CHAMBERS DESIGN - Yardblog is your resource to sustainable design and lifestyle

Support Nature. Plant Natives.

12/6/2022

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!.

The Able Baker Project

10/11/2022

This month our spotlight is on the Able Baker project!

The Benefits of Native plants

10/1/2022

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.

The World of Weeds

9/23/2022

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.

Suburban Oasis

9/7/2022

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.

White Clover (Trifolium repens)

8/30/2022

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!

Revisiting the Mayhew Project

8/30/2022

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!

When it rains, it pours. How can a rain garden help?

8/30/2022

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’

8/9/2022

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.

Beyond the Budget

7/20/2022

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.

The Audley Project

7/20/2022

This month our spotlight is on our Audley project. This space really transformed into something beautiful and we can't wait for you to see the end results!

Wisteria sinensis

7/19/2022

Don’t let these fragrant, beautiful blooms fool you. In spite of its beauty, Wisteria sinensis is an aggressive, fast-growing vine that can quickly take over other plants. Wisteria has become an invasive species in many parts of the eastern United States. It's root system is large and powerful, and can be damaging if it's not properly maintained, so you should be very careful when planting this one near walls or pathways.

Liatris spicata

7/6/2022

Liatris spicata, also known as Dense Blazing Star or Prairie Feather is a perennial flowering plant that is native to eastern North America. These plants have tall, spiky, purple flowers that resemble bottle brushes and can grow anywhere from 1 to 5 ft tall. You will most often see these flowers growing in moist prairies and sedge meadows.

Prairie Dock (Silphium terebinthinaceum)

6/17/2022

Silphium terebinthinaceum, commonly known as Prairie Dock, is a member of the Asteraceae, a family that includes the sunflower. Prairie dock is a perennial that is Native to North America, which produces nearly leafless stems and 2-3" yellow flowers.

The Dreaded Bamboo Plant

6/16/2022

Did you know that bamboo is actually a grass, not a tree?? This perennial plant is one of the fastest growing grasses of its class. A self-regenerating plant that reaches maturity in just three years. Bamboo is highly invasive and you should think twice before planting it in your yard!