Welcome to Jean Robinson Design. I am Jean Robinson, I live in San Antonio, Texas, and operate a landscape architectural design business for San Antonio and environs. I meet with you on site at no charge, to discuss your project and provide an estimate for my services.
My love of design sprung from a passion for native Texas plants-plants from here. Our chances of a successful landscape greatly increase when we take advantage of the plants that already know how to survive here without our intervention!
My love of design sprung from a passion for native Texas plants-plants from here. Our chances of a successful landscape greatly increase when we take advantage of the plants that already know how to survive here without our intervention!
I provide both residential and commercial design as well as consulting services. I am interested in, and driven by the concept of sustainability and care for our local ecosystem. By incorporating native plants and sustainable practices such as low water use into my designs, I help you contribute to the health and balance of our environment. Your payback is a lower water bill and less work! The more we work with nature instead of against it, the easier the task!
My range of services include residential landscape design (front yard design, backyard design or both), commercial landscape design, informal design sketches, illustrative site plans, horticultural consultation and related services. Drawing on my design education and knowledge of Texas native plants, I create outdoor rooms that are both inviting and easy to maintain. With good design and the right plant palette, I create a "sense of place" in your landscape.
PLANT OF THE MONTH
May, 2024
The size and vigor of this Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii) illustrate how successfully it has adapted to recent more extreme weather conditions: heat, drought and cold! Opuntia is one cactus species I noticed survived the winter of 2021, while many others did not. This particular specimen has a trunk resembling an oak tree-amazing! In cases where part of the plant may freeze, those pads can simply be removed.
While not a specialist in succulents, I like to use them for interesting texture and atmosphere. There's a lot of structure to the Prickly Pear, which is a useful feature in a garden, especially when it can be considered an evergreen. I'm particularly fond of the kinder, gentler spineless version, Opuntia ellisiana.
While not a specialist in succulents, I like to use them for interesting texture and atmosphere. There's a lot of structure to the Prickly Pear, which is a useful feature in a garden, especially when it can be considered an evergreen. I'm particularly fond of the kinder, gentler spineless version, Opuntia ellisiana.
DESIGN TIP OF THE MONTH
As a designer, I certainly do not consider it cheating to add color to the landscape through good house colors. It all counts! And it's something that doesn't have to be watered! And it looks good at the end of a week of snow or a summer of no rain and daily 100 degree temperatures. Very convenient! Why put up with default neutrals when you can add color that actually contributes something to your landscape?
Strong colors stand up to our bright sun, adding style and a sense of place to your property. In general, a minimum of three colors (besides white) are good, and can produce a very satisfying effect. You can always experiment on the back of your house before you call the painter!
Strong colors stand up to our bright sun, adding style and a sense of place to your property. In general, a minimum of three colors (besides white) are good, and can produce a very satisfying effect. You can always experiment on the back of your house before you call the painter!
unusual sight of the month
November, 2023
As you may have noticed, our oaks have gone into major acorn production. My hunch is, it's a survival mechanism. This reminds me of the time I brushed by my Cenizo and partially broke off a branch. When I returned a few days later, the little branch was covered in flowers, while the rest of the shrub had none at all. Very interesting!