Landscape Design Blog

May 27, tall wall in front of home

Sun, 27 May 2012 13:24:40 GMT

Front of my house has a very tall wall to the roof peak, window on each side. What can I do in front of that wall to make it more appealing? Right now

May 15, Travertine pavers over concrete slab with covering

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:48:39 GMT

I have a 800 sq ft (16x50) slab that is in excellent condition. The original plan was to apply a membrane over the slab and then gauged blue stone on a

May 14, I Love My Lawn - There, I Said It!!

Mon, 14 May 2012 00:10:51 GMT

I am going to admit here that I do love my lawn! I know the big hype of the last few years is not to have lawn. I know it's the "green" thing to do (no pun intended). And it's not that I am against having a no lawn, mowless landscape design. In fact some of them are darn gorgeous. And I do understand a landscape design without any lawn has many benefits.

No chemicals are needed for crabgrass control, grubs, fertilizing, and other weed prevention.
Less water is used, especially when drought tolerant plants are used.
No mowing is necessary, which saves money.

However, I love my lawn! I had my family over today for Mother's Day. I brought my furniture out for the first time this season. I had no time to really spruce it up with color but I did manage to get out and buy a striking petunia plant which I put on my patio. And I cleaned up my beds. So early this morning I took my coffee and actually allowed myself to enjoy the peace and quiet. I sat on my patio rocking chair and absolutely loved my backyard, including my expansive lawn. Yes, I loved it. The rolling hill of green, the play of shadows on the flat surface, and the simplicity that just made my log cabin in the far away distance even more pronounced. My plants stood out too against the green grass. I didn't even mind the imperfections made by my pal, my dog. And after being freshly mowed the day before, oh it smelled so good. So go for a mowless landscape if you like for many good reasons, but also know that you are not alone in enjoying lawns!

May 13, Landscape design plan costs

Sun, 13 May 2012 17:04:29 GMT

Typically , how much does a comprehensive landscape architectures plan cost. We recently purchased new construction home and need a design for driveway,

May 12, Pink Flowering Trees

Sat, 12 May 2012 11:43:24 GMT

If you are looking for pink flowering trees, here are some of the best ones for your landscape design!

May 10, Front Yard Curb Appeal | Landscaping Curb Appeal

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:04:55 GMT

Everyone want to have front yard curb appeal. Take a look at these quick tips for creating an exciting landscape!

May 8, Small Patio Design | Small Patio Ideas

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:50:13 GMT

A small patio design can be the most charming! Take a look here at some great photos, tips and helpful ideas.

May 6, Front Yard Patio

Sun, 06 May 2012 11:15:34 GMT

Here is a question about adding a front yard patio in conjunction with a walkway design. We are having our front steps and sidewalk redone. My daughter

Apr 23, Land Grading and Drainage Solutions for New swimming Pool

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:38:07 GMT

I am planning on putting in an in ground swimming pool. I would like to solve all my drainage problems at the same time, and prevent future problems due

Apr 23, Rose Colors For A Slope

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:17:59 GMT

I would like to plant drift roses on a bank that runs in front of my home. The bank is 86 feet long and 3 feet high and the slope is at about a 70 degree

Apr 22, New Ornamental Grass 2012

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 16:39:43 GMT

There is a new ornamental grass that looks intriguing. It is called Fountain Grass 'Desert Plains'. What I find interesting are two things. 1. It gets to be about 3 to 4 feet tall. This is a height that fills a nice gap between Fountain Grass 'Hameln' which reaches 2 feet and Maiden Grass 'Gracillimus' that reaches about 5 feet. 2. It's tips turn red in the fall! After that it turns to beautiful oranges and golds. This perennial takes sunny conditions. Use one as an accent or group a few together for a striking splash. Enjoy the plumes late summer. Fountain grass looks great with many other perennials due to the fact that it's grass like foliage provides a nice change in textures against other plants. Leave the foliage for winter interest.

