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Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space

Thu, 30 May 2024 13:13:50 GMT

Landscaping Ideas for an Enchanting Outdoor Space

Thoughtful landscaping ideas are the key to creating an outdoor space that truly revives and inspires you, whether you have a tiny courtyard in an urban area or a sprawling estate in the country. Everything from the grass type you choose to the design of the flower beds and the hardscaping contributes to how you use the space—and how often. Whether you opt for flat stone pavers or acres of green lawn, your landscape design reflect your personality and tastes as much as your home's interiors do.

From traditional window boxes bursting with white hydrangeas to a reclaimed wood fence that adds character to any architectural style, the possibilities of landscaping are limitless. And landscaping goes much further than choosing flowers and laying stone: Landscape designers work with the specifics of your geographic area and terrain to create a yard that will bring you joy even in the depths of winter, when the mere thought of going outdoors gives you a shiver. Outdoor lighting, a fire pit, a lush garden—they can bring all your yard goals to life.

To help you transform your own patio, backyard, garden, and more, we've rounded up inspiring landscaping ideas and examples that truly make the most of your natural surroundings. Browse the list for answers to your own garden design dilemmas, and you might happen across a few unexpected ideas along the way. (And if you're looking for a simple guide to help you come up with a landscape design from scratch, keep reading to the end.) These outdoor spaces will pave the way to better landscape design for every size, style, and area.

Native Plantings

Populate your space with native species wherever possible and created "a gradient of wildness". A lush canopy of low-water, low-maintenance plants can include native grasses, sages and lilacs, and redbud trees.

Stone Partition

A partial stone wall props up a pergola for shade, while a garden door beyond makes the cozy fireplace zone feel extra private and serene

Mini Water Features

Even a small patio can fit a water feature, which can bring that calming sound and energy reminiscent of Japanese Zen garden. Who knows, maybe if someone sat on this cute terrace and focused on the calming trickling water, they could manifest a full-size soaking tub.

Multiple Levels

A raised patio and lower level garden make its yard a multipurpose oasis and create great visual interest.

Fire Pit

Between the fire pit and floating dock, it tough to choose where to relax.

Shaded Patio

Build an outdoor "dining room" by planting six plane trees. They create shade during the day, and at night, they're strung with lights.

Lush Lawn

This blends right in with its lush backdrop. Though the lawn is well maintained, it doesn't feel too pristine. Why make things stuffy and overly manicured when you can embrace the natural beauty of your surroundings?

Pops of Color

We're loving these pops of color in the minty green surroundings. It makes for a warm welcome and cheerful entrance.

If you don't plan on consulting a landscape architect or gardener (or even if you do), read up on the basic priciples of landscape design so you feel informed before you begin the process, and as always, feel free to leave the heavy lifting to us and call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consulation and transform your yard into your personal getaway! 920.462.7041

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com

Small-Space Landscaping Ideas to Make the Most of Your Yard

7062721248 — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:46:31 GMT

Just because you have a smaller plot doesn't mean you can't make it stand out. Maximize the impact of a minimal landscape with these small garden, front yard, and backyard garden ideas.

Create a View
A wooden pergola gives this small garden landscaping an elevated feel. Arbors and pergolas are classic small yard landscaping ideas and great ways to frame a view, but you can do the same with shrubs, small trees, or even pieces of garden art.

Create Small Backyard Zones
This small yard landscaping idea may seem contradictory, but we promise it works: Break up open areas of a small space so it feels larger. Different furniture groupings and paths divide a small backyard landscape into attractive and restful seating nooks.

Make it Cozy
It may seem counterintuitive, but boosting intimacy actually helps small backyards. Why? Creating escape nooks for reading and resting divides up a space and creates specific zones. A mid-height fence and lots of pretty plantings help to screen out the view beyond.

Use Color Effectively
This small yard landscaping idea adds function and beauty: Place bold, bright right in view. Because your eye automatically goes to them, the rest of the small garden landscape will seem to recede and feel larger.

Use the Power of Perspective
Long, straight lines trick your mind into thinking a small garden landscape is bigger than it really is. To take full advantage of this illusion, subtly slant the far ends of the lines toward one another and create a focal point that joins them together. In this small backyard idea, a fence does the job and is enhanced by repeating rows of flowers and a pergola.

Boost the Intrigue
There's no better way to up the visual interest of a landscape than mixing it up with unexpected elements. Here, the mixture of paving materials, lawn, hardscape, and container plantings adds enough flair to a small backyard garden that you hardly notice the landscape's size.

Keep Plants Verticle
Horizontal space can't be taken for granted in a small backyard. That's why it's good to look for shrubs and trees that grow up, not out. Try dwarf varieties if you don't have enough room for regular-sized plants, as well as more columnar evergreens (bonus—they brighten up long winter days, too).

Conquer Dead Landscape Nooks
In a small-space backyard, it's easy to ignore the areas that are out of view—such as the corners of the house or garage. Turn those spots into unexpected showstoppers, with this small backyard idea: Add a centerpiece tree, an oversize container, and flowers and foliage plants for interest.

Source: https://www.bhg.com

Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation! 920.462.7041

The Biggest Garden Trends Right Now

7062721248 — Thu, 13 Jul 2023 21:22:12 GMT

It’s time to celebrate—this year will be positively brimming with fresh outdoor plantspiration.

Garden of Eden
The wild, earthly, Garden-of-Eden vibe is going to be big for gardens this year. So how do you translate that aesthetic to your own backyard? For starters, try mixing in edible plants with the rest of your landscape—don't just contain them to raised beds. This trend is also all about nurturing nature by incorporating pollinator- and bird-friendly plants, using organic products, and being mindful of soil health.

Architectural Simplicity
This elegant trend is inspired by travel (think: European estates, wineries, or luxe hotels) and invokes the feeling of elegance, history and tradition. To copy this trend at home, you’ll want to stick to a limited color palette (for instance, green and white) and repeat forms through masses and rows for a strong visual impact. Topiaries, sculptural succulents, boxwood hedges, and garden walls all work well for this trend.

Upscale Relaxation
We could all use a little extra R&R, and this trend is about mimicking the feeling of being on vacation in your own backyard. This landscape trend relies on plants with different ombre shades, texture foliage, tropicals, and grasses that catch the breeze.

New Victorian
Gardeners are gravitating towards more traditional garden plants such as roses, lilac, hydrangeas, and hollyhock. Though the New Victorian trend is casual and rambling, it's not disorganized. It also usually features a more feminine palette of pink, purple, and white flowers, along with delicate foliage. The trend is punctuated with romantic garden accents such as white fences, gravel or brick pathways, birdbaths, and stone planters.

Scandinavian Minimalism

This trend embraces the Danish concept of hygge, or finding (and creating!) coziness and comfort in your surroundings. o nail the Scandinavian Minimalism trend in your own yard, opt for plants such as Colorado Blue Spruce, Blue Juniper and Big Bluestem.

Waterwise Plants
Due to droughts and other extreme weather conditions, water conservation has become top of mind and is more than just a passing trend.

Japanese-Inspired Gardens
Ancient Japanese gardens are known for their beautiful minimalism and intentional asymmetry. The contemporary version of this garden style will make your outdoor space feel like a relaxing retreat through the use of groomed leafy foliage, sculptural rocks and water features.

Source: https://www.veranda.com

Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation! 920.462.7041

The 5 Elements of Landscaping

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:35:19 GMT

Landscaping is comprised of five main elements: color, line, texture, form and shape. These elements all work together to form a beautiful landscape design. Understanding each element will help you make good landscaping decisions, so we’ve outlined the ways each element can be incorporated into a design:

1. Color

While all of the elements of landscaping are important, color might be the most essential. Color can add dimension, visual interest, and seasonal variety to your landscaping throughout the year. Color doesn’t just apply to the flowering plants you choose; you can also use paving, retaining walls, fences and mulch to add color to your landscape design.

2. Line

Line refers to both hardscape and softscape elements, but typically it refers to the more structural features in your garden. Flower beds, walkways, patio perimeters, hedges and arbours can all be used to add lines to your garden and can help to draw attention to certain areas. If you prefer a more formal look, opt for hard lines as curved lines tend to be less formal and more relaxed.

3. Texture

In any good design, texture is key. Plants are the best way to accomplish this goal, as the leaves, bark, flowers and branches all add instant texture. However, aggregates, mulch, paving stones, retaining walls and other structural features can also add texture to your garden. Be sure to choose elements with different textures throughout your garden to add visual interest.

4. Form

You can think of form as the shape of a plant or other structural object. If you have a formal garden, the forms will be more tailored and manicured, with clipped hedges and defined lines. Informal landscapes tend to have natural forms and rely less on heavy pruning and maintenance.

5. Scale

One of the trickiest elements in landscaping design is scale. You want to have a good balance between the size of your garden elements and the size of your home, as well as surrounding homes and public areas. If you have a smaller home, consider choosing elements that are in proportion to the size of your home. A larger home may be able to incorporate larger elements.

Understanding these landscaping elements will help you design a landscape that you love! For expert help, contact The Luxury Landscape Co, LLC, for all your design and landscaping needs!

Source: https://tlc.ca/blog/five-elements-of-landscaping

Red, White and Blue Plant Combinations

7062721248 — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 19:10:32 GMT

Well, it's past Memorial Day and we're working up to the 4th of July ... here are recommendations of complementary varieties in Red, White and Blue to plants.

Red Geranium

Red geraniums are a great centerpiece for a fourth of July potted container because geraniums are a floral choice that keeps giving and giving. Geraniums, when deadheaded, can continue to bloom and bloom all summer long. Pair this flower with white alyssum which will also flower all summer, and purple or red salvia plants which add their own pop of color without dominating the combination.

Red Petunias

Red Petunias come in several different varieties, and each is a great base for your patriotic combination. If you opt for tall, traditional petunias, they should be the centerpiece. Wave petunias are long growers and will drape themselves over the side and down. Pair red petunias with white snapdragons, which push up tall spikes and flowers along the stem and blue bachelor’s buttons.

Red Celosia

For a unique and interesting red flower, try Red Celosia, which slightly resembles the seeded head of bushy ornamental grass. These plumes should be planted at the center or towards the back of an area because they can grow from two to three feet in height under the right conditions. Pair these with blue lobelia, which produces masses of tiny flowers that drape when planted near the edges of the pot and Silver Dusters, which are shorter than celosia and have a great white color.

Source: https://gardening.stackexchange.com

Creating Berms

7062721248 — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 14:55:04 GMT

Like the island bed, there are no hard and fast rules for creating a berm. But some simple guidelines can help create a beautiful berm.

Berms and island beds can be quite similar, but there are two notable differences. The island bed generally “floats” alone in the landscape, whereas a berms are sweeping hills that alter the landscape. A berm alters and becomes a part of the landscape, often flowing up to or adjoining with other elements of the landscape such as structures or an adjoining hills or a stand of woods. Tapering the berm to the natural ground level also makes it appear a part of the natural landscape, but it is becoming common to see berms walled up. The other primary difference is that an island is generally created on the existing elevation of the property. A berm significantly raises the elevation by building up hills or mounds with soil.

If you are considering creating a berm, keep in mind that a surprisingly large quantity of soil is required. Cultivated soil may be cost prohibitive depending on the size and height of the berm you have envisioned. Check with excavating companies in your area, for a reasonable charge you may be able to acquire fill from construction projects such as digging for a new homes’ basement or a swimming pool. Add cultivated soil only on top and dig in to the planting areas where necessary.

Purpose of a Berm

There are many reasons to create a berm, some very functional, some strictly aesthetic. A functional berm usually becomes aesthetic in its’ finishing.

Create interest in a flat landscape
Separate functional areas
Add a focal point
Create a privacy screen
Create a wind barrier
Create a noise barrier
Enhance a design
Create a soil depth where soil conditions are unfavorable
Elevate plants to a better viewing position
Improve or redirect drainage

Size and Shape

The size, shape, height and slope of a berm are ultimately up to the property owner or gardener, and naturally there are some “formulas” to guide you in your decision. And of course any specific function of the berm may dictate size and height.

The berm should be 4 to 6 times longer than it is high, with a gradual slope. This ratio with gradual transition to the existing landscape will give the berm a natural appearance.

More than one mound can be created in a berm.

Create wide sweeping curves to prevent tight spaces for mowing.
The mound of the berm should be asymmetrical for the most natural appearance (one side more steeply sloped than the other).
Berms mounded high as a barrier can be tiered to eliminate steep slope problems. Tiers can be created with boulders, wall block or timbers.

Just a few more things to consider about the slope in your berm.

Topsoil will tend to erode and water will tend to run off a steep slope. The problem can be minimized by using shredded mulch, rock or groundcover to cover the berm. Shredded mulch will stay in place better than wood chips.
If you are creating a lawn covered berm, mowing can be difficult on a steep slope.
The slope of a berm create microclimates. Remember that cold air will flow down a slope, so tender plants in a low spot may be affected by frost. The slopes facing south and west tend to be warmer, those facing north and east will be cooler. The soil on the top of the berm will be substantially drier than the bottom. The berm may block cold north winds providing protection from less hardy plants.

Planting a Berm

Don’t completely hide the beautiful shape you have created with plants, allow the flowing hill and curves to be part of the visual effect. Select and place plants to look natural, mimicking the surroundings if possible. Larger berms are ideal for trees and shrubs. Dwarf ornamental trees and shrubs will work best on smaller berms. Rock gardens with alpine plants are easy to care for.

Use plants of different height, taller ones on the backside or on the steeper slope. Medium height plants in sweeping waves across and down the shallow slope. The very smallest plants are best seen when placed at the outer edges.
Boulders placed sporadically in the berm create a natural look, add interest, and can provide a transition between plant groupings.
Waves of plants across the berm can accentuate the form.
Spreading plants or groundcover plants will hold the soil on steep slopes.
Berms created to direct drainage or in low spots may have persistently wet areas. Select plants that love wet feet for such areas.

Maintenance

Some maintenance will of course be required, how much will depend on your plant selections and the size of the berm you create. If you don’t want to spend too much time with maintenance, use primarily well healed shrubs and an ornamental tree. Plan for maintenance access by including paths or stepping stones to get to the plants.

Create a berm that you will love! Even a berm created for drainage problems could turn out to be essentially a raised perennial bed. Functional, but in the end beautiful.

Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation! 920.464.0491

Source: https://www.midwestgardentips.com

Landscaping Trends

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:49:01 GMT

Defined Outdoor Spaces

As homeowners spend more time outdoors, they have a new need for their outdoor space to feel more functional and complete. Whether it’s an outdoor kitchen, garden or pond, we are seeing homeowners lean toward creating more efficient, defined outdoor spaces. Landscapers and gardeners are now looking for ways to connect nature with patios and outdoor spaces to create the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy all the well-being benefits the outdoors provides.

So if you want to enhance your yard while giving yourself more time and space to enjoy, call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation! 920.462.7041

Fast-Growing Trees for Midwest Yards

7062721248 — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 16:46:35 GMT

Ready to hide the view of a neighbor's patio, enclose a pool deck or buffer the noise of a nearby street? Many trees and shrubs can be planted tightly to form hedges, groves and screens to offer a solution. Many also add multi-season beauty and support wildlife. The key is to select the right tree for the right place whether shady and wet or cold and windy. Here are some favorites to try.

Eastern Hemlock
This graceful evergreen thrives in shade and prefers acidic soil and protection from winds. It's the perfect choice for screening along a north-facing patio. Plus, birds love to nest in its sweeping branches. Mature height: 40-70'; Zone 3.

Eastern White Pine
This handsome tree with its long soft needles makes an excellent windbreak or screen. It prefers full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained acidic soil. The tree can be pruned especially if it grows too wide. For a narrower upright variety, try 'Fastigiata'. Mature height: 50-70'; Zone 3.

Flowering Crab Apple
When planted close together, crab apples can also produce an attractive screen with an abundance of spring flowers and colorful fall fruits. Some have colorful foliage like Showtime (pictured) with its purple leaves that turn orange in fall. Bees love the crabs' flowers, and birds devour their fruits. Mature height: 25'; Zone 3.

Serviceberry
For a soft natural look, plant a staggered row of these ornamental trees. They come in both single- and multi-trunk forms, so choose the multi-trunk form for better screening. In spring, the trees bloom in dainty white flowers. Purplish-blue fruits follow in late spring. They're delish in baked goods if the robins don't devour them first. In fall, the dark green leaves turn bright red to orange red. Popular varieties include Autumn Brilliance and Snow Flurry (pictured). Mature height: 15-25'; Zone 3.

Littleleaf Linden
This linden's uniform shape, dense dark green leaves and fragrant flowers make it a great tree to plant tightly in multiples for privacy. They can also be pruned into a hedge. Bees love their abundant creamy yellow blooms. Mature height: 40-50'; Zone 3

Viburnum
Viburnums are a large group of shrubs with multi-season interest from spring blooms to summer fruits and fall leaf color. Try planting a hedge of Arrowwood viburnum ( Viburnum dentatum ) with its dark green leaves that turn red-purple in fall and offer dark blue berries for birds. Another option is Doublefile viburnum ( Viburnum plicatum ) featuring tiered horizontal branches with large, white lacecap flower clusters. Mature height: 6-15'; Zone 3.

Red Twig Dogwood
In winter, a mass of red twig dogwoods will definitely distract the eye away from an unsightly shed. Besides red, the shrubs come in yellow, orange and coral twig colors. Leaf colors are typically green but a couple of varieties feature gold or variegated leaves. Unlike tree dogwoods, these shrub dogwoods form dense clumps with their twiggy growth. Plant in full to part sun and prune annually to promote new colorful twig growth. Mature height: 9'; Zone 3.

Source: https://www.midwestliving.com

Call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation and have our experts help you design your BEST options!

TOP LANDSCAPE DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2023

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 14:11:29 GMT

Like the past few years, this has been a year dedicated to various home projects, including those in the yard. Everyone is after the perfect space, with beautiful landscaping, but deciding how to get that desired look can be difficult.

Landscaping isn't something you want to rush, or it can look like a haphazard mess. Take the time to make plans for your landscaping projects for 2023, so you can do them right. To help get the ideas flowing, here are some great ideas to consider that can work for virtually anyone:

1. Use Plants Native to Your Area

In the past, when it came to choosing plants for landscaping, many preferred non-native plants. Non-native plants are beautiful, but they will struggle to thrive in an unfamiliar climate. Native-based plants are becoming the preferred choice. They offer the same beauty in a form that will thrive in the given climate, since they've already acclimated to the weather.

2. Create a Garden Pond

When you want your landscaping design to stand out from the rest, one possibility is to add a small pond. It can be a beautiful feature with many benefits, including adding to the overall value of your home. Ponds also create a tranquil space where you can relax after a long day of work.

3. Incorporate Smart Technology

Smart technology may not sound like something that could count as landscaping design, but you shouldn't disregard it too quickly. Technology, like smart irrigation systems that control water flow in different zones, can be instrumental in maintaining lush landscaping, especially during droughts, without wasting water.

4. Build a Retaining Wall

Retaining walls are crucial when your yard has a slope that goes towards your home. Without one, your home can be at risk of damage from stormwater: soil erosion, foundation issues, mudslides, and more. Retaining walls are primarily functional, but it doesn't mean you can't put thought into the design and create something that acts like a design feature for your landscaping.

5. Add Details to Your Design

Large yards create a big canvas for landscaping design, leaving you with countless possibilities. To make the space special, focus on adding detail to your design rather than keeping things simple. Geometric patterns, different colors and textures, and mixing materials are all ways to add details to create a unique space.

Create Your Dream Landscaping

Landscape design is constantly evolving, with new trends emerging every year. As you prepare for 2023, take the time to carefully plan what you want to add or change with your yard, so your dream design can come to life. Consider incorporating some of the trends shown in this article to make an impact and create an eco-conscious design that will thrive no matter what climate it has to face. With these trends, you can't go wrong, and your yard will become the focal point of your property.

Source: https://blog.slotdrainsystems.com/landscaping-trends

Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation! 920.462.7041

Do's and Don'ts for How to Mulch

7062721248 — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:46:07 GMT

Mulch offers multiple decorative and practical benefits -- making mistakes when mulching can keep your soil from reaping benefits such as conserving moisture, suppressing weeds, reducing erosion and decreasing water runoff.

What Does Mulch Do?

Here are several ways mulch works in your landscaping:

Keeps the weeds down and makes them easier to remove
Slows evaporation of water, saving time on watering your plants and money, too
Insulates the soil, protecting plants from extreme temperatures
Gives beds a finished, polished look

So, it's important to get your mulching right. Here's what landscape designers and researchers say are the best tips for how to mulch a yard.

1. Do Use Mulch as an Accent
Mulching can help create healthy lawns but also has an aesthetic value. Choose colored mulch that complements the exterior colors of your home in the brick, stone, stucco and siding. For example, brownish/red pine mulch goes well with brick houses, says Jeremy Becker, owner of FireFly Landscapes in Kansas City. Using a dark mulch can contrast with flowers, improving your landscape design. Mulch also can be used to enhance your landscape theme and setting.

2. Do Look at Your Entire Landscape
Consider using stone and mulch to create definition and interest in your landscaping project.

3. Do Clean It Out

If re-mulching a bed, remove some of the old mulch, Becker says. Sometimes mulch has been added to the beds three to four times, so he recommends taking out some of the mulch that has built up over time.

4. Do Tweak the Thickness

When you get close to an edge, such as pavement, stepping stone or tree trunk, thin it out. “There’s no benefit in having a pile of mulch next to a tree truck. You want to taper it down,” Day says.

6. Don’t Ignore Bare Soil
Researchers are finding mulching has significant environmental benefits. Having bare soil on your property will cause erosion and sediment runoff, Day says. Mulching can help control erosion. Research by Day and Virginia Tech graduate student David Mitchell found that bare soil lost about five times as much sediment as soils covered with mulch.

7. Don’t Use Too Little or Too Much Mulch

8. Don’t Forget Your Trees
Place mulch around the base to protect the trunk, especially if you have younger trees, Day says. Mulch rings makes a protective area to reduce threats from other plants and keep mowers away.

9. Don’t Assume You Need Something Underneath
Some people may want to use plastic or geotextiles, such as landscape fabric, to separate certain mulches, such as inorganic stone mulch, from the soil, Day says. There’s a belief that black plastic will keep weeds down. But adding a layer of plastic or landscape fabric could cause more water runoff and keep your garden from having a clean, streamlined look.

If you use an organic mulch that will break down, like shredded hardwood bark, avoid landscape fabric because you want the mulch to be in contact with the soil to improve it, Day says. Plastic or landscape fabric could prevent water and rain from reaching the soil, and actually could increase runoff. Weeds also could grow into the landscape fabric, she adds.

If the mulch shifts around or is replaced, the plastic or landscape fabric could show through. “It looks hideous when you have plastic or landscape fabric being exposed under the mulch,” Day says.

10. Don’t Use Bad Mulch
The biggest pitfall is getting your mulch from an unreliable source, Day says. For example, mulch could be delivered with noxious weed seeds in it because it was stockpiled next to a field of weeds. "You could be paying for that for a long time," she says.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/beds-and-mulch/10-mulch-dos-and-donts

Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation! 920.462.0741

April Showers Bring May Flowers and Fresh Ideas!!

7062721248 — Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:09:40 GMT

As the days grow longer and warmer, you'll want to spend more time outside. What better way than beautifying your yard -- call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation and enjoy a dream yard perfect for spring, summer and fall!!

Here are some tried and true landscaping ideas to excite you about this upcoming season!!

1) Add a water feature....

2) Build a fire pit....

3) Keep things clean and simple....

4) Create a shady oasis....

5) Include space to play...

The Luxury Landscape Company, LLC 920.462.7041

From all of us at The Luxury Landscape Company, LLC

7062721248 — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 20:20:05 GMT

Trends to Try in Your Backyard This Year

7062721248 — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:33:53 GMT

We're planting the seed now, ahead of the growing season!

What are the landscape plant trends in 2023?

Expect to see more organic shapes, orientations, and textures in the garden in 2023. "Think unfussy wildflowers, romantic arbors, meandering gravel paths, and mixing and matching plants and styles in a way that feels natural and whimsical"...

(Colorfully) Planting With a Purpose

We'll see a lot more color returning to gardens in the new year, as well. "Soft, muted, and dusty greens and neutrals have been very popular over the past few years," Quindoy says. "Now, people are looking for a little more joy in their gardens, especially in the form of pollinator plants that not only bring a pop of color, but support crucial pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies." That means plants like native sunflowers, coneflowers (echinacea), garden phylox, and asters will likely grow in popularity over the next few months.

Bee-Friendly Landscaping

[Expect] to see an explosion of intentionally pollination-friendly yards in 2023. As for the critter that will be top of mind? Bees. "People are more attuned to the environmental benefits of saving bees and are noticing what bees and other pollinators offer their gardens, so they're planting flowers that encourage these visitors—like daisies, lavender, lilacs and honeysuckles—rather than shooing them away," Micetich says.

Unfussy and Organic Layouts

As bolder colors and maximalist landscapes pick up speed, layouts are getting simpler. Expect to see more organic shapes, orientations, and textures in the garden in 2023. "Think unfussy wildflowers, romantic arbors, meandering gravel paths, and mixing and matching plants and styles in a way that feels natural and whimsical," she says.

The reasoning behind this trend? People are finally hitting the road again, and as they travel (especially to European destinations), they're falling in love with the Old-World charm they discover along the way.

Meadowscaping

Flower beds will never fully go out of style, but what goes into those beds will change this year. "We'll continue to see more variety in planting styles within beds—especially where people are looking for low-water or low maintenance styles that still create visual interest and curb appeal," Quindoy says, noting that many people have recently opted for the "meadow style" thanks to its "natural, unfussy, and informal" nature. "The style favors soft and wild ornamental grasses like silvergrass, lomandra, and blue fescue, which give you an organic look that requires little upkeep."

