Jay Sifford of Sifford Garden Design Shares Tips for Charlotte Yards

In its February 2023 issue, Fine Gardening magazine described Jay Sifford as “magical.”

A quick glance at the past projects carried out by Sifford’s company, Sifford Garden Design, shows the description was anything but hyperbolic.

As a garden designer, writer, speaker and frequent podcast guest, Sifford wastes no opportunity to espouse his belief that great gardens are built on four cornerstones: art, magic, story and horticulture.

With a style that leans into contemporary, prairie and Asian aesthetics, Sifford describes his relationship with plants as “a love affair.” He approaches all of his projects from a psychological, philosophical and spiritual standpoint.

Since beginning on his journey of craftsmanship in 2008, Sifford has built a name for himself as one of the region’s top landscape designers.

Named ‘North Carolina’s Most Outstanding Landscape Designer by LuxLife magazine in 2021, Sifford has won numerous awards from the home design and remodeling platform Houzz and a Perennial Plant Association award of merit in 2024 for one of his personal gardens,

Aside from Fine Gardening, his work has also been featured in Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, and Country Gardens as well as in several books.

Sifford cultivates a 300-square-foot courtyard garden in Davidson and a mountain escape in western North Carolina, where he nurtures a sunny, stylized meadow atop a septic field and a shade garden underneath a canopy of mature rhododendrons.

For our inaugural Outdoor Living Issue, we asked Sifford for his tips on cultivating a yard that will draw you (and your friends and family) outside this summer.

Queen City Nerve: When you look at a blank backyard, what are the first three things you analyze before you start designing?

Jay Sifford: I listen to what the space “says” to me, I ask a lot of questions regarding aesthetics and functional needs, and I look at what the site presents (soil, sunlight, deer pressure, etc.).

How do you balance beauty with function when creating outdoor living spaces?

I design gardens, so there has to be enough room for an emotive, immersive plant-based design. If there isn’t, I’ll pass on the project.

What do most homeowners get wrong or not consider when they first start dreaming about their yard?

An investment in an outdoor space is an investment in quality of life. It’s much more than a way to “decorate the yard.”

How does the design change for different types of yards — a ‘party yard’ versus a ‘quiet coffee spot’ or ‘family play yard,’ for example?

Most people are multidimensional, and a yard should be too. Even in a fairly small space, areas can be designated for different purposes, to incite different emotional and mental responses.

Creating “garden rooms” for different purposes, if done correctly, can make a small yard feel larger, not smaller.

What are a few ‘workhorse’ plants that thrive in Charlotte’s climate because they’re tough, attractive and low‑maintenance?

Ornamental grasses and sedges are at the top of that list. There are different varieties for most any microclimate, from wet shade to dry shade to wet sun to dry sun. Most are environmentally friendly as well.

Distyliums are another workhorse. It’s a native evergreen shrub that I use in place of laurels. Ferns are great for shadier spots. There are fern species for everything from boggy areas to fairly dry, shady areas.

What are some low-maintenance design tips that can help keep a yard from looking boring or barren?

Consider the mature size of your plants; doing so will cut maintenance time dramatically.

Also, plant in masses, in drifts. A mass of say 25 of the same plant will make a dramatic statement as opposed to one of this and two of this. It will also cut maintenance because all of the plants in that area require the same care. And mulch covers a multitude of sins!

What plant or material choices do you often have to talk homeowners out of because they just don’t perform well here?

Artificial turf. It’s expensive, bad for the environment and looks too perfect to be real. Crepe myrtles come to mind as well. They are messy, produce a plethora of seedlings, and come back from the root stock if cut.

People plant them too close to houses and hardscape, then chop them off every year. If you’re going to do that, put the tree out of its misery and kill it!

Lastly, many of the ever-popular laurels tend to get fungal diseases. Plant distylium instead!

If someone is working with a modest budget, how do you recommend phasing a project out over time?

Start with the most used area(s), or the most visually prominent areas. Buy the best quality materials you can afford. Even though your money won’t go as far in the short-term, you’ll be much happier in the long run.

And if you aren’t a gardener, hire a well-versed professional designer. Their guidance will save you a lot of money buying plants that are not well-suited for your situation.

What quick lighting changes make the biggest difference in how a yard feels at night?

I think less is more when it comes to lighting. Pathway lighting is an important safety feature. A few uplights on specimen trees is fine, but I’m not a fan of lighting the facade of the house; it can easily look like Vegas gone bad.

What are some simple ways to make a yard more sustainable here — whether that’s through water use, plant choices, or habitat?

Reduce the size of the lawn to what’s needed. I call that having a “lawn by design” rather than a “lawn by default.” Water less frequently but for longer periods of time. The roots will grow deeper and you’ll have a more drought resistant landscape. Mulching also helps.

Consider buying plants with deeper root systems as well. If possible, dedicate part of your yard to creating a bird- and pollinator-friendly garden, especially if you have smaller children. It will get them off their computers and into nature.

Lastly, properly sited and maintained plants will be less susceptible to pests and diseases, which will reduce the need for chemicals.

What should homeowners know or do before they meet with a landscape designer to get the most from that first consultation?

Make a “mood board,” i.e. collect photos of things you like, and things you don’t like. I learn more from what I don’t like than from what I do.

Be realistic about expectations and budget. Most people don’t realize what things cost, especially since Covid.
Lastly, create and maintain an open line of communication between you and your designer. Good surprises are great; bad surprises are not.

Read more: How to Transform Your Charlotte Backyard with Three Weekend DIY Projects

According to Sifford’s website, “Sifford Garden Design seeks clients who desire something different, who celebrate quality craftsmanship, who are open-minded with regard to new and creative ideas, who prioritize the transformative benefits of an immersive garden, and who, after a collaborative dialogue on a beautiful new look, trust our process and vision.”

Learn more at the Sifford Garden Design website.