Author: briGHt4384v

As winter settles in the garden can seem to be on hold – few things are blooming and cold temperatures keep everyone inside. Add the threat of a winter storm and few people are thinking about garden beautification! However, there are many plants that can really shine with a coat of ice or snow – consider adding one or a combination of these in a spot that can be viewed from your favorite cold weather spot inside the house.

Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’ – Coral Bark Japanese Maple

While most Japanese Maples have interesting foliage and vibrant fall color ‘Sango-Kaku’ has the additional benefit of bright red stems, especially on the newest growth. When covered in snow the red becomes even more vibrant, and would make a great focal point at the back of a planting bed.

The leaves are down and the holidays are coming! Now is a great time to perform routine winter maintenance tasks including pruning, mulching, and general yard cleanup. Winter mulching gives your plants extra insulation against the coldest months of the year, while also giving your yard a fresh neat look for winter visitors. Mulching in the winter is a good way to get a head start on next season’s yard work.

Winter is also a great time to prune trees and shrubs. Plants without their leaves show their structure, making it easier to see where to make the best cuts. For many plants winter is also the healthiest time to prune – many summer blooming plants as well as many varieties of conifers prefer to be pruned during dormancy.

In addition to cooler weather and plants with beautiful fall color one of the things that I like best about fall is the arrival of bulb catalogs in my mailbox. Every year I am inundated with catalogs from the US and around the world showing beautiful photos of fields of flowering spring bulbs. I love flipping through these catalogs and coming up with hypothetical combinations of plants to look forward to come spring. But I also end up feeling overwhelmed by the range of bulbs available, and the number of ways to incorporate them into my yard. Below are two great options for using spring flowering bulbs, and how to transition them into summer plantings.

As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler the season of fall color begins. When a client asks for plants for a dramatic fall color display I often turn to plants native to North Carolina and other parts of the South East. There are many plants native to this area that offer superb fall color in addition to their wildlife benefits.

Nyssa sylvatica – Black Gum

A mid sized to large shade tree, Black Gums have spectacular orange red fall color. They also produce a deep blue fruit which is a great source of nutrition for birds. Consider using a Black Gum where you would use an Oak of a Maple.

With fall right around the corner now is a great time to think about a new landscape design for your yard. If you are considering hiring a landscape designer, but aren’t sure how you would like to change your yard – don’t worry! Many of our clients start with just a desire to make their property more attractive, without really knowing what that means to them. Read on for advice on clarifying your goals:

Start with identifying what you don’t like

Our clients can typically tell us what they don’t like about their property. It may be views of their neighbors’ properties, poor lawn, erosion, areas that stay too wet, or the presence of deer. Identifying things that you don’t like is the first step to determining what changes need to be made to your property.

There are a variety of ornamental grasses – those for sun or shade, native options, and the benefits of ornamental grasses include drought tolerance, deer resistance, and the fact that many start to shine after the plants of early summer have started to wane. Read on for some of my favorite combinations that make use of these versatile plants.

One ornamental grass that many people are familiar with is Muhly Grass, which has filmy pink plumes in early fall. When not in flower, this grass can be underwhelming, so consider pairing it behind a low evergreen shrub like a dwarf Yaupon Holly. The Holly will screen the grass when it is not in bloom and provide great contrast when it is. Both are North Carolina native plants.Blooming in late summer, these two plants provide great textual contrast when paired. The Fountain Grass has a fine texture and fluffy conical seed heads while the Sedum has waxy leaves and broad flat flowers. Both plants thrive in full sun and provide great transition into the fall.

Summer is the time for outdoor gatherings and having the right hardscaped space can make your yard much more usable. When considering adding walkways, patios or other outdoor spaces you can choose from a variety of materials based on your design preferences and budget. Below are pictures of some of our hardscaping projects using decorative gravel, concrete pavers, brick, and natural stone.

Decorative Gravel – that’s right gravel can be beautiful! Ornamental pea gravel is available in blue gray or orange tones, and is a great option for creating affordable hardscaped spaces. Additionally gravel is a permeable surface option, which is environmentally friendly.

Concrete Pavers – available in a variety of colors and styles pavers can be used for projects including patios, walkways, seatwalls, and firepits. Pavers are durable, reasonably priced, and can be a more affordable alternative to natural stone.

Brick – If your home already has brick elements in its architecture or if you like the look of traditional materials brick can be an excellent paving material to use. Brick is an affordable option available in a variety of colors and it can be laid in many different patterns.

As summer begins you’ll see flowers everywhere – many shrubs, trees, perennials and annuals are in full bloom. While all flowers are beautiful, consider adding plants that have the added benefit of supporting wildlife. Many native and migratory birds and butterflies

As we move into spring the number of blooming plants can blow you away. With all the flowers and color present in Durham during this time of year, it is easy to find plant combinations that give you a bold effect. The challenge is to develop combinations that can move beyond the bloom frenzy of spring. Below are two incredible spring combinations that will work all the way until fall.

As winter winds down it is time to think about changes to make in your yard come spring. The earlier you get plants established this spring the better off they will be, and the more time you’ll have to enjoy them come summer. If your plans include designing or redesigning a portion of your landscape read on for a guide to start the process.