News and Articles

Lighting is a very important element to consider when designing a garden or landscape. There are two basic considerations when applying lighting: Safety, and enhancing aesthetic appeal of plants and architectural elements. In more public landscape designs lighting a path or space with more (and brighter) lighting is necessary for safety, but too much lighting in the residential landscape will detract from its appeal. In private garden I use lights to play with the effects of light and dark,...

Water is one of the most desirable elements in the garden and because of this, it is the most important element in the design. When designing with water, it is important to think about its inherent characteristics: it runs downhill and collects in low spots. Try to respect and design within these characteristics in mind. For example, even the most well-designed pool will look silly perched on the top of a hill in the middle of a garden. It is also very important to consider the scale of the...

“I hold the best purpose of a garden is to give delight and to give refreshment of mind, to soothe, to refine, and to lift up the heart in a spirit of praise and thankfulness.” -Gertrude Jekyll, Color schemes for the Flower Garden, 1908 Gertrude Jekyll was the first woman to act as a professional landscape designer. Jekyll started as an art student and learned to paint in the expressionist style. This later influenced her landscape and planting design. Her nearsightedness assisted her in...

While England has had a rich tradition of landscape design, their style really started to separate itself in the 18th century. Before the 1700s the English tended to copy the more formal gardens of the Italian and French. The 18th century brought increased wealth to England through both foreign and domestic trade. This wealth allowed the noble and upper-middle-class of England to transform the countryside. The person that carried out this picturesque transformation was Lancelot Capability...

Planning is the most important part of any project.a. A good landscape design will bring beauty and style to any home. It also can raise your property value 10%-15%. A plan also directs the project, without it a project can quickly become out of hand or go over budget.Our designer knows what you are thinking even if you don’t.a. Matt, our Designer can take what your needs and wants are and reconcile them with the realities of the site.Saves you money in the end.a. We can work within budgets,...

Blueberries are native to many parts of the United States and are very hardy and easily grown. Six blueberry bushes can provide a family of four with all the blueberries they can eat. When freezing your excess crop spread the blueberries out flat on a baking tray and freeze. All blueberries need cross-pollination; planting several varieties will ensure that you have a plentiful crop. When choosing the varieties to grow, check with your local agricultural experiment station for recommended...