Desert Landscape, Design, Landscape Design, Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping Part I

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Larry

landscape remodel — Xeriscaping is Not Just Desert Landscaping I (928) 356-8167

Xeriscaping makes sense for where we live. Arizona is a part of the Sonoran desert. Water obviously is a precious natural resource.

Xeriscaping in Ahwatukee

The population of Ahwatukee, like all Valley cities is increasing. As more and more people relocate to the Valley of the Sun, demands on our aquifers are increasing exponentially. Prices go up the more people want something. Water isn’t an exception to this rule.

Your water bill can be lowered by using xeriscaping effectively, however. What is xeriscaping? Dry landscaping or xeriscaping is a method of landscape design using drought tolerant plants. When you mention it, nearly everybody equates it with desert landscaping. However, the term xeriscaping is more about water allocation.

Xeriscaping Principles in Landscape Design

There are different tricks of using xeriscaping principles in your landscape design. One of the core concepts of xeriscaping is to group plants with similar water needs together to reduce water consumption. When you reduce your demand for water, guess what? You also reduce your water bill. Conserving water to save money is a great benefit, however, that’s only one reason for xeriscaping, Another one is trying to live green.

Is xeriscaping environmentally friendly? Absolutely. Because you are using plants that require less water, it helps in the fight against desertification. Another reason you may want to do xeriscaping at your home or business is that it also helps to stop the spread of invasive species. If you want some inspiration, look up kudzu and see what it’s done to the South. It grows a foot a day. We don’t have that here, however, we do have plants that people plant such as nasturtiums and African daisies which expand aggressively and can choke out other plants. When you’re in doubt, call in a landscaping service to help you pick your plants, which will also be our next topic.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Design, Landscape Design

Fall Flowers: Plant Now

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Larry

What flowers should you plant in the fall? Well, it can be summed up in one word: bulbs.

Tiptoe Through the Tulips: Fall Flowers

Well, not just the tulips if you want to quibble. There are a lot of bulb flowers. Tulips are just the most famous of them. There are also irises, crocuses, lilies, and many other ones. Bulbs do best when you plant them in the fall, and let them grow in the spring. Tulips are one type of perennial. As a landscaping company, we know all about perennials. To give you a definition, however: “A perennial plant or simply perennial (Latin per, “through”, annus, “year”) is a plant that lives for more than two years. Perennials, especially small flowering plants, that grow and bloom over the spring and summer, die back every autumn and winter, and then return in the spring from their root-stock, are known as herbaceous perennials. However, depending on the rigors of local climate, a plant that is a perennial in its native habitat, or in a milder garden, may be treated by a gardener as an annual and planted out every year, from seed, from cuttings or from divisions. [READ MORE]

Perennial Flowers: How Long Do They Last?

Landscape Design-Prescott | 480-420-0902

A perennial can live for up to two years if you leave it in the ground. You can also make it last a lot longer if you cut the stalks off after blooming, and dig the bulbs gently out of the ground, and store them until fall. If you want to do this, make sure that you don’t pull the bulbs.

What flowers to plant in the fall is also determined on what flowers will actually grow in Arizona. Even seed catalogs that list our region as one of the places where flowers grow may not be accurate. When in doubt call a landscaping service in Prescott.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Desert Landscape, Design, Landscape Design

Themed Landscape Design Part 2: The Gardens of the Southwest

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Larry

Part two of our series on themed landscape design explores the gardens that are found in the Desert Southwest. Be sure to read part one and part three of this series as well.

Themed Landscape Design: The Old West Made New

Landscape Design to Fit Your Taste | (928) 356-8167

Sometimes themed landscaping is more than just what flowers to plant in the fall, or how far apart you should put them. Sometimes, you want to add a touch of charm. Living in a major metropolitan area like Phoenix, it is easy to forget that Arizona was a cowboy state, and very much part of the Old West. Don’t believe us? Ever heard of Wyatt Earp? How about Tombstone or the Lost Dutchman? How about creating a space that captures the romance and bravado of the Old West.

