Category: Landscaping

Every year, nurseries and plant growers present new deciduous shrubs for the growing season.  Below are some new shrubs presented by Proven Winners.

 

Scentlandia Sweetspire (Itea virginica ‘SMNIVDFC’ USPPAF)

This sweetspire promises to be more fragrant than other varieties and is sized (24”–36” tall and wide) to fit in any landscape.  It boasts longer, larger flowers that are more cold tolerant – hardy to zone 5 – and is a shade tolerant flowering shrub.  Sweetspire can handle wet soils as well as being deer resistant.

 

 

 

Suñorita^™ Landscape Rose (Rosa x ‘Chewgewest’ USPPAF)

This continuous blooming rose sports orange flowers from spring through frost without deadheading.  Preferring full sun, this is a highly disease resistant variety.  With a mature size of 36”-48” tall and wide, this shrub can be used as a focal point or a flowering backdrop for other plants.

 

 

 

Bloomerang^® Dwarf Purple Lilac  (Syringa x ‘SMNJRPU’ USPP 29,831)
Bloomerang^® Dwarf Pink Lilac (Syringa x ‘SMNJRPI’ USPP 29,802)

These lilacs grow as a small, rounded shrubs (30”-36” tall and wide) enabling you to integrate it into the landscape easier than a conventional lilac.  Planted in full sun, blooms will cover it in spring and then reappear in summer and fall.  Deer resistant, this fragrant flowering shrub is hardy to zone 3.  As the name implies, Bloomerang Dwarf Purple has perfectly purple blooms and Bloomerang Dwarf Pink has pure pink blooms covering the plant (as you can see in the top photo).

 

 

Snippet^® Dark Pink (Weigela florida ‘VUKOZLyra’ USPPAF)

Fitting perfectly in any sunny spot, this dwarf weigela has vivid pink blooms.  Like with other weigela, this shrub blooms in late spring, but then continues to rebloom all summer.  Deer resistant, this 12’-24’ tall and wide shrub works well to add color to any landscape.

 

 

Ready to add some color to your landscape?  Our Landscape Architects can help you make that happen.

With locations in both Chicago and Denver we are always ready to hear from you.

The world of robotic lawn mowers is constantly growing and adapting.  In a previous post, Mack Land provided an overview of how robotic lawn mowers work.  We have also covered Ambrogio’s  GREEN line and PRO line.  Now, Ambrogio has released their 2019 NEXT line 4.0 models.

The Ambrogio 4.0 NEXT line has 2 models (Basic and Elite) that can be configured into six different robotic lawn mower models by changing the power unit.  This articulated robot adapts to change and is easily converted to meet your needs.

4.0 Basic

The 4.0 Basic model is ideal for those who want a simple and reliable robot that adapts to changes. It’s flexible, yet solid and secure structure enables the installation of three different types of Power Units, which allows it to convert from a robot small- to medium sized yards (with Power Unit Light up to .25 acres, Power Unit Medium up to .35 acres to a solution (Power Unit Premium) that covers up to .60 acres) with extreme precision. The brushless motors, rubber wheels and soft bumper complete the profile of an innovative robot that meets the most varied needs. Equipped with Bluetooth receiver, it can be controlled independently by a dedicated App. The new design also allows greater autonomy: the body designed around the blade provides quick and safe self-cleaning. The Basic 4.0 is the only customizable robotic lawnmower that changes with your yard!

 

 

4.0 Elite

The Elite model combines the features of flexibility and modularity with 4.0 technological innovation.
It comes with a ZCS Connect device that allows the safe connection of the robot anytime and anywhere, by means of GPS, Bluetooth and GSM technology.
With a simple touch, the robot can be stopped and started, and areas can be excluded. The Geofence Alarm allows the system to alert the user when the robot is taken from the yard. In this way, you will always be informed on the movements of your Ambrogio 4.0., with its evolved anti-theft system.
It can be combined with the Medium, Premium and Extra Premium Power Units going from .60 acres up to .90 acres coverage.
The Extra Premium kit permits equipping the robot with the inductive recharge. Ambrogio only has to touch the station, which is now smaller and less bulky, to recharge itself.
Inductive recharge avoids regular cleaning of the contacts. The adjustment of the blade height, now motorized, is also easy to operate, thus facilitating the use of your robot.
ZCS technology is more user-friendly and interactive for easier maintenance of your lawn in a completely autonomous manner. Always, anywhere, anytime… super smart Ambrogio!

