Choose your Landscaping Trees wisely

Posted on May 28, 2011 with No Comments

Trees are very important when it comes to landscaping. Not only will landscaping tress make your yard look green and cool, it will also provide shade where you and your family can spend some time together. To help you choose the right type of landscaping trees for your yard, here are a few things that you need to consider.

Flowering Trees

If you want to make your yard look really pretty during specific seasons of the year, consider planting flower bearing trees. There are many types of flower bearing landscaping trees that you can choose from. Magnolias and Rose of Sharon are especially nice. The Rose of Sharon can be quite stunning. Actually, the rose of Sharon is not exactly a tree but a type of flowering shrub but since it is usually pruned to have just one single trunk and then allowed to grow tall, this type of plant is more commonly known as a landscaping tree in the United States. What is really very interesting about the Rose of Sharon is that it blooms for a long time.

Aside from magnolias and Rose of Sharon, the dogwood is will also make a nice addition to your collection of landscaping trees. The cornus kousa and the cornus florida, two of the most popular variety of the dogwood tree are commonly used as landscaping trees. The good thing about these two varieties is that they offer some really nice flowers during the spring.

Fruit Trees

If you think that fruit trees belong in an orchard, think again. Fruit trees can actually be good landscaping trees. However, since most fruit trees tend to grow really large, you might consider planting just or two fruit trees in your yard. Choose those types of fruit trees that do not really grow too big. Consider using local specie of fruit tree for landscaping purposes.

Note that when it comes to landscaping trees, local species are preferable. Yes, exotic species of landscaping trees may look great but they are not really so easy to grow especially if you live in an area where the weather is not suitable for these exotic trees.

If you plant fruit bearing trees on your yard, try not to spray too much insecticide into your tree. If possible, just let the tree grow naturally. Always remember that spraying chemicals into your tree could be harmful to the health of your family and to the environment.

After all the work you have put into planting your landscaping trees, the only thing left to do is to implement some decorative stone or mulch. You will need to use lawn edging or block to prevent the mower from throwing your mulch or stones everywhere. Check back for our next article about lawn edging ideas!

Pool Landscaping Made Simple

Posted on May 25, 2011 with No Comments

Mix some imagination, creativity and a few essential facts about plants, and your pool landscaping project will be the envy of the neighborhood. Most yards feature the pool as the focal point, which makes any landscaping around it a very important consideration. You want both beauty and practicality; the greenery you put around the pool needs to be compatible with the purpose of this area.

The Basics

The first place to start is with the placement of your pool. Check to see if there are any nearby trees with branches overhanging the pool; these will need to be trimmed to prevent debris from getting into the water. Next, decide on how people will approach the pool. A stone pathway can be installed, and you can choose either a straight-line route or curve the walkway to complement the shape of the pool. Having a path is essential to minimize grass clippings or dirt from getting into the water when you or your guests step into the pool.

Another basic consideration in pool landscaping is the planting of certain shrubs, flowers or ornamental grasses that will add a touch of beauty or privacy. If these plants may be splashed by chlorinated water, check with an expert at your local garden center to see which types of plants are hardy for this situation. Certain ornamental grasses are very popular in pool landscaping because they are low-maintenance.

Shrubs can be planted strategically around the pool for privacy, but don’t choose evergreens that shed their needles; this will make cleaning the pool that much harder. If you want a more private area, consider landscaping with trellises. These can be painted to accent or blend in with your surroundings as you choose. There are also several vine type plants that can be trained to grow on a trellis, which would give this area a cozy feel.

Accessories

After you have begun your pool landscaping, take a few steps back. Do you have a patio? In many ways, a patio is like an outside room, and care should be taken when choosing the furniture and other accessories. There are many options to select from when it comes to patio furniture, from wicker sets to casual hammocks.

Wind chimes, a bird feeder or several pots of colorful flowers can complete this look. A gazebo can offer shade and privacy, while a fountain can add soothing sounds to enhance the peace of your relaxing retreat. Pool landscaping gives you an excellent opportunity to create a mood that can as inviting or as invigorating as you desire.

If you would like to share your pool landscaping ideas and photos with us, please contact us here.  We would love to hear from you!