The Sun Valley Landscaping Designers that Bring Your Spring Landscape Design to Reality

Meet Brittany Schultz, Anything and Everything ‘Garden’ Guru

Specialties: Zen gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens, sensory gardens, paver designs, and incorporating trees, shrubs, and perennials into any landscape.

Inspired by a humanities course in college, Brittany’s interest in plants and landscaping began during a plant ID class. Energized by the biodiversity in the world, she started working at Lanoha Nurseries, followed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Landscaping Services. After graduating, Brittany worked at Greenlife Gardens until the door opened to work at Sun Valley Landscaping.

Brittany is known for staying on top of the new landscaping trends. Looking for more ground cover? She recommends a mix of perennial and spreading plants. This technique allows for the goal of using much less mulch as the plants grow and mature. Her jam resides in the unique: zen gardens, herb gardens, butterfly gardens, and sensory gardens. However, she specifically loves designing a new beautiful paver patio along with trees, shrubs, and perennials. 

When beginning a project, Brittany is sensitive to the client’s budget, followed by getting to the “why” behind it. Figuring out the backbones of the project helps her to make informed, improved suggestions. One question Brittany poses is:

“If your yard isn’t working for you, why not change it?”

She first recommends starting with a list of things desired from a yard, and next determines the steps it takes to get there. Although many clients have told her “I never thought of that”, for Brittany, the design possibilities are endless.

Meet Hugh Morton, Hardscape and Softscape Expert

Specialties: Hardscaping, and incorporating hardscaping into softer elements through structural work and plantings. 

As a self-described military brat, Hugh has lived in various parts of the world, which encouraged him to travel and enjoy various landscape designs and cultures. His college studies began in Flagstaff at Northern Arizona University and culminated at Utah State University where he graduated with a degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design.

With a diverse and worldly background, Hugh appreciates the diversity each client brings to their indelible projects. That said, he enjoys hardscaping most of all. With a personal style reminiscent of a curvilinear and whimsical nature, Hugh effortlessly “swirls” different hardscape and softscape elements. He does this by using structures and plant materials to guide the viewers’ experience throughout the project’s space.

When asked what spaces are his favorite to design, Hugh took inspiration from his trips to England and admits his favorite spaces are small courtyard spaces. Ranging anywhere from 225 square feet to 450 square feet, he notes,

“The common ingredient is that every square inch is valuable.”

His most memorable courtyard design was with a client who, as a new, young homeowner without kids, sought an innovative and fresh courtyard design complete with a hot tub. After considering the budget, brainstorming, and conceptualizing the design with them, the estimate included a new set of IPE hardwood (low maintenance) steps off of the back of the house, an intimate paver patio for gathering with friends, a small wall for an elevation change, a flagstone pathway to meander through the garden to the side gate, natural stone steps down to the driveway, and shade plantings that would help vary the color and texture during various seasons. 

Future phases of design included a wooden structure that would help screen the neighbor and hold a swing chair while also giving some shelter for grilling during inclement weather. Of course, an area was created for a future hot tub! The scope of the project was large for the young couple; however, creating phases and watching the design come to life instilled excitement to see the space fill in with great memories over the years.

For anyone on the fence about investing in landscaping design, Hugh quotes the timeless saying that “You eat with your eyes”. He remains confident that the outside of your house is what invites others in, much like the cover of a magazine: 

“If you ever want to sell it or invite guests over, the front of the house is what it takes for others to want to open the cover and see what is inside.”

Meet Matt Menard, Commercial Landscape Extraordinaire

Specialties: Commercial landscapes, modern, clean designs, incorporating plants and trees to create year-round interest for every season.

Matt’s journey with Sun Valley Landscaping began as a Production Manager, overseeing maintenance crews and ensuring the smooth operation of our projects. However, his true calling emerged when he transitioned into a sales role, a position that perfectly aligned with his strengths — collaborating closely with clients to bring their visions to life.

Matt loves a good opportunity to problem solve and recommends homeowners give themselves plenty of space for plants to grow and fill in. He carefully researches the size of plants desired and light requirements while considering seasonal interests. Two things Matt keeps in mind are ornamental grasses and evergreens, as mixing these in helps keep a yard interesting for the entire year.

Gravitating toward clean and modern designs, a well-thought-out project for him has one goal: to make spaces comfortable for all people. Matt considers the role landscape design plays in the moods and health of the people using the space. As he puts it, 

“If you are a business owner, a clean and comfortable space is safe and inviting for those who work and visit that space. As a homeowner, a thoughtful design allows for more time spent outdoors, making life-long memories with family and friends.”

Meet Tyler Beene – Native and Modern Plantings Enthusiast 

Specialties: Modern, tasteful designs, native plants, and grassy textures are a staple of his planting pallet.

Tyler graduated from the University of Nebraska with a degree in Horticulture focusing on Landscape Design. For over 10 years, he has worked as a landscape designer, creating outdoor living spaces for the modern family to enjoy. Although Tyler’s design preference leans towards modern, he focuses on creating tasteful designs that complement the design of the home. With his newest passion for planting design, Tyer enjoys adding native plants and grassy textures to his landscaping projects.

When asked what homeowners should keep in mind when considering a landscaping project, he states, “I think it’s important for a homeowner to realize that there is no such thing as zero maintenance. Low maintenance does not mean no maintenance!”

For homeowners on the fence about landscaping, Tyler emphasizes,

“Enjoying the outdoors at home can be restorative to your well-being. Even watching the garden change through the seasons and the year is something everyone should experience. Having a professional design can help create a landscape you will spend time in and be an active part of.”