I was in a client meeting the other day. The homeowners were looking to screen their neighbors with an evergreen plant that required no maintenance, wouldn’t grow too fast or get too tall, wasn’t expensive, was full size at install and was deer resistant. Sounds like the perfect plant! Unfortunately, that plant doesn’t exist. Slower […]
Understory Screening Ideas Read More »
At Designing Eden llc, the landscapes we design and install tend to have a lot of seasonal interest. We accomplish this by using a mixture of various flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. For most of our clients, that approach is more than sufficient in terms of providing enough seasonal color in their landscape or
Using Annuals in the Landscape Read More »
Today we moved a tree for a client in Kent, CT. This tree was the biggest I’ve moved so far with the new tractor/loader/backhoe. Even with 4000 lbs. of lift, we were right at the upper limit with the machine for this 5″ caliper Japanese Maple with a 57″ root ball. There is
Moving a Tree in Kent, CT Read More »
This week will be my 5th computer aided design class. As you can see from my original post about my experience with getting back into CAD for landscape design, I have made huge progress. This landscape design is not a homework assignment but an actual landscape design project for Designing Eden LLC. Take a look.
Because most plants are not mature at the time of installation into new landscapes, there is a tendency to plant trees and shrubs closer together than they probably should be planted. What happens is, everything looks good for a couple of years and then one day your landscape is out of control. Resist the temptation
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 5. Proper Plant Spacing Read More »
Plants are like children, most are very different in how they act and look. Some plants have hundreds of cultivars or varieties that might look similar to the parent plant but each can have a growth habit that is very different from cultivar to cultivar. It is important to know what you are planting before
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 3. Not realizing the growth habit of a plant Read More »
As a landscape designer, nothing drives me more crazy than homeowners and professionals who disregard the site analysis and history of a property. Follow this simple approach for a successful and unified landscape. If you have a lot of shade, install a shade garden. Don’t try to install a bunch of plants that thrive in
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 2. Not working with what you already have. Read More »
Most homeowners and quite a few professionals start a landscape project without a landscape design. They wake up, go to the nursery and start buying plants. The plants come home or to the job site, get unloaded into a pile and then spaced out and planted. At first, your proud of your accomplishment. Then,
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 1. No Landscape Design Read More »
I lot of people can put plants in the ground and a lot of people call themselves landscape designers but that doesn’t mean they are good at what they do. I had an opportunity to redesign this landscape in Bridgewater, CT. At the time, the house was only seven years old and when I arrived
Landscape Renovation in Bridgewater, CT Read More »
A lot of people can put plants in the ground and a lot of people call themselves landscape designers but that doesn’t mean they are good at what they do. I had an opportunity to redesign this landscape in Bridgewater, CT. At the time, the house was only seven years old and the landscape was
Landscape Renovation in Bridgewater, CT Read More »