 

Read more about these new mowers here.  If you live in the greater Chicago or Denver areas, give us a call to talk to us to see how a robotic lawn can work for you.

 

While flowering shrubs are fantastic through the spring and summer, to truly get color year-round, we need to look at shrubs that provide winter interest.  This can be accomplished through evergreen foliage, colorful branches, or berries.

Classic Evergreens

If you lean towards a more formal planting, boxwoods are great with their neat, tight forms that require minimal maintenance.  Chicagoland Green is a popular variety known for its cold tolerance and compact growth.  Green Velvet is a smaller variety that holds its glossy green color through the winter.  All boxwoods benefit from some winter protection.  Winter Gem is a variety that does best situated on the north side, protected from wind.

Bright Berries

Red berries popping against snow covered backgrounds is a timeless look in the winter.  Cranberry Cotoneaster – as its name implies – has cranberry sized red berries that persist through the winter.  Red Chokeberry is a great deciduous shrub that lends towards creating a hedge.  Not only does it give you great red fall color, its red berries persist through the winter.

Architectural Interest

Not all shrubs are grown for their foliage, its what shows up after the leaves had fallen that is the real show stopper.

Red Twig Dogwood is often a shrub used as a background plant.  However, its flashy red stems in winter make it stand out.  Arctic Fire Dogwood is a smaller variety that is easier to integrate into the landscape and still get those dark red twigs.

If you are looking for a focal shrub that has everyone asking, “What is that?”, Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick is it.  This slow growing deciduous shrub is known for its interesting gnarled and twisted branches.  While it will capture your attention year-round, the show yellowish-green catkins are striking in the winter.

Ready to add some winter interest to your yard?  Our Landscape Architects can help you make that happen.

With locations in both Chicago and Denver we are always ready to hear from you.

That high maintenance eye sore of a pool has eventually been removed and you are considering replacing it with a water feature.

There are many types of water feature, here we will discuss a few of them.

Whether you opt for buying an affordable pre-made fountain or decide to build your own, you’re bound to get some great inspiration from a water feature that highlight nature’s most important element. Backyard water features serve any lifestyle and budget.

There are 5 main groups of water feature.

PONDS:
The four basic types of ponds are, reflecting pools, ornamental pools, water gardens and fish ponds. Each of these may be any size, shape or depth.

WATER GARDENS:
Water gardens are living water features, replete with aquatic plant life that is full of vibrant colors and textures. Plants, both inside and outside the perimeter of the pond create a lush natural setting.

Landscape architecture by the professionals

FOUNTAINS:
An almost limitless variety of shapes and sizes of fountains may be added to your water feature. The sound of water tumbling and splashing on itself combined with a refreshing mist carried by the breeze is truly invigorating.

WATERFALLS:
Like fountains, waterfalls add sound, motion and vitality to your water feature. Often created with natural stone slabs or boulders, waterfalls bring a vertical dimension. Waterfalls capture your interest from a distance as they dance and flow.

STREAMS:
Streams are ideal for meandering along paths, walkways or even pool decks. Acting as natural filters, streams are often designed to flow into waterfalls and cascade into a pond to help sustain the entire ecosystem of a water feature.

The folks at Better Homes and Gardens have a great article discussing five simple DIY designs that you can probably get done in a weekend or two.

There are many things that you can do with the space created as a result of a pool removal. Make sure to read our blog for more ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

What steps should be followed to winterize your pool?

We have published many articles about pool liability, the real estate value of removing your pool and pool removal in general.

There’s no doubt about it—summer’s coming to a close. If you live somewhere with cold winters (or just want to close your pool for the season) and are not quite ready to have your pool removed, you should be thinking about how to winterize your above ground pool.

When people talk about the approaching winter, the pool is not what they have in mind. But knowing how to prepare your pool for the winter is one of the smartest and most important things you can do. If you winterize your pool can save you some very costly repairs. Pool manufacturers won’t honor the warranty on a pool if the damage was due to failure to properly maintain the pool. So don’t waste any time — start winterizing your pool.