Source: https://www.marthastewart.com

Looking for more inspriation? Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscaping consultation! 920.462.7041

Get Your Garden Ready For Spring

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 16:16:37 GMT

Wisconsin Garden and Landscaping Tips

After a long -- and snowy -- winter. Spring is finally here. There's no better time than now to start gearing up for gardening season.

Planning ahead -- and being realistic -- are key to a successful garden, said Melinda Myers, host of "Melinda's Garden Moment" and author of more than 20 gardening books.

"Think about every addition," she said. "Not only do you have time to put it in the ground, but how do you manage it and what do you do with the end result?"

To help you prepare, here are a handful of tips to make the transition from winter to spring.

Rejuvenating Tired Perennial Beds

Dig and divide perennials that have outgrown their location, fail to flower, flop over or no longer repeat bloom as they have in the past.
Topdress the garden with an inch of compost
Mulch and manage weeds as soon as they are found.

Lawn Care

As the snow and ice recede, remove any leaves and debris from the lawn and evaluate damage.
Use a leaf rake to fluff up the grass as soon as the snow and ice melt — this helps reduce the risk of snow mold. If it has been a dry spring, water thoroughly to leach out de-icing salts.
You can make your first fertilizer application around Memorial Day. Consider using a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer.

Pruning Shrubs

Always prune for a purpose.
Summer flowering shrubs like Annabelle hydrangeas, spirea and potentilla can be pruned in late winter or early spring.
Wait to prune lilac, forsythia and bridal wreath spirea until right after they bloom if you want flowers and need to reduce their size.
The type of hydrangea influences if you need to prune, as well as when and how.

Add a Bench or Table to Your Outdoor area

Adding in a bench to your garden area not only looks nice, but it’s the perfect spot to relax solo, with your significant other or with a friend this summer. Alternatively consider adding in a table, so not only can you and others can enjoy the beautiful view of your garden, but a snack or lunch out in nature.

Add in a Stone Walkway

What’s the point of having a beautiful [yard] if you can’t enjoy it? Adding in a stone walkway to your outdoor space is a nice touch, and makes it easier to walk around the area. Depending on your budget and preference, there are a number of different stone pathway options to browse online and get a better idea of exactly what you’re looking for.

Looking to Hire A Professional?

We would love to help! At Luxury Landscape, whether you’re looking for more outdoor space for your gardening, or more space for your family, we would love to work with you to make your dreams a reality.

Contact us today!

Whether you have questions or would just like to chat further, we would love to speak with you! Call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation! 920.462.7041

Source: https://www.wpr.org
https://www.williamryanhomes.com

BEST shrubs for Wisconsin

7062721248 — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:50:52 GMT

Here are some of our top choices for Wisconsin shrubs

Finding the best shrubs for Wisconsin is not easy. Some require lots of care, others don’t survive extreme weather, and lots are just not easy & quick enough to grow.

That’s why I created this list of the Best Shrubs for Wisconsin! Call us today to schedule YOUR free (and customized) consultation!

Hydrangeas

Fast-Growing:

If you have large spaces in your yard that you need to fill then grow hydrangeas. This shrub is an incredibly fast growing plant that can quickly gain 3-4 feet in width and height in a matter of just a few years!

Beautiful Colors :

If you want to add color in both the summer and the fall then grow hydrangeas. Expect beautif

Viburnums

Low-Maitenance:

Viburnum Shrubs are the most hardy shrubs on this list. They are incredibly hardy making them easy to care for. You can plant them almost anywhere, you don’t need to worry about watering them all the time, and can survive almost all types of weather.

Pest-Hardy:

Not only are Viburnums hardy against weather, but they are pest-hardy too. No matter where you live there are little to no pests that will harm your shrubs.

All-Year Color :

Viburnum shrubs are also the only shrub on the list that provides beautiful colors all year. During spring and summer the shrub has beautiful flowers that bloom and in the fall and even early winter it grows fruit that will provide lovely colors when all other plants won’t.

Spirea

Perfect for Small Spaces & Large Spaces:

Very few shrubs on this list can be grown in both small spaces and large spaces. The Spirea bush comes in many varities and can be the perfect plant to grow in areas of 2 feet or less, or large areas of up to 10 feet.

Spring Color:

Most of the shrubs on this list produce colors during mid-summer to mid-fall. The spirea is a great shrub for anyone wants to add beautiful colors and accents to your yard and garden in the spring.

Low-Maintenance :

The Spirea shrub is the lowest-maintenance plant on this list. It doesn’t require deadheading, is not prone to insect infestations or diseases, and requires very little water, and can survive heat and full-sun.

Honeysuckle Bush

Fast-Growing:

If you want a fast-growing shrub then plant Honeysuckle Bush. This shrub is not only fast-growing, but incredibly easy to grow. Just plant it and watch it spread like a weed!

Beautiful Colors:

When gardeners think of shrubs they think of boring plants. Not honeysuckle! Expect beautiful colors of yellow and orange in the summer and during fall when plants’ colors begin to change.

Attract Pollinators:

Honeysuckle bushes are another great shrubs to attract pollinators. Specifically, hummingbirds and birds LOVE the nectar produced by honeysuckle!

Holly

Low-Maitenance:

Plant it and forget about it should be the motto of Holly. Holly shrubs are some of the most low-maitenance plants on this list making it perfect for busy gardeners no matter where you live.

Foundational Plant:

Holly is a fantastic shrub to be plant for homeowners and property owners. It is the perfect shrub for foundations, garden beds, raised garden beds, and even borders.

Lilacs

Ornamental:

Out of every tree on this list the Lilac Bush is the best ornamental shrub. It has beautiful shades of purple and pink, even in the fall.

Great for Large Spaces:

Lilac bushes can grow wide and wall. Most gardeners can’t actually tell the difference between lilac bushes and trees! Not only this, but you’ll love the smell that it will add to your yard.

Sumac

Perfect for Landscaping

Sumac shrubs is the the best type of shrub on the list for landscaping. Whether you are trying to add shapes and designs in your front yard or backyard this is the perfect plant!

Wildlife Habitat:

Some shrubs make good habitats for wildlife. There is no better habitat for wildlife than the Sumac bush. It is great for beneficial insects, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and sometimes even baby deer!

Juniper

Low-Maintenance:

The Juniper bush is another amazing shrub to grow if you want a plant that is easy to grow and easy to maintain. This plant does great in heat and in cold weather climates.

Inexpensive:

Out of all the shrubs on this list the Juniper bush is the most inexpensive to buy. Because of this most gardeners and homeowners do mass plantings to setup foundations in their yard.

As a reminder, the below factors are common for the Best Shrubs to Plant in Wisconsin:

Thrives in Heat & Cold
Can Grow in Any Soil and Conditions
Hardy against Pests, Insects, and Diseases
Have beautiful colors throughout the entire year
Fits in any space

Source: https://thegardeningdad.com

Newfound Focus on Immersive Landscaping

7062721248 — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 21:24:58 GMT

Natural immersive [landscaping] is going to be one of the important landscape design trends [in 2022]. You can also call it curated wilding or nature-scaping to better express the core idea of this trend. The trend focuses on using natural and landscaping materials that mostly have neutral colors and rich raw textures to highlight the true beauty of the imperfect look -- the plants used in this new trend include local species purposefully trimmed to look pristine.

Call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation! 920.462.7041

Source: https://www.forbes.com

Landscaping Trends to Watch

Tue, 03 May 2022 20:18:06 GMT

Landscaping is hot, as homeowners crave comfortable outdoor retreats for entertaining and stress relief

Landscaping Trend: Supporting Wildlife and Native Plants

Homeowners are paying more attention to landscaping for wildlife, which includes birds as well as bees, butterflies and small critters. In 2020, 67.2 million households purchased at least one plant because it benefitted pollinators or birds, according to the Garden Trends Report.

Native plants are continuing to catch on as homeowners realize they’re beneficial to wildlife and more resilient to erratic weather.

Landscaping Trend: Bringing the Indoors Out

The longer people remain home, the more they want to spruce up their house and landscape, says the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) in its Landcape and Industry Trends for 2022.

Outdoor kitchens, pavilions, pergolas, outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are all expected to remain popular as homeowners seek a seamless transition from the home to the yard. Some of these outdoor living spaces can be extravagant, with popular features like outdoor refrigerators and full kitchens.

Landscaping Trend: The Color Purple

Neutral tones are out, and two colors in particular are in. One is purple, with a vibrant, lively hue that’s regal and joyful. The other is clover green.

“It’s about renewal, rebirth and stability,” according to the Garden Trends Report. “And there’s no color that gets at that like green. Vibrant green reminds us of life, renewal and nature.”

Purple is easy to introduce into the landscape. Purple cultivars are available for a wide selection of flowers, including petunia, vinca, pansy, verbena, salvia and veronica. Green is even easier — after all, it’s the most common color in the garden . It’s also a natural, less jarring color for outdoor furniture and accessories.

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/landscaping-design-trends/

Contact us today to schedule YOUR free landcape consultation! 920.462.7041

Fabulous Front Yards

7062721248 — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:26:38 GMT

In 2022, one part of a property is set to be more important than any other. Gardners who may already have taken on the project of their backyards are turning their attention to the front zones of their properties.

Interest in curb appeal has been growing for a while, but in the coming year, it seems likely that gardeners will increasingly make full use of their front yard and front porches. With container gardening or permanent planting, gardeners are making sure that their properties make a great first impression and that their front yards really enhance their neighborhoods.

These are just a few of the garden design trends set to shape many gardens in 2022.

Resource: https://www.treehugger.com

Call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation! 920.462.7041

Top Easy-Care Plants for Midwest

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 18:09:20 GMT

Blanket flower

Give these red or orange daisy-like flowers full sun, and they'll bloom from summer deep into fall. Another plus: These drought-tolerant flowers attract butterflies, not deer. Zone 3-11.

Daylily
Nearly impossible to kill, vigorous sun-loving daylilies tolerate drought and can even take part shade. Each bloom lasts just a day, but plants keep the trumpetlike blooms coming for weeks on end. Choose reblooming varieties like yellow 'Stella de Oro' (pictured) or red 'Lady Scarlet' for even more flowering time. Zones 3-9.

Poppy

Large crepe-paper-like blooms of poppy bring vivid pops of spring and summer color-neon orange and red to pastel pink and cream. Many kinds are available, including Iceland, Alpine, Atlantic and Oriental poppies. Little care is needed other than a sunny location and watering during dry spells until established. Zones 2-8.

Hosta
Few plants can brighten even the toughest dry shade like these rugged and varied perennials. Superstars include 'Pandora's Box' with green-edged white leaves and 'Frances Williams' (pictured) with large rippled blue-green foliage and chartreuse edges. Zones 3-9.

Yarrow
Typically ignored by foraging rabbits and deer, sun-loving yarrow blooms generously and stands up to summer heat and drought. Choose sterile varieties like 'Coronation Gold' (pictured) that won't spread aggressively. Zones 3-8.

Switchgrass
Given ample sunlight, this fountain-shaped ornamental grass ( panicum ) offers blue-green foliage in summer and dramatic golden or red tones in fall. Plus, it's not on the menu for rabbits, deer or grasshoppers. Zones 5-9.

Catmint
Drought-tolerant and deer-resistant, sun-loving catmint adds fragrant foliage and purplish-blue blooms to the summer garden. 'Walker's Low' and the new 'Cat's Meow' are varieties bred to remain upright rather than split in the middle. Zones 3-8.

Veronica
Resistant to insects, disease and drought, this spiky bloomer thrives for years without care. Though it's most vibrant in full sun, it also easily handles part shade. Choose from a broad range of heights, from groundcovers to back-of-the-border types. Zones 3-9.

Russian Sage
Tolerant of heat and drought, this fragrant shrublike plant attracts bees, but not rabbits or deer. Its cool blue flowers delight all summer, mixing well with red, orange and yellow plantings. Zones 4-9.

Coneflower
Deer resistant and tough as nails, this drought-tolerant overachiever will spread into a nice stand given a sunny location. Numerous hybrids come in colors from orange to green, but also consider the native pale purple coneflower. Its long drooping petals and large cone attract bees and butterflies; the seed heads are favorites for goldfinches and chickadees. Zones 3-9.

Wiegela
With no notable insect or disease problems, reliable Wigela florida is a 4- to 5-foot shrub that is pretty alone or in a hedge. Its showy pink flowers in spring attract hummingbirds; fall foliage is colorful. Weigela prefers full sun, but tolerates shade as well as clay soil. One to try: award-winning 'Alexandra' (also marketed as 'Wine and Roses'). Zones 4-8.

Reference: https://www.midwestliving.com

SPRING IS HERE!!

7062721248 — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 21:26:42 GMT

4 Super Easy Ways to Pretty Up Your Spring Landscape

1. Plant a tree. It’s an easy idea — and you’ll love your landscaping more and more as it grows.

Planting one tree isn't a huge effort. It's one of the best projects you can do for your spring landscape. Plus, once the tree is established, it's about as low maintenance as a landscape can get — and the difference it can make to your yard lasts for decades. The key is to choose a tree that adds interest to your landscape in the form of color, shape, and texture.

2. Add a Colorful Punch With Mulch. Mulch is one of the easiest ways to add both color and texture to the entire yard. Next to a green lawn, dark-colored mulch is a great contrast.

If a dark color isn't your preference, there's a a multitude of mulch colors that can spice up your bland landscape. Red, gold, cedar-toned — you choose.

3. Add Some Edging. Look along your walkways and garden beds. If your lawn just seems to morph into your shrubbery or threatens to take over your front walk, some unique edging could perk up your yard. No pruning, cutting, or watering required.

If you want to keep it all in the plant world, low-maintenance ground covers are an excellent choice for edging. Try lily of the valley, vinca, lamb's ears, and pachysandra. Some of these add color, others texture.

4. Create a Focal Point That's All About You. Your own passions and pleasures are great inspiration to add color and texture to your spring landscape. Try creating a focal point with something that brings back a happy memory, even if it's small, like your old toy truck, tricycle, or wagon. Your yard is a reflection of you. You're not one-dimensional. Your yard shouldn't be either.

Reference: https://www.houselogic.com/

Landscaping Trends for 2022

7062721248 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:32:52 GMT

Expanding Outdoor Spaces. With the desire to spend more time outdoors, families want to incocoporate fire pits, fireplaces, water features and swimming pools.

Concrete patios are being replaced with pavers and flagstone with a clean and repetitive linear design. Landscape designs will be stepped up with raised beds, benches and stairways.

Outdoor Kitchens. There will be continued interest for outdoor kitchens and al fresco eating areas. This enables families to spend as much time as possible outdoors and with the use of a patio heater, outdoor dining areas can be used throughout the winter.

Front Yard Renovations. Curb appeal has been rising as homeowners are caring more about the way their front landscaping looks. Overgrown, outdated shrubbery and front walkways are being replaced. Pollinator plantings are being installed. ‘Sitting Boulders’ are being strategically placed.

Naturalistic Feel. Mixing Soft and Hard Elements. Filling the landscape with plants is great, but designing the landscape with a mix of landscape elements break up the monotony and create a natural look. Stones and boulders are a great way to mix up the landscape. Soft elements include grasses, perennials and hard elements include natural stones or pavers. Water elements and landscape lighting can take a yard to the next level.

Native Plants. Native plants restore and preserve biodiversity. They tolerate the conditions of your area and stand the test of time.

Outdoor Lighting. With more LED and solar options available, homeowners are interested in more extensive lighting around their home. Why be left in the dark when daylight ends. With the right lighting, the play of light and shadow can also give your favorite trees and shrubs an entirely new look.

Source: https://www.whitehouselandscaping.com

Interested in learning more? Give us a call today to schedule YOUR free consultation! 920.464.0491

Landscaping Trends for 2022

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 21:15:50 GMT

Below is one of the many industry trends that landscape professionals are expecting to see going strong this year

Whether we’re ready for it or not, 2022 is almost here. Focus on landscaping shot up at the start of the pandemic and that appreciation for the outdoors isn’t going anywhere.

Below is one of the many industry trends that landscape professionals are expecting to see going strong this year.

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out

You’ve heard of bringing the outdoors in and bringing the indoors out—but why not both? So much time at home has led to the realization that blurring the lines between indoors and out extends the living area. When you stop limiting your idea of “home” to the structure on your property and instead consider your entire property your home, you can create a strong sense of place and connection to the natural world.

Ways to bring the outdoors in:

Place hanging planters outdoors, positioning them in front of a window so you can look out and see greenery.
Plant a climbing plant along a trellis that’s positioned next to a window so you can catch glimpses of it.

Ways to take the indoors out:

Screen areas using tall shrubs or hanging plants to create the sense of enclosure you get indoors.
Provide ample lighting with uplighting, lanterns, and outdoor lamps, etc.
Get comfy. A patio, seating area and/or firepit will make your space more hospitable.

Source: https://www.gardendesign.com

Interested in more ideas? Give us a call today to schedule your free consultation! 920.462.7041

Summer Landscaping Ideas to Revamp your Yard

7062721248 — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 19:22:26 GMT

Summer is the time for dreaming and scheming about a new and improved landscape. Landscape maintenance can spruce up any home, however, there’s so much that can be done to improve your outdoor living space that it may be difficult to figure out where to start. Here is a look at some current landscaping trends and helpful tips on where to most efficiently focus your outdoor efforts. Simple outdoor touches can quickly and easily add to the enjoyment and fun of your backyard and ultimately become an extension of your living area.

Add Native plants: Native plantings often require less watering than exotic species, which could save a homeowner hundreds of dollars per year.

Add Light: Don’t let the artistry of your landscaping efforts be masked by darkness when the sun goes down. Use clever landscape lighting to highlight your flowerbeds, gardens, walkways, porch and more with simple outdoor lighting. Use spotlights to direct the eye toward your favorite plants or use decorative lanterns for a dramatic touch.

Add Colorful Foliage: Foliage can be used as an alternative to flowers for pops of color in your landscape. You can mix several varieties of sun-tolerant coleus with boxwood, begonia, and elephant’s ear for a sensational landscape from spring to fall.

Add Fragrance: Flowers are pleasing to the eye, but you can give your garden extra dimension by adding plants with an alluring scent. A fragrant flower garden is one of the best parts of summer. Add some roses to stop and smell along your walkway. People don’t often think about Petunias when they think of fragrant flowers, but they can be highly fragrant especially in the evening. A great summer blooming flower is Phlox. It is drought resistant and comes in a wide variety of colors.

Add Structure: Incorporate structural plants into your landscape. For example, boxwood hedges are attractive year-round and make a great foil for the colorful plants. If you are not a fan of the hedge look, consider small trees or shrubs with unique shapes such as contorted white pine or interesting bark tree(s).

Add Water: Add an aquatic vibe to your landscape with a tranquil fountain or peaceful pond. Even a small water feature makes a big impact in the garden. As landscaping technology advances, water features are becoming more accessible and more cost-efficient than ever before. New features include self-sustaining devices that conserve water and energy.

Are you ready to design the perfect landscape for your property? Are you finally ready to turn your backyard into the beautiful and functional landscape that you have always dreamt it to be? If you answered yes, but aren’t sure if you have the time, vision or expertise, then call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation!

Source: https://www.manselllandscape.com

Landscaping Ideas for Hot Weather

7062721248 — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:00:38 GMT

Beat the heat. Here's how to keep your yard looking lush and lively in spite of the temperature gauge.

Intense summer heat can shrivel up a garden in no time. And rain is not always timely. These tips will help keep your home landscape looking fresh and lively.

Mulch

Mulch is an unsung hero of the garden. Aesthetically, it finishes off a bed and makes a planting look more cohesive. Culturally, it conserves moisture, keeps the sun from baking the ground and discourages weeds. And if it’s an organic mulch such as wood chips or shredded leaves, it eventually breaks down and feeds the soil. Always match the type of mulch with the plant. For instance, drought-tolerant cactus and succulents do better with a stone mulch, while most other garden plants prefer an organic mulch.

Use a Soaker Hose

Irrigation is key, especially when the weather turns hot. Avoid watering during the heat of the day when evaporation is greatest. Morning watering is best because foliage can dry before nightfall and won’t be prone to foliar diseases. Use a soaker hose and lay it at the base of plants. A soaker hose “perspires” moisture slowly onto the ground. No wet foliage. Less evaporation. Easier watering. And ultimately happier plants.

Go Native

Swap out needy plants with native plants, which grow naturally in your area and are well-suited to the conditions. These plants can fend for themselves and need little or no pampering, other than consistent watering when getting established. Your local cooperative extension will have a list of plants suited to your region. Don’t depend solely on the selection at the garden center because the inventory sometimes includes plants that aren’t winter-hardy.

Throw Some Shade

Shade is a gardener’s best friend when temperatures soar. A little protection during the hottest part of the day helps other plants hold up better than they would in full sun. Consider using a pergola or a well-positioned shade tree to provide some fleeting afternoon shade for a landscape.

Avoid Problem Areas

Every garden has a potential problem area — too much moisture from a drainpipe, not enough moisture because of a roof’s overhang. Try to avoid planting in those areas unless you have a plant that can take the conditions. For instance, a red-twig dogwood will lap up the extra water, while a succulent such as sedum will fare better in dry conditions.

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/

Leave the guesswork to us and call us today for YOUR free estimate! 920.462.7041

Beat the Heat

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 16:06:41 GMT

Keeping your home cool without breaking the bank is the ultimate goal for many homeowners who are feeling the heat not only from the summer but the growing bills. If this is you, we have great news!

Cooling Things Off from the Outside

While most of you may know about the countless ways to be more energy efficient inside your home, have you ever thought about what you can do to keep things cool inside by making wise choices outside your home? For example, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, carefully positioned trees can save up to 25 percent of the energy a typical household uses. Research also shows that summer daytime temperatures are reduced 3-6 degrees in tree-shaded neighborhoods than in treeless areas.

Saving energy by creating just the right amount of shade outside and utilizing your irrigation system effectively are two ways you can effectively cut your summer energy expenses. Let’s take a look at simple ways you can lower your bill with energy efficient landscaping:

Covering Your Home with Shade

Avoid planting trees haphazardly. Strategically plant trees to provide the best shade coverage for your home. Whether the tree covers the side of your home or the roof, any shade you gain from a tree will make a big difference in the temperature inside the home. Plant trees with high, spreading leaves and branches to provide the best shade.
Add decorative vines to your landscaping plan. Vines are great sources of rapid growth and they can be used to cover windows to shield the inside of your home from direct sunlight. Select from numerous varieties and keep them groomed to ensure curb appeal. You might want to add a decorative lattice or trellis for climbing vines, or a planter box with trailing vines.
Build a covered outdoor living space. Decks and patios are great gathering spots, especially in the summer. If you are planning on building a new deck, consider placing it on the east side of your home to protect it from the afternoon sun.

Watering Your Lawn

Quit wasting water and energy. Updating your irrigation system can make a big difference. If your irrigation system adequately covers your lawn, the system will be more effective and require less time to run. This can save you both water and energy and as a result keep your dollars in your wallet instead of spending them on excessive bills.
Keep your foundation cool. When the exterior of your foundation is damp, it will be cooler and can help lower the temperature of the ground under and around your home. You might place small sprinklers or a soaker hose around your foundation to ensure cooling moisture during the summer.
Take care of your lawn. While outdoor living areas made of concrete, brick or stone are effective and convenient in some cases, if you want to lower the temperature in your home, natural green grass is best. Hard surfaces can heat up the air around your home or air conditioning unit causing a spike on your cooling bill.

Source: https://www.groundsguys.com

Great Ideas for the Long Holiday Weekend

7062721248 — Wed, 26 May 2021 12:29:07 GMT

First and foremost, Memorial Day is a time to pause, honor and remember… and Memorial Day weekend has become an unofficial green light that signals the start of summer. And it’s the perfect time to get a jump on a few projects in your yard, and still leave time for holiday weekend barbecues.

Tackle one or two…. or we'll take them all on for you! But whatever you choose, a little time now will be time well-spent as we slide into summer.

The Power of Flowers

For instant color…. and instant gratification, as they say…. there’s nothing like bright, bold annuals to dress up your landscape. If you haven’t included a bed, a basket or a big pot of annuals in your “outdoor rooms,” or if you’d like to add a few more, now is a great time to dress things up a bit.

Even hanging baskets are an especially easy way to add fun and flair to your deck, patio or garden. Here’s a little trick to make them even more successful. Pick out the basket that suits your location. “Harden off” or acclimate your new hanging basket for a few days by setting the plants in a protected place outdoors. That will help ease their adjustment out of our greenhouses and into their new home in your yard. Once you’ve hardened off them off, gently ease the plants out of their basket and set them intact into your bed or container.

There’s no better time to plant trees and shrubs than right now!

Take a look around your yard and see if something might be missing…. like maybe the perfect tree?

Trees and shrubs help create the “bones” of a welcoming landscape and instantly add value and curb appeal. Before the heat of summer sets in for good, take advantage of our cooler spring temperatures to do a bit of digging. It’s easier on your new trees and shrubs.

Don’t Forget the Perennials!

Even if June wasn’t Perennial Gardening Month, which it is, this is a fine time to add these remarkable plants to your landscape…. the plants that just keep on giving, year after year.

There’s a saying in the gardening trade when it comes to perennials: The first year they sleep. The second year they creep. The third year they leap. In other words, plant the right perennial in the right place, and it will reward you in full for years to come.

Source: https://www.tagawagardens.com

Call us Today to Schedule Your Free Landscape Consultation! 920-462-7041

Beautiful Backyards

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 17:18:39 GMT

Your backyard is your private retreat. Enhance it by adding touches that make it special: a water feature, comfy seating, lovely plant beds, even a hammock. Here is some inspiration.

