Jo-Anne Hilliar

Landscape Design Consultants International is owned and managed by Jo-Anne Hilliar, a professionally trained Landscape Designer who qualified with a Garden and Landscape Design Diploma through the University of Natal in 1990. In 2005 the company shifted its operational focus to offer landscape design consulting expertise in managing, overseeing and auditing expansive commercial, industrial and environmental sites in South Africa and internationally. Jo-Anne established the Landscape Design School in 2001. Read more...

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The difference between a garden and a landscape

For many years I have been asked the difference between a garden and a landscape.  My interpretations of each are as follows. 1. Gardening Creating gardens is generally about a personalised space that either needs upliftment, restoration or design of a new private garden / private spaces.  In the process of gardening as contractors, knowledge …

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Running your business in present day economic times

Interrupting our general blogs on the landscaping industry we thought that at this COVID times with business decreasing that we would comment on the activities from a business perspective that we need to be aware of. Some of the most important activities and go to strategies as follows: 1.      The Government will probably be introducing …

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What is landscape design in the context of creating commercial sites?

Landscape design for commercial sites needs to be practical from an aesthetic perspective, pleasing to the eye and the wow factor needs to be well recognised before the commercial aspects of the site become evident.  These are just some of the items that need to be considered as follows: 1. Simplicity Number of species used. …

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The Green Industry Nationally and Internationally going forward

Some of the situations to consider as follows as we continue to provide a service in our profession: 1. Deteriorating Governmental and Economic issues we need to consider as follows: 1.1 Where are we with the economies of the world and the consideration for our pricing methodology in securing and continuing with established and new …

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Negotiating a landscape design contract during Covid 19

Covid 19 has thrown a completely new dimension to the landscape design industry.  Some points to bear in mind are as follows: Gardens do not stop growing – landscapes need to be looked after from a maintenance perspective. Often new design features and aspects are required in terms of the development of landscapes, during this …

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Covid Protocols – Landscaping Industry

The Landscape Construction industry internationally and in South Africa is back at work but strictly under the governmental protocols set up internationally in every country around the world.  Although our industry, fortunately, is conducted generally externally, we are still subject to strict health protocols to ensure a safer workplace not only for our workers but …

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Sustainable Landscaping Programme presented in Mauritius – September 2019

We have run our Sustainable Landscaping Programme in Mauritius for the leading professional landscape contracting and maintenance company in Mauritius and offering the latest in practising sustainable and endemic landscaping methods. Very exciting times ahead in terms of restoration and rehabilitation, utilising many of the endemics and indigenous plant material found naturally within their environment. …

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