It’s always exciting to see the first signs that spring is near. When the flowers start arriving in the landscapes and gardens around New Milford, CT, I know it’s only a matter of time before the Litchfield County gardening season is in full swing. I still have a lot of things to do before then […]
Late Winter Blooms in a Connecticut Landscape Read More »
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of ornamental grasses. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t use them in a landscape design or actually plant them in a landscape, I would. Being a plant-a-holic and someone who has a real problem throwing a plant out, I actually have 1 ornamental grass,
Some Winter Interest in a New Milford Landscape 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 »
All too often, landscapers and homeowners rely on hedge trimmers to maintain plant size and height. The problem with this approach is a very dense, unnatural looking shrub where all the foliage is only at the outer most edges of the plant. A plant that is so dense is a perfect environment for diseases and
Hollies Too Big? Connecticut Landscape Experiment Read More »
Nothing drives me more crazy than when I see landscape companies trimming trees and shrubs with hedge trimmers. Yes, Boxwoods have been trimmed for hundreds of years with hedge trimmers. Although it isn’t the most healthy practice for the plant, it is accepted. As I drive around Fairfield and Litchfield County, I see landscapers trimming
Pruning Viburnum’s Naturally. Heading Back vs. Trimming. Read More »
People I meet all the time always say to me “you must have the most beautiful gardens at your house”. Well, I’m sure you’ve heard “the shoe-maker’s wife often goes in ragged shoes”. I can relate! The fact is my own house is a work in progress and most likely will always be a work
A Connecticut Landscape Designer’s Garden Read More »
In October 2009, we were hired to install a two acre wildflower meadow in Kent, CT. The landscape plan, by the landscape architect, didn’t give any detail as to what his vision was for the meadow. Not having any experience with large scale meadow establishment, our work at Designing Eden was cut out for us.
A Kent Connecticut Wildflower Meadow. Read More »
When you’re planning your next garden, some might think about installing weed fabric before planting. I personally don’t like weed fabric. We’ve renovated quite a few gardens over the years where weed fabric was once installed. As you can see from these photo’s, weed fabric doesn’t work very well. Weed fabric might prevent weeds from
Have you ever thought about landscaping your property? Have you ever wondered whether you could afford everything you’re hoping to create? You can if you change your way of thinking. If you’re able to look at landscaping a different way, you won’t see it as a cost but an investment. I often tell people that
Landscaping Might Be More Affordable Than You Think! Read More »
Ilex verticillata Blue Princess Holly There are plenty of ways to extend the gardening season for our long Connecticut winters. One way is to add plants which hold berries well into the winter. Besides giving birds a needed treat, placing a plant with berries close to a window or door can add some visual interest
Ideas for Winter Interest in the Garden Read More »