Curving Beds

Undulating beds of low-maintenance perennials give a finished look to your landscape and decrease yard chores. Wide green paths curve through the yard and add interest and depth.

Water Feature

Any water feature adds beautiful sounds and movement to a yard. Incorporate a waterfall or pond, or one leading to the stream. Using native rock around it blends it seamlessly into the landscape.

Shady Setting

If your yard is shaded, use it to your advantage: Plant hostas like the ones lining this gorgeous yard!

Warm the Woods

Dense tree cover doesn't have to leave you in the cold. Pick a fire pit sized to warm a seating area in the shade. Ferns and hostas fill the shade with bright greenery.

Intimate Seating

This patio tucked into a yard provides seating for a few, warmed by a stone fire pit.

Beautiful Trees

Create visual interest in your backyard just by choosing out-of-the-ordinary trees. The unusual shape of the Weeping Norway Spruce or the delicate Japanese maple draw attention to any yard.

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Small but showy: Ornamental trees can have a big impact in the right spot

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 13:56:42 GMT

Whether you’re starting from scratch designing a new landscape, renovating an old one or just craving something new to add a little spark to a boring spot in your yard, a small ornamental tree may be just what you need.

You may already have plenty of large, mature trees in your yard. However, over the years, some of your smaller plants, such as shrubs and herbaceous flowers, may have died out or just become less than lovely. Consider adding a small tree to fill the void.

Small ornamental trees are generally 30 feet tall or less and can be as short as 8 to 10 feet tall. Rather than just one main trunk, quite a few of these small trees have multiple main stems. Some are grown both ways, so you can choose. Some have one main trunk, but the branches begin close to the ground. (These actually be considered large shrubs instead.)

There are many reasons to seek out small ornamental trees. In addition to a desire to replace trees or shrubs that have died or look pathetic from years of disease, insects or wind or snow damage, there is the ravaging done by the emerald ash borer. Sadly, this is providing us many opportunities to replace trees. A small tree may fit the spot better than another shade tree.

Choose with care

Selecting the right plant for the right place is paramount. It’s natural to be drawn to plants for their beauty from features like flowers or leaves or fall color. But before you take it home, spend a little time learning about its suitability for your yard. The ultimate size of the plant when mature, plus light and soil requirements, are the most important criteria.

Blooming schedule

You’ll also want to know when flowering trees bloom. Most display their flowers in spring, but a few put on their show in summer. Among the spring bloomers are several magnolias, including the star and saucer magnolias that bloom in mid- to late April.

The most popular and hardest to ignore are the flowering crabapples. Here in the Midwest, they knock our socks off from early May into June.

The nursery industry supplies us with many other lesser-known but lovely spring flowering small trees. Serviceberries have gained popularity. They flower before almost anything else even has leaves in wispy clouds of white that float in the understory of wooded, shady or sunny sites.

Hawthorns, Japanese tree lilac, Peking lilac, white fringetree and Smokebush are examples of summer flowerers. Amur maackia is another summer-flowering small tree that is highly recommended but may be hard to find.

Whatever your needs, call us today to schedule your free consultation! 920.462.7041

Source: https://www.jsonline.com

Prepping Your Yard for Spring

7062721248 — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:54:41 GMT

The spring season is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start prepping your yard so you can fully enjoy beautiful landscaping, green grass, healthy trees, and blooming flowers. If you’ve struggled with getting your yard ready in the past, or consider yourself a newbie at landscape and gardening, a few tricks for maintaining a lush and healthy lawn might make this year your best yet. Check out this info for simple tips on mulching, pruning, and more for the upcoming spring season.

Prepping Your Yard for Spring

1) Initial Prep Work:

Wait for snow to thaw completely
Rake your yard to remove twigs, leaves, needles and other debris

2) Watering:

Water your lawn, landscape and trees long enough for water to reach plant roots
Avoid watering for short periods of time on a frequent basis

3) Mowing

Have your lawn mower blades sharpened
Lower the blades to remove old, dead grass

4) Mulching

Buy high-quality mulch
Add fertilizer to new plants and shrubs before mulching
Lay mulch around trees, shrubs, dormant flowers and gardens

5) Pruning

Cut away all dead and damaged branches
Prune fruit trees before they bloom
Prune flowering trees and shrubs after they bloom

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920.462.7041

Source: https://ryanlawn.com

TOP WISCONSIN LANDSCAPE PLANTS ATTRACTIVE ALL YEAR LONG

7062721248 — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 17:36:03 GMT

Snow may be coming, but these beautiful plants take center-stage throughout Wisconsin Winters

Seven-son Flower is a small tree to large shrub. This unusual member of the honeysuckle family is not a vine but a handsome vase-shaped woody plant and one that is relatively unknown to most gardeners. During the growing season, Seven-Son flower is covered with 4-6 inch long thick, glossy leaves. The flowers appear in mid to late July. Following flowering, the sepals at the base of the flowers not only persist, but also continue to elongate and turn bright red as the seeds mature. Seven-Son flower also has a soft tan-colored, striping bark that provides winter interest making this plant a welcome spectacle in all seasons.

Vernal Witchhazel is an early-flowering shrub. The orange-red flowers have strap-like petals that curl inward on chilly days (an adaptive mechanism to protect from freezing). The oval-shaped leaves turn a golden yellow/orange in fall and often hang on through winter.

Black Chokeberry exhibits white flower clusters in spring and dark green leaves through summer. The astringent berries contain about 3X more antioxidants than blueberries! Excellent fall color ranges from bright orange to reddish-purple. Fruit clusters persist into winter.

Winterberry is the Wisconsin native deciduous holly, variable in size. Commonly grows in damp areas throughout much of Wisconsin. Abundant bright red fruits hug branches on the female plants from fall into winter. Plant in groups – as both male and female plants are needed for fruit set.

Source: https://avantgardening.com/

The Evergreen Trees of Winter

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 14:17:45 GMT

Wisconsin Horticulture

What is winter burn? Winter burn is a common problem of evergreens including those with broad leaves (e.g., boxwood, holly, rhododendron), needles (e.g., fir, hemlock, pine, spruce, yew) and scale-like leaves (e.g., arborvitae, false cypress, juniper) grown in open, unprotected locations and exposed to severe winter conditions. Evergreen plants that are marginally hardy in a location (i.e., not well-adapted to local winter conditions) are at increased risk for winter burn. Winter burn can be so severe that affected plants may die and/or require replacement.

What does winter burn look like? Winter burn symptoms often become apparent as the snow melts and spring temperatures rise. Foliage starts to brown at the tips of branches with browning progressing inward toward the center of the plant. On broad-leaved evergreens, leaf edges typically brown first, followed by browning of entire leaves. Foliage facing south, southwest or west is most often affected. Symptomatic foliage often begins to drop off starting in spring and continuing through mid-summer as new foliage is produced. In extreme cases, entire plants can brown and die.

What causes winter burn? There are many factors that can contribute to winter burn. In general, plants with shallow or poorly-developed root systems that do not efficiently take up water (e.g., recent transplants) are more prone to winter burn. Warm fall temperatures that delay the onset of plant dormancy can also contribute to winter burn. Under such conditions, plants are not prepared for the subsequent rapid onset of freezing winter temperatures, and as a result damage to foliage occurs. Similar cold injury can occur mid-winter when temperatures drop sharply at sunset causing foliage that has warmed during the day to rapidly cool and freeze. In addition, on sunny winter days, foliage (particularly foliage facing the sun) can begin to transpire (i.e., naturally lose water through the foliage). Because the ground is frozen, plant roots cannot take up water and replace the water that has been lost from the foliage. As a result, foliage dries and browns. Foliage under snow or facing away from the sun and direct winds is usually not damaged. Strong winter winds can lead to additional water loss making winter burn more severe. Colder than normal winter temperatures and longer than normal winters can also be factors in the development of winter burn, especially if below normal temperatures occur into April (the time of year when plants normally come out of dormancy and are most susceptible to winter injury). Finally, exposure of plants to salt used to deice roads, driveways and sideways during the winter can make plants more prone to winter burn injury.

How do I save a plant with winter burn? For evergreens such as arborvitaes, boxwoods, junipers and yews, prune out dead, brown, damaged or dying tissue in mid-spring after new foliage is produced. If new foliage has not yet emerged by spring, scratch the bark on affected branches and look for green tissue underneath. Also gently peel back the bud scales to look for inner green bud tissue. If the stem or bud tissue is green, buds on the branch may still break to form new foliage. If the tissue is brown, the branch is most likely dead and you should prune the branch back to a live, lateral bud or branch. Such buds and branches may be far back inside the canopy and pruning may remove a substantial amount of the plant. Pines, spruces and firs typically produce new growth at branch tips in spring that will replace winter burn-damaged needles, and thus pruning may not be required on these evergreens. After a couple of growing seasons, new foliage will fill in the areas that were damaged. If an entire evergreen is brown, recovery is unlikely and the plant should be replaced with something (e.g., a deciduous shrub or tree) that is better-suited to the site.

How do I avoid problems with winter burn in the future? Use a variety of strategies to prevent winter burn before winter arrives. Plant the right plant in the right place. Buy plants that are rated as cold hardy for your location and are well-adapted to local growing and soil conditions. Plants exposed to drying winter sun and winds are more likely to be injured. Therefore, avoid planting winter injury sensitive evergreens, particularly those that require shade or that are marginally cold-hardy, in exposed, sunny, windy areas. Plant them on the northeast or east side of a building or in a protected courtyard. Plant boxwoods, hemlocks, rhododendrons, and yews in partial shade to provide them added protection from winter sun and wind.

Plant evergreens at the right time of year. Optimally plant evergreens either in early spring (before buds break) or in late summer (i.e., August through September). Evergreens can be planted in the summer if you provide supplemental water. Avoid planting after early October in northern Wisconsin and after mid-October in southern Wisconsin as this will not allow sufficient time for roots to grow adequately before the ground freezes.

DO NOT prune evergreens in late summer or early fall. Late season pruning of some non-native evergreens may encourage a flush of new growth that will not harden off properly before winter.

Mulch evergreens properly. Apply two inches (on clay soils) to four inches (on sandy soils) of loose mulch (e.g., shredded hardwood, pine, or cedar bark; leaf compost; or wood chips) around the base of evergreens out to at least the drip line (e.g., the edge of where the branches extend). Keep mulch at least three inches away from the trunks of trees and the bases of shrubs. Proper mulch insulates roots from severe fluctuations of soil temperatures and reduces water loss. It also helps protect roots from injury due to heaving that occurs when soils go through cycles of freezing and thawing during the winter. Heaving can especially be a problem for shallow-rooted and newly planted evergreens. DO NOT mulch excessively or too close to plants as this can lead to damage by providing shelter for mice and voles (which can girdle trunks and branches) and by providing a favorable environment for disease development as well as insect activity and feeding.

Water plants properly. Plants that are well-hydrated are less prone to winter burn. In particular, newly planted or young evergreens, especially those planted in open, exposed sites, those planted under eaves, or those planted in dry falls may suffer severe moisture loss during the winter and consequently severe winter burn. Established evergreens should receive approximately one inch of water per week and newly transplanted evergreens up to two inches of water per week during the growing season up until the soil freezes in the autumn or there is a significant snowfall. If supplemental watering is needed, use a soaker or drip hose to apply water near the drip lines of plants rather than using a sprinkler.

Protect plants during the winter. Use burlap, canvas, snow fencing or other protective materials to create barriers that will protect plants from winter winds and sun. Install four to five foot tall stakes approximately two feet from the drip lines of plants especially on the south and west sides (or any side exposed to wind) and wrap protective materials around the stakes to create “fenced” barriers. Leave the top open. These barriers will deflect the wind and protect plants from direct exposure to the sun. Remove the barrier material promptly in spring. DO NOT tightly wrap individual plants with burlap as this can collect ice, trap moisture and make plants more susceptible to infection by disease-causing organisms. Use of anti-transpirant products to prevent water loss from foliage over the winter has been shown to have limited benefit. These materials degrade rapidly, require reapplication after each significant rain or snow event, and may not be effective in preventing water loss that can lead to winter burn.

Source: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/winter-burn/

We look forward to seeing you in Spring!! Call us with any questions or to book your spring/summer landscaping appointment!! 920.462.7041

Happy New Year!!

7062721248 — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 12:37:06 GMT

Happy New Year from all of us at The Luxury Landscape Company, LLC! Thank you to all homeowners and business owners that chose our small business for their landscaping and outdoor living space needs and we look forward to serving even more amazing customers in 2021! Thank you!

Call 920-462-7041 for a free estimate on Landscaping and Hardscape Design installation in 2021! We're filling up fast and look forward to serving you soon!!

Curb Appeal Tips for Fall

7062721248 — Wed, 11 Nov 2020 22:07:45 GMT

Make sure your house catches the eyes this fall with these landscaping ideas

Spruce Up Your Lawn

While brilliant fall foliage can automatically make your home look more attractive, that doesn't mean you can slack off on lawn maintenance during this season. Keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass.

Plant Fall Flowers

Once your lawn is looking its best, spice it up with a splash of color. As your summer plants start to fade, replace them with vibrant mums or other colorful flowers.

Add Outdoor Lighting

As the days get shorter, it becomes increasingly important to provide a safe path to your front door. Use decorative lights to illuminate walkways, and install flood lights or lanterns to brighten up entrance areas.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com

Why It's Great to Plant Trees in the Fall

7062721248 — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 22:17:35 GMT

For many people, spring has become the default season when it comes to planting or gardening, understandably so. Harsh winters and the lack of vegetation makes us excited to refresh our gardens and landscape our yards. Spring can be a great time of year to plant, depending on where you live. But, fall may be more ideal for your trees. The best time to plant trees will vary from region to region, but for many areas that experience seasons, fall may be better to plant trees.

Benefits of Fall Planting

Planting in the fall gives trees an extra growing season before the stress of summer. The combination of cooler temperatures and fall rain allows trees to establish their roots, making it easier on them to adjust to extreme heat or drought in the summer.

Many people fear that young trees can’t withstand the winter. However, that’s not the case. Trees go dormant in the winter, the equivalent of hibernation. This “sleep” state slows down the tree’s growth, energy consumption, and metabolism. It’s safe to plant trees until the ground is frozen solid, generally after the first hard frost. Even if there is snow on the ground, if you’re able to stick a spade into the soil, it’s still okay to plant. When trees are dormant, they shouldn’t require any extra care.

Right Tree Right Place

The time of year you plant can have little impact on your tree if you don’t plant it properly. This includes planting the right tree in the right place. Before planting, evaluate your space to make sure it will be suitable for your tree as it grows. Be cautious of planting too close to surrounding structures. You’ll also want to consider how much sun, shade, and moisture the tree will get at the planting site. It’s not a bad idea to call Diggers Hotline before you dig to avoid planting on underground utility lines. This free service can be a timesaver down the road. Proper tree care starts by properly planting your tree.

After Planting

Your tree will require the same care no matter what time of year you plant. Always mulch a two to three-inch ring of mulch around the base of your tree—but don’t pile it against the trunk. Water your tree right after planting, yes, even if it’s cold outside. During the fall your newly planted tree will still require watering. But it’s up to you to figure out how often and how much. Use a trowel to dig a 1-inch hole and feel the soil around your tree. if it’s moist to the touch, your tree doesn’t need water. Tree watering will vary for each tree depending on its size, species, weather, and location.

There are perks to fall planting, like a stronger root system and less maintenance. But whether you’re planting in the spring or fall, your newly planted tree will still require a little care in the first year of its life.

Source: https://arbordayblog.org

How to Prepare Your Garden for Winter Before the First Frost

7062721248 — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 19:07:46 GMT

These winter gardening tips may just save your plants

The leaves tumbling off the trees is nature’s way of telling us it’s time to get the garden ready for winter. In fact, when dying leaves drift onto the ground, they provide nutrition that’s vital for the buds of spring. Below find on how to best protect your garden before winter arrives.

1. Pull up dying plants

First, pull up any plants that have had insect or disease problems. You don’t want pests or diseases wintering in your patch. Burn or bag any diseased plants — don't toss them onto your compost pile.

2. Pare your perennials

Cut perennials, leaving them 4 to 6 inches tall. The energy in the upper plant flows to the root systems where it's stored for the winter . But if you cut back too early, energy stores won’t get to the roots. Wait until the plant has stopped its color for the year and then cut it back.

3. Remove slimy leaves

While you’re cutting, make sure that any plant that has become slimy and matted after a hard frost gets removed. “Get those slimy leaves out of your garden so diseases and bugs cannot winter there,” Allen said. Pests love slime. Hostas, for example, can get pretty slimy. Also, make sure you dig out all of the weeds and give your garden enough water to keep plants moist in the winter.

4. Keep pretty plants standing

Leave plants that stand up straight and have interesting seed heads alone — such as sunflowers, coneflowers and thistles.

If you cut all of your plants back to the ground level, you “may be eliminating next season’s crop of butterflies”

5. Cover up with compost

Spreading 1 to 6 inches of compost or composted manure over your garden enriches your soil with nutrients and keeps it from becoming depleted. Compost can be made up of many things, including everything you have cut throughout the year, food waste from the kitchen and manure. Shoot for a balance of brown and green materials for the best results; think straw, leaves and grass.

6. Plant your spring-flowering bulbs

Daffodils, tulips and even garlic get planted in the fall. Remember that each bulb should be planted at a depth that is three times the height of the bulb. So a 1-inch bulb gets planted about 3 inches down. The bulbs themselves don’t need water, but it’s a good idea to water the soil as watered soil is harder for animals to dig up.

7. Conserve your greenery

When you rake up all of the leaves from deciduous plants on your property, make sure you add them to your compost rather than getting rid of them. They contain vital nutrients for your soil.

8. Polish your gardening gear

The extra-organized gardener can wind up the season by cleaning all of his or her gardening tools and putting them away in the shed. And after that? Get yourself a new gardening idea book and a nice cup of tea and sit down and enjoy it!

Source: https://www.today.com

Fall 2020 Curb Appeal Trends

7062721248 — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 21:33:39 GMT

Create Landscaping Space For New Curb Appeal Design

While each home has its own unique focal interest, sun exposure, and house style, we are seeing some top fall 2020 curb appeal trends appear in many neighborhoods.

Many of the trends focus on a variety of plant styles and sizing for front yard space.

From ornamental grasses to evergreen shrubs and flowering perennials, having a diverse bloom time in your landscape will increase your curb appeal interest and lower your maintenance and upkeep.

Landscape design has also had the benefit of newly created species of plant selections in varied sizes. When a decade ago, the Panicled Hydrangeas used to grow up 8-12 feet, now there are new dwarf varieties that maintain a small size and shape of 2-3 feet tall. This means that older plant installations might be overgrown in your front yard and should be removed to create space for the new selections.

Here Are The Top Additions We’re Adding To Landscaping Curb Appeals Now

Karen Azaleas

Clusters of lavender-pink flowers on this shrub make for one stunning display in the spring.

Loving both full sun and partial shade, the deciduous Azalea is hardy even through harsh winters. Growing to a height and width of 3-4 feet, the Karen Azalea is good for controlled and tighter spaced areas.

Calamintha

With a fragrant mint scent, the Calamintha forms a beautiful mass of stems and leaves. Small white flowers adorn the plant for an extended season of blooming, mid-summer until frost.

The delicate flowers will even become purple in color as the temperature drops in the fall.

Bees love the plant for its never-ending flower display and the plants maintains a controlled 18-24 inch maturity size. Excellent for both wet and dry soil, this is a perfect addition to your front yard landscape.

Boxwood Added For Curb Appeal

The Boxwood is an excellent addition to any curb appeal landscaping in the sun or partial shade location. Its slow growth makes it a trustworthy shrub that won’t overtake your other selections.

This shrub can be trimmed into a long hedge or kept as individual units. While the plant can be left to grow freely, you can also manicure the shape into a globe or boxed profile.

Sedum

The lime-green stonecrop is from the family of Sedum and is one of the most drought-tolerant plants you can add to your landscape.

Adding this plant around stepping-stone walkways and rock gardens gives beautiful interest spring through fall, and pollinators love the blooms, as well. This selection is also resistant to damage in traffic areas and grows back quickly if stepped on.

Ornamental Grasses

In addition to the flowering perennials and ground cover, ornamental grasses are widely popular right now. They set a nice backdrop as a good layering effect when combined with front flowering shrubs. There are many types of grasses, some slow growing and some that will overtake a space, so it is important to be very selective about the purpose of the space you want filled.

Source: http://www.evergreenlandscape.net

Ways to Color Your Yard This Fall

7062721248 — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 18:59:50 GMT

Coral Bells

As summer wanes, so do the blooms from our favorite flowers, leaving us grasping for the last vestiges of natural color before winter takes hold. Those who long for a bit of color in an autumn yard can take heart. Here are some plants that will provide vibrant color and visual interest in your autumn landscape, even as cooler fall days give way to winter.

Japanese Maple

Japanese maple is a breathtaking accent tree popular for its feathery leaves and graceful, weeping silhouette. In fall, its leaves turn crimson, orange, or gold, with some varieties successively displaying all three colors

Autumn Joy Sedum

One of the many varieties of stonecrop, 'Autumn Joy' sedum offers a bounty of dark pink blooms from August through November. Those flowers turn copper as the weather gets colder and, when cut, make a nice addition to autumn arrangements.

Aster

With daisy-like flowers that bloom in late summer and fall, the aster brings a shock of color to your garden as other bloomers fade. With a palette that encompasses pinks, purples, reds, and white, these cheery perennials inject a jolt of joy when you need it most

Burning Bush

Plant a burning bush and you will be treated to a profusion of crimson foliage in fall. A member of the euonymus family, this easy-to-grow shrub tolerates most soil types and flourishes in both full and partial sun.

Black-Eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susans explode with blooms in summer, but gardeners who deadhead their plants will be rewarded with a second batch of flowers in fall.

River Birch

The river birch tree lights up the yard in fall when its green leaves turn bright gold. These trees make a dazzling contrast against its characteristic white, texture-rich bark.

Red Twig Dogwood

Whether you're a lawn care novice or a master gardener, everyone can use a little help around the yard. Check us out for tips, recommendations, and problem-solving tools that can help you tame your great outdoors.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com

Outdoor Living Options

7062721248 — Wed, 26 Aug 2020 19:49:29 GMT

Outdoor Living Options

A good landscape isn’t just something to look at – it’s something to be lived in. Outdoor living elements are growing more popular every year, and project to be one of the top 2020 landscaping trends.

Proper design expands the livable area of your home, and is a great way to add to your home’s resale value and curb appeal. Fire pits, patios and outdoor kitchens all create great gathering spaces. They can be enhanced by newer landscape design trends, like covered pergolas and landscape lighting.

Hardscaping and other durable elements often create these usable outdoor spaces, which can be balanced by plants and garden design.

Spending time outdoors shouldn’t mean spending time pulling weeds and cutting grass. By combining these outdoor living elements with eco-friendly gardens, your lawn can become a place for gathering, rather than working.

https://sylvangardenslandscape.com/2020-landscaping-trends/

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

THE TOP 4 LANDSCAPE DESIGN TRENDS OF FALL

7062721248 — Mon, 24 Aug 2020 13:59:46 GMT

Move over mums and classic orange and yellow color schemes! It’s time to upgrade your home with textured plantings, jewel tones, cozy outdoor living styles and lush lawns this season.

Fall welcomes endless opportunities for homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces, and trends help forecast elements of design and maintenance that influence how Americans will spend their time outside this fall.

In fall, the following four trends will influence outdoor spaces around the country:

Rich, Textured Plantings – Fall provides the opportunity to refresh garden beds and container gardens. Before relying on the comfort of traditional mums, consider ornamental kales, cabbage and peppers, as well as evergreens, snapdragons, and grasses to add rich color and texture.
Pops of Jewel Tones – Classic fall colors like red, yellow and orange will seek competition from crisp and sophisticated jewel tones this season. Sapphire blue, emerald green, amethyst purple, ruby red and citrine yellow all bring warmth to fall landscape design. Add pops of jewel tones to outdoor living spaces with seasonal plantings such as pansies, celosia, dianthus and black-eyed Susan.
Cozy, Comfortable Outdoor Living – After enjoying sweet summertime, fall allows homeowners to transition their landscapes and utilize features that are not always top-of-mind during warmer months. Fire features continue to rise in popularity. From one-touch natural gas or propane ignition to traditional wood-burning fire features, homeowners can heat up chilly fall nights with ease and ambiance. This year, pergolas gained popularity and we will see their lifespan continue in the cooler month with the help of retractable canopies and heating systems. Signature features, like fire features and pergolas, complimented by comfortable seating and attractive and aromatic plantings and jewel tones will bring resort like comfort to homes across the country.

Healthy, Lush Lawns – Americans love their lawns. Well-maintained lawns support the well-being of neighborhoods and allow communities to connect, play, celebrate and unwind. Fall is one of the most critical seasons for preparing lawns and landscapes for year-round health. By working with a professional on essential fall lawn care needs homeowners will see a plethora of benefits come spring.

Source: https://www.loveyourlandscape.org

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Top Landscaping Trend

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 18:23:23 GMT

Do It Your Way

This is the year to embrace your own style, and your own quirks. If you want to install rows of organic tomatoes and squash in raised beds, go for it! If you're into bright bird feeders, go nuts. If you're looking for a relaxing escape from the rest of the world with a vine-covered pergola and a stone patio with a hot tub out back or an outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven, this is your time.

More and more homeowners are asking designers for very specific landscape elements that fit their family's lifestyle, and we're here to help you find and make YOURS a reality!

Source: https://www.realtor.com/news/trends

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Landscape Design Ideas That Will Give You the Best Yard on the Block

7062721248 — Fri, 14 Aug 2020 13:04:49 GMT

The concept of spending time outdoors on a daily basis is getting more and more popular, and people are paying more attention to the quality of their landscape design ideas and outdoor spaces, whether they’re patios, porches, rooftops, or traditional yards and gardens. The appeal of a well-groomed, curated outdoor space—for a backyard party, a starlight soiree, or any other open-air occasion—is almost universal, but as with anything else, trends come and go.