Apr 20, Trees For Privacy

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:24:51 GMT

Here is a question about trees for privacy Hello, I would like to plant four trees next to a fence to block my view of a traffic light. I was thinking

Apr 18, Backyard Drainage

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:24:13 GMT

We just had an inground pool removed and now our yard is filled with a mixture of sand and dirt. Water just sits on top of the yard in various places and

Apr 17, Hardscape materials for shady and moist areas

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:29:30 GMT

Hello! Our backyard receives about four hours of shade per day as the sun moves side to side over house rather than front to back. The back of our house

Apr 11, Shady Back Yard | Shade Loving Plants

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:21:34 GMT

My back yard has 5 oak trees. When we planted these trees, we didn't realize how big they would get. The trees are around 30 years old. My problem is that

Apr 5, Landscape Design For Noise Reduction | Evergreen Trees

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:45:43 GMT

I live on a busy route. I love my house but the noise of the traffic(tires hitting road) is ongoing. I am wondering if a hill or banking between the road

Mar 10, Trees For Landscaping | Landscaping With Trees

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:37:01 GMT

Trees For Landscaping is an ebook which will help you choose the right trees for your landscape! All the information on the best trees are there so that you won't make mistakes and you will achieve be

Mar 1, American Holly Tree | Ilex Opaca

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 14:10:01 GMT

The American Holly tree is a native, broad leaf evergreen. It has a charm of its own in not only its form and foliage, but also in the beautiful red berries it produces. It is easily used in the lands

Feb 28, Weeping Cherry Tree | Japanese Weeping Cherry Tree | Weeping Higan Cherry

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:49:04 GMT

The Weeping Cherry tree is striking due to its form but also for its lovely pink flowers. This is one tree that is extremely attractive all year long even when not in bloom.

Feb 28, Flowering Plum Tree | Purple Leaf Plum Tree | Newport Plum

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:21:00 GMT

I often use the Flowering Plum tree in design for clients. Also known as the Purple Leaf Plum tree due to its purple foliage all season long. The hardiest variety is Newport Plum and the tree gets lov

Feb 27, Japanese Red Maple Tree | Bloodgood Japanese Maple

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:00:07 GMT

The Japanese Red Maple tree is a wonderful, relatively small ornamental tree. Blood Good Jpanaese Maple is one variety that keeps its red leaves all season, with a beautiful shape.

Feb 27, River Birch Tree | Heritage Birch Trees

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:49:34 GMT

The River Birch tree is a great tree to use due to its beautiful peeling bark. It has small leaves and pretty yellow fall color. Choose the improved variety Heritage Birch.

Feb 26, Star Magnolia | Royal Star Magnolia | Magnolia Jane

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 15:10:10 GMT

Star Magnolia is a wonderful small ornamental tree that will produce white or pink flowers. Magnolia Jane is the pink flowering variety and is a great choice, as is Royal Star with its white flowers.

Feb 23, Chinese Elm Tree | American Elm Tree

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:38:04 GMT

The Chinese Elm tree, also known as the Lacebark Elm, is similar to the American Elm. The new disease resistant varieties have beautiful exfoliating bark and are smaller than the American Elm.

Feb 22, Green Giant Arborvitae | Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:57:46 GMT

Green Giant Arborvitae is a very fast growing evergreen tree and an excellent choice if you want privacy. Here is some information along with some planting design tips.

Feb 7, Leyland Cypress | Leland Cypress

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:47:41 GMT

Leyland Cypress is a great choice if you are looking for privacy as it is a very fast growing evergreen tree. Here is some information about and where to buy these landscape trees.

Feb 4, Hydrangea Plant | Hydrangea Flower

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:42:57 GMT

The Hydrangea plant is one of my favorites and here are four of the best! They are striking and will faithfully flower all summer with beautiful colors!

Feb 1, Flowering Vine Plants | Perennial Flowering Vines

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:46:04 GMT

Flowering vine plants are very romantic and can be used in many places. Some are fast growing vines. My favorites are Climbing Hydrangea, Morning Glory vines, and Rose vines to name a few.

Jan 31, Catmint Plant | Walkers Low Catmint

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:54:36 GMT

The Catmint plant is the one perennial everyone should have. It flowers almost continuously. Walkwers Low Catmint is my absolute favorite. Botannicaly known as Nepeta faassenii, this perennial is drou

Jan 29, Backyard Fountain | Outdoor Garden Fountains Lion Head Fountain

Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:54:03 GMT

You should definitely have a backyard fountain! There is nothing like the sound of water along with seeing it. Here are some fountain ideas and the different kinds that you can consider.

