Behind Every Great Landscape: Meet the Design Team at Absolute Landscapes
When homeowners imagine landscape design, they often picture someone selecting beautiful plants, sketching patios, or dreaming up luxurious outdoor living spaces. While creativity is certainly part of the job, the reality is much more involved.
At Absolute Landscapes, every successful project begins with thoughtful planning, technical expertise, and collaboration. Before construction ever begins, countless hours are spent studying a property’s unique characteristics, solving potential challenges, and designing outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and functional.
Leading that process is our talented design team: Landscape Architect Jennifer Rodell and Landscape Designer Jacquelynn Davis. Although each manages her own projects, they work closely together, sharing ideas, collaborating on solutions, and drawing inspiration from one another to deliver exceptional outdoor spaces for homeowners throughout Howard County and Central Maryland.
Every Day Starts with a Plan
No two days are exactly alike, but every morning begins with organization.
Before heading to a job site or opening design software, Jennifer and Jacquelynn:
- Review emails
- Prioritize project tasks
- Check weather conditions
- Address urgent client needs that may affect the day’s schedule
The weather alone can significantly impact construction timelines, site visits, and installation planning, making flexibility an essential part of every day.
Together, the design team is typically managing six to eight active landscape designs each, with additional projects moving through various stages depending on their size and complexity.
Weekly meetings with the production team ensure designers, project managers, and installation crews remain aligned from the initial concept through construction.
Every Property Tells a Different Story
One of the biggest misconceptions about landscape design is that it happens entirely behind a computer screen.
In reality, much of the design process happens outdoors.
Jennifer and Jacquelynn regularly visit project sites throughout the week for:
- Initial site analyses
- Construction reviews
- Planting layouts
- Final walkthroughs
Depending on the project schedule, they average three to five site visits each week.
During every visit, they’re evaluating details homeowners may never notice, including:
- Existing grades and elevations
- Drainage patterns and water movement
- Utility locations
- Septic systems or public services
- Existing site conditions
- Sun exposure throughout the property
- Construction limitations
- Client feedback and future project phases
Each observation influences how the final design comes together.
“When we’re designing a landscape, we’re thinking about much more than how it looks,” says Jacquelynn. “We’re considering traffic patterns, sunlight, water flow, grading, construction methods, and how the homeowners will actually use the space every day.”
More Than a Beautiful Drawing
Landscape design is equal parts creativity and problem-solving.
Using computer-aided drafting software and advanced 3D modeling tools, Jennifer and Jacquelynn transform ideas into realistic visualizations that allow homeowners to experience their future landscape before construction even begins.
While both designers embrace technology, creativity often starts much more simply.
Jennifer and Jacquelynn still begin many projects with hand sketches before refining concepts digitally.
Most projects include:
- One or two major design revisions
- Three to five smaller adjustments as homeowners fine-tune the details
Those revisions often become easier once homeowners can see their landscape through a realistic 3D rendering.
“The more clients can visualize their project,” Jacquelynn explains, “the more confident they feel about their decisions.”
Helping Homeowners Bring Their Vision to Life
Every homeowner has a different vision, but many ask the same questions during the design process.
Some of the most common include:
- How can we maximize our outdoor living space?
- Can we create something that’s low maintenance?
- Can we complete the project in phases?
- How can we stay within budget while still achieving our goals?
Helping clients answer those questions is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
“The best part is seeing homeowners get excited about possibilities they never imagined,” Jacquelynn says. “Watching them realize how much more they can enjoy their outdoor space is incredibly rewarding.”
One misconception both designers encounter frequently is that thoughtful landscape design is reserved only for large budgets.
In reality, great design begins with understanding a client’s priorities.
“There are creative ways to accomplish almost any vision,” says Jacquelynn. “Our job is helping homeowners make smart decisions that fit their budget while still creating something they’ll love.”
Inspiration Comes From Everywhere
Although every project is unique, inspiration is everywhere.
Jennifer and Jacquelynn draw ideas from:
- Traveling
- Everyday experiences
- Nature
- Collaboration with teammates
- High-end landscape designers
- Industry professionals whose work they admire
That constant exchange of ideas keeps every project fresh while allowing each designer to continue growing professionally.
Choosing Materials That Last
Selecting materials involves much more than choosing what looks beautiful.
Every recommendation considers:
- Budget
- Home architecture
- Existing materials
- Long-term durability
- Maintenance expectations
- Personal style
Current design trends continue moving toward landscapes that combine warmth, beauty, and practicality.
Today’s homeowners are embracing:
- Warmer color palettes
- Native plants that reduce maintenance and disease pressure
- Traditional brick details
- Natural stone accents
- Timeless materials that age gracefully
Jennifer’s favorite materials include Indiana limestone, bluestone, and Belgian cobblestone, while Jacquelynn especially enjoys incorporating Belgian cobblestone and river stone into her designs.
Regardless of material selection, durability remains a top priority.
“It won’t stay beautiful if it doesn’t last,” Jacquelynn explains. “Everything we specify has to perform well for years while continuing to look exceptional.”
The Details Most Homeowners Never See
Perhaps the most important part of landscape design happens before construction even begins.
Every project requires careful planning for:
- Water management
- Drainage
- Grading
- Soil conditions
- Plant health
- Sunlight exposure
- Construction sequencing
- Environmental requirements
Water management, in particular, is one of the most overlooked aspects of a successful landscape.
Proper drainage protects foundations, reduces erosion, keeps basements dry, supports healthy plant growth, and satisfies county environmental regulations.
Grading is equally important, establishing stable surfaces for patios, retaining walls, walkways, and outdoor living areas while ensuring water flows away from structures rather than toward them.
Plant placement is equally intentional.
Every tree, shrub, and perennial is selected according to:
- Sunlight requirements
- Soil conditions
- Mature size
- Habitat
- Long-term maintenance
The result is a landscape designed to thrive—not just immediately after installation, but for many years to come.
Good Landscaping vs. Great Landscaping
So what separates a beautiful landscape from an exceptional one?
For Jennifer and Jacquelynn, it comes down to thoughtful planning and attention to detail.
Great landscape design considers not only how a property looks, but how people will experience it every day.
It considers:
- How families move through the space
- How outdoor rooms connect
- How water behaves during heavy rain
- How plants mature over time
- How every feature works together to create one cohesive outdoor environment
Those are the details that elevate a landscape from good to extraordinary.
Quick Questions with the Design Team
| Jennifer Rodell | Jacquelynn Davis | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Landscape Architect | Landscape Designer |
| Coffee or Tea? | Tea | Coffee & Tea |
| Favorite Plant | Hydrangea | Hydrangea |
| Favorite Tree | Magnolia | Magnolia |
| Favorite Outdoor Destination | Dumbarton Oaks | Longwood Gardens |
| Favorite Season | Spring | Fall |
Designing Outdoor Spaces That Feel Like Home
Every outdoor space begins with an idea—but bringing that idea to life takes collaboration, technical expertise, creativity, and careful planning.
At Absolute Landscapes, Jennifer Rodell and Jacquelynn Davis combine their unique skills to design landscapes that are as functional as they are beautiful. From the first site visit to the final planting, every decision is made with the homeowner’s vision, lifestyle, and long-term enjoyment in mind.
The patios, gardens, pools, and outdoor living spaces you see in our portfolio didn’t happen by chance. They’re the result of countless conversations, thoughtful design decisions, and a team committed to creating outdoor environments where families can gather, relax, and make memories for years to come.
Whether you’re dreaming of a complete backyard transformation or simply looking for a fresh perspective on your outdoor space, our design team is ready to help turn your vision into reality.