Some people do not realize how valuable their efforts now will be toward setting up a swimming pool for next year. Those people often end up with pools that are slimy and green when summer comes back around. Then, instead of cleaning it up, they are left with draining it and starting fresh. Do you really want to waste that much water if you don’t have to? Instead, why not simply learn how to winterize your above ground pool? It only takes a little effort and your swimming pool will be nearly ready for next year.

If you do your own pool maintenance then what follows here is an 11 point best practice check list for you to follow to correctly winterize your pool. If you use a pool maintenance service then make sure to have a discussion with them highlighting these 11 points.

1. Gather Your Pool Closing Supplies

2. Clean Your Pool One Last Time

3. Test and Tweak Your Water for Winter

4. Add Winterizing Chemicals

5. Clean and Plug Your Lines

6. Protect Your Skimmer

7. Winterize The Filter and Pump

8. Clean and Stash Your Accessories

9. Lower the Pool Water (If Necessary)

10. Install the Pool Pillow

11. Install the Pool Cover

For more details on all of these steps read this article by the folks at Swim University.

Of course if all of this is just too much to bear and you have already been thinking about having your pool removed then you’ve arrived at the right place.

If you live in the greater Denver or Chicago area then please contact us for a friendly chat and we will discuss your pool removal options.

 

Many folks consider Labor Day as the end of summer. Well that’s not really true. Labor Day falls on the first Monday in September and summer officially ends September 22nd.

Now that we have got that behind us, let’s think about some garden related activities that we can do to honor the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country.

This long weekend would be a good time to plant new perennials and divide spring blooming varieties to take advantage of cool weather and more frequent rain. Take a look at our previous article titled Perennial Design where we give you lots of tips about how to go about this process.

Here is a great fall gardening checklist. Don’t forget to clean and lubricate all those tools that you will be putting away for the winter to ensure that they will continue to perform next summer.

6 Reasons to Remove Your Swimming Pool

With credit to Newsday here are a whole bunch of suggestions that could keep you going the whole Labor Day long weekend.

1. If you need to reseed or renovate the lawn, this is prime time.

2. Sow lettuce, arugula, mustard greens, collards, kale, spinach and Asian greens for a cool-weather harvest.

3. Plant unpeeled individual garlic cloves, pointy ends up, 2 inches deep, 3 to 6 inches apart in full sun for next year’s crop.

4. Labor Day means it’s time for a final lawn feeding for established turf. Use a slow-release fertilizer for best results.

5. Can tomatoes, but only those that are pristine; eat the blemished ones right away.

6. Inspect evergreens for spider mites. If found, blast them off with a hose. Repeat weekly through month’s end.

7. Pull weeds out by their roots before they spread seeds.

8. Divide spring-blooming perennials, like Dutch iris and lily of the valley, now.

9. Test soil and add lime, if necessary, to raise the pH. It will work in the soil over winter.

10. Harvest grapes.

11. Most peonies should be just fine if left alone, but if yours need dividing or relocating, now is the time.

12. Remove any remaining flowers from tomato plants so they can focus energy on ripening existing fruits, and remove lower leaves to allow sunlight to reach them.

13. Get new perennials into the ground now so their roots can settle in before frost.

14. Don’t prune spring-blooming shrubs or you’ll remove buds that would become next year’s flowers.

15. If the innermost needles of evergreens are turning brown and dropping, don’t panic. It’s normal for this time of year.

16. Hurry up and get your bulb orders in; suppliers may already be running out.

17. Keep watering trees and shrubs, especially new ones, until hard frost (evergreens should continue to get drinks even during winter, in the absence of rain or snow).

18. Want winter interest? Plant witch hazel, red-twig dogwood, deciduous holly and beautyberry for now.

19. Move vacationing houseplants into the shade for a few days before rinsing off insects and bringing indoors.

20. Dig up small rosemary plants and place indoors near a sunny window for fresh herbs throughout winter.

Do you live n the greater Chicago or Denver areas and want more tips and ideas? Feel free to contact us.

 

Ornamental trees are grown for their flowers, foliage, attractive bark or fruits. Ornamental trees are usually woody perennial plants having distinct trunk and crown at the top.

Ornamental or landscape trees are often planted to improve the aesthetics of your property or to improve environmental conditions such as shading a sunny area, providing a wind-break, etc. Because trees are long-term investments, it is important to select trees that are suitable to the climate, soil type, site, and light/wind conditions of the planting location. Initial placement, planting method, and ongoing care can all influence the health and longevity of the tree.

