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YardBuilder strives to keep up with the latest national trends in landscaping and, to that end, we’ve collected some of the best articles on the subject.
Landscaping That's Truly Green
Environmental landscape designs often include slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants that require less water and maintenance, significantly reducing water consumption. These plants can be combined in wildlife-friendly and attractive landscapes suited to difficult urban conditions. By choosing plants and shrubs that are drought tolerant and self sowing, you can help minimize the amount of water needed to keep your property beautiful.
There are many great options for environmental landscape designs, and your local landscape professional can offer more detailed advice and assistance. But before you contact your landscape dealer, you may want to consider the different elements of your landscape and any ideas that you would like to incorporate into your current design.
In addition, it’s a good idea to explore local areas rich with natural landscaping, such as surrounding parks, to identify flowers and plants that are native to your geographic region. Consider these questions:
| What do you find attractive? |
| How do the plants interact with one another? |
| What are the soil and sunlight conditions? |
| How are plants placed in the landscape in relation to the direction of the sun and elements? |
If possible, visit your favorite spots at different seasons to observe plant progression. As you explore other natural areas, compare and contrast the locations and try to identify exactly what you like about landscape of each area.
Share your ideas with family and friends and ask for feedback or other suggestions. Remember: a good design will unify the landscape.
Once you have gathered ideas from many areas, you may then want to decide how you can apply these ideas to your new landscape. Here are some questions to consider:
| Is there a particular color scheme to use? Which portions of the current landscape will be retained, revamped and/or replaced? |
| What species of wildlife do you want to attract to the landscape? |
| Are family members allergic to specific plants? |
| Do you have pets? There are some plants that are poisonous if ingested. This might be a concern with pets or small children. |
| Do you want outdoor living and entertaining areas? |
Finally, when you’re ready to design your landscape, make sure that you are familiar with your property conditions and research the plants you wish to use. Remember: The principles of design are simple: plant vegetation where it will grow and thrive.
| • Consider emphasizing certain natural features in your yard, such as a pond, rock garden or tree. Some flowers, like graptopetalums, grow best in rock gardens and hard earth; others, like Papyrus, thrive on water bogged areas. |
| • Plan your garden around the seasons by using seasonal plants and flowers as accents. |
| • Research and identify plants that will thrive best in your climate and property conditions. For example, a Chrysanthemum will do well in Southern climates, a Delphiniumi will grow best in cooler areas and a Geranium can tolerate drier areas. Consider your wildlife needs and those ingredients necessary to support and attract the wildlife. The four basic elements for a successful wildlife garden are food, water, shelter and space. |
| • Plan for long-term installations and improvements to your environmental landscape. Over the next few years, you will begin to see changes to your landscape as it adapts and grows into a beautiful design. A few additions or improvements may add to that beauty. |
No matter what your ideal landscape is and how you plan to use it, seeking guidance and advice is important. There are many professionals waiting to help you. For more information, please contact your local landscape professional.
Accessorize Your Landscape With Water
A backyard water feature is much more than just a home accessory; a water feature can actually help the environment by functioning as an ecosystem – right in your very own backyard!
Though a backyard water feature, such as a pond, may serve as your personal secluded retreat, it also features necessary elements that positively affect many plants and animals.
In fact, a backyard water feature can restore large amounts of habitat for frogs, toads, newts and salamanders – animals whose numbers have sharply decreased over the past few years. Many backyard water features can also serve as a refuge for birds who have been driven from their natural wetland habitats.
In addition to helping plants and animals, water features can provide benefits for you too. Water is known as a great stress reliever and may help you relax, unwind and, in some cases, soothe you. Try putting a rock garden and waterfall outside of your bedroom window to help you fall asleep at night.
When choosing your backyard water features, there are many different types to consider. Whether you’re seeking a full pond with different types of fish or a simple decorative garden waterfall, backyard water features can be incorporated into any size backyard and are easy to maintain. Just add a few select plants, and with a little time and patience, your ponds and water gardens will mature over the years into beautiful parts of nature.
For more information on how you can create your very own environmentally-friendly backyard paradise, Contact your local landscape professional.
Guard Your Home With Beauty
When you think about making your home safer, you probably don’t think of gardenia bushes or a new maple, but landscaping can be an important part of a good home security plan.
A burglar who is casing a neighborhood from the street often chooses a house with tall shrubs and trees that provide hiding places. Homes with little or no outdoor lighting are preferred targets as well.
So, how can you landscape to protect against burglars while still creating an aesthetically pleasing yard?
