Landscape Design Blog

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Here are the Latest Blog Entries:

Jul 21, 2008, Waterfall Designs | Backyard Waterfalls

Waterfall designs work best when they look natural. Landscape waterfalls should have an interesting mix of stone shapes, sizes and even colors.

Jul 12, 2008, Front Yard Foundation Plants

I have a recently built home in Illinois and now I'm in the process of transforming my front yard. I would really love to have some Boxwoods planted

Jun 29, 2008, Pyrus calleryana 'Aristocrat' / Zelkova serrata 'Village Green'

I purchased these two trees and I think I may have made a mistake on what I wanted. I have a small front yard with a beautiful view of the east

Jun 28, 2008, Landscape Design Advice Newsletter

A landscape design advice newsletter which will provide professional landscaping ideas.

Jun 27, 2008, Designing With Evergreen Shrubs | EBook

Professional advice on designing with evergreen shrubs. Learn about front foundation plants, plant placement, and plant recommendations.

Jun 23, 2008, Deck Ideas | Designing a Deck

There are many parts of deck ideas to consider when designing a deck. Deck materials, deck stairs, a canopy or pergola for shade and the design itself are all important. In addition, deck costs can be

Jun 21, 2008, Landscaping Cost | Landscapers and Landscape Contractors

Your landscaping cost can vary greatly. Landscapers charge differently, but material and labor costs are always included.

Jun 12, 2008, Outdoor Garden Benches | Wooden and Aluminum

Outdoor garden benches can be used in many ways. Wooden garden benches, aluminum, iron, concrete and even natural stone are all types you can use.

Jun 11, 2008, Patio Fire Pits | Propane and Natural Gas Firepits

Patio fire pits can be portable or built in. They can be be run on propane or natural gas. Wood burning outdoor firepits are also a great choice.

Jun 3, 2008, Driveway Drainage | Driveway Drains and Swales

Driveway drainage can be a challenge. Drains, swales and creative grading can all offer solutions in all situations.

Jun 2, 2008, Pictures of Swimming Pools | Inground Pools

Pictures of swimming pools can help you decide what type of pool you like. Here are some images to give you some ideas.

May 30, 2008, Steep Front Slope Landscaping

The front yard in the front of my house is painfully steep. We bought the house five years ago and have avoided doing any major landscaping to the

May 28, 2008, Aluminum Residential Fence | Gates

The aluminum residential fence is maintenance free and an elegant choice. Fence prices are at the higher end. Aluminum fence gates can match or be more of a decorative focal point.

May 28, 2008, Shady Grass Areas

In front of my house there is a sidewalk and a large tree. One half of my lawn between the sidewalk and drive is too shady for grass and on the other

May 21, 2008, New Patio | Swimming Pool Decking

Hi, I live in Southern New Jersey. My wife and I just built a new home and are moving in soon. We are interested in putting in a pool. I have met

May 17, 2008, Outdoor Garden Rooms | Landscape Gardens

Outdoor garden rooms can be flower gardens, an area with a water feature, or just a quiet sitting area. They an be similar to secret gardens.

May 16, 2008, Landscaping Slopes

Here's my question: I would like to get design ideas to re-do a sloped triangular area next to my driveway. It is about 34' long and 10' high, with

May 15, 2008, Patio Design Decisions

When deciding to add a patio to your landscape design, most people have not really decided what material to use. And you know what? That's fine. You can come up with the design first, and then interchange materials, according to likes and costs, and then make your decision.

This is easiest to do with a simple patio at ground level. It gets a bit more intricate if the patio is raised (more like a terrace). In this case, steps and sidewalls are involved. Thus more materials must be coordinated.

If designing a patio at ground level, the materials chosen should blend well with your house and any other hardscape features nearby. There may be a few different paving materials that will work. For example, a white clapboard home would look fine with bluestone, brick or pavers.

However, let's assume it is a terrace. Not only must materials be selected for the terrace floor itself, but also the sidewalls and any necessary steps leading off the patio. If brick is chosen for the terrace, the sidewalls can also be brick. Yet the steps can be either brick or bluestone. Perhaps the steps will be comprised of bluestone treads and brick risers. Or bluestone treads and stone risers. If you change the material to concrete pavers, the same decisions must be made, but with different materials.

All these different choices affect the cost of your project. Ideally you would select two different options...perhaps one that you love and the other that would be fine. Price them both and see how they fit into your budget.

The point is that you can decide later.

May 12, 2008, Pizza Ovens

Did you ever wonder exactly how pizza ovens work? I found this video, which not only shows you how they work....but it's a lot of fun. It's on my page http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/outdoor-kitchen-island.html (Outdoor Kitchens)

May 10, 2008, Evergreen Shrubs | Foundation Plantings

Evergreen shrubs solve the problem of a bare landscape in the winter. Some things to consider are size and whether it prefers sun or shade.