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I will never understand why installers think it's okay to take a design that a client paid good money for and do what they want with it. When I install someone elses design and the designer is not involved with the install I try to get everything as close to exact as I can. That way when the owner says "why are those plants so close together/ far apart/ ugly/ stupid/ etc" it is not my problem to explain and nobody can argue that it should be redone at my expense. If I am asked for my ideas I am happy to share them but if I am not I will keep my mouth shut or, if there's a problem with how something is designed I'll bring it up with the designer and let them make the decision.
All the suggestions above are great, especially having a graphic scale.
Exact plant counts (even for perennials) and cultivars should always be included. And it's hard to do if you're not involved with the install but it is really important to know where substitutions are okay and where they are not. Does it have to be the lily you found in that obscure, two year old catalogue or can I substitute something easier to find? Can I substitute Alpen Gluen hydrangea if the nursery I want to order from is out of nikko blue?
And this isn't absolute but it's really helpful if you have a pretty good idea of local availability. An installer shouldn't have to go to 6 different nurseries for a $10k job.
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