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.
 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!
 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, 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.
 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.
 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!
 With this project we were shooting for a usable, botanical space. Thirty different native plant species were added to the yard, which bloom in stages all year long. We really love the way it turned out!
 We are often asked how much a project is going to cost before we even start brainstorming what the client is looking for. It's hard to answer that question before going through the design phase together but here are some helpful numbers that might guide you through the process.
 Texas Bluebonnet has larger, more sharply pointed leaves and more numerous flower heads than similar lupines. These plants are topped by clusters of up to 50 beautiful blue, pea-like flowers. These flowers are low maintenance and will make a perfect addition to your garden!
|
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
Categories |
RSS Feed