How? Well, think about the Old West: dusty streets, magnificent buttes, railroads, lone campfires in a desert landscape. Hmm, desert landscaping. That would seem to be a great place to start. And make no mistake it isn’t just dry, boring plants and the odd cactus. Think about the brilliant gold of a California poppy, or the rich orange of an ocotillo. Desert lupine and hummingbird trumpets have amethyst purples and carnelian reds. And sandstone boulders add a nice earth tone touch to bind it all together.

Landscape Design Tips For an Old West Garden

For a whimsical touch, put a wagon wheel in a bed of white poppies, or maybe line your flower beds with railroad ties. However, it isn’t just railroad ties and xeriscaping that can make a southwestern garden.

Maybe have a container garden with brightly painted Mexican pots, or maybe a rusty iron sculpture of a coyote. It is the little whimsical touches that can transform your garden from drab to exciting.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167

Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Remodeling, Landscaping

What Flowers to Plant in the Fall

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Larry

Knowing what flowers to plant in the fall will help you to enjoy them in the fall and in the spring as well. This article will explore which plants work best for Arizona.

Landscape Design and What Flowers to Plant in the Fall

Know What Flowers to Plant in the Fall? We Do. Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

Let’s start with bulb flowers. There is an old saying “to get tulips in the spring, you need to plant bulbs in the fall.” Okay, there is no old saying, we made that one up. It is true however, that you want to plant bulb flowers such as tulips, irises, daffodils, crocuses, and narcissus, as well as amaryllis in the fall. If you buy your bulbs in advance of your planting time, keep them in a cool dry place. Temperatures higher than 70º F. can damage the small seedling inside the bulb. A lot of spring blooming flowers grow from bulbs that must be planted in the fall, while annuals that prefer cooler temperatures are planted in early fall. Some example of non-bulb flowers that grow in the autumn include mums, zinnias, and petunias. Consult a landscape design professional for tips on what flowers to plant in the fall.

Depending on your needs, you can either grow fall annuals in containers or plant them directly in your garden. Container displays are easy to clean up when the season is over, while you’re going to have to do a bit of digging to take out fall flowers. Regardless of whether you’re looking at bulbs or seeds, you want to make sure that the location you’re looking at is suitable for the type of flowers you’re planting.

Flowers for The Fall: Light, Temperature and Soil Types

In selecting a site for planting bulb flowers, be aware that bulbs need full sun. Pick a site with at least five hours of direct sunlight each day. In Arizona, make sure that you either consult a landscape service regarding how much water you’re going to need, or look up information about the amount of water they’re going to need. When in doubt, a good rule of thumb is once a week.

You want your garden to be beautiful. Flowers are a definite morale boost. So start out with a bit of knowledge. Know what flowers to plant in the fall.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85224
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Desert Landscape, Design, Landscape Design, Prescott Landscape Maintenance

Synergy and Designing Your Landscape

Posted on August 2, 2013 by Larry

In our last article we discussed the concept of synergy where landscape design is concerned. What is synergy? We are glad you asked…

Synergy and Landscape Design

call to action billbaord GreenservPro landscapingGold Synergy literally means that all the parts combined are greater than the parts as a sum. How this relates to landscape design is fairly straightforward. Let’s say part of your property is down with an Old West Motif. You’ve got a wagon wheel, and maybe a cow skull. Perhaps you have an oxidized iron cactus or cowboy silhouette. You also have rocks and desert plants.

Now, however, you want to do a landscape remodeling project and redo part of your landscape with a Chinese motif. Well, problem solved. If you know anything about the history of the west, you know that Chinese workers were part of that history. So you can tie them together and have a lot of your guests get that delighted expression on their faces when they figure out your landscaping. See, alone, the elements of Old West and China don’t work, until you tie them together. And that is synergy in motion. Whatever you go for design wise, make sure that you know the care and upkeep of it.

Landscape Design and Maintenance

Landscape remodeling means that whatever your new design is, you’re either going to have to take care of it, or hire a landscaping company to do it, otherwise, what starts out as a design ends up in overgrown and weed choked chaos. One of the things that you have to think about is that you are not locked into your design. There are no “landscape police’ out there, save for the odd HOA that’s super restrictive about what you can and cannot do to your property.

