There are a few items that don’t fit into any of the above categories.  Just because it might not be listed, don’t hesitate to ask.  Our company is innovative, creative, and prepared to tackle any exterior project that comes our way.  If it is not something that we’re committed to undertake, we can probably lead you to someone who would be.

PLANTING

There are many approaches to planting that each individual job or garden might require.  Plants should always be chosen to soften and punctuate the space otherwise defined by the built environment. 

There are many prerequisite questions that should be asked before choosing plants for a particular area.  What is the ultimate size and shape of the plant?  What is its sun/shade requirements/tolerances?  What are the water and/or moisture requirements—can it coexist with its with what I’ve chosen as it’s immediate neighbor?  How does its texture relate to the various surrounding plantings that I’m choosing?  How well does it perform in my particular growth zone or location of the country?  What are its maintenance requirements?  Am I willing to provide the maintenance that it requires? 

These questions can just go on and on.  That’s why it is so important to choose designers that have years experience in this area with both plant selection and maintenance requirements.

Many customers may be only interested in foundation planting—those planting spaces immediately located around the outside foundations of your home or business.  These specifications are going to be dictated by both the overall architecture of your home as well as the specific location of windows, doors, columns, walkways, and trim elements that have been placed on the structure to be seen—not covered up.

Other customers may want planting layouts for a more formal garden.  These would usually be individual spaces separate from the home that provide an area of respite and reflection, or even recreation for the more “hands-on” gardener.  There plant selection is usually one driven by reinforcing the basic architectural elements of the outdoor space and providing extensions of the fundamental floor, wall, and ceiling themes.

Cottage gardens have become more popular in the last decade and have their own specific planting requirements.  There is no conscious structure in the arrangement of their plant groupings but their effect is romantic and grand. 

They are normally outdoor gardens that appear very natural and almost spontaneous.  Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.  Very definite planning and plant growth understanding is required to make these spaces appear so natural.

Perennial borders take a smaller financial and spatial commitment but offer extremely dazzling results in reviving any given landscape.  They are best comprised of blends of woody ornamentals that will both lengthen the period of attraction as well as physically support the arrangement of the perennial balance.  The shrub mix will have been tied together with a framework of perennials that offer unique color, textural, and seasonal blooming characteristics.  Their qualities change from season to season; yet usually offer no visibility in the depths of winter. 

Since these borders are mainly comprised of perennials, they go into dormancy during winter months and re-emerge in the spring.  There is a certain amount expectancy and anticipation that accompanies these spaces that makes them quite enjoyable.

One way of punctuating your garden layout is by grouping pots, tubs, and other containers with plants as incidental points of interest. 

Container planting is just what the name implies.  It takes from an endless supply of above ground containers from window boxes to old ceramic tubs to wheel barrows to hanging baskets to very elaborate limestone urns that can provide and above-ground planting space with the ability to be moved if desired.  The possibilities are literally endless.

Many times the containers are massed with either annuals or bulbs.  Other arrangements combine annuals with vines and perennials to provide an actual bouquet of color, texture, and aroma that rivals the most elaborate florist’s displays.  It’s beauty lies in the change that takes place over the season from planting to dormancy.