I struggled with coming up with a year-end blog. I even thought about just repeating last year’s message. Who would know? I thought it was pretty good, so you could just read my blog from last year here. But then it is hard to ignore that this is the season of giving. It’s everywhere: gift […]
Winter Pruning: For Plant Health and Aesthetics
Winter pruning or dormant trimming is done during the winter months while the trees and shrubs are in dormancy. Winter pruning is done for a variety of reasons. Each reason has to do with the health of the plant and aesthetics. Winter Pruning for Plant Health Trees and shrubs in dormancy are less susceptible […]
Purple Plants: On Trial
Every year plants are submitted by private breeding companies and grown in trial gardens to gauge performance in specific climates. These trials take place across the country. Plants are grown at the Michigan State University Trial Gardens, and other trial sites in Michigan, to evaluate performance of the plants in a Michigan climate. Plants are […]
English Gardens: Structure or Controlled Chaos?
Typically, when clients describe their desire for a lush English gardens design, they are referring to one of two very different styles: the English country garden or the English cottage garden. One is very structured and geometric in design; the other more vivacious and exuberant. The English Country Garden The classic English […]
Outdoor Living: Small Scale Garden Nook
If you have taken a look at our portfolio you can see that we have been privileged to create some amazing outdoor living spaces. Some have been outfitted with all the creature comforts of an indoor family room/kitchen space. These amenities include food and drink at hand, media centers, fireplaces and ceiling fans. But maybe […]
Are You Ready for Spring Blooms?
We are thinking Spring! Yes, you read that correctly. As we are about to turn the corner from the lazy days of summer we are ready to think about next season. Fall is the very best time of year to plant your new landscape. The air is cooler, while the ground retains its warmth. As […]
Outdoor Living: Keeping Safe and Comfortable
We design and build extraordinary outdoor spaces so our clients and their families, friends, and neighbors can experience the great outdoors just outside their doorstep. Our designers incorporate features to enhance the experience: Patios, seating, landscape lighting, pergolas, BBQ stations, fireplaces, fire tables, and fire pits. All things to make for a safe and comfortable […]
Gardening With Children: We Love To Play In The Dirt
We like to encourage gardening with children. A few years ago we created t-shirts that read, “We love to play in the dirt”. They were available in both adult and child sizes, but many were given away to children that came into the Garden Center. The supply didn’t last long! But what I hope was […]
Dogscaping: the Elevated Status of Pets
Dogscaping or dog-centric landscaping was highlighted as a 2018 trend in an earlier post and we received a number of inquiries. The post sparked enough interest that I thought an expanded post would be helpful. The Elevated Status of Pets We see tiny dogs carried around in large purses. Pet supply stores encourage dogs to […]
Spring Color: Bulbs and Other Early Bloomers
Few things can brighten a day like the first spring colors. It is inspiring to see delicate-looking blooms fight their way up the frozen earth and face the last cold blasts of winter. After every long winter they add refreshing early color to the landscape. Add some early spring color to your landscape with wildflowers, […]