Landscape design trends may shift more slowly than, say, fashion trends, but they still change over time, especially as interior trends and general lifestyle preferences move in a particular direction. Concrete fountains and glass garden globes aren’t as beloved now as they were a few years ago; if you want your yard to look as current as the rest of your home, keeping up with these landscape design trends can help guide you. Read on for the top landscape design trends of 2020, and take note: One of these ideas could be the concept that transforms your outdoor space this year.

Simple, Functional Design

Minimalism has taken the world by storm, and outdoor spaces are adopting the trend, too. According to NALP’s report, people are looking for sleek, contemporary landscape designs that look good and have some useful function, preferably in multiple seasons: Think native plants, heat lamps, and protective structures that allow people to spend more time outdoors year-round.

Shades of Blue

With predictions for Color of the Year 2020 trending blue, it’s no surprise that outdoor spaces are expected to as well. Expect to see more blue sculptures, water features, and plants in yards near you this year.

Personalized Spaces

More and more, people are adopting the landscape design ideas that better support their lifestyle preferences, whether creating edible gardens to consume more local, organic foods and reduce carbon footprints, or planting only native greenery to preserve the local ecosystem.

Smart Irrigation

Smart home devices have made maintaining a home easier, and they do the same outdoors, too. High-tech irrigation, such as smart sprinkler systems, makes grooming a large, green yard or garden both easier and more sustainable (no more accidental waterings on rainy days!) and predictions say it will be a top landscape design trend in 2020.

Source: https://www.realsimple.com

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

EYE-CATCHING FLAGSTONE DESIGNS

7062721248 — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:49:44 GMT

The time for sprucing up your backyard or garden area is here! Summer is the time where friends and family all gather to hang out outdoors for barbecues, pool parties and other outdoor events.

One of the most interesting ways to change up an outdoor area is by using flagstone to pave an area. Flagstone is flat stone slab typically used for paving and comes in rectangular and square shapes. The stone is a great way to add some class and style to an outdoor area which can be easily customizable depending on your preferences.

We’ve rounded up some great ideas to help spark some creativity and get you into that summer spruce up mode! Call us today to schedule your free consultation and let us transform your space into the yard of your dreams!

This gorgeous fire pit is constructed with flagstone. Adding a fire pit to a patio is one of the best ways to get people to gather around and enjoy a conversation. Typically used in cooler weather, a fire pit can be used during those long, summer nights to get kids gathered around and make s’ mores. Summer just wouldn’t be summer without those sticky treats! Plus, once winter starts to kick in, you’d have a cozy fire pit to sip hot chocolate around. You just can’t lose with this gorgeous fire pit!

This gorgeous outdoor patio design features a unique flagstone patio shape. Sort of an oblong and winding design, the patio features a fire pit area and a social area.

A great example for small flagstone patio designs, this scene features interestingly placed stones to create a unique outdoor patio area perfect for smaller parties. The stones are cut in opposing patterns that naturally draw the eye to the interesting shapes. A great patio set could be set up in the corner of this area to prevent the interesting design to be covered up. This would be the perfect scene for a smaller backyard party.

Using both irregular and patterned flagstone layouts, this patio design is intricate in its simplicity. If you have a smaller patio area with not a whole lot of room to work with, simple design like this could significantly add to space. With a smaller patio set added to the area, space becomes unique in itself. Potted flowering plants or hanging vines could also add a nice touch of life to space – it all just depends on the look you’re going for.

This is a beautifully subdued flagstone patio without too many distracting colors. The pure texture and layout of this design create an interesting pattern that is only amplified by the stone stairway. The greens of the plants peeking out at the sides of the patio seem greener because of the grays in this scene. The cool tones of the stone in the scene give it a more natural look without taking too much away from the rest of the layout.

As you can see, there are so many options when it comes to using flagstone in your outdoor area! We hope you’ve been inspired by some of these ideas and start to plan out your own impressive patio.

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Source: https://www.backyardboss.net/flagstone-patio-design-ideas/

Landscape Ideas for Water Features

7062721248 — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:05:56 GMT

Garden Room With Fountain

Here's an idea for transforming an courtyard into a showpiece: install a small formal pond or pool and fountain as a dividing line, with lush aquatic vegetation as border elements.

Pond, small waterfall and stream

Transform your backyard into a private nature preserve with a liquid landscape that includes a pond, a stream and a small waterfall with rocks, plants and trees as border elements.

Stone-on-Stone Water Fountain

Blending into its natural surroundings, this unique rock fountain is ideally situated amidst a rustic landscape of pebbles, stones, gravel and flowering plants.

Stunning Waterfall and Pond

A pond and waterfall with distinctive stone work is the jewel of a private enclosure.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/landscaping-and-hardscaping/design

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

GROWING WISTERIA

7062721248 — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 17:15:34 GMT

HOW TO PLANT, GROW, AND CARE FOR WISTERIA

PLANTING

WHEN TO PLANT WISTERIA

Plant in the spring or fall, while the plant is dormant.
Wisteria can be grown from seed, but those grown from seed often take quite a few years to reach maturity and produce flowers. It’s recommended to purchase established wisteria plants or start from a cutting.

WHERE TO PLANT WISTERIA

Plant in full sun. Though wisteria will grow in partial shade, it probably won’t flower. Sunlight is essential.
Plant wisteria in fertile, moist, but well-draining soil.
If your soil is in poor condition, add compost; otherwise, wisteria will grow in most soils.
Choose a site away from other plants, as wisteria grows quickly and can easily overtake its neighbors.
Wisteria is also known for growing onto (and into) nearby structures, such as houses, garages, sheds, and so on.
Wisteria vines require a very sturdy structure to climb on, such as a metal or wooden trellis or pergola.

HOW TO PLANT WISTERIA

Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide.
Space plants 10 to 15 feet apart.

CARE

CARING FOR WISTERIA

Each spring, apply a layer of compost under the plant and a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds.
Some gardeners swear by phosphorus to aid with flowering.
Water your plants if you receive less than one inch of rain each week.

PRUNING WISTERIA

Pruning is the secret to good flowering, as wisteria only bloom on new wood.

Prune wisteria in late winter. Remove at least half of the prior year’s growth, leaving just a few buds per stem.
If you want a more formal appearance, prune again during summer, after traditional flowering.
For more blooms, try cutting back the rampant shoots every two weeks during the summer.
Do you have a new wisteria? Cut the vine back severely right after planting. Then, the next year, cut the main stem or stems back to 3 feet of the previous season’s growth. Once the framework is full size, shorten further extension growth in midsummer to where growth began for that season.
Informally grown, mature plants need little or no subsequent pruning.
For a formally trained plant, cut side shoots back to 6 inches in summer, then shorten them again in winter to 3 buds.
Wisteria will resprout with vigor if cut back severely, but this pruning should be avoided, if possible, because new shoots may take some years before they flower.

WHEN YOUR WISTERIA WON’T BLOOM

Wisteria are notorious for taking a long time to bloom. Don’t expect flowers for 2 to 3 years after planting. Some readers have sworn by this method to spur on blooming:

Take a shovel and drive it 8 to 10 inches into the ground about a foot and a half away from the wisteria’s main trunk to slice into some of the roots.
Damage about half of the roots and the bush will be shocked into reproduction (flowering).
Don’t worry—it’s difficult to hurt this rampantly-growing, unrestrained, often-invasive plant!
Frigid winter temperatures can also affect wisteria’s blooms.

Source: https://www.almanac.com/plant/wisteria

How to Plant in Summer Months

7062721248 — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 21:05:49 GMT

Planting and transplanting during the dog days of summer, are not ideal. But with a few tips on how to "beat the heat" and with a little extra TLC to your plants, you can grow during this time of year — without getting too carried away! Remember to work according to the specific variety you are trying to plant/protect.

As with most yard projects, you need to plan ahead! Watch your local weather and plan your "gardening days" accordingly. Try landscaping on an overcast day, or perhaps, just after it has finished raining. Your plants won't have to compete with the scorching sun to absorb the water, and maybe Mother Nature can just take care of the watering all together for you!

Make sure you water any new plants or transplants thoroughly this time of year. The best way to water in extreme heat is with a drip system. Over-head watering, such as sprinklers, tend to allow the water to evaporate in extreme heat, therefore leaving your plants without the vital water they need to survive these blazing temperatures. If you do use sprinklers, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day. Try setting them to run automatically during the cooler morning or evening temperatures.

Keeping your grass length a little longer this time of year can help keep the surface soil of your yard cool. Keeping your beds mulched will do the same for your plant's root system. This practice can help some plants the ability to better cope with extreme temperatures, so they don't suffer from heat shock. Dried grass also works great as a "mulch" in this circumstance. Mulch will also help keep away weeds that would otherwise take away from your plant's ability to absorb water and nutrients.

Source: Source: https://www.plantmegreen.com/blogs/news/15016581-landscaping-in-extreme-summer-heat

The Best Landscaping Planting Ideas & Secrets for Color that Wows

7062721248 — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:34:48 GMT

When you step outside of your home are you pleased with your landscape? Do people stop in their tracks and say “wow” when they drive or pass by? If not—and it’s boring or even an eyesore—then you might be looking for some landscaping planting ideas to enhance your property and take it to a whole new level.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the task of landscaping than just sticking a few rows of flowers in the ground and calling it a day. Incorporating vibrant color into a strategic landscape plan takes an eye for design and a knowledge of plant material.

We’ll help get you on your way to color that wows.

Layer for Height and Contrast

Using plants of different heights is one of the best ways to get a beautiful look. Two layers could work, but ideally, you want three. You can use taller and broader evergreens to create a backdrop and will still have room for planting bushes, such as some mid-sized flowering shrubs. In front of that, you can think about planting flowers.

If you don’t have plant beds that are wide enough for two separate layers of shrubs, you can still achieve a layered look using shrubs in the background and then planting two different layers of plants in front, each with differing heights. This will look much more robust and professionally designed than a single layer of same-height plants.

By creating some dimension to your landscaping, you are adding a lot of appeal. The multi-dimensional aspect of the layout is much more attractive than a landscape that is comprised of a single row of plants, all the way across.

Think About Bloom Time

One of the biggest mistakes that people make with landscaping is that they fail to think about bloom time. When this happens, the landscape will go through periods where there is absolutely nothing colorful or appealing about it. Ideally, you want to have a variety of bloom times incorporated into your design so that there is almost always something attractive about the layout.

Blooming plants also need to be well-coordinated in terms of where they’re placed. For instance, you don’t want to have all of your spring-blooming plants together in one big bunch because it will create an unattractive gap in your landscape when there’s nothing in bloom. Have your blooming plants well spaced around your property. There should be a strategy incorporated into your design.

Pay Attention to the Surrounding Area

Another important factor in designing a landscape is paying attention to what’s nearby. If you plant a landscape that looks similar (or even identical) to a neighbor’s, it’s going to lose a tremendous amount of appeal. There are so many options to choose from!

Remember: Color Doesn’t Just Come From Planting Flowers

There’s no doubt that planting flowers will provide your property with color. But they aren’t your only option! Various plant materials also have colorful leaves, bark, and fruit that can brighten up your landscape.

This can be particularly helpful in the winter months when flowers won’t be in bloom. You can still incorporate color into your winter landscape with plants that have colorful winter berries (like hollies) or interesting bark (like River Birch Trees). These colorful features look particularly appealing when they “pop” against a fresh blanket of white snow.

Understand that Beautiful Landscaping is an Art and a Science

Is this all sounding like it’s a bit more complicated than you thought it’d be? There’s no question that there is a lot more to landscaping than just planting flowers or trees. There is a tremendous amount of planning involved as well as quite a bit of artistic talent needed. You have to have a good eye for design and be able to visualize what plant material will look best in what area of a landscape in order to put together a stunning design.

By handing the work and the worries over to a true professional who can put together a fantastic landscape design, all you’ll have left to do is enjoy your landscape.

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Source: https://www.kingstownelawn.com/blog/the-best-pro-landscaping-planting-ideas-secrets-for-color-that-wows

Happy 4th of July!!!

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 12:20:39 GMT

To all military members, thank you for your service.

Great Landscaping Rocks Ideas

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 19:37:14 GMT

Why use landscaping rocks? They come in many shapes and sizes and can add a special touch to your yard. You can use them in creative combinations or just stick to a classic look. Whether you got plenty of space or just a tiny bit of greenery, you can integrate them into your garden design without any hassle. Explore with us now landscaping rocks ideas and the different types of rock you can use.

If you want to add a unique touch to your outdoor space, stones can be a great addition to your landscape makeover. You can use them for a variety of purposes such as decorating a fountain, creating a path, or covering a wall. The possibilities are endless!

Rocks are versatile and provide texture and contrast to a yard without future maintenance or repeated expense. But there are so many types of rocks that your design options are almost infinite. Trouble is, infinite = super overwhelming.

Choosing the Right Landscaping Rocks

Landscaping rocks set the tone for your yard or garden so it’s very important to choose the right ones for you.

Here are so other tips to keep in mind:

Do you want to add warmth to your garden? Use river rocks or beach pebbles.
Want to brighten up the shady portion of your yard? Try using lighter stone.
Terracotta stones work well in certain landscape, but may not blend well with a formal spaces.
Black stone can complement a modern landscape.

River rocks are small rocks that have been smoothed down and had all their sharp edges worn away by water running over them constantly. These rocks are great for any features you have in your yard or can be used instead of mulch. Unlike mulch, these rocks don’t break down over time, so you won't need to replace them anytime soon.

Flagstones

You know those very nice walkways or paths made of stone? Those are generally made out of flagstone.

This type of rock is smooth and usually square or rectangular and lends itself nicely to being something of more permanence.

If you have lots of shrubs, bushes, or other greenery, a paver path can be an inspired addition to your space.

The contrast between living and nonliving creates a strong appeal that can’t be achieved by rock or plant alone.

Rock Waterfall

Creating a rock waterfall in your backyard is one of the best landscaping rock designs around.

With waterfall similar to the one in the picture below, you’ll rave to all your friends about how tranquil and serene your outdoor space has become. Or you’ll just enjoy the tranquility in silence–depends really on your character.

Beautiful Landscape with Slope

Part of the American dream is to have a home with a comfortable garden and backyard. If you have plenty of space, consider adding a slope to your green space: it will make your yard all the more pleasant.

Source: https://plantedwell.com/landscaping-rocks/

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920.462.7041

Layer on the Backyard Amenities

7062721248 — Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:43:47 GMT

Fountains, fireplaces, and fire pits enhance the beauty and usefulness of your outdoor spaces.

Fountains add the soothing sound of trickling water and can serve as the focal point of an outdoor space.

Fireplaces make a natural focal point and can help define space and provide privacy for an outdoor space. They're also a starting point for an outdoor kitchen.

Fire pits, whether built-in or moveable, also serve to draw people together and can extend the usefulness of an outdoor space into cooler weather.

Finally, accessorize your outdoor spaces with garden statuary, weatherproof art (such as plates, garden plaques, or decorative wrought iron), and pillows covered in weatherproof fabrics. These touches will turn an ordinary patio or deck into a welcoming, personal space for outdoor living.

Source: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/porch/outdoor-rooms/create-a-backyard-getaway/

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Landscaping Ideas For A Low-Maintenance Yard

7062721248 — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 22:36:07 GMT

Create outdoor living spaces

More outdoor space means more chances to entertain in warm weather — and less work for you. Creating outdoor living spaces lends itself to low-maintenance landscaping because you can extend your home while having fewer grassy areas to care for -- stone patios, grilling areas, dining table, and separate fire pit area are just some ideas for low-maintenance options.

Invest in mulch beds

Around your outdoor living space, add beds of mulch instead of grass. "It's one of the best investments you can have in your yard because mulch breaks down, fertilizes your plants, and prevents weeds," says Chris. "It's low-maintenance because you don't have to mow it or water it. It's also inexpensive and you only have to replace it in the spring." An added perk: Mulch also provides a pleasant aroma for your yard.

Plant lavender

For a relaxing aroma and burst of color, plant lavender. "Lavender will come back year after year, and it only needs to be watered once or twice a week -- planting lavender near a patio is also a great idea because the scent is a bug repellent.

Fill the yard with perennials

For low-maintenance plants, opt for perennials -- you buy them once, and they come back year after year.

Source: https://www.countryliving.com

Lush Landscaping Ideas for a Hilly Backyard

7062721248 — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:44:28 GMT

Hillside properties can be particularly beautiful, highlighting a home’s architecture and creating great vistas. They can also, however, present a landscaping challenge. Maintenance can be difficult, and the potential for soil erosion is forever lurking. Here are some solid ideas for landscaping a sloping, or even a downright hilly, backyard.

Break Out in Tiers

Creating several tiers on a sloped property can help manage erosion and give you the opportunity to layer different plants and landscaping elements for a cohesive design.

Build Some Stairs

If you choose to let vegetation cover your sloping property in glorious abandon, impose a little order by building a set of stairs leading up to flatter ground. Whether you opt for a wooden staircase or concrete steps, this garden feature will blend into the landscape far better if it’s surrounded by plantings on either side.

Erect a Retaining Wall

You can make a sloping property more functional by cutting away a portion of a hill and installing a retaining wall to hold back the soil. This is a great opportunity to create a dedicated planting area behind and along the retaining wall, while reclaiming a portion of your yard for an expanse of grass on level ground.

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/10-lush-landscaping-ideas-for-a-hilly-backyard-52257#hillside-waterfall

Keeping It Low Maintenance

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 21:34:56 GMT

“I am still seeing a request for low-maintenance design -- we believe that’s a “trend” that will never go away! When I suggest introducing color through foliage and then strategically layering in lower maintenance flowering plants,” she gets an enthusiastic “yes!”

We at the Luxury Landscape Company, LLC agree that focusing on foliage is the way to go, stressing that “a garden carefully planted with shrubs that have colorful foliage provides a more permanent garden and lower maintenance.”

Here are some shrubs that provide interest all season and some of our favorite low-maintenance plants:

BOXWOOD

Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Sun or shade
Mature size: 24-48 inches
Foliage color: Green

Why we love it: Boxwoods are probably the best evergreens for shaping and pruning, which is why they are often the gardener’s choice for creating formal hedges, borders, and even topiaries.

Where to plant it: A great shrub for partly shady gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. To prevent winter leaf burn, plant in a sheltered area protected from harsh winter winds.

When to prune: Pruning is seldom needed, but you may trim in summer.

GOLDEN EUONYMUS

Zones: 6-9
Exposure: Partial to full sun
Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide
Foliage color: Yellow and green

Why we love it: Bright, bold, variegated leaves provide color throughout the year, making this quite a colorful choice. Plus, it is very low maintenance and easy to grow.

Where to plant it: This is a multi-functional bush that can be used alone as an accent or in mass plantings and sheared into a dense hedge. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including light shade, full sun, poor soil, and tough conditions.

When to prune: The best time for pruning is in spring, after flowering; but the occasional branch can be cut away at any time.

COTONEASTER

Zones: 5-8
Exposure: Full sun
Mature size: Up to 1 foot tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet
Foliage color: Dark green; reddish-bronze in fall and winter

Why we love it: 'Coral Beauty' is a popular cotoneaster cultivar that is stunning year-round, especially during fall and winter, when its small, glossy leaves turn a rich bronze red and it bears an abundance of coral red berries. In spring, this showy broadleaf will also reward you with masses of creamy white flowers.

Where to plant it: Use 'Coral Beauty' as an attractive ground cover for sunny areas in the garden, or plant on banks and slopes to help with erosion control. It can also be trained onto an espalier or draped over rocks and retaining walls.

When to prune: Prune as needed to shape and control its spread. The best time to prune is in early spring right after flowering.

WEIGELIA

With many varieties offering both colorful foliage and tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds and bees, weigela may be one of the most hard-working plants in your garden. Whether you need a tall variegated shrub for the back of the border, or a compact dark-leaved variety to frame a pathway, there is sure to be a weigela to suit.

Pruning is easy — and optional. If you feel the need to prune for size or shape, simply do so immediately after flowering so as not to sacrifice the following year’s blooms. Other than that, these garden stalwarts will thrive in full sun and average garden soil, are drought tolerant once established, and are rarely bothered by deer.

Zones: 4-8

Height/Spread: 2 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 5 feet wide

CONEFLOWERS

A staple of the sunny, late summer garden, coneflowers ( Echinacea spp.) bring a blast of bold color to the border, the open blooms being a favorite of butterflies and bees. It is also a great choice for the lazy gardener, as it is better not to cut this back in fall, but rather to leave the seed heads standing as they provide a tasty treat for birds during the colder months.

Drought tolerance and deer resistance are bonus features of this perennial, but emerging shoots may need to be protected from hungry rabbits in spring.

Hardiness and longevity of some of the newer varieties seems to be variable, so seeking the advice of a local nursery professional may be wise.

Zones: 4-9

Height/Spread: 16 inches to 3 feet tall, up to 2 feet wide

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

A garden without black-eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia ) just doesn’t seem complete. Bold, golden-yellow daisies with a chocolate central cone are a cheerful late-season highlight, thriving and blooming both in full sun and partial shade. Drought tolerant, deer resistant, rabbit resistant, and easy care makes these ideal for busy gardeners as well as beginners. Like coneflowers, it is best not to tidy up the seed heads in fall, but to leave them as a food source for birds. If they have one fault, it is that they spread easily by rhizomes, but any extra plants are easily removed and shared with friends.

Zones: 3-9

Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

CATMINT

Aromatic foliage, long-lasting blooms, drought tolerance, and deer resistance --catmint ( Nepeta spp.) is a good choice for gardeners seeking to reduce maintenance without sacrificing beauty or color. Taller varieties benefit from a quick haircut after blooming; but otherwise, just stand back and let it grow, cutting it down to the ground in fall.

Zones: 3-8

Height/Spread: 12 to 36 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide

Source: https://www.gardendesign.com/trends/2020.html

Low-Maintenance Landscaping Ideas for Your Yard and Garden

7062721248 — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 14:05:18 GMT

If you want a beautiful yard without a lot of fuss, here are six low-maintenance landscaping tips that will keep your yard looking great with minimal effort.

Ground Cover
Drought-Tolerant Plants
Low-Maintenance Plants
Hardscaping
Mulch Heavily, Turn Soil Rarely and Plant Densely to Minimize Weeding
Minimize Labor-Intensive Plants

Replace Some of Your Turf With Ground Covers

A lot of folks love their lawns, but frankly a good-looking lawn can require a lot of care. If you replace some of your grass with an appropriate ground cover, you’ll slash your chore time without sacrificing a lovely yard.

Consider replacing the turf in problem spots such as shady, hot or rocky areas with a ground cover that thrives under those conditions.

Use Drought-Tolerant Plants

Watering restrictions are a reality in many areas, and it makes sense to reduce watering chores whenever possible. Choose plants, trees and shrubs that require less water to thrive. There are many beautiful options that will work in a variety of soils and climates.

The key is to carefully match the plant to its site and to water it carefully for the first year or two. Once it establishes a good root system, it will mature with minimal watering.

Select Carefree Shrubs and Trees

Plant shrubs and trees that won't require a lot of your attention as they grow. There are many new plants specifically bred for their smaller stature as well as disease and pest resistance. Dwarf conifers, smaller shrubs and yard trees that reach 10 to 15 feet at maturity mean reduced pruning chores and less chance that you’ll need to remove them when they outgrow their sites or become diseased.

A dwarf globe spruce, upright juniper, barberry and smaller blooming ninebark (choose “Summer Wine” or “Little Devil”) play nicely together each year with minimal pruning.

Hardscape

Patios, walkways, courtyards and other hardscape elements add a bit of magic to any yard and reduce landscaping chores. Choose materials and designs that allow rainwater to permeate the soil to irrigate plantings, minimize erosion and prevent runoff. These include stone and permeable pavers.

Mulch Heavily, Turn Soil Rarely and Plant Densely to Minimize Weeding

Keep weeding chores to a minimum by mulching heavily with compost and shredded bark. Plant things close together to shade out weeds, and avoid turning the soil, which exposes dormant weed seeds to sunlight. Instead, let the earthworms from your compost do the cultivating for you.

Minimize Labor-Intensive Plantings

People love roses, but most require a lot of water, fertilizer and pesticides to look their best. That’s not to say you should give up everything you love, but choose your plantings carefully. If the majority of your landscape is relatively carefree, you’ll have more time to keep your finicky plants looking their best.

Source: https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/low-maintenance-landscaping-ideas/#ground-cover

Eco-Friendly Landscaping: Garden Ponds

7062721248 — Fri, 12 Jun 2020 17:17:13 GMT

Garden ponds are not a new idea but seem to be gaining traction in recent years. Mother nature has been hard at work for millennia making lush lagoons and flourishing ponds her best-kept secret. Small pockets of magical biodiversity and sustainable ecosystems are tucked away in forest corners outside cities, but we’d love the opportunity to bring these landscapes to your backyard landscape, side yard landscape, or front yard–depending on how jealous you want to make your neighbors! It is also worth mentioning the increased property value you bring to your homestead -- this sustainable landscaping carries an average 15-20% bump in real estate value, we bring the green to your yard and your pocket with this eco-friendly landscaping!

Call us today to have our talented team of landscapers and skilled laborers work with you to make you the talk of the town or that neighbor who comes over a bit more often to borrow some sugar and gaze at your urban paradise!