If you feel like adding something more, then you are free to do so. There are several ways by which you can make your garden more interesting. You can use rock sculpture or fountain. But always ask for assistance when you need it from a landscape design service.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

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Design, Landscape Design

Landscape Design and Remodeling Part 1

Posted on July 19, 2013December 6, 2022 by Larry

Landscape design is another strategy for successfully remodeling your home. And it helps in surprising ways…

Why You Should Get Landscape Design

Landscape Design in Prescott, AZ | Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

When most people think of remodeling, they concentrate their efforts on the inside of their home, however, your home is not just the rooms you have, it is also the landscaping around your home as well. Landscape remodeling is a strategy that’s often neglected or forgotten about.

Are you thinking of bringing life to your dull lawns? Do you dream of entertaining your friends in your stunning home garden? Instead of keeping on renovating the interior of your home, why not try something different; improve the landscape of your house. Having a beautiful pool, beautiful flowers, and probably a fountain can prove to be much more than just inviting for your visitors; it can also be used as a relaxing lawn for you to run away from your worries. There are several ways by which you can remodel your landscape. But should you do it yourself, or call in a service to do it for you?

Save Time and Trouble: Hire a Landscape Design Service

Even though you can do it by yourself, it is recommended that you let an expert landscape design company do the work for you and bring your dreams to reality. A general idea: After you have decided that you want to improve the landscape of your home, the first thing that you need is to prepare a layout or a rough sketch.

In the rough sketch you should at least try to make a general outline of how you would want your lawn to look like. In the layout you can separate areas such as ponds, dining spaces, sitting area, fountains etc. When preparing the sketch, you have to be creative. You can also use the internet to look for more ideas. You can proceed to the next stage only if you are satisfied with the rough layout for your landscape design.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design

Landscape Design in Phoenix Q & A

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Larry

In our last article, we brought up some excellent landscape design questions.Phoenix Landscape Design Q & A

What type of soil does a gardenia grow best in?

Gardenias grow in acidic soil. If you want to use gardenias as part of your landscape design, we recommend only using them in a container with potting soil and peat moss added, otherwise it won’t grow well.

The label on my gardenia I just bought says full sun. If I plant it in full sun will it grow?

Only if you plant it in a container and move it indoors when it gets hot. Otherwise, it will die out. The ‘full sun’ that is referred to on the label is full sun in a much more temperate environment than Arizona. This is something you really have to think about where landscape design is concerned. Where does the plant come from? Do your research.

Landscape design in Arizona has it's own unique challenges — Landscape Design in Arizona | Call Us Today | (928) 356-8167

I was out in California and my sister has gorgeous fuchsias, and I want to grow them here, how do I do it?

You don’t, at least not easily. Fuchsias require a more moisture rich climate to do well. You may be able to hang them in a climate controlled greenhouse, but not outside, and they can’t be used in traditional landscape design in Phoenix.

I have heard that Jessamine or Jasmine does well in Arizona, is that true?

Again, do your homework before any landscape design decisions. Carolina jasmine or jessamine can do well in Arizona, as can Arabian jasmine. However, there are other species of jasmine that you buy from seed catalogs that are supposedly drought tolerant than will quickly become brown sticks with Arizona’s hot summer.

It’s all about the choices you make. Drought tolerant can mean that it can survive a long time without water…for England where it rains 33 inches per year. Arizona is a bit different. Your landscape design should reflect this too.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscaping

Landscape Design in Prescott: The Features You Want

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Larry

Landscape design is all about features. Well, at least good design is. If you get a water feature for example, but don’t want to take care of it, pretty soon you’re going to have a rather odd flowerbed. Inversely, if you get a desert plot of land, and would like a bit of water to break up all the brown, you’re doing yourself another disservice. You want to work with a professional company that helps you to find the best compromise.