Nicely summarized by the folks at The Barn Nursery

“Ornamental trees add an interesting focal point to any landscaping.

One common focal point is an ornamental or flowering tree. These focal point trees are typically smaller than standard shade trees and boasting annual flowers or colorful leaves that draw the eye and brighten the landscape.

Most ornamental trees grow only to about 25 feet so they provide little shade. Their main purpose is to add color and accent. There are many beautiful ornamental trees that are very hardy in Northern Illinois: flowering crabapple, flowering dogwood, tri-colored beeches and Canadian red cherry, flowering plum, flowering pear, hawthorne and magnolias to name a few.”

Tree Selection

Choose the species of tree to be planted according to the available space. Larger trees are often more expensive and you may be able to plant smaller. Seedling trees have the greatest success when replanted and grown in containers for at least one year. One-gallon trees are successful in protected areas such as private yards. Five-gallon trees and larger should be planted in public areas where there is potential for dogs, cats, and kids to damage smaller trees.
Select trees that are known to perform well in your local area. Consider the elevation, water requirements, tolerance for alkaline soil, cold hardiness, etc.

Consider planting both evergreen and deciduous trees for year-round eye appeal. Many damaging insects are specific to one tree species. Planting a variety of species will help ensure minimal impact to your landscape.

Some of the more well known species are as follows:-

Star Magnolia
Japanese Tree Lilac
Eastern Redbud
Jack Dwarf Flowering Pear
Cornus Mas
Kousa Dogwood
Crabapple
Japanese Maple

And if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous here are a few of the more unusual deciduous ornamental trees that will make you the envy of your neighbors:-

Japanese Stewartia
Persian Parrotia
Katsura Tree

It’s always a good idea to chat to folks like Fiore or The Tree Farm who will be able to help you decide on the right trees for the area that you have in mind.

We have removed swimming pools for some clients who have made use of our landscaping services where ornamental trees have been one of the solutions we proposed to make best use of the resulting space.

We have offices in both the Chicago and Denver areas. Contact us to help you with your ornamental tree requirements which as mentioned in the article may differ depending on your location.

 

If you already have chickens in the garden or are thinking about getting some, here are some points to consider.

Advantages of Chickens in the Garden

Chickens in the garden make wonderful tillers – By scratching and eating practically all vegetation, chickens make great tillers.  Not only do they turn cover crops and clear new garden ground of any sod, they add chicken manure fertilizer directly to the garden soil as they till.

Chickens Create Compost – they are a great nitrogen source for a compost pile. Cleaning out the chicken coop will provide nutrient-rich manure and bedding material that you can compost to supplement the soil in your garden.

As automatic fertilizers – The chickens nitrogen levels in manure isn’t just great for compost, it’s the key ingredient to fertilizing our gardens. Based on the eight pounds one chicken will poop in a month, the average chicken will extract about a quarter pound a day!

Chickens Are Great Pest Control –  Chickens eat large numbers of  beetles, assorted bugs, slugs, grubs, and many other pests. Even a small flock of healthy chickens will serve as pest control to reduce the levels of detrimental insect pests. This variety in their diet also makes fresh eggs better

As mulch spreaders – Chickens can level a pile of leaves in under a day.

As garbage disposals – Instead of throwing all the table left overs into the trash feed it to your chickens. Chickens are omnivores, like us, and will eat practically everything we can and more!

As orchard sanitizers – One chicken can debug an entire fruit tree within an hour, breaking the life cycle of pests and disease. With some strategic timing, chickens can significantly boost orchard production!

Some Cautionary Advice

And now for some cautionary advice from Justin Rhodes of Abundant Permaculture to stop the chickens destroying your whole garden.

Allow the chickens in the garden a half hour to an hour before they go to their coop. They’ll go in for a little bit and naturally leave around dusk to go home.

Supervised visits. If you have a small garden and/or small flock you could do supervised visits for short periods of times. That means you stand there and protect your goodies.

If you have a small garden, you could actually protect your individual plants with chicken wire or something similar. That way your chickens can have access all the time and would even help you with the weeds.

Notes:

– Chickens want the garden bugs more than they want the garden produce. The key here, is only giving them enough time to get the bugs. If you leave them in too long they get all the bugs and start for the veggies.

