I remember one woman, who after looking over my garden (when I was in the city), ask if I could come over to her property and do her gardens! I thought for a few moments, before answering her (I did a personality evaluation on her...it didn't take long...I know what she suffered from), I looked her in the eyes and told her she couldn't afford me and walked away from her! Her jaw dropped!
She wanted what I did all at once....not realizing the time and attenton I used to create mine!
It is nice here on the lake because everyone is seeing how may gardens have grown and developed over the years and the plants I'm collecting and using!
It's fun talking gardening, if the one I'm talking to is willing to learn a new way of gardening (have to think outside the box)....perennial, drought tolerant and the best part...needing only occasional attention, which look better and better each year (tend to have few pest problems)....no extra watering other then rainfall, no fertilizing since the plants I choose like hot, poor, mostly sandy well drained conditions. All have different foliage shapes and foliage color, and bloom in succession so something different is in bloom from spring until late Fall!
It is best to have a loose plan that stretches over a few years to achieve a self-sustaining landscape!
Gotta love those weekend gardeners who want immediate gratification!