Principles of Prescott Landscape Design

Blessed by warm weather nearly year round as well as a fairly relaxed lifestyle, Prescott, Arizona is an oasis in the desert. If you live in or near Prescott, you want your landscape design to take the climate into consideration. What do we mean? Well, from April until sometimes as late as October, Arizona gets HOT. Not just warm, not just balmy, HOT with capital letters.

Prescott Landscape Design: Simple Truths

Elaborate landscape design requires elaborate care. Simple landscaping doesn’t. Sounds pretty straightforward, but the definition between simple and elaborate is also based on your abilities as well as time constraints. During the summer in Arizona, there are only two times you can comfortably work outside: very early morning and early evening. The rest of the time, the heat is a bit too much for most people to deal with.

That’s where we can help you. If you have a vision for your landscape design, from an elaborate flower garden to a Japanese garden, we are professionals, and we even know how to work around the heat.

Green Servpro is a landscape design service in Prescott, AZ. Call us today, and let us take your vision from dream to beautiful reality.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Desert Landscape, Design, Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Prescott Landscape Maintenance

Landscape Design in Arizona: Work With Nature Not Against It

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Larry

Good Landscape Design is About What Works

If you live in Arizona, landscape design can be a challenge. Try to use native plants whenever possible. If it grows here, it will likely do well in your yard.

Don’t Use Invasive Plants in Your Landscape Design

Your neighbors will thank you. Your city will thank you, and your landscape design company will also thank you. If you don’t believe that planting the wrong plant can be disastrous, look at the kudzu. It grows a foot a day and has pretty much eaten the South.

Think About Water Use in Your Landscape Design

Don’t plant a rosebush, which needs a lot of water in an area designed for desert plants, and don’t put a cactus in a rose garden, plant complementary plants together, when planning your landscape design.

When in doubt, call in a professional landscape design service

Green ServPro offers landscape design, lawn care, and sprinkler repair among many other services. Call us today and let us show you what we can do for you, or arrange a consultation.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Desert Landscape, Design, Home and Garden, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Landscape Design, Uncategorized

Landscape Design Part 3: Rock Gardens

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Larry

In Part 3 of our series, we will explore another type of landscape design: a rock garden. Rock gardens come in many forms. One of the most popular is a classic Japanese rock garden. According to this Wikipedia article:

The Rock Garden and Landscape Design

The Japanese rock garden (枯山水 karesansui?) or “dry landscape” garden, often called a zen garden, creates a miniature stylized landscape through carefully composed arrangements of rocks, water features, moss, pruned trees and bushes, and uses gravel or sand that is raked to represent ripples in water.[1] A zen garden is usually relatively small, surrounded by a wall, and is usually meant to be seen while seated from a single viewpoint outside the garden, such as the porch of the hojo, the residence of the chief monk of the temple or monastery. Classical zen gardens were created at temples of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto, Japan during the Muromachi Period. They were intended to imitate the intimate essence of nature, not its actual appearance, and to serve an aid to meditation about the true meaning of life.[2]

Ancient Landscape Designs

Rock gardens existed in Japan at least since the Heian Period (784-1185). These early gardens were described in the first manual of Japanese gardens, Sakuteiki, or Records of Garden Keeping, written at the end of the 11th century by Tachibana no Toshitsuna (1028–1094). They were largely copied from the Chinese gardens of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), where groups of rocks symbolized Mount Penglai, the legendary mountain-island home of the Eight Immortals in Chinese mythology, known in Japanese as Horai.

To read more of this article, click here.

Rock gardens are only one method of landscape design. Part 1 of our series explored desert landscaping and Part 2 explored tropical plants.

Whether you want to go for the desert, or turn your home into a paradise, the right landscape design company can help you.

Green ServPro is a landscape design company based in Prescott, AZ.

Green ServPro LLC
600 W. Ray Rd. Suite B2
Prescott AZ 85225
(928) 356-8167
http://www.greenservpro.com

Read:

Landscape Design Part 1: Desert Landscaping
Landscape Design Part 2: Tropical and Sub-Tropical Landscaping
Landscape Design Part 3: Rock Gardens