– This is not something you have to do everyday. I’d say it’s better to do this weekly, or as needed.

-Young plants and young gardens are especially vulnerable to chickens. It’s also possible that the young plants haven’t yet attracted the bugs. Be extra careful when letting chickens near the young plants.

Haven’t got the space right now? If you live in the Chicago or Denver areas consider giving us a call for some free advice how we can help you make the required space. This could be by removing a swimming pool or by using our landscape design services.

With thanks to Jill Wagner and The Prairie Homestead

 

 

Perennial design – plan it and almost forget it!

With a well planned perennial design your garden is filled with hardy perennials that come back each year needing little more than the occasional tidying up.

As part of the design one would mix course texture, fine texture, columnar and spreading shaped varieties. Add to this a few flowering plants that look great in bloom and when they start looking a bit shabby afterwards they will be complimented by the others during their period of good form, texture and foliage color.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind when considering a perennial design.

• Have a plan
• Match your perennial design with the style of your home
• Scale in proportion to your house
• What kind of colors do you like
• Location, location, location put the right plant in the right place
• Be aware of plant heights
• Be aware of bloom times
• Plan for future growth
• Think about incorporating Xeriscaping

To quote from the pages of the New Perennialist 

“The New Perennial movement in naturalistic planting design continues to creep, climb, bloom, and seed its way around the civilized world all the way from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe to Canada, the U.S., South America, China, New Zealand, and beyond.

In every pocket, there’s a growing convergence of design, ecology, and architecture along with a deepening sense of what is possible and why it matters more than ever before (i.e. the lopsided battle to restore quality of life for all species on the home planet.)

The core mantra of the movement remains the same: to plan, design, grow and sustain plant-driven garden environments for a multi-layered, year-round spectacle that feeds our souls, reconnects us to the natural world, and nurtures biodiversity all in one.”

Although we use the word new above, perennial design actually started way back in the 1800’s by William Robinson who was an Irish practical gardener. He advocated more natural and less formal-looking plantings of hardy perennials, shrubs, and climbers. Modern gardening practices first introduced by William Robinson include: using alpine plants in rock gardens; dense plantings of perennials and ground covers that expose no bare soil, use of hardy perennials and native plants and large plantings of perennials in natural-looking surrounds.

Sound too much too tackle yourself? Make use of our extensive landscape architecture knowledge to assist you with the planning and implementation of your ideal garden.

With locations in both Chicago and Denver we are always ready to hear from you.

 

What is a natural stone retaining wall?

To answer that we first need to take a look at what retaining walls are in general.

A retaining wall is a structure that holds or retains soil behind it. There are many types of materials that can be used to create retaining walls.  Materials include concrete blocks, poured concrete, treated timbers, rocks or boulders. Some are easy to use, others have a shorter life span, but all can retain soil. Some are simply utilitarian while others can improve on aesthetics as well.  By building a natural stone retaining wall, you can at the same time support sloping land and beautify your landscape as well.

Some of the most common landscaping walls you see today are created with natural stone. Natural stone is such a popular choice due to its natural and elegant appearance. Although it is more expensive than some other wall options, the beauty of it may be worthwhile to those who are set on creating an inviting outdoor living space.

Depending on the natural stone materials that you choose to use, the stones could be small, they could be flat, they could be thick and they could even be boulder size and come in different colors. The best materials for a natural stone retaining wall will depend on the type of retaining wall that you want to build, the amount of space you have to build it and the type of architecture of the home itself.  See some examples from Benson Stone Company and some additional material choices at High Plains Stone.

Natural stones are more expensive, and can be more labor intensive to set correctly. They are best used for shorter and narrower sections of retaining walls to maximize stability. Similar to its concrete counterpart, natural stone retaining walls need proper drainage capabilities to ensure its structural stability over time.

Conserve water through the use of Xeriscaping, read about it here.

While it’s possible to tackle this as a DIY project, there are many important factors that need to be considered.  These include material selection, height of the wall, foundation, back fill,and leveling to name but a few. Unless you have some experience it’s best left to hardscape professionals to do the job properly.

If you live in the Denver or Chicago areas and have recently had your pool removed , had some excavating work done or any other reason why you may want a retaining wall then contact us about your natural stone retaining wall options.