help soften the transition between the patio and the surrounding landscape, making the space feel more natural and inviting.
We often use perennials like lavender, sedum, and ornamental grasses to line the patio’s perimeter. These plants add a lush border without blocking sightlines, and many of them offer seasonal interest, movement, or fragrance to enhance the experience. For shady patios, hostas and coral bells are excellent options that thrive in lower light.
Decorative Rock or Gravel for Contrast
A border of decorative rock or gravel provides a clean, defined edge around a patio while helping with drainage and weed control. River rock, crushed limestone, or pea gravel can be used to contrast with the patio’s pavers, adding visual variety and texture. In modern designs, we often incorporate black or white gravel for a sleek, high-end look, while rustic patios might benefit from natural-toned stone that blends seamlessly into the landscape.
Lighting Features for Ambiance and Safety
A paver patio shouldn’t disappear at night. Thoughtfully placed landscape lighting enhances both functionality and aesthetics, creating a warm, inviting space even after sunset.
We install recessed paver lights along the patio’s edges, creating a soft glow without visible fixtures. Small path lights placed around the border highlight plantings and add depth to the space. For a more dramatic effect, uplighting nearby trees or seating walls creates a layered lighting effect that enhances the entire outdoor area.
Mulch Beds with Shrubs for a Defined Border
For a structured, formal look, we create mulch beds with evergreen shrubs along the patio’s edge. Boxwoods, dwarf hollies, or compact junipers provide a year-round green backdrop that adds depth without overpowering the space. Seasonal flowers or perennials can be layered in front of the shrubs for a pop of color, keeping the landscape dynamic throughout the year.
Built-in Planters for Seasonal Interest
If the patio design allows for it, built-in planters are a fantastic way to add seasonal flexibility. Raised stone or masonry planters can be integrated into the patio design, allowing for fresh plantings year-round. Seasonal flowers, trailing vines, or even small trees can create visual height and interest, making the patio feel like a natural extension of the landscape.
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About the Author
Since 2008, we have shared our passion for the great outdoors by creating award-winning landscapes that inspire our customers to spend more time outside. As a first-generation company, we’ve persevered through entrepreneurial challenges, put our strong Midwestern work ethic to good use, and got our hands and boots dirty to become what we are today—a successful business with four locations spanning across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Tennessee.
