We hit some roadblocks with this one but the Summit project is finally complete and it turned out really nice! Check out this blog to see the final results.
 Invasive plant species are a huge problem. They have overtaken giant expanses of the landscape. As they do, they erase the ability for native plants and animals to thrive, and there’s no easy solution to get rid of them. But there's still hope for our favorite natives to survive! In fact, a while back I was out on a walk and I came across a few amazing plants that had beaten the odds among a mess of knotweed and porcelain berry (two of the worst offenders of the invasive mob).
 Check out this blog to follow the progression of our Summit project and stay tuned for the next Summit project blog where we show off the final product!
 Many popular garden perennials fall into the "short-lived" category, so you might be wondering whether or not you should waste time and money planting them, when your not sure how long they'll last. It is true that short-lived perennials will eventually die out but there are many benefits to these plants!
 If you are a gardener or a plant geek, you've seen the categories of plants often referred to as either annuals or perennials. But what do these terms really mean? And how do these different kinds of species inform us how to use them in a landscape design? There's the general definition of annuals as plants that only live for one growing season and then die off - that is, you plant them in May and they die in November. Then you have perennial plants - that is plants that you can put in the ground once and they grow back year after year. Some people prefer one over the other - however, for native plants and a more sustainable yard or landscape, perennials are vastly more important. But why? Why do some plants live for years and others only stay around for a few months? The lifespan of plants is complex. Let's dig a little deeper to find out more about the longevity of our favorite plants so we can get more nature into our lives!
 Native plants play a very important role in our ecosystems. They support local wildlife such as bees and butterflies - which pollinate approximately 75% of the worlds flowering plants and 35% of the world's food crops. Native species have evolved over hundreds or thousands of years for survival. Consequently, they tend to be more naturally adapted to local growing conditions and often require less fertilizer, water etc. for successful establishment. That means less maintenance and more time to enjoy your yard!.
 Native plants are those that are indigenous to a specific region, and have evolved to support the ecosystems in that area. These plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over hundreds or thousands of years, and therefore offer the most sustainable habitat. Click below to read more about the benefits of these plants.
 Weeds are often defined as plants growing where they are unwelcome. What makes these plants so undesirable? What sort of problems can they cause? Can weeds be useful? Beneficial even? Let's take a closer look at the wonderful world of weeds.
 There's lots of ways to bring nature into your life. With the right balance of materials, plants and design, a backyard can be transformed into an oasis of beauty and relaxation. Even small yards have huge potential. Whether it's a need for an eating area or a place to gather with friends and family, the treasure is waiting to be discovered. The trick is to bring drama and dynamic views to life. Sometimes it's as simple as having the right plants in the right locations that amplify a project.
 Trifolium repensis, or white clover, is one pretty flower that is considered a weed in most of the US but actually has lots of benefits. The plant’s stems that come into contact with the ground turn into roots, causing the plant to creep and expand very quickly, which can be annoying, but it's also edible from root to flower head and is actually quite tasty!
 This month our spotlight is on the Mayhew project. The layout of the backyard space really pushed us to get creative back in 2017, but years later we are still in love with the way it turned out!
 We've spoken about rain gardens many times over the years but people always have questions about what their primary function is and how much they cost. Now that rainy season is approaching, it's a good time for a refresher course!
 Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ is a clump-forming, cool season grass that grows well in part shade and does best in moist soils. Cool season grasses tend to have most growth in spring and in the fall when temperatures are just cool enough for this plant to thrive. In the summer, these dark green tussocks turn into beautiful, billowing clouds of golden-yellow flowerheads.
 Sometimes we feel that if a client gets hyper-focused on budget that the quality of the project could be at risk. We know that working within a clients means can be crucial to a project's success but in this blog we want to discuss the importance of taking the time to look beyond the budget.
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About YardBlogThe goal is to make this blog a resource for helpful tips and sustainable ideas. I create original content that shows projects in progress and the behind-the-scenes of installation. And, I try to have as much fun as I can doing it. Archives
March 2022
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