The company does the standard landscaping duties, like lawn maintenance, landscape design, tree maintenance etc...

Jacob, first off, I'd ditch 3a-4b. I've seen this design a million times and it doesn't say 'landscaping' to me.

Right now, I'd say 1a and 1b are stronger, as they are, than 2a and 2b. Only because the grass in the 2 versions looks more like hair to me. Otherwise, I prefer the visual concept in the 2s. Push the grass more towards blades, rather than spikes.

I think 1a and 1b are a bit generic, but workable. Try to make the type and leaf feel like more of a unit, rather than type and a leaf. Also, the central vein in a leaf is just an extension of the stem, so you should draw them as one central curve. It's the 'spine' of the leaf, so be conscious of that when you draw it.

And finally, ask the client how they want to be perceived. Right now you've got a heavy bias towards modern, clean type, which makes me think that's what you're shooting for, but that will help the other decisions fall into place.

Oh, and that secondary green/screen is too light.

Generally, the 1-2 ideas aren't bad, they're just not great. Keep refining.

Cris the reason you see the cliches in landscaping is that landscaping is more than plants its more about the whole environment including walking paths. I don't think they should be resorting to cliches, but I feel more research is needed. Questions like: Is it a family business with a good name? Is the business well known? What is the competition doing? I think less work more research is in order.

If it was a terraced hill or something then I wouldn't mind so much. The path/river between two hills receding into the skyline says a whole lot of things to me, but not landscaping. I agree though, more research is a good bet.

Thanks for the input guys, this is great!
I have made some changes to the "grass" logo, made it look a little more like grass. My only concern with it is that it looks like an unmaintained (i dont think thats a word, but oh well) Lawn and that isnt exactly the image they want, let me know what you think.

i have also modified the leaf logo and made it interact with the type. i have a feeling that the type isnt dense enough though.

Also I have attempted to add some colour as it seemed very drab.

once again any input would be greatly appreciated.

I like 3 a lot. The leaf could perhaps be a bit smaller.

As for the grass, I'm just seeing magnified close-ups of body hair. Grass doesn't actually taper, and it's much more thick (or, at least should be if your landscaping company is doing it's job ;o)

Ya i agree i think i have decided to ditch the grass idea, it is not going where i thought it might.

I really want to introduce some colour but not sure how to go about it, the client Definetly wants green in there

Here are some variations in the leaf logo

Jacob, I agree with you that the grass looks unkempt. Also, it still reads as hair to me in 1a, 1b, and 2. Check out this image to see what I mean by a blade of grass. Grass is essentially just long, narrow leaves. Like leaves, they start thin, swell, and come to a point. Your grass starts thick and comes to a point, more like a hair. The curve in 4 looks more like grass to me than the grass does.

As Daniel pointed out, landscaping is not just about plants, but about shaping the land and the plant life on it. It's design as well, so more overt rhythm and pattern are probably ok as long as the forms feel natural. I'd pull away from your specific ideas and return to sketching and research for a bit.

Also, it might be good to look at a sans with a bit more organic grace, particularly in the strokes. Something like Advert, for example.

Futura feels too Constructivist and geometric for landscaping and natural forms. It's not bad, but it's something you need to counterbalance when designing the logo.

Maybe it's just me (and it usually is) but I think that the original post's v 1a is awesome, just ditch the leaf. I see the two flourishes against "landscaping co" as a hill, on which that type sits. I don't think that you need such a literal leaf and grass approach. This is a perfect chance to experiment with type and it's ability to create illusions of depth and allusions to other imagery. Push it!

aaron

Jacob, go with the green leaf! You don't want to hire a landscaper that'll kill your trees and shrubs...

Other ideas for the sans: Amira or Magma.

I agree, the text is far too rigid, here is an updated one with Chianti type

The last one looks better. It still have some problem with the word - landscaping. May be the problem is his weight or his color or his position. You could try a darker green for landscaping.

Other solution. Have you try a ligtht or a darker green large line (to look like the ground or the underground) under the name and reverse landscaping in white .

I was thinking the same thing, but i cant figure out what to do with it, i have tried the green bar and it seemed to be a bit clunky, but i will post it none the less (probably tomorow). Any other ideas?

Anisette Petite could be very nice. Or Auto.