Native Plant Garden Consulting Services in Charlotte, NC
Whether you're new to native plant gardening or an experienced DIY gardener, professional consultation provides valuable expert perspective without the cost of full design and installation. Get personalized guidance for your garden project from an ecological gardening specialist serving Charlotte, Matthews, Belmont, Fort Mill, and surrounding communities.
Why Choose Charlotte Ecological Gardening for Garden Consultation?
Deep native plant expertise for Charlotte's climate and growing conditions - Get recommendations tailored to our clay soil, variable weather, and local wildlife needs
Save money by avoiding costly plant mistakes - Choose plants that will actually thrive in your specific conditions rather than struggle and need replacement
Access to local native plant sources most gardeners don't know about - Learn where to find hard-to-source native plants in the Charlotte area
Seasonal timing expertise for Charlotte's climate - Know exactly when to plant, prune, and tackle garden tasks for best results
Build confidence in your gardening decisions - Get expert validation for your ideas or helpful redirection when needed
Types of Consultation Services
The exact focus of the consultation is up to you, but generally includes a mix of the topics below.
Garden Planning & Design Consultation:
Design feedback - Review and improve your garden plans or existing landscape changes
Site evaluation - Assess sun, shade, moisture, drainage, and soil conditions for optimal plant placement
Plant identification and inventory - Identify existing plants and determine what to keep, remove, or relocate
Plant selection guidance - Choose the right native plants for your specific conditions and goals
Garden Care & Maintenance Consultation:
Maintenance strategy - Learn wildlife-friendly techniques, timing, and tools to reduce work and support pollinators
Pruning guidance - Learn when and how to prune different plants for health and appearance
Invasive plant removal - Identify problem species and learn effective removal methods and timing
Problem diagnosis - Get expert perspective on plant health issues, drainage problems, or garden challenges
Specialized Topics:
Wildlife habitat assessment - Evaluate current wildlife support and get recommendations for attracting more birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects
Deer management strategies - Practical approaches to reduce deer damage
Rain garden planning - Design attractive planted areas that capture and filter rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and slopes while preventing erosion
Composting setup and optimization - Start composting or improve your existing system
Vegetable garden productivity - Maximize your food garden's success and yield
Our Consultation Process
Step 1: Phone Consultation (free)
Brief introductory call to determine the focus of your consultation and answer any initial questions.
Step 2: Choose Your Consultation Format
On-Site Visit ($200): Up to 2-hour site visit focused on your specific needs. We'll provide verbal feedback, recommendations, and guidance during our time together.
On-Site Visit + Written Report ($300): Everything above plus a detailed follow-up report delivered within 5 business days, including plant profiles for recommendations, site condition summaries, and links to additional resources
Need full design services? Explore our design services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the follow up materials?
Written summary of all topics discussed and links to additional outside sources that provide more information on recommendations. Additionally, we will provide plant profiles for all recommendations. These were prepared by combining information from multiple academic sources into one easily accessible format. Besides descriptive and cultural information, we also include care recommendations and multiple pictures. Click here for a sample set of plant profiles and bloom calendar.
How do I prepare for the consultation?
No special preparation needed! Just think about your main questions and goals. If you have existing plans or photos of problem areas, having those available can be helpful but isn't required.
What if weather prevents our scheduled visit?
We'll reschedule for the next available date that works for both of us. Consultations can proceed in light rain, but we'll postpone for safety during storms.
How quickly can consultations be scheduled?
Most consultations can be scheduled within 1-2 weeks, depending on the season. Spring and fall are our busiest times, so early booking is recommended.
Do you provide plant sourcing help during consultations?
Absolutely! We'll share specific nurseries and sources for recommended plants, including both retail and specialty native plant suppliers. For larger plantings, we can also source plants directly from our suppliers and arrange delivery, which often provides access to species and sizes not available to the general public.
Can I contact you with follow-up questions after the consultation?
Brief follow-up questions via email or text are welcome within 30 days of your consultation. For extensive additional guidance, we can schedule another consultation.
About
I’ve been an avid gardener for 15+ years, starting off growing vegetables in a Southern California backyard, before evolving to an interest in ornamentals after moving to Charlotte in 2013. Gradually, I noticed that a lot of the standard gardening practices were creating needless work and expense as they were in opposition to how plants grow in nature (i.e. trying to grow a grass lawn under a tree canopy). Furthermore, I noticed that a lot of our plant choices (i.e. Nandina, Privet) either provided little benefit to nature/wildlife or were downright harmful. These led me to gradually adopt ecological gardening practices in my yard. With Charlotte Ecological Gardening, I hope to use what I have learned to add a bit of beauty and nature to your yard.