Source: https://greenscapegeeks.com/

Techny Arborvitae

7062721248 — Thu, 11 Jun 2020 19:53:21 GMT

Techny Arborvitae, also known as Mission Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis ‘Techny'

This by far my favorite Arborvitae! It has a beautiful dark green color, it grows very dense, it’s a medium fast grower and makes an excellent evergreen hedge. Unlike many Arborvitae, Techny can grow as wide as four to six feet wide. So planted about 48″ apart they make a nice dense evergreen hedge that will provide privacy and make a nice windbreak. You can plant them as far apart as six or ten feet and still get a great hedge, just not as dense for the first few years.

They like just about any soil condition but in sandy soil you should water them during times of drought just to protect your investment in these beautiful plants. They don’t really have disease problems and the only serious insect problem is bag worms, and I’m going to do an article about how to best control bag worms.

They grow about 12″ to 24″ inches per year and can get 15 to 20 feet tall. Unlike some other arborvitae they have a good root system so it’s unlikely that the wind will uproot them. This plant will happily grow in zones 3 through 7 and they are popular and thriving way up in northern Michigan. This plant was first discovered in Techny, Illinois, thus its name. The common name is Mission Arborvitae, but it seems more people know them by the botanical name.

Call us today for your privacy hedge or interest in Techny arborvitae -- they're becoming increasingly popular in WI for their hardiness through WI winters -- call us today -- available while supplies last!!

Source: https://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/08/techny-arborvitae/

Some of the Best Outdoor Living Space Additions You Can Make

7062721248 — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 21:19:53 GMT

Patios: Patios are an essential focal point for your outdoor living space and for people to congregate. Creative patios that incorporate multiple levels, fire pits, and even multiple materials for aesthetic appeal can make your yard the place everyone wants to be.
Outdoor Kitchens: In 2020, we are going beyond the standalone grill. Outdoor kitchens can be a built, permanent solution, that withstands the elements and brings a luxury look to your property. From sinks, countertops, storage, and more, there are so many options.
Pergolas: Pergolas were a huge hit in 2019 and their popularity is continuing to increase. They provide a highlighted space to be in your yard, shade, and a beautiful structure for hanging vines and plants. Pergolas also bring personality to your outdoor living space.
Lighting: Outdoor lighting has been around for a while, but as people start enjoying and upgrading their yards more, outdoor lighting has become more important to highlight key features in your landscape. Outdoor lighting that changes colors for fun events and adds elegance have become increasingly popular. With multiple options to choose from, your lighting should be simple to use and energy-efficient. Benefits include making your property safer and allowing you to enjoy the outdoors during the evening hours. Your outdoor living space is meant to feel like a vacation, so enjoy it at night too!

Source: https://2020-landscaping-trends-to-help-you-upgrade-your-outdoor-space/

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462.7041

TYPES OF LANDSCAPING FEATURES

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 16:38:26 GMT

There are many different types of landscaping features. You aren’t obligated to include any of these in your back or front yard, but these are some of the more common choices in landscaping.

GROWING BEDS
Grow beds are a staple of the landscape gardening world. They’re a great way to spruce up your home while also doing some organic gardening. We can make these however you want, so let's get creative.

LANDSCAPING WALKWAYS

Walkways are also really popular in landscaping. Nothing makes your garden classier than an intricate path weaving around your house and flowerbeds. These walkways can be made out of wood, paved cement, concrete, gravel, decorative stone… Take your pick!

WATER FEATURES

Also in the upper tier of landscaping features, water features add a certain amount of decorum to your front or back yard. They make a great place to install something small such as a birdbath, or a larger feature to sit around with your friends and chat the night away!

FLOWERING TREES
A bit more traditional and rustic, flowering trees are an essential part of your landscape gardening adventure if you want to have a naturalistic garden. The trees that flower in spring include, but are not limited to star magnolia, weeping cherry, and dogwood trees, among many others.

Source: https://plantedwell.com

Call Us Today To Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462.7041

One of Our Favorites!

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:59:11 GMT

HYDRANGEAS - HOW TO GROW & CARE FOR HYDRANGEA FLOWERS

HYDRANGEA OVERVIEW

Zones: Hydrangea varieties suitable for zones 3-9.

Height/Spread: Mature size differs depending on the variety. Some are as small as 3-feet tall and wide, while others can reach 15-feet tall and 12-feet wide.

Sun or shade? Most hydrangea plants bloom best in part shade, but some will tolerate full shade or full sun. The amount of sun they can handle depends on your location—in areas further north they can take more sun, while further south they prefer just a few hours of morning sunlight.

Bloom time: Hydrangeas usually bloom in summer, with some blooming earlier in the season and some later (and if you’re lucky, possibly even into fall).

Flower color: Most bloom in shades of blue, purple or pink, but there are also white, green, and even some red varieties. Many will open one color and then change colors as they age. Additionally, some hydrangea flower colors (mainly on bigleaf or mountain varieties) can be manipulated to be more blue, pink or purple depending on soil composition and soil pH levels.

PLANTING HYDRANGEAS

How to Plant Hydrangeas:

Growing hydrangeas successfully starts with the planting process. It's all about timing, location and healthy soil.

When to plant hydrangeas:

Container-purchased plants should be planted in spring or fall. Make sure there is no threat of frost when planting.

Where to plant hydrangeas:

The best location is one that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. If you live further north, they will tolerate more sun (possibly full sun all day).
Consider mature size, give it plenty of room to grow.
Choose an area with excellent drainage. Amend the soil with compost if necessary.
Don't plant beneath a tree—the root competition and lack of sunlight will prevent them from thriving.
Avoid planting in exposed areas where gusty winds could snap stems.

How to plant hydrangeas:

Get your plant off to a healthy start by amending your soil with up to 15% organic matter and an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer (use half of what is recommended).
Plant slightly higher than they were in the nursery container.
The planting hole should be 2 to 3 times wider than the root ball to give the roots plenty of room for expansion.
Gently loosen potbound roots before planting.
Backfill with the amended soil and water well.
If planting a grouping, space at least 3 feet apart (more, if planting larger varieties).

Planting hydrangeas in pots:

Use a bagged potting mix rather than garden soil.
Mix in a slow-release fertilizer.
Leave 1 to 2 inches between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot for watering.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes and has room for the plant to grow.

HYDRANGEA CARE & PRUNING

If you wait until spring to prune your mophead hydrangeas ( H. macrophylla ), be careful not to remove the new buds that are forming.

Pruning hydrangeas:
Many don’t need major pruning; most need just enough to keep them tidy by removing old flowers and dead stems, improve the shrub’s structure or shape, or to open it up to let sun and air in.

How and when to prune depends on the type you are growing. You’ll need to determine whether your plant blooms on old wood, new wood, or both before proceeding to prune.

Soil:
All like well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Soil composition can affect the flower color of H. macrophylla and H. serrata ; other varieties can tolerate a range of soil alkalinity.

Amendments:
Mulch with organic material annually or add a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer with thorough watering before and after application.

Watering hydrangeas:
They like to be kept moist, and don’t let them dry out. Container plants may need daily watering. Add mulch to help keep soil moist.

Diseases and pests:
Generally not affected by serious disease or insect problems, however, many species may be susceptible to some bud blight, bacterial wilt, leaf spot, or mildew. Keep an eye out for aphids and mites, and treat as needed.

Why is my hydrangea not blooming?

This is more common with types that bloom on old wood (last year’s growth). Three common reasons are:

You may have pruned at the wrong time and inadvertently removed the stems that would have produced flowers.
The flower buds may have been damaged by a hard frost—cover plants during cold snaps if this may be any issue.
It could be caused by too much shade or over-fertilizing.

Source: https://www.gardendesign.com

Top Landscape Design Trends for 2020

7062721248 — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 16:14:30 GMT

A Midwest winter can make spring feel like a lifetime away, but that's all the more reason to think ahead. To turn your backyard into a trendy personal oasis (and get yourself in a warm-weather mindset), here's what you'll see in lawn and landscape design this year, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

Ornate, Geometric Hardscaping

Popular interior decor patterns like waves, lattice, chevron and basket weave are making their way into hardscaping. Incorporate these designs into your walkway, patio, retaining walls and/or fire features.

Contemporary and Transitional Landscape Design

There’s no generational divide when it comes to what gardeners want in their landscapes: modern, sleek and simple. Function is just as important as flair," as more homeowners are selecting elements that can survive a range of temperatures, such as native plants and protective structures,” the association says.

Bountiful Shades of Blue

From cobalt to navy, rich blue is making waves in outdoor spaces this year. The NALP recommends adding these tones through a sculpture or water feature, or naturally incorporate them in your garden with plants such as delphiniums and hydrangeas.

Source: https://www.midwestliving.com/

Call us today to schedule your free landscape design consultation! 920.462.7041

Best Yard On The Block

7062721248 — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 20:54:12 GMT

Landscape design trends may shift more slowly than others, but they still change over time, especially as interior trends and general lifestyle preferences move in a particular direction. Fortunately, keeping up with landscaping trends for your next backyard update or your big patio project doesn't have to be difficult. Call us today to schedule your free consultation and leave the heavy lifting to us!

Source: https:// www.realsimple.com

Uplighting

7062721248 — Mon, 01 Jun 2020 16:10:55 GMT

Once night has fallen, what good is an outdoor living space without light? Outdoor lighting is all about ambiance, and homeowners are increasingly illuminating their landscapes in subtle ways with cost-effective LED and solar-powered options. From planters with built-in lighting on the patio to low-profile pathway lights that hug the edges of the walkway, outdoor spaces now transition seamlessly from day to night with lighting that enhances without overwhelming or detracting from the design of the space.

Call us today to get the most out of your existing or soon-to-be renovated landscape! 920.462.7041

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/

Landscaping Ideas for 2020

Thu, 21 May 2020 18:00:04 GMT

If there’s anything to take away from what’s transpired thus far in the Spring of 2020, it’s that most of us will be spending a lot more time at home than we anticipated a few months ago.

While this Spring–and in all likelihood, Summer and Fall–won’t be anywhere near normal by any traditional standard, many of us can at least find some solace and a comforting distraction from current events by improving and upgrading our home space.

Warm, sunny days are ahead, and while some of the best ways to recreate outdoors are currently prohibited, we can still have fun at home in our backyards. A great way for adults to have fun outside and at home is through landscaping.

There’s no better time than now to indulge in some landscaping projects–while at the same time doing your part as a responsible citizen by staying home! Here are a few landscaping ideas for Spring 2020.

Build a Patio

Patio floor types range from stone to bricks, loose pebbles, and even concrete slabs. Wicker, wooden and iron-wrought seating and tables can offer comfort while standing the test of time in outdoor weather conditions. A patio canopy can protect against rain, snow and other elements.

Fire pits are excellent additions to an outdoor patio, providing heat in the winter months and adding atmosphere year-round.

Add Trees and Shrubs

A good yard needs a tree or two, or for those not willing to wait years for a full-grown tree, a few shrubs can be a great alternative. Trees and shrubs will add depth and character to your yard, provide shade, and can even provide privacy if positioned right.

Retaining Wall

A retaining wall is meant to hold land in place, and can either be a necessity or a luxury depending on the layout of your yard. Retaining walls help prevent erosion, divert rainwater, and can provide additional flat areas.

If your yard is particularly hilly, a retaining wall is a great way to add flat areas and depth to your yard.

Build a Water Features

Water features add a distinct, classy look to your yard, and can really tie a yard together. Water features come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials and can act as great focal point for your yard.

Source: https://www.castlerockco.com/

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Landscaping Consultation! 920.462.7041

Landscaping Ideas for an Ourdoor Space

7062721248 — Tue, 19 May 2020 18:36:54 GMT

Thoughtful landscape design is the key to creating an outdoor oasis, whether you have a tiny courtyard in an urban area or a sprawling estate in the country. To help you transform your own patios, yards, gardens, and more, we rounded up some landscaping ideas that truly make the most of their natural surroundings. So without further ado, allow these outdoor beauties to pave the way to better landscape design.

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After:

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Landscape Lighting

7062721248 — Wed, 13 May 2020 18:44:16 GMT

Traditionally, landscapes have been most enjoyed during daylight hours. It makes sense—it’s tricky to garden or enjoy your plants in the dark! But gardens aren’t just for gardening anymore! Now, we treat our landscapes like an outdoor living area—a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy with loved ones and good company. The biggest reason for this transition? Outdoor lighting!

A good landscape lighting scheme can help you make the most of your garden space and allow you to enjoy it at any time of day or night. Use the lights to strategically cast a focus on outdoor living areas and emphasize your favorite plants. This modern trend is also incredibly functional, making your pathways and outdoor living areas much easier and safer to navigate. An illuminated property will impress your guests and make backyard BBQs, dinner parties, and campfire nights much more enjoyable.

Source: https://greenstreetgardens.com

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920.462.7041

EASY LANDSCAPING IDEAS TO CREATE THE OUTDOOR SPACE OF YOUR DREAMS

7062721248 — Wed, 06 May 2020 19:55:38 GMT

You spend enough time crafting the perfect interior that reflects your design aesthetic, but what about your home’s exterior? It’s just as worthy of your attention. There’s nothing like enjoying warm weather in an inviting outdoor space that’s full of lush greenery. But if landscaping doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t fret. It’s still possible to get the job done with assistance from a professional crew! Let us do the work for you and enjoy the fruits of our labor!

THINK ABOUT THE LONG RUN

More outdoor space means more chances to entertain in warm weather—and less work for you. Creating outdoor living spaces lends itself to low-maintenance landscaping because you can extend your home while having fewer grassy areas to care for. Consider a patio with a grilling area, dining table, and separate fire pit area. Similarly, a deck is an equally low-maintenance option.

GO FOR MULCH

Around your outdoor living space, add beds of mulch instead of grass. It's one of the best investments you can have in your yard because mulch breaks down, fertilizes your plants, and prevents weeds. It's low-maintenance because you don't have to mow or water it. It's also inexpensive and you only have to replace it in the spring.

CHOOSE YOUR FLOWERS STRATEGICALLY

Add vibrant color to your yard without sweating in the garden. It's always nice to have color, so try to have plants that flower all season -- when something's always blooming in the yard, there's a sense of added life. Black-eyed susans are a good summer choice because they bloom throughout the season.

Source: https://www.elledecor.com/

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920-462-7041

Lighten Up Your Yard

7062721248 — Fri, 01 May 2020 13:46:58 GMT

Colorful Spring Flowers and Landscaping Ideas

Spring flowers are the best yard decorations. Colorful yard landscaping ideas is one of the most cost-effective ways to raise home values and add charming accents to outdoor living spaces in spring. With a minimal amount of effort, you can transform your yard landscaping with spring flowers and give a natural facelift to the outdoors.

Spring flowers can change the appearance of outdoor areas and surrounding yard landscaping, add colorful focal points to flower beds and beautify garden designs. Whether you keep yard landscaping simple with a small bed of bright spring flowers or plant a garden full of color, spring flowers give the spectacular look to yard landscaping .

Source: https://www.lushome.com/colorful-spring-flowers-yard-landscaping-ideas/152520

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920.462.7041

Spring Mulching

7062721248 — Tue, 28 Apr 2020 14:19:22 GMT

Put your sweaters and blankets away and dig deep into your drawer to find your landscaping clothes. It is time to feel the warm sunshine and get your hands dirty.

It's that time of year again -- time to mulch or let us do the work for you (with freshly installed natural edging)!

To apply mulch yourself, spread a 3-4-inch layer of fresh mulch over all beds to help reduce the amount of weeds that will pop up. Hand pull or carefully spray a glyphosate product such as Roundup on any weeds that have emerged after mulching.

If you would like to use a natural non-selective weed control, then try using a vinegar or citrus oil based product. Be very careful not to spray any desirable plants though.

Call us today for your free estimate! 920.462.7041

Grow Blooms

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 13:37:54 GMT

If you ask anyone what the easiest way to transform the look of your home landscape is, they’ll definitely tell you: blooms. Blossoming flowers, shrubs, and trees make an incredible impact across a yard, and you can add color in just one lasting step. For major impact, we recommend quickfire hydrangea (tree or shrub form), which we think is one of spring's showiest shrubs. Flower clusters festoon in late spring/early summer and it’s a thrill to behold. The plant gets big and remains hardy for all of WI weather patterns!!

Call us to day to schedule your free consultation or talk with one of our experts! 920.462.7041

Landscaping Your Property During Spring

7062721248 — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 15:11:30 GMT

Since the springtime is seen as a time of rebirth and regrowth there are some additional tips that gardeners can employ to ensure that they maintain a safe and nurturing environment throughout their gardens.

Due to the harsh, cold, conditions of winter debris inevitably accumulates in grass and on lawns. Since lawns require no more than ½ an inch of buildup gardeners should rake away any excess debris from their grass or lawns. This also helps to control thatch on the lawn and offers an opportunity to look for matted areas. Raking will also allow the lawn a chance to breathe again.

Apart from some lawns having excess debris some can be found to have a lot of patches and bare areas. Overseeding is one method gardeners can utilize and refers to the applications of seeds to fill bare or patchy spaces in lawns . Although this alternative is generally recommended for the fall season it can be done in the spring if absolutely necessary.

If you have a sprinkler system the springtime would be the ideal time to inspect it for any damages and if any to perform repairs. However if all is well and no issues are detected this would also be the perfect time to have your system reactivated.

The spring is also a good time to apply some pre-emergent weed control to plants. This serves to significantly control weeds in gardens as well as to act as a barrier against future weed seedlings. Gardeners should always keep in mind that this should be done before applying any organic fertilizers and to ensure effective weed control applications should be done on a continued basis in and through the summer.

Mulching is another effective system that gardeners ought to practice during spring as it offers several benefits to existing or emerging flowers, plants and trees in gardens. Placing mulch in flowerbeds and around plants and trees helps them retain moisture during the early spring months. It also helps to reduce the temperature of plant roots and insulates them in event of an unexpected freeze during the spring.

It is only natural that all gardeners, landscapers and farmers alike all want their gardens or crops to thrive and be protected so by utilizing a network of useful informative and effective tips available online or by hiring professional services those goals can ultimately be achieved.

Call us today for more information or to schedule your free consultation! 920.462.7041

Source: http://dklandscaping.com/landscape-maintenance/spring-landscaping-ideas-for-the-perfect-garden/

Landscaping Ideas That Will Transform Your Yard

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:06:48 GMT

Check out these tips to add color, texture, functionality, and points of interest to your yard

These landscaping ideas can add interest to your yard and boost your curb appeal. Use these tips to create a timeless landscape that is easy to maintain and great to look at:

Create Curved Lines
Landscapers often add edging around flower gardens, the house foundation, and sometimes sidewalks and driveways. Installing the edging in curves rather than perfectly straight lines adds appeal and character. The edging may also be permanent, so it enhances the landscape all year long and it's an easy way to go from boring to beautiful.

Combine a Variety of Plants
Choose a diverse range of plants that bloom at different times so ornamental leaves will be visible all season long. If all the flowers bloom at the same time, they'll look attractive during that time frame but will lack color the rest of the year.

Illuminate Focal Points and Walkways

Attractive landscaping deserves to be seen after hours, which is where landscape lights come into play. The lights play many roles, from adding to the home's attractiveness to illuminating steps and sidewalks for safety to showcasing points of interest in the landscape. Placing lights alongside paths and walkways is one of their most common uses, although that doesn't mean they have to be set in straight lines at prescribed intervals. They can be placed on alternate sides of a sidewalk to break up a line.

Add Outdoor Seating
Installing a patio or bench near the edge of your lawn, away from the house, provides an outdoor escape. Concrete will do, or you can use stones or pavers. Building it near trees or tall flowers gives the area some privacy, while chairs or benches let you sit or lie down to read or nap.

Make a Natural Water Feature
A water feature—even a small, self-contained unit that stands alone on a patio—should look like it belongs in its surroundings. They may be made from natural stone and a good rule is to use no more than three elements in one area, or the area can get too busy.

Connect Points of Interest with a Walkway

Instead of trampling down the lawn and making a makeshift path of dead grass between your patio, fire pit, and garden, create an attractive walkway using concrete stepping stones, natural flagstone or decorative brick.

Construct a pathway, walkway, or any other landscaping feature from material that's the same or similar to what's used on the exterior of the house, such as a brick or stone, because it will tie the path aesthetically to the home. Or use the material to provide a striking edging along the walkway.

Source: https://www.popularmechanics.com/

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation! 920.462.7041

Love Your Landscape

7062721248 — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 16:01:43 GMT

A SEASONAL GUIDE: SPRING LAWN AND LANDSCAPE CARE

For many of us, spring ushers in long-awaited warm temperatures, perfect for outdoor enjoyment. Below is a checklist to help you get your yard in shape for the season ahead.

Fertilize your lawn. The decision about whether or not to fertilize should be based on the nutrition requirements needed by your soil conditions. Below are a few tips on fertilizing your lawn:
- Determine your soil nutrient needs through testing . If your soil does need nutrients, make sure you choose a fertilizer that matches those needs.
- Make sure you fertilize at the optimum time of the year for your variety of grass. Contrary to popular belief, not all grasses should be fertilized in spring. A few cool-season grass varieties do better when fertilized in fall. June is also a good time to fertilize many cool-season grasses.
- In general, it is best to choose a slow-release or controlled-release fertilizer to reduce possible losses to the environment and increase nutrient absorption. In certain situations, it may help to use organic materials which can improve the health of your soil.
- It's important to read the label on the fertilizer bag and to know the exact size of your lawn. Using too much fertilizer can harm your lawn and cost you more than you planned. Conversely, using too little fertilizer won't yield the results anticipated. Several university studies show that under-fertilized turf can lead to a thin turf stand resulting in soil erosion and unwanted soil runoff. Alwaysfollow the label instructions.
- Before fertilizing your lawn or plants, always check with the local agricultural extension office. Some state and local governments place limits on when, what kind, and what amount of fertilizer you can apply. Professional, licensed lawn care companies must follow state, local, and federal regulations.
Fertilize trees and Shrubs, too. Most plants, trees, and shrubs will benefit from proper fertilization with a slow-release product just before mulch is applied.
Control Weeds. Spring is a good time to apply pre-emergent weed control for weeds such as crabgrass. One hint on timing is that when forsythia is in full bloom, it’s usually the perfect time to apply crabgrass weed preventer.
Make planting beds neat and tidy. Rake the old leaves and debris from plant beds and create neat, natural edges around the beds using an edging tool.
Add an inch-thick layer of fresh mulch in plant beds and around trees. Don't let the mulch touch tree trunks and never let the mulch accumulate to more than a 3-inch depth. Mulch not only makes planting areas look neat, but also helps to retain moisture in the soil, keeps roots cool in the summer, and insulates them in the winter. As mulch decomposes, it adds organic matter to the soil.
Inspect your irrigation system. Once the weather has warmed up for the year, turn on your irrigation system and inspect it to see if it is in working condition.

Source: https://www.loveyourlandscape.org/

Call us Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation and Let Us Do the Work for You! 920.462.7041

5 Best Low-Maintenance Plants That Should Be in Your Landscape

7062721248 — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 17:18:30 GMT

Looking for Low-Maintenance Plants?

If you are looking for low-maintenance plants for your landscape but want them to be beautiful and easy to care for, look no further. These five great landscape plants will fit the bill. They look great and will require only a minimal amount of maintenance. Better yet, they offer a wide range of color, shape, height, and sun tolerance, so something here will fit into your landscape.

Top 5 Low-Maintenance Plants

Daylily
Hosta
Spirea
Ornamental Grass
Rudbeckia

Daylily

The daylily is one of the easiest plants you can own. It will look neat and clean all season long, and the blooms will cover the plant in early-to-mid summer. There are several re-blooming varieties that can offer a smaller bloom well into the fall.

The daylily will get a little bigger each year and eventually can be split, but this takes a while. The only maintenance is a once per year clearing away of the prior year's dead growth. The plants can be sheared to the ground in late fall or simply pulled out by hand in the spring. For a reliable bloom and re-bloom on a compact and neat plant, try Stella de Oro.

Planting these beauties next to tulips or daffodils is also a great idea, since the daylillies will take over just when the others are dieing down.

Hosta

The hosta is the king of the shade. If you have a place in your landscape that is shady and you can't get much else to grow, this is your plant of choice. There are literally hundreds of varieties of hosta with leaves from light green to blue, and all sorts of variegated leaves as well.

The hosta is a terrific low maintenance plant that requires no care all year long. Care is very similar to the daylily. After the season is done, all you need to do is remove the dead branches after a hard frost and you're ready for next year. Or, you can wait until spring and remove the dead remnants then.

Spirea

If you are looking for only one shrub in your landscape, spirea should be your choice. This low-maintenance shrub is beautiful all season long.

Spireas come in sizes from compact 2-3-feet high plants all the way up to very large shrubs. What makes them so interesting is that they flower brilliantly during the summer and most have excellent fall color as a finishing touch.

The maintenance on spirea is very easy. They can be pruned any time of year except when they are in bloom but they don't care how you prune them. You can simply take a hedge clipper and prune them in fall or spring to retain their shape. A few minutes for this annual haircut and you are done and ready for the next year. Popular varieties that will stay rather compact include Little Princess and Gold Mound.

Ornamental Grass

Ornamental grasses are a great addition to any landscape and will provide a different look from the usual trees, shrubs, and perennials. Many ornamental grasses are very neat and others are very explosive in the landscape.

Grass can be used as a boundary plant or as a focal point. In the summer and into winter, you will be treated with the soft plumes floating in the slightest breeze. The best part about ornamental grass is that the maintenance is very low. Just make sure you get a variety that doesn't seed itself and expands at a slow pace each year, and you will be fine.

Your annual job for grasses is to simply cut them to the ground each spring before they start to grow. For a medium-sized grass, consider Flame Grass. For something a bit taller, take a look at Karl Forester.

Rudbeckia

Rudbeckia, or Black-Eyed Susans, take over the landscape when other flowers are done for the summer. They will bloom in abundance from summer through fall and their bright yellow color is noticeable from quite a distance.

