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There are many factors to consider when selecting hardscape for a project – aesthetics, durability, and cost to name a few. At Bright Leaf Landscaping we specialize in two types of hardscape – dry set natural stone and ornamental pea gravel. I have both in my garden, and I appreciate what each brings to space, as well as the tradeoffs between the two. Read on to learn more.

There are lots of ways to design a container planting. Thriller, filler, and spiller is a phrase often used, and can be a great starting point. Some designers use only annuals and rely on seasonal rotations with tons of flowers to keep their pots looking great. Here in North Carolina we are lucky to have a diversity of plants that maintain their foliage even in winter. Read on to learn about one of my favorite cool season containers this fall, that relies only on evergreens.

Even among experienced gardeners there is always some trial and error when it comes to plant selection. Knowing what a plant needs to thrive and doing your best to put it in that situation is always a good idea, but sometimes you really don’t know how a plant will do until you put it in the ground. Read on to learn about my quest for native red flowing perennial for my garden.

This spring I started reworking two areas of my garden – the bed between my screened in porch and outdoor shower (click here to learn more) and the area that I see out of the window over my kitchen sink. I wanted each area to have a distinctive point of view, meaning that they could be different from my overall garden, but needed to work for a specific purpose. For the area outside my kitchen window I wanted it to be interesting year round, and provide a distraction from the mundane cleaning tasks I typically perform when I’m in that spot.

This spring I added some plants to the bed between our screened in porch and outdoor shower. Because this space is primarily used in the warm season, I focused on landscaping that included deciduous, flowering plants, especially those that tolerate our hot and dry summers. I wanted the space to be dramatic and was ok with most of the plants going dormant in the winter. Leaf color and texture were as important to me as flower color, but I prioritized plants that support hummingbirds and pollinators. Read on to learn about the plants I selected.

Incorporating bulbs is a smart way to fill in open space in your garden. I plan to add bulbs that will naturalize or that can be used for cut flowers. Read on to learn more about bulbs I want to add to my garden in 2024.

Lycoris radiata (Hurricane Lily)

My goal is to take responsibility of storm water on my property by catching the rain and holding it until it’s slowly absorbed. A rain garden planting is a sustainable landscape solution to slow pollution runoff, erosion, and prevent flooding our nearby streams. Read on to learn about my rain garden planting projects.

Storm water management is a key aspect of landscape design. Most people are enthusiastic about planting a rain garden, but it’s not always the primary solution. I commonly suggest that clients address their drainage concerns before proceeding with a planting design and installation. Read on to learn about storm water management for your landscape.

This summer I was excited to visit a new to me nursery – Sandy’s Plants in Mechanicsville, VA. One of the plants I came home with was Gaillardia aestivalis “Grape Sensation”, a Texas native, hardy to zones 6-9, with extreme drought tolerance. I planted a group of 3 in my very summer-dry front yard, where a mature willow oak takes most of the limited summer rain.

If you’re a tree lover like me, the thought of losing mature specimen trees is a real concern. In my garden I have a mature Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) that reaches well over the house, offering shade, wildlife habitat, and a canopy that adds a sense of maturity to my garden. I love this tree and would hate to lose it.

Several weeks ago a report on tree canopy loss in Wake County was widely reported on – including this article from WRAL. Additionally, this summer Duke Hospital clocked a 72mph wind speed recording on their roof, which is just one mile from my house.