Here are a few tips:
Trim tree limbs and branches so that they are not near your house; tree branches can be used as a ladder if they are next to a window or skylight. But don’t eliminate your trees. Trees offer great shade and add ascetically pleasing qualities to your yard. Nobody wants to look at a tree-less yard; however, you do need to remember that the closer they are to the house the more they may help a potential burglar.
Mow your lawn regularly; an unkempt lawn can suggest to a thief that the owners are away on a trip. If you are going to be away on a trip for an extended period of time, then see if a family member or friend can take care of your lawn maintenance for you.
Keep shrubs that are located near doors and walkways trimmed back at least 3 feet or shorter in height. Also, don't allow shrubs to block any of your windows. If your neighbors or people passing by cannot see your windows, then they won’t be able to see if someone is climbing in them. And by adding gravel under windows, you can create a noisy footing for would-be thieves.
Consider planting thorny bushes (of the low growing variety) around windows. Some examples are: Hawthorne, Rose Shrub and Barberry. These bushes may deter possible thieves.
Keep your yard well lit. Motion-detecting lights are a good choice; body heat-triggered sensors are even better and are less likely to be triggered by a waving branch or a passing animal. Make sure to place your lights facing your yard so that they don’t shine into your neighbors’ windows. Also, using a timer on your house lights or lamps can help give the impression that you’re home even when you’re not.
Store ladders, lawn chairs and picnic tables out of sight. Burglars may use lawn furniture and ladders to reach windows.
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Try our interactive YardBuilder (LINK TO SAME) to see firsthand how your property is dramatically enhanced through landscape design. The YardBuilder allows you to place landscape elements around a home footprint similar to your own.
Learn about the variety of benefits you’ll discover with functional, beautiful landscaping.
Find national articles detailing the ins and outs of landscaping, or visit our library of information to see definitions of landscaping terms and other general landscaping information.
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What is your style of Landscaping?
The best landscape designs are the ones that have been carefully planned, with a focus on the details. Before planning your landscape, it is important to decide what will best fit your home and lifestyle.
Consider the type of plants and flowers that will thrive in your yard conditions, the location and size of your landscaping project and the amount of time that you would like to devote to maintaining it. Please note that many plants and flowers can survive only in certain climate conditions. Be sure to check with a landscape professional to determine what will work best in your region.
When choosing a landscape or garden style, there are a few questions you should ask yourself: • What types of conditions exist in your yard? Is the area very sunny or mostly shady?
| • What kind of activities do you plan to have in your yard? |
| • Who will be using the yard? Do you have children or pets you should consider? |
| • Do you need a low-maintenance landscape or do you enjoy spending a lot of time caring for your yard? |
| • Which landscape style would best complement your home? |
| • Which landscape style best reflects your lifestyle? |
There is a variety of traditional landscaping and garden styles which you can use to create to very own design, or you can be creative and incorporate elements from each style to create a look of your own.
English Garden Style: The English Garden Style includes many shrubs and perennials that complement the architectural style of your home. Other decorative elements might include an arbor or bird bath.
Oriental Landscape: The Oriental Style uses water, rocks and evergreens with a variety of plants to create distinctive perspectives. You might also consider adding a traditional Japanese Zen garden.
Woodland Landscape: Reflecting the natural way that fauna grows in a wooded area, the Woodland Style has a less manicured appearance than many of the other garden styles. This would be a good choice if you do not wish to spend a lot of time on maintenance.
Formal Landscape: The Formal Style follows symmetrical patterns, straight lines and precise geometric shapes with orderly, well-pruned plants. You will often find topiary design in these landscapes. This landscaping style requires a lot of maintenance.
Informal Landscape: The Informal Style uses plant beds with curved edges. Plants are arranged in seemingly random patterns. This would be a good choice if you have children that will be playing in the area.
Butterfly Gardens: Dozens of butterfly or bird species common to your area make a welcome addition to many gardens. Certain species of plants provide a food source and are useful for attracting these beautiful additions. Create areas that are open yet protected from the wind.
Xeriscape Gardens: As much as 50 percent of household water is used for the yard or garden. This landscape specialty includes lots of low-water plants and flowers, as well as design ideas to reduce water evaporation.
Organic Gardens: As more people learn about the harmful effects of many chemicals, growing plants organically has become more popular. That means rather than using chemical fertilizers or sprays, you will practice natural methods of pest control and fertilization.
Remember: Choosing a landscape design that fits your lifestyle and your area is important. You will spend a lot more time in your yard if you have a landscape design that you can enjoy and maintain. And no matter what style you choose to make your backyard an outdoor oasis, there is a local landscape professional waiting to help you make that dream a reality.
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