Black-Eyed Susan will keep coming back strong year after year with no maintenance at all, but a quick cleaning of the dead plants each spring will clean up their spot and only takes a few minutes. If you don't have a lot of fall color in your landscape and you want an easy to care for plant, Rudbeckia is a must. The most popular variety is Goldsturm, but Fulgida is also an excellent choice.

No-Maintenance Plants

What if you are looking for truly no-maintenance plants? Well, about the only plant that truly requires no maintenance is an evergreen of some kind, but the ones we've discussed here are very close. The problem with a plant that requires zero maintenance is that it tends to not offer as much beauty in the landscape.

Stick with low maintenance. For the small amount of effort that you have to put into the garden, the reward is well worth it.

What Are You Waiting for?

Well, there you have it. You can add plenty of beautiful landscape plants to your yard without a lot of work. These five low-maintenance plants will beautify your yard without turning you into a full-time gardener.

Source: https://dengarden.com

Call us today to schedule your free consultation! 920.462.7041

May is for Mulching

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:59:55 GMT

Decorate and protect your beds soon, before the heat of summer sets in

Mulch is one of the easiest ways to add both color and texture to the entire yard. Next to a green lawn, chocolate colored mulch is a great contrast.

If a dark colored isn't your preference, there's a a multitude of mulch colors that can spice up your landscape. Red, black, gold, cedar-toned — you choose.

Call us today for your free mulch installation estimate! 920-462-7041

Perfect Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 16:01:54 GMT

With spring officially here, many people have already started thinking about how they’re going to landscape their front yards. It may not seem very important to some, but everybody knows that a first impression is everything, and people’s first impression of a home is usually the yard. If you’ve ever driven by a home with an extremely run down front yard, you probably passed a bunch of silent judgement in your head and wondered why anyone would ever let their yard get like that. Well, for all the people out there who are trying to avoid becoming the laughing-stock of the neighborhood, coming up with great front yard landscaping ideas is key.

From colorful plants to eye-catching decorations, it’s important that your yard be able to catch people’s attention without being tacky. As with most things, finding balance is key and with the right set up, your yard can easily become your pride and joy. If you’re looking for a little inspiration to help get your yard looking good, give us a call today to schedule you're free consultation and enjoy some inspiring pictures below:

Source: https://housely.com/20-perfect-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-spring/

Call us today 920.462.7041

The Invincible Yard

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:29:58 GMT

Low Maintenance Landscaping to Improve Any Yard This Season

Some people love the backbreaking business of tending to lawn and garden. Then there’s the rest of us—who’d rather relax and let that little piece of heaven largely take care of itself. Ahead, easy ways to make your outdoor space the envy of the neighborhood.

Play Hard
Less lawn equals less work. That’s the best argument for hardscaping—that's the use of pavers, brick, or decorative stone. Whether you opt for a patio or lay garden paths, you’ll have a durable surface that never needs weeding or watering—although you may want to sweep it occasionally. Options abound, from neat grids to a patchwork effect, so a great no-fuss look is just a stone’s throw away.

Once And Done
Perennials are the gift that keeps on giving, season after season, unlike annuals, which you have to plant every year.

It's Easy Being Evergreen
What could be simpler than plants that keep their vivid, verdant color all year long? Put dwarf varieties into flower beds, set shrubs near your house to disguise the foundation, choose tall, columnar types for privacy—there are even creeping varieties for ground cover.

Flower Power
A rose by any other name probably isn’t as easy as the Knock Out®. These set-’em-and-forget-’em flowers are heat-resistant, pretty much prune-free, and “self-cleaning”—you don’t even have to deadhead them. Just use a good organic or chemical granular rose food in early spring, and follow up with foliar feedings (liquid fertilizer applied to the leaves) through the blooming season.

Stay In Your Zone
Remember to pick plants suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone. Anything too tender is destined to failure—and who needs the frustration?

Call Us Today to Design the Yard of Your Dreams!!

Source: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-invincible-yard-17-ideas-for-lazy-landscaping-48750#landscaping-design

Spring is Right Around the Corner!!!

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 17:18:48 GMT

We're so excited here are some early and easy ways to spring up your landscaping!!!

1. Plant trees . It’s an easy idea -- and you’ll love your landscaping more and more as it grows. The key is to choose tree that adds interest to your landscape in the form of color, shape, and texture.

2. Add a Colorful Punch With Mulch . Mulch is one of the easiest ways to add both color and texture to the entire yard.

Chocolate brown, red, black, gold, cedar-toned -- you choose.

3. Add Some Edging . Look along your walkways and garden beds. If your lawn just seems to morph into your shrubbery or threatens to take over your front walk, some unique edging could perk up your yard.

4. Create a Focal Point That's All About You. Your own passions and pleasures are great inspiration to add color and texture to your spring landscape. We can help you design a landscape that will fit your lifestyle perfectly -- weather it be a backyard oasis or simple low-maintenance beauty. We look forward to working with you and turning your dreams into reality!

Call us today to schedule your free design consultation 920-462-7041!

Source: https://www.houselogic.com/

Secrets to Landscape Success

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 15:47:11 GMT

Below are some ideas to spruce up your landscape planning -- call us today to schedule your dream makeover!

Create a knockout yard with these simple strategies:

Create paths

A garden path allows you -- and visitors -- to enjoy your landscaping. It also creates a convenient route for plant maintenance. If your yard is large, plan paths at least 3 feet wide so people can walk together. Allow extra space for plants to spill over the sides, or for a bench.

Throw some curves

Curves, angles and free-form, flowing edges add interest to landscape design. Use curves -- such as paths, fences and edging -- to draw attention to a special place (such as a gazebo) or a special planting.

Mass colors for impact

Cluster several of the same plant variety together for more color clout. If nearby plants will bloom at the same time, make sure the colors will complement or contrast, rather than clash. The many layers of this garden include lilies, feather reedgrass and conifers.

Fall for foliage

Include plants with variegated and colorful foliage to give seasonlong color to your landscape. A burgundy-tinted leaf doesn't fade like a flower blossom; it lingers all season. Some plants, such as ornamental grasses and red-twig dogwood, also provide visual interest even through a long Midwest winter.

Play up contrasts

The eye loves contrasts. Texture, color and shape can all provide contrast in a garden. Here, salvias, azaleas, miniature bearded irises and euonymus shroud retaining walls.

Source: http://www.midwestliving.com

Create Your Paradise

7062721248 — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 18:35:18 GMT

Beautiful Backyards - Be Inspired!

Beautiful backyards create additional living space on your property. Perhaps you’ve added a deck or patio to your backyard for outdoor dining and entertaining. Why not take your outdoor living space to the next level by adding the soothing sights and sounds of water to your landscape?

Source: aquascapeinc.com

LOW MAINTENANCE PERENNIALS

7062721248 — Mon, 12 Aug 2019 16:26:35 GMT

Do you love beautiful flowers? Do you also love NOT spending a lot of time in the garden to keep them beautiful? Then I have the perfect answer for you! 10 low-maintenance perennials that will thrive in your yard and produce beautiful foliage and blooms all season long.

https://westerngardens.com

Coneflower – A hardy flowering perennial, the Coneflower will bloom from early summer to fall. The Coneflower does well in drought conditions and will grow to approximately three feet tall.

Iris – The Iris is a multiplying wonder! Its bulbs will increase each year, and you will quickly end up with a mass of gorgeous flowers on tall green stalks. Once they are established, Irises require little care, and bulbs can be split and replanted in other areas of your yard.

Chrysanthemum – Chrysanthemums are an easy-to-grow perennial that will provide fall color in your yard. There are several different types of Mums, so make sure to select a garden variety mum that is suitable for your zone.

Sedum – Sedum is a wonderfully reliable groundcover. It can withstand heat, disease, and drought – and still continue to grow and spread. I currently have Sedum in a rock wall and it is thriving, even without a dedicated water source. As it spreads, divide it every few years, replanting it in different areas of your yard or gifting it to friends.

Yarrow – Yarrow is an extremely hardy perennial, and does well in cold, heat, and drought conditions. This plant is also deer resistant, so I have planted it throughout my yard!

Daylily – The Daylily is a workhorse of a perennial. These plants will reward you year after year with luscious green foliage and bright yellow flowers. Daylilies require little attention, and they are predictable plants that can also be divided and replanted as they spread. One of the best gifts that I ever received was a bag of Daylily plants that had been divided from mature plants in a friend’s backyard.

Coralbells – Coralbells are a showy, yet very low maintenance plant. They do well in a location that is partially shaded. This plant has unusual foliage and tiny bell-shaped flowers that bloom on tall, thin spikes. Coralbells spread well, and the flowers shoots give it height.

Hosta – Hosta thrives in the shade, and comes in a variety of sizes. I’m partial to Hosta with large, bright green leafs and I love having plants that come back bigger and better each year. My last yard was filled with Hostas, but I have had less success with them in my current yard, because the local deer enjoy them as a snack. Hostas are very easy to grow, but be mindful of pests that will damage the plants.

Russian Sage – Russian Sage has light colored, silver foliage and spiky lavender flowers that will cover the leaves from late spring until autumn. This perennial prefers dry conditions, making it a plant that is definitely low maintenance.

Peony – When I planted my first Peony bush, I was surprised that such a resilient plant could produce such gorgeous flowers. Peony blossoms appear late spring to early summer and their beauty is tough to beat. Peonies comes back year after year, with bigger, showier flowers, and it requires minimal care, making this my favorite perennial!

Summer Backyard Ideas & Landscaping

7062721248 — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 15:02:01 GMT

Warm temperatures and daylight after dinner beckon us to stay outside a little longer during the summer. To host a party in the backyard on a weekday. To walk through the grass in bare feet. To let your hair down and find your inner kid who remembers riding bikes and playing hide and seek. With just a little effort, your backyard can become an oasis for you and all your family and friends. Take a look around and see not only what could be spruced up, but what could be added to and made even better.

Call us today to schedule YOUR free consultation!!

https://oneonroom.com

Inspiring Landscape Ideas

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 14:24:30 GMT

If you’re anything like us, you know that it’s not just the inside that counts—when it comes to houses, that is! Accenting your home with natural elements, from shrubbery to flowers to stonework and water features, makes for an instantly inviting space for guests (and not to mention a restful retreat for you!). Let these outdoor design ideas for shrubbery, walkways, and more inspire you to create your own beautiful backyard garden or front lawn oasis.

https://engineeringbasic.com

Landscaping Your Backyard

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:54:54 GMT

Thinking of backyard landscape thoughts isn’t in every case simple. Did you invest weeks choosing the present shading for your home and landscaping your front yard, just to disregard the backyard and shroud it with a major fence? A decent backyard landscape plan is a key component to having a delightful home that will feel completed and net you higher dollars when you sell. We invest a ton of time and vitality in designing our homes and making them a home. Do likewise for your backyard with landscaping and you will add another space to your home.

To begin structuring your new backyard landscape invest some energy pondering what you need to find in your yard and do with your yard, shrubberies, and trees amid each period of the year. Do you want green trees all year, a great deal of blooms and shading in the spring, and lavish grass in the late spring? Or on the other hand possibly you like all the more low support plants and bushes. No matter your preferences, we can help you design the yard of your dreams! Call us today to schedule YOUR free landscape consultation and begin making your dreams reality!

http://buildehome.com

Landscaping with River Rock & Dry River Rock Garden Ideas

7062721248 — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 17:45:03 GMT

Here are some lovely ideas for incorporating river rock or a dry river bed into a landscape

The texture of the different rock sizes and gravel makes this dry river bed feel quite natural and realistic

If you don’t have room for a full river bed, you can landscape with river rock by covering your garden beds with stone

Mixing the sizes of the stones you use and edging a river rock bed with grasses creates a natural feel to your river rock landscaping

This beautiful dry river stream incorporates a pretty mix of larger boulders with river rock, and feels very natural in this landscaped yard

Source: https://thehappyhousie.porch.com

Amazing Backyard Fire Pit Design Ideas

Sat, 27 Jul 2019 15:40:00 GMT

Nothing tastes like a summer evening as much as toasted marshmallows, so make sure you get your s’mores injection this summer with a new fire pit. These fire pit ideas are both works of art and emblems of timeless familiarity. Here is where memories are made and the simple pleasures of life are savored. Inlaid or above ground, there are many modern fire pit models to choose from, each designed to suit the spatial and aesthetic needs of your outdoors.

Call us today to schedule your free landscape design!

https://architeworks.com

Landscaping Ideas To Inspire

7062721248 — Wed, 24 Jul 2019 20:26:30 GMT

Thoughtful landscape design is the key to creating an outdoor oasis, whether you have a tiny courtyard in an urban area or a sprawling garden in the country. To help you transform your own patios, yards, and more, we rounded up some landscaping ideas and examples that truly make the most of their natural surroundings.

https://www.housebeautiful.com

Backyards Ideas with Natural Design

7062721248 — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 15:34:45 GMT

If you’re blessed enough to own a backyard, you have a world of opportunities. It’s no doubt that there are countless backyard ideas that can inspire you. The possibilities are endless such as turning it into an outdoor hideaway or even a resort-like space.

As much as you love to relax in the living room or in the bedroom, a backyard can be another true sanctuary around your home. In fact, this outdoor space can be as convenient, stylish, and inviting as your interior area. Plus, you can benefit from the fresh air and nature, too!

What can you do to get the most of your backyard and transform it into something more amazing? See below for some awe-inspiring ideas and call us today for your free design consultation appointment!

Source: https://homebestidea.com

Awesome Rock Garden Landscaping

7062721248 — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 18:04:22 GMT

Organic and natural materials should be anyone’s first choice when decorating the outdoors and having a rock garden should definitely be on your wishlist this summer. Use rocks to transform your plain and boring backyard into a beautiful and relaxing oasis.

https://homespecially.com

Stunning Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 12:33:17 GMT

Today, even a small front yard can look and feel spacious if it is designed the right way. With the right landscaping ideas and steps, you can have an aesthetically appealing lawn and still have enough functional space for the family to enjoy.

Organization is the operative word when making a plan for a small landscaped yard. Start by thinking about the primary use of the front yard. You can then select a theme and also come up with a budget. It would also work to your advantage if you define the spaces in your small yard and make sure you know their specific purposes. When planning your landscape, it’s best to cultivate native or indigenous plants since you can be sure that there is always something growing in the yard year-round.

To maximize a small space for a landscape, you have to think outside the box. Consider having terraced landscaping since this helps designate spaces and make a small yard look bigger. Terracing can also enable you have to more space for plantings and the lower walls can double as bench seatings. When you’re deciding on features to place in your yard, opt for items that have multiple uses and are not too bulky.

Get inspired by the ideas below!

https://spaciroom.com

Amazing Landscaping Idea With Mulch And Stone

7062721248 — Wed, 17 Jul 2019 13:00:23 GMT

Check out this impressive, large feature, proving rocks and mulch can be an affordable way to fill big spaces when your budget can’t stretch to include more indulgent features. The size of the stones and the huge shrubs and plants make a bold statement and create a forest-like atmosphere.

Check out this neat and tidy design for a landscape idea. Mulch at the borders allows for planting areas, whereas the rocky, gravel spot could be used for extra parking, a play area, or even some seating.

An impressive and ambitious project, creating these beautiful layers of stone staircase and mulch beds are sure to be worth the effort. The stone outcroppings on either side of the steps are spectacular.

Source: http://allenrothhq.com

Gorgeous Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 13:43:30 GMT

There are some front garden ideas which are universally useful. For instance, nearly every front yard benefits from utilizing a mixture of evergreens and colorful seasonal flowers. By mixing the two you’ll have both year-round greenery and the freedom to add or remove flowering plants as the seasons change. Depending on your commitment you may be able to even make use of flowering evergreens to create a welcoming front yard that requires almost no effort.

Stop in today to book your landscaping design consultation!

https://architeworks.com

Stunning Flower Bed Design Ideas for Your Front Yard

7062721248 — Fri, 12 Jul 2019 12:43:55 GMT

Every garden designer has developed many garden designs including big, small, shady, sunny, formal, informal, classic, and contemporary. Customers have their own favorite garden design to decorate and add natural beauty to their front yard or back yard.

Here are some stunning flower bed design ideas for your front yard to give some inspiration that can be done without taking up a lot of space or time. Call us today to schedule your free consultation! Enjoy!

Welcoming your guests with a front-yard flower bed can be such an eye-catching display right outside your door and makes coming home a treat.

Source: https://pistoncars.com

Small Spaces

7062721248 — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 16:36:24 GMT

Beautiful Backyard Design Ideas

When it comes to backyards, bigger isn’t always better. Small outdoor spaces can be just as enjoyable for entertaining in the spring and summer as spacious ones and tiny yards and patios also mean much less maintenance. From vertical gardens to miniature storage and water features, these beautiful, space saving landscaping designs and small backyard ideas will transform any outdoor space into a cozy retreat with big style.

https://33decor.com

Beautiful Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 12:57:51 GMT

While there are no hard and fast rules for front yard landscaping, there are guidelines that professionals use to create their plans. Your front yard, regardless of its size, plays an important role in your home’s overall curb appeal. Your landscaping, however, goes well beyond just a beautiful lawn.

It should take into account the style and size of your house, how it’s sited on the property, the amount of sunlight the yard receives, and how best to enhance it with plantings, bushes, shrubs, and trees. It should also include hardscaping features, from walkways and driveways to raised beds, planters, and decorative containers.

https://roomadness.com

No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape

7062721248 — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 16:19:53 GMT

What homeowner wouldn't want a lush and colorful garden just outside the window? While there's no such thing as a maintenance-free garden, choosing smarter plantings does cut down on the amount of pruning and watering required. Let us install some these lovely options that take care of themselves. Then get ready to enjoy your new low maintenance landscaping—from the comfort of your porch swing.

Ribbon Grass
Though it does best with moist soil and partial sun, pest- and disease-free ribbon grass thrives in Zones 4 to 9, in virtually any growing scenario—full sun or shade, wet soil or dry. Though it rarely gets taller than one foot, ribbon grass quickly spreads across even steeply sloped terrain.

Vinca Minor
Also called periwinkle, vinca minor is one of the most low maintenance flowering plants you could ever plant in your garden. This trailing variety is used as a ground cover to suppress weeds and add evergreen beauty. The plant produces purple blooms throughout spring and summer.

Forsythia
Forsythias are early bloomers whose yellow flowers signal the start of spring. To ensure your forsythia is in top form, you'll want to prune the bush occasionally and plant it in full sunlight

Barberry
There's a reason you see this shrub in many corporate landscaping schemes: Barberry is extremely low maintenance, yet it stuns with seasonal color. Ideal for foundation plantings or hedges, barberry can tolerate many soil types. The plant needs occasional pruning, but not much more than that in the way of regular care.

For gardeners who want a colorful garden but don't have time to tend to it, just about any ground cover will do—but ajuga, with its glossy leaves, is an especially interesting choice. Available in a range of colors from green to burgundy, ajuga is a creeping plant that will spread if you don't control it, so be mindful of where you place it.

Coreopsis
A perennial bloomer, Coreopsis will delight you with color from early summer to early fall. In colors like yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red, Coreopsis makes wonderful cut flowers that can be enjoyed inside as well as out. It’s an easy grower, and tolerates most any soil condition.

Dianthus
Dianthus comes in multiple varieties, so there’s one for nearly every garden scenario. It has abundant flowers and is long blooming for a delightful display all summer long. Once planted, it needs little tending to put on a good show.

Hosta
The low maintenance, shade-tolerant hosta needs a steady supply of moisture but will thrive in almost every soil type. They grow best in Zones 2 through 10 and benefit greatly from morning sun. Water in the morning to prevent the leaves from getting burned by the sun, and keep the plant hydrated throughout the day as needed.

Source: Source: https://www.bobvila.com

Happy 4th of July!

7062721248 — Wed, 03 Jul 2019 15:50:36 GMT

We want to wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July! As we celebrate our independence, cannot thank all of the men and women that have served our great country enough for all of the sacrifices that they have made to keep the United States of America free.

Gorgeous Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 16:41:10 GMT

Having a front yard is definitely something to appreciate and to take advantage of. The front yard is like a magical garden through which guests have to walk before reaching you and it’s an amazing opportunity to use it to your advantage.

There are some front garden ideas which are universally useful. For instance, nearly every front yard benefits from utilizing a mixture of evergreens and colorful seasonal flowers. By mixing the two you’ll have both year-round greenery and the freedom to add or remove flowering plants as the seasons change. Depending on your climate and commitment you may be able to even make use of flowering evergreens such as azaleas to create a welcoming front yard that requires almost no effort.

https://architeworks.com

Landscaping Ideas Front Yard Curb Appeal

7062721248 — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 16:04:41 GMT

Your landscaping really improves your house’s curb appeal and it’s among the very first things people notice about your residence. It is one of the most effective and affordable ways to help your home stand out from other houses in your area. Front yard landscaping is extremely important if you wish to accomplish a completely different appearance and feel for your front porch. Call us today to schedule your free appointment for a home makeover!!

Source: https://www.lalulalang.site

Best Backyards Ideas with Simple, Modern and Natural Design

7062721248 — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:18:14 GMT

f you’re blessed enough to own a backyard, you have a world of opportunities. It’s no doubt that there are countless backyard ideas that can inspire you. The possibilities are such as turning it into a home office, an outdoor hideaway, or even a resort-like space.

As much as you love to get relax in the living room or in the bedroom, a backyard can be another true sanctuary around your home. In fact, this outdoor space can be as convenient, stylish, and inviting as your interior area. Plus, you can benefit that fresh air and nature, too!

That’s why it becomes an excellent idea to turn it into a more functional space instead of leaving it with no care. However, what can you do to get the most of your backyard and transform it into something more amazing?

See below for some more great ideas, tips and tricks!

Source: https://homebestidea.com

Lovely and Fresh Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 17:16:05 GMT

Landscaping ideas for entrance lawns and backyards shouldn’t be ignored. Typically individuals pay more attention into the inside part their home and less to the outside. Designing your landscape is as important as designing any portion of the home. Landscaping ideas which are carried out can match into the entire aesthetics of your residence. You are able to improve the entire appeal of your lawn by deciding on the right shrubs, garden borders, plants, and flowers.

Call us today to let us plan the yard of your dreams!

Source: http://essahouz.com

Astonishing Yard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 14:35:48 GMT

Most amateur front yard landscape designs include some grass, a tree or two and maybe a flower bed. And sadly, a lot of people completely ignore their backyards outside of the grass, the pool or a vegetable garden. But the benefits that come from adding professional landscape to your back yard or front lawn are incredible. Everything from the worth of your property to the condition of your neighborhood can change when you commit to professional landscaping. Your front yard and back yard will not only look great, but the improvements have some terrific additional benefits, too.

Energy Conservation: You can actually cut down on your utility bills with professionally landscaped front yards. If your home sits on a corner property, or faces an intersecting road, you probably get the full force of the sun and wind. Professional landscapers take those elements into account when they create designs, and as such might plant trees that will provide shade (keeping A/C costs down), or construct hardscapes that will protect your home from the winter winds (keeping heating costs down.) Some front yard landscape designs even help absorb the heat of the sun by working like a natural form of insulation.

Bio-Diversity: In the interest of honesty, it has to be said: bugs are pests. Grubs and beetles will eat your plants, and mosquitoes are both annoying and dangerous. But when you have someone professionally landscape your backyard, you get a person who knows which plants will attract which insects or birds, and which are more likely to attract bugs or rodents. Certain flowers will attract butterflies, who will take of pollination, saving you money on expensive “flower food” or fertilizers. And while birds might be a problem when you first seed a yard, they also eat the bugs that may destroy your plants later.

Additional Living Spaces: Most people want to get the most use they can out of their outdoor spaces. When you landscape your backyard, you can create an additional living space for you and your family to enjoy on nice days. You can have a design team build the perfect outdoor kitchen, or create a peaceful Zen garden. You can even incorporate such elements into your front yard landscape designs, too. If you have a large front lawn, why not add a reading corner or a water fountain? Professionals who create landscaped front yards for a living know how to make private areas for you to use, so that you can utilize all of your space without feeling exposed to the neighborhood.

Curb Appeal: Landscaping your front yard adds monetary value to your house – period. Landscaped front yards look better, encourage sustainability and water conservation, and promote the value of the neighborhood. In fact, studies have shown that people searching for their first home believe good landscaping is indicative of better housekeeping – a fact professional landscapers will willingly share. So by landscaping your front yard, you’re showing the world that you devote time and energy to maintaining your house. Think about it: who on earth would dedicate so many hours to pruning the trees and mowing the lawn if the roof leaked or the foundation was bad, right?

Continuing the Landscape into Your Backyard

There’s a lot to be said for continuity, and having your front yard landscape designs flow into the back yard is a good idea. Hiring a design team is the easiest way to do this, because they’ll know exactly how to create beautiful front yard landscape designs that become useful and practical in the back yard.

Need an example? Let’s say that while landscaping your front yard, you decide you want to add a natural stone wall to set off the plants and shrubs that have already been planted. When it comes time to design the back yard, you need to reconsider that stone choice: will it be strong enough to double as pavers? Will you need to double the amount you purchase because your back yard is very large – or will they look out of place because your back yard is small? Will it break your budget?

Hiring professionals eliminates these issues, because they’ll already know which materials will work best for both beauty and utility. They’ll have a specific budget with which to landscape your backyard and your front yard, and can choose plants, stones and trees that are both pretty and sturdy. They’ll keep costs down, too, because all of the guesswork will be eliminated. Landscapers make it a point to know which materials can be purchased locally, so that the natural environment of the area will flourish – and so that you won’t pay a fortune in shipping costs, either. Overall, it makes more sense to hire a contractor to create the designs from beginning to end. You’ll always know what you’re getting, and you’re sure to be happy with the end result.

