Southern Design Companies

Our Story

Southern Design Landscaping got its start as a small landscaping company in North Atlanta back in 2009. Our founder, Blanchard Benson, worked tirelessly through the heart of the recession, honing the company’s culture of excellent service to keep his young business going strong. Thanks to this unshakable set of principles, “get-it-done” attitude, and customer-first focus, he gave Southern Design a unique identity in the industry.

After a few years, business boomed allowing the company to grow exponentially. In 2014, Southern Design opened its own nursery to better accommodate our landscaping offerings. We have grown to provide a comprehensive offering of turn-key landscaping services to many national, regional, small-scale, and custom builders, developers, and light commercial general contractors.

Today we work with clients all over the Southeast, conducting business with the same values that made us who we are: Integrity, Quality, and Service.

Southern Design Landscaping About Page - Our Story (1)

Our Values

Integrity. Quality. Service. That’s exactly what you get when you work with Southern Design Landscaping. From the moment you reach out to the time we wrap up your project and beyond, these values will define everything we do for you.

Integrity

Our business is built on trust. Working with us means you can count on our transparency and respect.

Quality

No shortcuts. No false promises. We don’t settle for less than the best and make sure our workmanship reflects that.

Service

Your ask is our task. We’ll always show up to get it done, no matter how heavy the lift.

Our People

Southern Design Companies wouldn’t be what it is today without the help of our hardworking staff. Get to know our team leaders down below.

Blanchard Benson – Founder & CEO, Southern Design Landscaping

Blanchard holds a Landscape Design and Grounds Management Degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. In 1998, he got his start in the landscaping industry as an intern. He worked in the field developing his skills and, over time, was promoted to COO of one of the largest landscape companies in Metro Atlanta at the time. He spent 7 years charged with the responsibility of managing the company’s day-to-day field operations. After being laid off during the 2008 financial crisis, Blanchard stepped out on his own and founded Southern Design Landscaping with a truck, trailer, and three employees. An expert in his field, Blanchard is often called upon by customers on a consulting basis to assist with site problems created by other trades or natural circumstances. Blanchard served our country in the United States Navy.

James Rohmann – Director of Operations, Southern Design Landscaping

James holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. After graduating college in 2002, James began his extensive tenure in the construction industry by spending the first 5 years as a builder with Pulte Homes. When the recession hit in 2008, James left home construction and took a position as a project manager for The Erosion Company before climbing the ranks and leaving for a director of operations position at Lot Prep, LLC. As the economy rebounded and residential construction recovered, James returned to home construction where he found his passion again as a builder with Ashton Woods Homes. James joined Southern Design Landscaping in 2014 as a project manager and worked his way up to the director of operations position. He now coordinates the day-to-day operations of the company. James is also talented in landscape design and demonstrates artistic flair with landscape plans and drawings.

Todd Dunlap – Director of Development and Nursery Operations

Todd is a horticulture expert with more than 24 years of experience. He joined the SDC team in 2011 following 13 years of service at John Deere Landscapes where he served as a branch manager. Todd has both extensive training and hands-on experience in the landscaping industry. He has certifications from the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute and Gould’s Water Technology. Todd is also certified in low-voltage lighting as well as irrigation installation and troubleshooting. Todd’s extensive horticulture knowledge and his tenure in the landscaping industry have helped him to establish a well-developed network of suppliers which yields unparalleled purchasing power for Southern Design Companies.

Our Reviews

"In terms of taking care of their customers, they earn 5/5 across the board. When you call them, they are there. They are always willing to help when you need something. They show up when we schedule them. When they tell you they are going to get something done, they get it done. They are heads and tails above the field. They are definitely tops on reliability. And is not just the normal day-to-day stuff. If we need something that is out of the norm, or it's an emergency, they get to it anyway. They are just that good of a partner."

Vice President of Construction

"They have a great reputation. Their pricing is great. And from what I have seen them do, they are one of the better trade partners I've work with during my time in the Atlanta market."

Purchasing Manager

"Southern Design is one of the few trades that I bring in because they make me look good! The reputation is excellent. I have never had a complaint about them from the field. They are seamless. You can tell the crew has experience and they have done this many times working together."

SR Purchasing Manager

"I think they are the best. I would not be using them if I didn't think they were the best."

VP of Construction

"They are 100% on point. Blanchard and his team are incredible. They are good communicators who care about the product. They care about us. They care about their reputation. They have been that good of a partner for us."

VP of Operations

"At one point I had to ask a very huge favor. It was a huge ask and they did it with no issue. It helped build the great partnership. And I really appreciated it. It allowed us to keep schedules. It let us meet our goals as our company. That's huge."

First & Last Name Sr. Dir. of Purchasing

"Everything in this business revolves around relationships. The relationship that we have with Southern Design is a positive one. You want a trade partner to feel like they are a part of what you do. The customer service is excellent."

First & Last Name Construction Area Manager

"The company leadership is present, involved, and impeccable. They are company who has integrity, who is fair. And they have been that to us. It means that we like to work with them. If everybody else was like them our lives would be a whole lot easier. They are simply a great company."

About Southern Design Landscaping

Since 2009, we’ve been showing the Southeast how we set ourselves apart.