As water conservation becomes increasingly important, many homeowners are turning to drought-tolerant landscaping to save…
If you have been shopping for plants to include in your landscaping project, you may have noticed many species are designated as “California native” or “California friendly” plants. You might assume that because you live in California, either type of plant will fit right into your yard. It’s true that you could use either variety,…
For many gardeners, creating a pleasing landscape is about more than simply increasing curb appeal for their home. Landscaping can be an art form! And just as artists often employ many layers of paint on a canvas, a gardener will often seek to create visual appeal by layering plants.
We spend a lot of time talking about how often and how much we should water our gardens. But another aspect of irrigation is knowing when to reduce your water use! This is particularly important right now, since we’re experiencing such a drought in California. We all want to keep our landscaping healthy, but we…
While it certainly doesn’t seem like the most exciting part of any landscaping project, mulch is extremely important. Correct application of mulch will protect your plants from weeds, retain moisture in the soil, and even provide nutrients as it decomposes. But if you’re overwhelmed by the different types of mulch available at your favorite garden…
Summer often gets the credit for producing the most beautiful variety in landscaping. But your yard doesn’t have to be blah and boring during the rest of the year! With a bit of consideration and planning, your landscaping will appear equally impressive during the other seasons.
If you planted flowering trees or shrubs in your garden, you probably did so in hopes of enjoying their beautiful blooms. But if you prune flowering plants at the wrong time or in the wrong places, you could negatively impact the amount of blooms you see during that season.
We often think of landscaping as a way to add beauty or monetary value to our homes. But our landscaping should also add enjoyment to our lives. Whether you prefer a game of touch football with your cousins on a vast green lawn, or relaxing on a shady patio is more your style, always remember…
Do you picture yourself lounging in a shady area of your yard, your favorite book and a drink in hand? As much as we all love warm weather, too much sunshine can be brutal, and we tend to crave a shady, cool spot to relax outdoors. If you’re considering a new landscaping project, adding shade…
When you think of the South, you probably picture friendly folks relaxing on their front porches, sipping mint juleps and enjoying small talk with the neighbors. Along with those vast front porches, your mind may conjure up a vision of a certain style of garden. It’s a little bit English, and a little bit rustic…
Shrubs are highly important in the natural environment, because they provide shelter and food to a variety of wildlife. But in landscape design, shrubs serve an entirely different purpose. From a visual perspective, shrubs help to bridge the gap between tall (trees) and short (grasses and small flowers). Shrubs also provide that sense of fullness,…
As a gardener, your work as an artist is never really “done.” Landscapes evolve as our tastes and interest change, and you continue to reap the enjoyment of learning about and nurturing new varieties of plants. This year we have several new varieties of roses in our nursery that we’re excited to share with you….
We tend to choose plants for our gardens based on their visual appeal, hardiness, and water or soil needs. But before you decide upon your landscaping project, don’t forget one more important element. Choose plants that are also pleasing to your nose!
Much as people do, plants like to share their space with other plants that help them thrive. As gardeners, we reap the benefits of companion planting when we choose plants that help to ward off pests, improve the soil, or have other benefits to our overall landscaping.
In many people’s minds, trees are essential to a visually pleasing landscape. But for many gardens, it’s the unusual trees that really make the space seem special. Weeping trees lend a sense of enchantment to your landscaping, but be careful with them. In general it is best to limit yourself to one variety per garden,…
Tropical landscaping may make you feel like you’re on a perpetual island vacation, and it certainly adds beauty and value to your home. But if you’re skittish about using plants that are sensitive to frost, there are other ways to lend a tropical feel to your landscaping without the hassle of caring for finicky plants….