Source: https://www.88trenddecor.com

Beautiful Trees for Small Spaces

7062721248 — Thu, 20 Jun 2019 18:36:25 GMT

Not all trees have to tower. Find the perfect tree for that small corner of your yard.

Japanese maple

Airy, delicate leaves make Japanese maples absolute showstoppers.

Ornamental crabapple

Plant one of these for a lavish pop of white, pink, or red flowers each spring.

Saucer magnolia

Magnolias are magnificent flowering plants featuring blossoms in white, pink, red, purple, or a more recent development, rich yellow.

Source: https://www.sunset.com

Hurray for Hostas!

7062721248 — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 20:56:27 GMT

Landscaping with Hostas

Everyone with shade in their garden knows the value of hosta. But not everyone knows how to use this beautiful and beloved shade-loving perennial. Here are some tips on landscaping with hostas.

DO: Group the Same Varieties

You can avoid a spotty look by clustering multiple specimens of the same cultivar. By massing them together, you give them more visual weight. They don’t end up looking like an afterthought.

DON’T: Strand a Specimen

Plopping a solitary hosta in the middle of a bed by itself can make it look lonely and forlorn. It is especially apparent with this variegated hosta, which looks entirely out of place among more natural-looking companions.

DO: Make it Look Intentional

There are exceptions to the previous rule. This solitary hosta actually works aesthetically. The reason: it’s big enough to be a focal point. Plus, the non-variegated foliage is a more natural-looking partner with the other plants. Note how companion plants surround the hosta—almost embracing it—to create a stage for the focal point plant.

DON’T: Get Carried Away with Variegation

Gardeners love variegation for its ability to stand out and brighten a scene. But putting a bunch of unrelated variegated varieties together just looks busy and even a bit chaotic. Better to pick one variety and repeat it for emphasis.

DO: Use Variegation Wisely

Variegated hosta is tailor-made for lining a path. It not only looks good, it serves a practical purpose because the variegated leaves are easier to spot at night—thus providing an element of safety.

DON’T: Have One of Everything

Shoehorning into the garden one of every hosta variety you find results in a hodgepodge effect. It becomes a collector’s garden, which might suit a conservatory but doesn’t hold much promise for home gardeners. If you’re going to use multiple varieties, break them up in clusters of threes or fives so they carry more weight. The effect will be more pleasing.

https://www.familyhandyman.com

Mulch Vs Stone

7062721248 — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 16:45:17 GMT

Everything That You Need to Know

Did you know the mulch and rock have their respective differences? Are you one of the gardeners who are confused as to which to use? Familiarize yourself with mulch and rock by reading the provided information below.

As you all know, applying mulch or rock in your garden can bring numerous benefits. These advantages include reduced water loss, and erosion, enhanced nutrition soil and a balanced temperature for the soil. Mulch and rock are two of the most used in gardens today because of the incredible benefits they have.

If you are unsure as to use mulch or rock, then knowing their differences is essential.

Benefits Of Using Mulch

1. Less Water

One of the main benefits of using mulch is that you no longer have to water your soil very often. This is because a foot of mulch can hold up to three inches of water. There are also different colors to choose from, such as red, black, and dark brown.

2. Improved Moisture And Nutritional Level

Another great benefit of using mulch is that it will even up the moisture level of your soil. This will make the soil hospitable for the nutrients’ proliferation. The nutritional value can further increase once the mulch passes the mineral to the soil.

3. Prevent Weeds Growth

Mulch is also known to contribute to reducing the weeds’ proliferation. Both inorganic and organic mulches can help prevent the growth of unwanted weeds and grass.

Benefits Of Using Stone

1. Does Not Decompose

One of the best things about using rock mulch is that they don’t decompose. They can last for a long period of time. They can help cover your ground in the long run, without having to purchase another batch to replace. And since they don’t decompose, the risk of bug problems are also minimized.

2. Does Not Require Too Much Maintenance

Rock mulch is known to be low maintenance since they are not alive. It doesn’t require reapplication every so often. Another good thing about rock mulch is that their appearance will stay the same. Lastly, they can’t easily be displaced by pets or blown away by strong winds.

3. Being Durable

Using rock mulch is better than using living or organic grounds because of its durability. Rock mulch is perfectly made for heavy use. Rock mulch can’t easily be destroyed or sampled on, so you don’t have to worry about anything at all.

Applying Mulch

Mulch should be at least three inches thick to be effective. Remove weeds and start laying the mulch over the moist soil. If you are going to create new beds, it would be best to plant through the sheets of mulch. Lastly, when mulching specimen shrubs and single trees, mulch them at the canopy’s radius.

Applying Stone

Use the fabric, cover the area and make sure that the fabric perfectly fit the area. You can also install some edging around to ensure that the rocks will be kept in place. Once done, you can pour the rocks until they are at least 2 inches thick. Avoid putting in rocks from trunks and stems.

Bottom Line

Above is all the information about mulch vs rock. Start deciding which one is more useful for your garden so that you can meet your mulching tasks.

Source: https://agreenhand.com

Using Japanese Maple in a Landscape Design

7062721248 — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 21:03:18 GMT

And Heuchera, Coral Bells, in a Landscape Planting

Contrary to popular believe landscape designs don’t always have to be balanced all in proportion. A couple of important aspects of landscape design are specimen plants, accent plants and repetition. Repetition is really important. You can repeat themes and switch out plants and it will “feel” different but at the same time fit together seamlessly.

This design features two Japanese maples as specimen plants and a variety of color plants as accent plants, with repetition. The Japanese maple closest to us in this photo is a Laceleaf Weeping Japanese Red Maple. The variety is ‘Crimson Queen’. The Japanese maple in the back of the photo, the one furthest from us is an upright Japanese Maple, the variety is ‘Butterfly’. Even though ‘Butterfly’ is an upright growing Japanese maple it is a slow grower and in this situation we keep it trimmed so it doesn’t hover over the sidewalk and block the view as you walk down the sidewalk.

From another angle you can see the Japanese maples and the accent plants used in this design. The colorful plants used as accent plants in this landscape design are Coral Bells, botanical name Heuchera.

Call us today to let us design YOUR unique yard and island plantings!

https://mikesbackyardnursery.com

Wonderful Yard Decor That Always Look Fantastic

7062721248 — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 12:52:43 GMT

Nowadays, a great deal of individuals landscape their yard. In the end, the front lawn of your home is the very first thing people see when they see. Your home’s facade provides your guests the very first impression of your home.

Are you searching to get modern front lawn ideas to the garden? Do not understand how to begin beautifying your yard? I have got four ideas to help you begin.

1. Front lawn planters: Some of the simplest approaches to decorate front of your home is via shrubbery. There are a whole lot of types of shrubbery you’ll be able to pick from.

2. Paving: I always wanted to have just one of these cobblestone paths resulting in my doorway. I have one!

3. Flowers: Flowers will constantly add beauty to a yard. Plant vibrant ones which will blossom brightly in summer time. You may even plant equally perennials and annuals, and that means you will be certain that you’ll have blossoms in the spring and through the summertime.

4. Lights: The following modern yard thought is placing lamps or lanterns across the lawn. To get a more artsy sense, you may even place Japanese lanterns on the trees in your lawn. Lights constantly make spaces seem additional magical.

Hopefully, with these four suggestions, you will be on your way to getting a home facade which you may be pleased with.

http://elit.onedecor.club

Why Aren’t My Hydrangeas Blooming – and How to Fix It!

7062721248 — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 17:18:18 GMT

How to Care for Winter Kill Hydrangeas

Why aren’t my hydrangeas blooming? My winter kill hydrangeas care tips are here to help!

To make a long story short, it’s because of the harsh winter!

Check your hydrangeas to see if any green buds are on the brown canes.

Green Buds on Brown Canes – DO NOT CUT the brown branches – they are alive and should bloom. Just prune out the canes that are dead (no green buds on them).

No Green Buds on Brown Canes (buds may even be black) – cut all canes to the base of the plant – making sure to leave the new growth green leaves at the base of the hydrangea.

Note: if you don’t have any green buds on the brown canes by mid-May, cut them.

What to Expect : Your hydrangeas should grow to at least the same size they were last year.

Will they bloom this year? Old wood hydrangeas won’t bloom, new wood/old wood hydrangeas may bloom later in the summer and new wood hydrangeas will bloom as usual.

Note: I swear by fertilizer and sprinkled it around my hydrangeas to give them an extra boost.

https://www.kellyelko.com

Gorgeous Side Yard Garden Design Ideas For Your Beautiful Home Side Inspiration

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 15:45:09 GMT

Side yards are more than just a link from front yard to back. For smaller lots, this narrow strip is vital outdoor space that must be included in the overall design. Large lot side yards are a great opportunity to add diversity to the landscape.

No matter what side yard landscaping idea you favor, pick plants that are appropriate for your climate and for the specific conditions in your yard and with a little know-how, you can create a front garden that will wow your neighbors and give a boost to your home’s value.

https://architeworks.com

Marvelous Rock Stone for Your Frontyard

7062721248 — Mon, 10 Jun 2019 15:36:20 GMT

Gorgeous Additions to Your Landscape

A landscaped garden is something that you and your family will surely enjoy. You can make it as unique, tranquil, or modern as you wish using all sorts of materials and plants.

Aside from plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, and grass, landscaping designs also feature other materials such decorative landscaping natural rocks, stones, bricks, etcetera.

These materials can give your landscape design a nice contrast. Of course, in order for you to choose the right landscaping natural rocks you need to understand their uses.

A great idea is to create a stone path in your garden using landscaping natural rocks. The path can lead your guests to the garden and continue throughout the area.

Remember, that the stepping stones should have a level and smooth surface to make them easy to walk on.
Choose attractive rocks that will complement the other elements in your garden.

Aside from walkways, there are other uses for landscaping natural rocks. Because these pieces can easily attract the eyes, they are often used as markers or to draw attention to special features in the garden.

Large landscaping natural rocks placed strategically can direct the sight of people to a special point of interest. Conversely, you can also use these pieces to hide certain imperfections in the landscape. Arranging the rocks in attractive patterns can divert attention from small landscape imperfections.

You are probably looking forward to just sitting and relaxing in your garden when it is done. You do not have to spend on fancy outdoor benches and chairs to make your garden stand out. Using landscaping natural rocks, you can create a unique sitting area surrounded by your garden.

The above are just some ideas on how you can use landscaping natural rocks to enhance your landscape design.

https://homishome.com

We look forward to talking with you today to meet with one of our landscape and ledgerock specialists!

Gorgeous Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 19:44:36 GMT

There is no doubt that front yard is one of the most attractive parts of your house. We all know that there are many aspects of the architectural beauty of the house, but believe me that front yard landscape is a critical aspect of any beautiful house. There is no beautiful house without a beautiful front yard landscape. Therefore, having a beautiful front yard landscape is very important for every house.

Call us today to set up an appointment and transform your yard into the home of your dreams!!

Source: ttps://perry-rhodan-usa.com

Instantly Boost Your Curb Appeal

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 16:45:37 GMT

Call Us Today!

Whether you own, rent, or are selling your home – curb appeal is everything. Having a beautiful looking house on the outside invites guests in, and entices potential buyers to dream about their future dream home.

Upgrade columns with stone veneer

Boring wood or metal columns can instantly be upgraded by using a stone veneer that wraps around them.

Layer your plants

Add dimension to the front of your home by layering plants. You should mix and match to add some texture and color.

Add brick edging

Adding just a simple brick edge to your flower bed or walkway can be a major improvement to the curb appeal of your home.

Give your lawn some TLC

It’s amazing how beautiful a home can be with just some simple yard maintenance. Mowing the lawn, raking the leaves, and giving your yard some regularly scheduled TLC can make a massive difference in your home’s curb appeal.

Aim for symmetry

Symmetrical designs are pleasing to the eye. To make your home turn heads from the curb, hang some symmetrical planters or lights. No room? Place potted plants in a symmetrical way along your walking path or near your front door.

Lighting! Lighting! Lighting!

It’s incredible how much of an impact just a little bit of lighting can have on your home’s appearance. Pick out some light fixtures to line your walkway or near your mailbox. Get creative! They can be as subtle or as attention-grabbing as you’d like.

Spruce up your driveway

When giving your home a facelift, the driveway is often an overlooked area, even though it makes up a good portion of the front of your home! Consider fixing your driveway’s cracks, staining the concrete, or adding flagstones.

Source: https://homehacks.co

Planning Your Outdoor Space

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 20:56:47 GMT

A master plan that incorporates everything from long-range projects to nitty-gritty details will help you design the backyard of your dreams.

The front yard may be the showpiece of your landscape, but the backyard is all your own, a sanctuary for relaxation, entertaining and play. If your backyard could use a facelift, don't make the mistake of slapping a patio down here and a garden border there as time and budget allow. Instead, consider the space holistically, from how you want to use the yard to how much time you want to spend working in it. We talked to Susan Cohan, a landscape designer in Chatham, New Jersey, and Natalie Ermann Russell, author of The New Backyard Idea Book , for tips to building a backyard makeover master plan.

Dream
Ask yourself some basic questions. What do you want out of the yard — a playground for kids, a cozy retreat, and an entertaining patio? What materials do you like — brick pavers, water, sustainable plants? "Dream a little, then see what you can afford and have time to maintain," Cohan advises. Eventually, you'll want to get real. Be honest about your level of involvement. "A yard that requires little work and resources is the holy grail," Russell says. "Think about how to simplify the plans to make this happen for you."

Take Stock of the Property
Do a walk-around and consider what you like and don't like about the space. Make a list of what's salvageable (the 100-year-old oak tree) and what's not (a sagging, rotten deck), as well as how permanent storage (shed, garage, etc.) is positioned and whether it needs to be moved or camouflaged. Don't forget to factor in geographical considerations, Cohan says. "If you adore roses but live in an area with a lot of deer, they'll get eaten. Either plant something else or plan a fence."

Know the Rules
Your city or homeowner's association may have specific regulations, like maximum fence height or projects that require permits. "Know what's allowed before you begin work, because if you break the rules and get caught, not only will you have to take down your project, but there will be fines involved," Cohan says.

Make a Plan, on Paper
A plan provides a birds-eye view of your overall project, which can then be implemented logically in steps. Designers often draw bubbles to represent generic spaces like a patio, playground, garage and pool, then link the bubbles together with pathways, lawn areas and gardens.

Look at the relationships between spaces, then draw them to scale. Each individual space should flow into the next, moving people from the front yard to back, from a primary patio to a secondary patio. "Entryways, pathways and exits all play a role in drawing people into the next space," Russell says. "You can create the impression of separate spaces by simply changing the floor material or pattern, or by elevating one portion slightly above the other to establish distinct "rooms" without disrupting the flow."

Having trouble? Consider hiring a professional, at least for the planning portion. "A designer can open your eyes to brilliant options you may not think of yourself," Russell says.

Check the Plan From Inside
Outdoor spaces should bring pleasure every day, even when you're inside. "When designed right, your backyard becomes artwork in the windows," says Russell.

Cohan starts with the kitchen window, since homeowners spend more time looking out that window than any other, then assesses traffic patterns from the kitchen or mudroom. "Make sure your plan allows you to move people in and out, to get the garbage out, everything you need for daily living," she says.

Fine-Tune Each Area
Zoom into each "room" in your plan to fix any shortcomings and implement your small-scale dreams. If the patio area is near an unsightly view, draw in a fence or green privacy screen. If the swing set will face the afternoon sun, turn it sideways. Does the garden area need a little oomph? Consider adding an arbor for an entryway. This is where you focus on wish-list details as well. If you want a low-maintenance yard with a small environmental impact, plan low-water plants in the garden area and think about swapping out some grassy areas for native grass or pebbles.

Back Up and Use Your Wide Lens
Now look at your yard in context, both in relation to the house and to itself, Russell advises. "The flowers, hardscape and even lawn become the wallpaper of your outdoor room," she says. "Choose furniture with the overall color palate in mind."

Execute in Logical Stages
The best thing about a comprehensive plan? You don't need to do it all at once. Work on one area at a time, but make sure you're always thinking ahead. For example, if you're redoing the patio and eventually want to do an outdoor kitchen, don't wait to install the gas hookup, since it's more cost-effective to do when the ground is already dug up. "You simply have to have a plan," Cohan says. "You'll save yourself heartache, time and money, and you'll have a beautiful yard when it's all finished."

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/planning-your-outdoor-space

Small Backyard Ideas

7062721248 — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 17:22:54 GMT

Multipurpose Backyard

You should know that the best backyards are those that are designed for many purposes. As you can see, you can add a stone and concrete patio for a fireplace spot or portable fire table. You can see that this spot has a seating area surrounding the fire pit, as well as additional seating in the backyard.

Source: https://jessicapaster.com

Gorgeous Backyard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:45:30 GMT

Waterfeatures are especially popular for people who want to utilize their backyard for entertaining or enjoying the outdooors with their kids. Schedule your consultation today!!

Front Yard Landscaping

7062721248 — Fri, 31 May 2019 20:15:15 GMT

There is a saying. “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. In housing context, we all know the saying is a bit true.

In fact, we CAN judge a house by looking at its front yard landscaping. The prettier it is; the more value the property is going to get.

Moreover, front yard is the face of the house. It should be decorated with creative, unique and distinguished ideas. The idea may incorporate the elements of nature, such as flowers, plant and rocks.

Source: https://primcousa.com

Landscape Lighting Design Ideas

7062721248 — Thu, 30 May 2019 15:55:56 GMT

Unknown to popular belief, the mere use of light is actually one-way to beautify one’s home. By the use of light, one can get great results that can’t be achieved with the sheer act of painting or putting adornments in one place. Light can actually take the expected results one step higher than normal.

Light is just like paint. It is your paint, and the whole environment is your canvas. You can add and subtract color on any surface with the simple use of light.

If you want to achieve great effects, get to know some of the basic techniques on how you can design by the use of landscape lighting.

Uplighting

This is the most common technique used to illuminate walls, trees, fountains, waterfalls, and other objects. All you have to do is ground-mount a lighting fixture and direct it upwards.

You also have the choice of putting the light in front or behind the object you are illuminating.

You should remember though, that you should direct the light away from the viewer, so that glare would be prevented. With this simple technique, the ambience of your place becomes, oh so glamorous in an instant!

Moonlighting

So you dream of walking in your garden, with romantic moonlight shinning down on you? With landscape lighting, you can no achieve this effect! This is undeniably one of the most beautiful techniques used in landscape lighting. It rouses the natural light of a full moon, as it filters through tree branches.

You should take note that in this technique, lighting fixture is put on the tree itself. That’s why extra care and caution should be taken, especially if you’re the one to install the lighting yourself.

Mirror Lighting

This is one of the techniques that creates a whole new image altogether. Mirror lighting is used with still bodies of water, like pools or ponds.

All you have to do is simply light plantings and trees on one side of the water, and then when you go to the other side, you’ll instantly see a reflection, on the water surface, of the objects you lighted up.

This technique is really nice, since it’s like capturing a whole new picture and putting it elsewhere in the environment. You get instant hologram effect on your environment. The beauty of your place is doubled up just by the use of light!

Downlighting

This is the most natural technique used in landscape lighting. This can be accomplished easily by: simply hiding the lighting fixtures up in trees; then directing the light down through the leaves and branches.

You can also acquire this effect by attaching fixtures on trellises, walls, pool houses and garden structures.

You can also downlight your plant and ground covered, along with pathways, with the use of taller fixtures that are mounted on the floor.

High Lighting

This technique is commonly used to light up focal points in your landscape. Focal points can be anything from pergolas, shrubs, statues, fountains or any other feature in the place that you want to put attention to.

These are just some of the common ways in which you can design with light. What’s good with designing with light is that you are free to experiment without damaging the natural beauty of the place. So go now, and see for yourself the natural wonders light can bring!

Source: https://showyourvote.org

10 LOW-MAINTENANCE PERENNIALS

7062721248 — Wed, 29 May 2019 16:44:49 GMT

10 LOW-MAINTENANCE PERENNIALS:

1. Coneflower – A hardy flowering perennial, the Coneflower will bloom from early summer to fall. The Coneflower does well in drought conditions and will grow to approximately three feet tall.

2. Iris – The Iris is a multiplying wonder! Its bulbs will increase each year, and you will quickly end up with a mass of gorgeous flowers on tall green stalks. Once they are established, Irises require little care, and bulbs can be split and replanted in other areas of your yard.

3. Chrysanthemum – Chrysanthemums are an easy-to-grow perennial that will provide fall color in your yard. There are several different types of Mums, so make sure to select a garden variety mum that is suitable for your zone.

4. Sedum – Sedum is a wonderfully reliable groundcover. It can withstand heat, disease, and drought – and still continue to grow and spread. I currently have Sedum in a rock wall and it is thriving, even without a dedicated water source. As it spreads, divide it every few years, replanting it in different areas of your yard or gifting it to friends.

5. Yarrow – Yarrow is an extremely hardy perennial, and does well in cold, heat, and drought conditions. This plant is also deer resistant, so I have planted it throughout my yard! If deer are a problem in your yard, then don’t miss my favorite 10 deer-resistant plants!

6. Daylily – The Daylily is a workhorse of a perennial. These plants will reward you year after year with luscious green foliage and bright yellow flowers. Daylilies require little attention, and they are predictable plants that can also be divided and replanted as they spread. One of the best gifts that I ever received was a bag of Daylily plants that had been divided from mature plants in a friend’s backyard.

7. Coralbells – Coralbells are a showy, yet very low maintenance plant. They do well in a location that is partially shaded. This plant has unusual foliage and tiny bell-shaped flowers that bloom on tall, thin spikes. Coralbells spread well, and the flowers shoots give it height.

8. Hosta – Hosta thrives in the shade, and comes in a variety of sizes. I’m partial to Hosta with large, bright green leafs and I love having plants that come back bigger and better each year. My last yard was filled with Hostas, but I have had less success with them in my current yard, because the local deer enjoy them as a snack. Hostas are very easy to grow, but be mindful of pests that will damage the plants.

9. Russian Sage – Russian Sage has light colored, silver foliage and spiky lavender flowers that will cover the leaves from late spring until autumn. This perennial prefers dry conditions, making it a plant that is definitely low maintenance.

10. Peony – When I planted my first Peony bush, I was surprised that such a resilient plant could produce such gorgeous flowers. Peony blossoms appear late spring to early summer and their beauty is tough to beat. Peonies comes back year after year, with bigger, showier flowers, and it requires minimal care, making this my favorite perennial!

Do you have any of these perennials in your yard? Which is your favorite? Call us to order or set up a landscaping appointment today!

Source: https://westerngardens.com

BEAUTIFUL FRONT YARD LANDSCAPING

Tue, 28 May 2019 16:48:30 GMT

WELCOME YOUR GUEST WITH FLOWERS

To make your home more stunning and welcoming you should have more flowers to your front yard. Adorn your front yard with a different type of flower to make your front yard more colorful. If your house and street are in short distance, you can create a low fence in front of your home. This will create an illusion that your house is further from the street.

WATER FEATURE ON THE ENTRYWAY

Most people may think that they don’t have enough space for a water feature in their front yard. However, with little creativity, you can easily install a portable water fountain almost anywhere you like. Portable water fountain comes at various sizes.

If you don’t have bigger space you can opt a small size portable water fountain to suit your need. The portable water fountain is suitable for the homeowner who like the sound of water feature, but don’t want to create a pond or larger water fountain.

GROW MULTI-SEASON FLOWER TO YOUR FRONT YARD

Everybody wants to have a beautiful garden with colorful flower all year round. In this case, you have to grow different flower varieties will bloom at a different season. Try to grow evergreen bushes interspersed with summer and spring flower. Additionally, you can grow annual greenery to create a beautiful landscape that you need.

LETS CLEMATIS CLIMB YOUR WALL

If you want to hide your ugly fence, wall or mailbox, you can use Clematis. To do so, you can create several trellises for clematis to grow and climb. It is important for you to know that there are about 300 clematis species that you can choose for. Clematis requires plenty of suns and moist soil to grow.

Everybody wants to have their front yard look beautiful. The more beautiful front yard that you have, the more beautiful our house will be. Thank you and we look forward to helping you find the best landscaping ideas to fit your needs!

https://perry-rhodan-usa.com/front-yard-landscaping-ideas/

Define Your Curb Appeal

7062721248 — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:10:46 GMT

Fill in The Grass Perfectly

Do you know that grass should come last when it comes to front yard landscaping? After assuring all the plants you desire are planted nicely with all the supporting elements such as mulch and garden edging, grass finally takes a turn. It is because you must not leave any land surface unplanted and it’s a job for grass to take.

http://homynesia.com/front-yard-landscaping-ideas/

Design a Garden You Love

Wed, 22 May 2019 16:10:55 GMT

Lilac Bushes

Sweet-smelling lilacs are one of the prettiest, most ethereal plants you can plant in your garden. What you may not know, however, is that they’re one of the easiest shrubs to care for. Plant this shrub in your yard, and you’ll reap its beauty every Spring year after year, just as long as you provide it with the right environment. Lilac bushes are actually known to live up to 100 years in the same spot! With a few tips, growing your own lilacs is absolutely within your reach; you don’t need to be an expert gardener to grow them. All they ask of you is full sun, fertile soil, water, and a little TLC in the way of pruning every year!

Source: https://natalielinda.com/grow-lilac-bushes/

Best Front Yard Landscaping Ideas and Garden Designs Continued...

Mon, 20 May 2019 16:32:21 GMT

Modern Craftsman Lighted Path

These metal garden path lights are a sleek alternative to the lanter-like pathway lights normally sold at home stores. While pathway lights aren't always necessary, the tend to offer a more welcoming feel to a home's entryway.

By choosing to update this one element, you can take your landscape design up a notch. Paired with a cut flagstone path and a pleasing mix of grasses, annuals, and evergreens, this front garden idea is a solid mix of modern and classic elements.

