Experiment with these sites that use AI in garden design [Master Gardener column]

In early 2024, LNP asked me to evaluate AI garden designs from two different sources for a supplement on AI. Since AI has grown by leaps and bounds since that time, I decided to revisit the topic.

Here is a rundown of sites that rose to the top of a web search or were mentioned by gardening websites.

Extensive landscape design sites

Some often-mentioned sites appear to be intended primarily for interior designers, architects and landscape architects, though they are available to anyone. Three that I visited were HomeDesignsAI (homedesigns.ai), Neighborbrite (app.neighborbrite.com), and DreamzAR (dreamzar.app). Each of these sites requires a photo upload of the area you wish to design. Though you can try out HomeDesignsAI and Neighborbrite at no charge, you won’t have access to features that make them truly usable. I believe the paid versions of each of these sites would not be affordable for most home gardeners.

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Specific garden design sites

AIGardenPlanner (aigardenplanner.com) provides the user with the option to upload a photo of an area to redesign. Its style list includes over 50 choices, with enticing titles such as Medieval Herb Garden and Cyberpunk Futuristic. I tested a few designs with a photo of my own yard; the images generated were interesting but would be hard to implement because they did not include a plant list. I was able to purchase a trial of AIGardenPlanner for a small fee. This included a set number of designs and plans and did not require a subscription.

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SimplyScapes (simplyscapes.com) offers a Visual Designer tool that lets you upload a photo and populate it with images from its library of over 2,000 professionally photographed plants. Information about each plant, including its size, is readily available on the site. However, it is easiest to use the Visual Designer if you already have a sense of the plant’s mature size. What sets this site apart from others that use uploaded photos is that you have complete control over the plants you add and where you place them — you simply drag and drop to complete your design. Simplyscapes offers a trial with three free designs.

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Illustration for Master Gardener column about AI Visual concept created with the help of Microsoft Copilot

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Microsoft Copilot and Chat GPT

I used the free versions of Microsoft Copilot (copilot.microsoft.com) and ChatGPT (chatgpt.com); they each offer a paid plan that provides priority access during peak times and faster response times.

Starting with Copilot, I requested a design for a 5- by 15-foot native garden in Lancaster. I quickly received a list of plants generally accepted as native in my region and a layout concept with the taller plants in the back transitioning to ground covers in the front. Copilot also provided a planting diagram and a photo of the plants blooming at different times of year. I was given more choices, such as formatting the plan more specifically to my site and a planting schedule.

When I asked ChatGPT to design a native plant garden, I received almost identical plant suggestions to those provided by Copilot. This is no surprise, because both ChatGPT and Copilot are powered by OpenAI.

I decided to ask ChatGPT for more unusual native plant choices, and it provided different options that were still accurate and well-planned in terms of plant function and height. ChatGPT was able to generate a list of websites with more information about the recommended plants and a list of local sources, something that it had not been able to do when I experimented with it a few years ago.

The biggest difference I found between ChatGPT and Copilot was in the images: ChatGPT produced drawings, while Copilot produced AI-type photographs. Copilot asserts that saving the documents, photos, and plans it generates is streamlined due to its integration with Microsoft apps, such as Word and PowerPoint.

I encourage gardeners to experiment with design sites. Of the sites reviewed here, my most satisfying experience was with Copilot, but the capabilities of garden design sites and their ease of use are constantly improving. Look for new garden design sites entering the market, as well.

Lois Miklas is a Penn State Master Gardener for Lancaster County, and a former area Master Gardener coordinator.

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