Jan 25, Using a variety of fencing styles.....

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:54:36 GMT

Can different styles of fencing be used throughout a yard's landscaping? I currently have a short picket fence surrounding a cottage garden in front

Jan 21, Landscaping Question On Prices

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 04:44:05 GMT

A landscaping question on prices from a landscaper. I can't even recall how I found your site, but I really like it. I am a landscaper who was curious

Jan 13, Concrete Patio Settling Fix

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:56:28 GMT

Is there a concrete patio settling fix that can be done? I have a large raised stamped concrete patio (about 30 feet by 35 feet. It is divided into 8

Jan 5, Basement water at house pools

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:27:06 GMT

Here is a question about house water that pools at a corner and drainage problems. My home is older, 1937, and in one corner of the house water pools

Jan 4, Seat Wall | Designing Walls With Your Patio

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:28:34 GMT

What are the correct seat wall dimensions? How do you design these landscape walls to look best with a patio design? Here are some photos and professional information on designing them.

Dec 19, Patio Pictures | Patio Photos | Pavers Bluestone Stone

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:32:12 GMT

Here is a collection of patio pictures I have designed, done in concrete pavers, natural stone and bluestone. They can easily be done in concrete or brick. Some are two levels and seat walls are inclu

Nov 29, Lawn slopes towards house

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:48:59 GMT

The question: Will drainage pipes near my house still cause foundation problems? Our lawn slopes towards our house, which has a 1.5 metre brick paved

Nov 18, How Narrow Can My Driveway Design Be?

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 21:39:37 GMT

You say in your website that driveway width should be 9-12 feet. Is there any reason a driveway could not be any narrower, say 8 3/4 feet, or is that getting

Nov 18, matching up patio design & color to brick home

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:13:41 GMT

Planning to build dark stained pergola over back patio against a dark red brick home (mixed with darker browns to blacks similar to your basket weave pic

Nov 18, what type of soil or fill should be used to help lawn drainage

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:35:26 GMT

Hi Nancy, I received your questions regarding your drainage problems. My backyard is much lower than both neighbours by almost two feet. The back of the

Nov 18, Travertine Pavers on front stoop (Chicago)

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:36:17 GMT

Here are some questions regarding placing travertine pavers over a concrete porch, and my answers. Hello, I have 1 1/4 thick travertine pavers (versailles

Nov 17, Travertine - dry set or on concrete in California

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:52:44 GMT

We are redoing our 50-year + pool and have decided on travertine for around the pool and the patio. We are located in Los Angeles, CA and are trying to

Nov 16, Drainage Issues and Water Collecting in Yard

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:17:49 GMT

Hi There - First of all, great site, very informative! My question is about drainage issues on a very flat property in the Sacramento area and appropriate

Nov 16, Land FX and Vectorworks Comparison

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:44:55 GMT

Hi, I am a landscape designer and I just read your software reviews and would love to know more. Specifically I am looking at Vectorworks and Land FX

Nov 9, Landscaping Costs Book | Ebook For Landscape Pricing

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:24:31 GMT

Here is my landscaping costs book, an ebook created to help you find out all about landscape pricing. Can you afford it? Can you make it fit into your budget? Find out here!

Nov 7, Designing Front Yards Ebook

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:20:13 GMT

This Designing Front Yards ebook provides professional ideas for creating a striking design that is above the usual.

Oct 26, Planting ideas for subdivision entry islands

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:36:09 GMT

Hi- I have been asked to revamp 3 subdivision entry islands with new perennials. You can see from the attached photos that the islands are full of yews,

Oct 26, travertine pavers over concrete kool decking around pool

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:54:55 GMT

I'm considering installing travertine pavers over my existing kool-deck concrete patio. I know your not a fan of that concept but three different companies

Oct 25, Front Walkway and Foundation Plant Ideas

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:15:28 GMT

I need some front walkway and foundation plant ideas. My 1960's colonial-style house sits on top of a small hill. My driveway cuts through the front yard

Oct 20, Brick Patterns | Ideas

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:21:30 GMT

brick patterns for a beautiful patio, styles, colors, edging