Source: https://landscapingexperttips.info/50-best-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-and-garden-designs/7/

Quality Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

7062721248 — Thu, 16 May 2019 15:32:08 GMT

A lot of people spend a significant amount of money on the interior of their homes, but that is not enough in the modern age. Imagine you are going to someone’s home for the first time, what are you going to see first? You are going to see the front yard and the rest of the home from the outside.

This is the ‘first impression’ that you are going to have the home and you might even have that role over to the rest of your time in the home. When the front yard is not good enough, the home might not be deemed good enough aesthetically. Let’s take a look at Ideas4Landscaping three quality front yard landscaping ideas to keep in mind and give a try.

Large Perennials for Your Front Yard

The first idea is one that will not be as expensive and is something that can truly personalize the entire experience. You will not have to fret over the logistics of the landscaping that is going to be done. This is the charm of going with flowers and using them to your advantage for all landscaping needs.

Large perennials are fantastic because they are able to do a lot in the modern age. They are able to bring out the beauty of the home (when selected [properly) and can truly do the trick.

Seating Area for Your Yard

This is something that is going to be slightly more costly, but is quite the eye piece for those who do go down this route. You are going to set up a circular area that is made just for seating. It is going to be close to the front entrance, but not quite. There is something about this that can be quite appealing to the naked eye.

When you see this kind of seating area, it is going to be something that is unique and something that is going to catch everyone’s eye. In the end, this is what you are striving for.

Picturesque Walkway

The final idea is one that is used by some people with great passion. The goal here is to set up a nice, little walkway that is leading up to the entrance. This is going to be adorned with different ornaments and decorations that are going to increase the appeal of the entire walkway that is being built.

You will realize how much quality is added to the entire front yard with this addition. The walkway is going to be made in accordance with your needs and that is what ensures you get great results.

These are three of the most important and proven front yard landscaping ideas that have been used by homeowners in the past. The charm of these front yard landscaping ideas has to do with the fact they are aesthetically quite amazing. They are going to always work out as you want them to work out. You will never have to deal with landscaping that is not good enough. Remember, these are going to play a major role in the perceived quality of your home.

Source: http://homeownerlandscapingideas.com/quality-front-yard-landscaping-ideas

Brilliant Front Garden and Landscaping Projects You’ll Love (Continued...)

7062721248 — Tue, 14 May 2019 15:44:10 GMT

Lush Hydrangeas and Hostas

Southern elegance meets cottage charm in this front garden design. While it may seem monochrome to many, the lush combination of hostas and hydrangeas creates a simple but pleasing spring and summer option. Ideally, you should pair these two plants with a few evergreens to ensure year-round interest, as the verdant beauty of the hostas will fade with the first frosts. Both hydrangeas and hostas like and even prefer some shade, so this combination is best suited to yards with mature trees or in areas where they will be shaded by the house itself during the afternoon.

Source: https://homebnc.com/best-front-yard-landscaping-garden-ideas/

Best Front Yard Landscaping Ideas and Garden Designs

7062721248 — Mon, 13 May 2019 13:01:18 GMT

Whether your looking to spruce up your home for resale or personal enjoyment, see us today for all your stunning landscaping needs!!

Thanks partly to rising house costs and the circulation of inspirational backyard pictures on websites like Pinterest and Instagram, owners have begun to see their entrance yards in a brand new gentle. Not solely does a well-designed panorama assist spotlight the wonder and architectural options of a home, however it additionally raises a house’s worth by enhancing curb attraction. Whereas a pretty yard could take money and time to create, there are some inventive and low-maintenance methods to replace your private home’s exterior with out breaking the financial institution.

There are some entrance backyard concepts that are universally helpful. As an illustration, practically each entrance yard advantages from using a combination of evergreens and colourful seasonal flowers. By mixing the 2 you’ll have each year-round greenery and the liberty so as to add or take away flowering crops because the seasons change. Relying in your local weather and dedication you might be able to even make use of flowering evergreens resembling azaleas to create a welcoming entrance yard that requires virtually no effort.

Source: https://oneonroom.com/best-front-yard-landscaping-ideas-and-garden-designs/

Brilliant Front Garden and Landscaping Projects You’ll Love

7062721248 — Fri, 10 May 2019 12:24:31 GMT

Classic Boxwood Edged Pathway

Hedge your bets by incorporating a classic – and classy – boxwood hedge along your entry path. Although simple and monochromatic, the tightly leaved branches of boxwood shrubs can be easily shaped into any number of designs. Left small and round as shown in this front garden idea, or clipped into a short rectangular hedge, they help guide the eye to the front door of a house, and subtly encourage visitors to use the pathway instead of walking on the grass. Paired with a short but colorful groundcover such as creeping thyme or phlox, a short hedge can be one of the lowest-maintenance options for flower beds and walkway borders.

Source: https://homebnc.com/best-front-yard-landscaping-garden-ideas/

Brilliant Front Garden and Landscaping Projects You’ll Love

7062721248 — Thu, 09 May 2019 16:22:14 GMT

Coleus and Hosta "Flower" Beds

Flowers are beautiful, but many annuals have a limited life span and perennials take some effort to maintain. For a splash of color without any need for flowers, try incorporating different varieties of coleus amongst established hostas for a showy but low maintenance display. This is especially useful in shady yards or beneath trees where sun-hungry flowers may fail to thrive. Coleus come in a wide variety of color combinations from subdued variegated greens to hot pink and orange to velvety dark reds. Western gardeners should consider coral bells as a hardy, low water alternative to coleus.

Source: https://homebnc.com/best-front-yard-landscaping-garden-ideas/2/

Brilliant Front Garden and Landscaping Projects You’ll Love

7062721248 — Mon, 06 May 2019 12:46:05 GMT

Low Maintenance Evergreen Border with a Pop of Color

Do you want to steer clear of annual flowers altogether, but still enjoy a flashy bit of color in your front yard? While evergreens certainly keep a yard from feeling bare in the winter, azaleas have the added benefit of producing breathtaking floral displays during the spring and early summer. They come in a wide variety of colors from deep fuschia to white and are adapted to a large number of climates. Mixed with other non-blooming evergreens, as they are in this example, they add interest to an entryway display without the extra work of maintaining blooming annual flowers or bulbs.

Source: https://homebnc.com/best-front-yard-landscaping-garden-ideas/

Copy of Backyard Escape #1

Sat, 04 May 2019 14:44:06 GMT

Call us today for your backyard escape design ideas!

One area of the home to come the furthest in terms of design over the years is the outdoor living space. These were once just spaces to place a patio furniture set and maybe a grill. But these days, people are including televisions, entire kitchens (including the kitchen sink) and dining areas fit for a restaurant. Many outdoor living spaces have fire pits that are works of art, and sometimes even full fireplaces. So if you’re ready to update your outdoor living space in a big way, take a look at the inspiring photos below. You might just find an idea for your next backyard remodel.

Source: https://freshome.com/outdoor-living-spaces/

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PLANT…

7062721248 — Thu, 02 May 2019 17:40:50 GMT

Call us today for all your tree and plant material needs!! Following are a few perfect spring planting options:

Birch, dogwood, willow or magnolia trees Since these need more time to establish, plant in spring, and make sure to properly water throughout the summer .
Pine trees or evergreens Because evergreen trees don’t go dormant, you can plant in fall or spring – as long as the weather isn’t hot.
Fruit trees If you experience winter, plant trees in early spring to avoid winter damage.

Source: http://blog.davey.com/2016/10/when-is-the-best-time-of-year-to-plant-trees-evergreens-maples-and-fruit-trees/

Mulch, Mulch and More Mulch

7062721248 — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 14:28:13 GMT

Call today for all your quality mulch and delivery needs!

Mulch suppresses weed growth, maintains soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and much more. So do yourself a favor: Mulch everything in sight with whatever organic mulch you like.

We have great prices and top quality products -- call today for delivery options!!

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/green-up-your-thumb--tips-for-a-beginning-gardener-pictures

Backyard Escape

7062721248 — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 19:44:08 GMT

Call us today for your backyard escape design ideas!

Source: https://freshome.com/outdoor-living-spaces/

10 Mulch Dos and Don’ts

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 15:31:13 GMT

Protect your plants and avoid top mulching mistakes by following these dos and don'ts.

Making mistakes when mulching can keep your soil from reaping benefits such as conserving moisture, suppressing weeds, reducing erosion and decreasing water runoff. Landscape designers and researchers provided their best tips for making the most of mulch in your yard.

Do use it as an accent.

Mulching can help create healthy lawns but also has an aesthetic value. Choose colored mulch that complements the exterior colors of your home in the brick, stone, stucco and siding. For example, brownish/red pine mulch goes well with brick houses, says Jeremy Becker, owner of FireFly Landscapes in Kansas City. Using a dark mulch can contrast with flowers, improving your landscape design. Mulch also can be used to enhance your landscape theme and setting.

Do look at your entire landscape.

Some landscapes have big expanses of mulch with a few shrubs poking around, says Susan D. Day, an associate professor in the Department of Forest Resources & Conservation and Department of Horticulture at Virginia Tech. “You want to design your landscapes so your shrubs cover all of the soil and you have complete vegetative cover. Then apply mulch to them, to control moisture,” she says.

Do clean it out.

Do tweak the thickness.

Do try out a different mulch.

There’s an array of textures, starting with options such as pine straw and shredded hardwood bark. If you’re looking for a new look and need to update your mulch, try options, such as cocoa bean shells (they smell good too!), nut hulls, salvaged palettes that are ground up and even seaweed.

Don’t ignore bare soil.

Researchers are finding mulching has significant environmental benefits. Having bare soil on your property will cause erosion and sediment runoff, Day says. Mulching can help control erosion. Research by Day and Virginia Tech graduate student David Mitchell found that bare soil lost about five times as much sediment as soils covered with mulch.

Don’t use too little or too much mulch.

About 3 inches of mulch is recommended for beds, and Becker recommends mulching twice a year. Mulching with the right amount each time will help fend off weeds and conserve moisture, which will reduce your need to irrigate. One exception is if you use pea gravel mulch or inorganic mulch. Then, you could get away with using just 2 inches, Day adds. Another factor is if you have a bed of herbaceous plants that may be too small for 3 inches of mulch.

Don’t forget your trees.

Place mulch around the base to protect the trunk, especially if you have younger trees, Day says. Mulch rings makes a protective area to reduce threats from other plants and keep mowers away.

Don’t assume you need something underneath.

Some people may want to use plastic or geotextiles, such as landscape fabric, to separate certain mulches, such as inorganic stone mulch, from the soil, Day says. There’s a belief that black plastic will keep weeds down. But adding a layer of plastic or landscape fabric could cause more water runoff and keep your garden from having a clean, streamlined look.

If you use an organic mulch that will break down, like shredded hardwood bark, avoid landscape fabric because you want the mulch to be in contact with the soil to improve it, Day says. Plastic or landscape fabric could prevent water and rain from reaching the soil, and actually could increase runoff. Weeds also could grow into the landscape fabric, she adds.

If the mulch shifts around or is replaced, the plastic or landscape fabric could show through. “It looks hideous when you have plastic or landscape fabric being exposed under the mulch,” Day says.

Don’t use bad mulch.

The biggest pitfall is getting your mulch from an unreliable source, Day says. For example, mulch could be delivered with noxious weed seeds in it because it was stockpiled next to a field of weeds. "You could be paying for that for a long time," she says.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/beds-and-mulch/10-mulch-dos-and-donts

Planning Your Outdoor Space

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:05:50 GMT

A master plan that incorporates everything from long-range projects to nitty-gritty details will help you design the backyard of your dreams.

Having trouble? Consider hiring a professional, at least for the planning portion. "A designer can open your eyes to brilliant options you may not think of yourself," Russell says.

Check the Plan From Inside
Outdoor spaces should bring pleasure every day, even when you're inside. "When designed right, your backyard becomes artwork in the windows," says Russell.

Source: https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/planning-your-outdoor-space

How to Create An Outdoor Oasis In Your Backyard

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 17:44:39 GMT

Want to create an amazing outdoor oasis in your backyard?

The summer heat is pounding down on your shoulders, scorching your skin. You need an escape, but you need one now— one that doesn’t require a plane ride to a beach resort.

Why not look to your very own backyard? No matter how small, your back yard can be turned into an amazing outdoor oasis. Want to know how? There are numerous design elements that, when combined together, create wonderful outdoor escapes.

*Shine A Light On Your Yard - Adding luminous lights into your backyard escape can create a warm welcoming atmosphere or create a romantically-lit outdoor oasis by using numerous lighting sources in your backyard.

*Create Privacy In Your Backyard - Without privacy, one cannot truly let go of the cares of the world and de-stress. Sometimes you need to be inventive when it comes to ways to wall yourself off from the world. Landscaping can certainly come in handy when you want to hide. A well-placed tree or bushy hedge can help create a discreet outdoor area.

*If budget is not a concern, then consider covering your deck with a permanent roof; it can be a great investment that guarantees outdoor privacy.

*Add A Water Feature To Your Backyard - The soothing sounds of trickling water can wash away all your cares, leaving you relaxed and feeling very zen. There are numerous ways to add an element of water to your outdoor oasis. It can be as simple as adding a small fountain that sits atop a patio table, or it can be a huge project such as installing a gushing fountain in a backyard pond or pool. Either way, the sound of water will fill your ears and add a soothing element to your backyard retreat. This waterfall certainly creates a backyard escape.

Source: https://freshome.com/2014/07/18/how-to-create-an-outdoor-oasis-in-your-backyard/

Best Backyard Firepit Ideas

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 17:11:31 GMT

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Landscaping Appointment!

Is there anything better than gathering around a bonfire with friends and family? Drinking wine, toasting marshmallows, cozying up in front of a warm, crackling fire—seriously, you can't beat it.

Come see us today to transform your backyard into the most beautiful vacation spot right outside your very own back door!

Source: https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/outdoor-ideas/g21100311/backyard-fire-pit-ideas/

Think Spring:

7062721248 — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 18:23:22 GMT

Now’s the time to plan the landscape of your dreams

By Press Release

The weather outside is frightful and the week ahead calls for more cold weather and snow at higher elevations. That makes it easy to dream of warmer spring weather, but to plan for it? To sit and strategize for making the most of next year’s lawn and landscape projects? That seems like no small feat.

It doesn’t have to be.

The good news is that spring will be here before you know it and now is the best time to work with your local landscape professional to set the stage for a healthy spring. With the expertise and knowledge of a professional, you’ll be well on your way to getting a thriving landscape you’ll enjoy come spring.

Finding the right professional

Quality lawn care and landscape professionals are all around you but finding the perfect one can be challenging if you go it alone. Instead, consult the National Association of Landscape Professionals directory at loveyourlandscape.org/find-a-pro /. You’ll have access to the NALP’s comprehensive directory and can find inspiration through the organization’s expert advice columns and idea center, motivating you to take your spring landscaping projects to new heights.

Make the most of your relationship with your landscape professional

The initial conversations you have with your landscape professional are essential for creating a beautiful outdoor space. When working with a professional, you can become more prepared by considering the answers to these questions in advance of your first meeting.

• What’s important to you? You don’t need to know every last detail but you should have a broad understanding of what you want. Do you want to entertain? Have space to garden or create a private area to enjoy quietly by yourself? Determining what you want your yard to be and how it will be used can help your landscape professional realize your vision.

• What’s your budget? When it comes to dreaming of the perfect landscape project, the limit is your imagination. But once you place some real-world practicality behind it, the limit will ultimately be your budget. So, how much are you willing to spend? It’s a good idea to have a rough estimate of this figure in your head before discussing plans with your landscape professional. Relaying this information to them will allow them to tailor a project that matches your expectations and your budget.

• What plants are best for your property? Flowers, shrubs and trees are all integral to any landscape project and you should have an idea of what you’d like to see. If you don’t know, visit your local greenhouse or nursery for inspiration and gain a greater understanding of native plants that fare well in your environment.

• What level of lawn care is needed? Whether or not you have sprawling acres of land, a healthy lawn of any size and shape sets the foundation for a beautiful landscape. Your lawn care professional can review with you how to grow and maintain a lawn through all the seasons. Consider if weed control, mowing, aeration, fertilization and irrigation may be needed as part of your lawn care program. A lawn care specialist can help you budget and plan for these tasks now — even if your lawn is covered in frost or snow.

It’s never too early to start planning

The long weeks of winter are here but now is the perfect time to formalize your plans for a gorgeous, spring lawn and landscape. A professional can help you reach every goal you’ve dreamed about. So start planning today. Your home will benefit from your preparation — and on those cold mornings, it sure helps to dream of spring, doesn’t it?

Source: https://www.mtdemocrat.com/business-real-estate/think-spring-nows-the-time-to-plan-the-landscape-of-your-dreams/

APPLETON, WI 5-DAY FORECAST

7062721248 — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 15:30:14 GMT

Come see us for your salt and snow removal needs!!

Source: https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/appleton-wi/54911/weather-forecast/331517

Keeping Surfaces Clear for Winter

7062721248 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:11:10 GMT

Winter Maintenance Basics

Anti-ice before the storm.
Remove snow from surfaces as quickly as possible to reduce compaction
Minimize deicer use during the storm.
Never plow or blow snow into bodies of water, wetlands, traffic or into streets.
Minimize back-up maneuvers to reduce chance of accidents
Clean up spills.
Accurately record the material used at each site.
Pay attention to its effectiveness and record observations.
Use only what is needed based on proper application rates for the conditions.
Put extra back in salt pile or return extra bags.

Source: https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Keeping_surfaces_clear_for_winter_parking_lot_and...

Snow Likely Over Next Several Days

7062721248 — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 17:55:04 GMT

Make sure salt supplies are stocked now!!

Pallet pricing available!! Call for details!! 920-202-3042

Salt shortage: What you can expect this winter

7062721248 — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 16:08:30 GMT

Snow and ice removal services are fickle on more than one level for landscapers. Not only do you have to try to plan correctly for what Mother Nature will bring in the winter, but you also have to make sure you have the supplies to get the job done.

Salt is a staple material when it comes to snow and ice management but in past few years, it has not always been readily available for contractors, leaving some high and dry during heavy snow seasons. As the 2018/2019 winter approaches, reports of salt shortages are circulating once more.

True shortage?

The first thing to clear up is what people mean when discussing a salt shortage. Salt is abundant in the world, but shortages occur when there isn’t enough salt harvested above ground or available for a certain market.

Sometimes shortages occur in the second half of a winter, as more snow events than expected cause an increased usage of salt, but this year’s shortage is due to the combination of several different factors.

One of the major causes of the shortage is from a 12-week strike at a salt mine in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, owned by Compass Minerals. While the strike started on April 27 of this year and union workers reached an agreement with the company on July 16, the current salt piles are reported to be 40 percent smaller than they were at this time last year, according to Adam Schlicht, director of Port Milwaukee, who told TMJ4.com .

In August, Compass Minerals notified contractors that due to the strike and contractual obligations to municipalities, there will be no salt supply available for private contractors.

Cargill, another major salt supplier, has also let private contractors know that it would not be supplying them with rock salt, as it is still replenishing its stock from the busy winter last year, and one of its mines has not been able to perform at optimum levels due to a leak .

This is causing landscapers to resort to importing salt supplies from other countries such as Egypt, Chile and Morocco. Due to transportation costs, this can cause salt prices to double or jump even higher.

This doesn’t mean that municipalities are getting off lightly, as cities and counties are reporting noticeably higher bid prices per ton of salt. In Elizabethtown , Kentucky, the lowest bid was from Compass Minerals at $110 per ton. Last year, the price was $54 per ton.

Meanwhile, Richland County officials in Ohio only received one bid for providing road salt this year. Morton Salt of Chicago bid $96.33 per ton compared to last year’s $42.10 and Cargill and Compass Minerals sent out letters saying they were not bidding this year.

Source: https://www.totallandscapecare.com/business-best-practices/salt-shortage-what-you-can-expect-this-wi...

Sensible Salting Strategy of Parking Lots and Sidewalks

7062721248 — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 17:58:00 GMT

Developing a sensible salting strategy is a multi-step process; but one of the first steps is the development of snow and ice control guidelines for the selection of the best strategies and methods, materials, and application rates for specific facility and weather conditions. It is generally understood that developing appropriate facility-specific guidelines requires a quantitative understanding of the snow melting performance of the materials being used and the effect of different application methods and rates within the usage environment of these facilities.

Source: http://saltinstitute.org/research/sensible-salting-strategy-of-parking-lots-and-sidewalks/

Snow Removal is Essential to Keep a Clear Path to Your Business

7062721248 — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:12:36 GMT

It’s important to provide safe and easy access to your business for both customers and employees

After snowfall, it is important to clear parking lots, driveways and sidewalks to provide safe access for employees, customers and suppliers. In some jurisdictions, there are legal requirements for snow removal; but even if that is not the case, promptly removing snow and minimizing icy surfaces is important for reducing the likelihood of slips and falls, and shows customers you are open for business. Smaller snow amounts may be handled by maintenance staff (assuming the right snow removal equipment is on hand), but large accumulations require professional snow removal contractors. These crews are in heavy demand after a storm, so it is critical to have outside service contracts in place prior to the first snowfall of the season.

Make sure the contract covers all of your needs (e.g., parking lots, driveways, walkways, roofs).
Look for an established, licensed and bonded professional.
Check references.
Ask to see the contractor’s certificates of insurance. Make sure coverage for liability and workers’ compensation insurance is current.

Beyond the big headline blizzards, severe winter weather can occur in many parts of the U.S. from late fall until early spring. By the time these storms are broadcast by local forecasters, it may be too late to put in place the measures needed to remove heavy snow and ice, protect roof systems and water pipes, and keep employees and operations productive. With advance planning, businesses can minimize “snowpocalypse” disruption as they wait for warmer weather to arrive.

https://disastersafety.org

Ice-Away Rock Salt

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 14:50:06 GMT

Pallet Pricing Available!

Ice Melting Pellets Melts Snow Faster Than Standard Rock Salt . Its crystals are optimally sized for melting performance. Buy Now & Save.
Call today!

13 Tips For Landscaping On A Budget

7062721248 — Fri, 05 Oct 2018 18:40:28 GMT

Landscaping can be pricey, but there are ways to lessen the expense if you exert a bit of extra effort and some ingenuity. Here are our favorite ways to landscape on a budget.

1. Choose plants with bright colored blooms for big impact.

Flowering plants with big, bright blooms (as shown in the first image above) help fill space and draw the eye in. Look for colors that complement or offset the shades of your home's siding or stucco.

Photo: Dr. Dan's Garden Tips

2. Collect rocks and use them to edge the garden

Rather than buying brick or other garden border materials, find stones for free and use them to create an attractive divider between the garden and the lawn.

Photo: How-To With Rhonda Bryant

3. Instead of buying 5 plants, buy one and divide it.

Divide plants, like hostas or lillies, and spread them throughout your yard. You'll save money by turning one plant into several. Dividing plants is pretty easy; just dig up the entire plant, making sure to keep the root-ball intact. Then carefully split up the roots and stems until you have separated the plant into several chunks. Each group can be re-planted, and should continue to grow if watered and maintained appropriately. Read more here.

Photo: Amateur Gardening

4. Ask a neighbor for rose-bush cuttings

Ask your neighbor if you can take a few cuttings from their rose bushes, then use this tutorial to learn how to propagate them.

5. Turn kitchen refuse into compost to improve garden soil quality

Learn to compost! Put garden and kitchen waste to good use and help add important nutrients back into your topsoil. Learn more here.

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Curbly Tip: Compost starter is extremely useful. We like Jobe's Organic Compost Starter because it's inexpensive and gets great reviews.

Amazon - $12.37

Photo: Nursery Men

6. Buy evergreen seedlings instead of larger potted trees.

Seedlings will take a bit longer to grow, but they're much less expensive.

Photo: Slow Living Essentials

7. Upcycle old materials.

Use this tutorial to find out how to make a rolling raised garden bed out of a couple of wooden pallets. Wooden crates can be turned into planters!

Photo: BHG

8. Trade resources with friends and neighbors

Tool sharing is a gray way to save money. Rent a wood chippers or soil aerator, and split the costs with friends. You can also split seed packs, plant packs, and more.

9. Buy pots and planters used or on sale.

Yard sales, flea markets, and Craigslist are all great resources for finding really affordable pots and plant containers.

Photo: Two Twenty One

10. Construct a rain barrel to collect rain to water your garden and lawn.

This will lower your water bills (and help the environment too!). Get the rain barrel tutorial here. Use a downspout adapter to direct water flow.

Painting bricks can add a pop of color and style.

11. Add some color by painting rocks, bricks, or landscaping pavers.

You know how sometimes you just get tired of looking at boring, plain, red bricks? Well, guess what? Other people do to! Which is why those materials can often be found for cheap, or free. But with a fresh coat of paint, you can turn them into something special.

Try painting river rocks white for a clean, modern-looking ground cover option. Or add pops of bright color to an old brick wall. Here's a good primer on how to correctly paint these type of materials so that the top coat will last.

Photo: Funky Junk Interiors

12. Use pallets for cheap stepping stones

Wood shipping pallets can be found for free almost anytime (or bought for cheap). Look for them by the side of the road, or at warehouse loading docks (make sure to ask before you take them; usually people will be happy to let you have them). These wood structures are built to be used outside, and can easily be turned into simple pathways (as above) or other outdoor landscaping features.

Photo: Ozzu

13. Add lighting elements

Simple, carefully-placed lighting can make even the most ordinary yard look amazing. And the best thing? Lights have gotten really affordable over the last ten years, thanks in part to the advancement of LED technology. In many cases, you may not even need additional electrical wiring, because LEDs use such little electricity that they can be solar powers. Try a rope light along the edge of a garden, or spot lights to feature large plants or trees.

https://www.curbly.com/tips-for-landscaping-on-a-budget