front yard ideas

As many of you are well aware of, or should be, wood burning fire pits are banned in most cities and counties across the nation. Not only are they a hazard to the environment because they spew harmful ash, embers and smoke into the air, but they are a health concern to your neighbors as well.

According to an article posted by Jon Bowman of FOX News,"Denver Fire indicates they get dozens of calls about the backyard fires and just want to remind the public that in Denver, solid fuel fires -those made with wood- are illegal, and repeated complaints could earn abusers six months in jail or a $999 fine.

However, natural gas and liquid propane fire pits are legal in most urban and rural environments. They are a cleaner and safer alternative to wood burning pits but still provide the ambiance and warmth to enjoy cooler evenings as fall approaches. Fire pits are a natural gathering spot for family and friends to enjoy a drink and conversation as well.

Gas fueled fire pits are an attractive alternative and are controlled with the flip of a switch or the turn of a key. No need to wait around to make sure the fire is extinguished because once you turn off the gas supply, the fire goes out, contrary to wood burning fire pits whose embers can continue to burn for hours after you think you have put the fire out.

So if you are considering investing in a custom fire pit, be sure to go with a natural gas or liquid propane fire pit. They are safer, more economical and better for the environment. If you have any questions on which is the right fire pit for your home or business, dont hesitate to contact us and well be happy to help bring a warm glow to your patio. 1-877-556-5255.

Went up to the Boogie-down Bronx on Puerto Rican Day... a great day to people watch... perhaps the finest party in NYC.  However my agenda was to location scout a potential garden in the South Bronx... wish I were salsa dancing w. my wife.  Location is on Southern Boulevard, SE side of street between Barretto and Tiffany (a block from the Bruckner).

I stay on the top floor of a block of flats, and lately with the temperatures reaching 30-36 degrees Celsius, it has been really hot inside.

As the temperatures go up, on go the air-conditioners to try to keep us cool.

But what with the recent Eskom power failures and the need to reduce the amount of electricity used, I was thinking about how a country like South Africa could really benefit from using plants for insulation on roofs - "Green Roofs."

Provided its done properly, the savings on cooling and heating costs could be quite considerable.
The soil, and plant material act as a far more efficient method of insulation, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Other benefits of Green Roofs include:

1. It could reduce the amount of surface water runoff
2. An effective water filtration system
   
3. Protection and extended life of the roofing membrane
   
4. Improves the air quality in and around the building
5. Green Roofs could improve the environment - attracting birds and butterflies
6. Makes for an attractive looking roof - especially when viewed from above
7. Harvesting of vegetables etc. for food
8. Sound insulation

Some other sites that talk about green roofs are Soekershof and Urban Habitats

A more detailed look at Green Roofs can be found here.

Small Backyard Landscaping

Xanthorhiza simplicissima

A genus of just one plant native to damp forests of the eastern U.S. ( Ohio to New York; south to Texas to far northern Florida ). It is related to the larger Buttercup family. It is a small, dense, suckering, deciduous shrub typically reaching around 2 feet in height but can cover a wide area with its creeping rootstock.
Some records include: 4 years - 7 foot width ( usually less than half that on average sites ); largest on record - 5 x 7 feet.
It is an EXCELLENT native groundcover in damp shade though on some sites with light soil it may even become invasive. A high quality groundcover that does not die out in the center.
The very attractive foliage is among the first of all plants to appear in the spring and the pinnately compound leaves up to 15 inches in length are clustered near the tips of the shoots. The 3 to 5 deeply-toothed leaflets, up to 3.2 inches in length are bronze-purple at first in spring turning to bright green in summer then spectacular red and purple late in autumn.
The small, deep purple flowers are borne in drooping panicles to 4 inches in length that appear with the emerging foliage in early spring.
The wood and the roots are bright yellow.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 on moist, fertile soil in sun or shade.
It is even hardier to zone 2 in regions with consistant winter snowcover and has even been reported to survive - 55 F!
The Yellowroot is both flood and moderate drought tolerant but it is recommended to keep it mulched since it does like its soil cool. Very easy to grow; it is also clay tolerant. Propagation can either be from seed or division.

* photo taken on May 5 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD


* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario



* photo taken on Aug 20 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD

Who needs flowers when youve got this Aloe in your garden?


I started these Indigenous Beauties posts as a way of highlighting indigenous plants that are not very commonly used in the garden, but really should be. This plant doesnt quite fit into that category, because Ive noticed that people are paying more attention to this particular Aloe...and for good reason.

Aloes are especially useful in a garden, because they mostly flower in winter when everything else is looking dry and spent. Add to this, the fact that during hot, dry periods, the foliage of many aloes will start to turn red, and youll begin to see their unique place in a garden.

Aloe vanbalenii especially, needs very little attention, and forms dense clumps of competing plants. In times of plentiful water, or in a little shade, their foliage is a pleasing apple green, but as the heat increases, they turn a deep orange-red colour. They remind me of a bunch (what is the collective-noun?) of Octopuses jostling for their place in the sun.


Their foliage looks great in combination with yellows and other warm colours. Here theyve been planted with equally hardy silvery Kleinia fulgens to fill the gaps. The silver really emphasises their colour.

They are stemless, so they dont get tall, but each plant will spread to about 1m wide and about 50cm high. Their flowers are yellow, and occasionally pink.

The Hanging Basket Garden in High Park was just one of my areas of care during my days as a gardener for the City of Toronto. The baskets were grown in the City Greenhouses first, then my colleagues and I would spend a day arranging them outside when there was no risk of frost.

About 100 or so baskets of mixed annual flowers were on display in this area. Periodically, Id spend about 2 days going through them all, cleaning out dead growth, dead-heading flowers to stimulate more blooms or checking to see if the drip lines were working properly. Each basket was connected to several drip lines set up on a timer for a water feed.

Even though the automatic watering system existed, during the dry periods of our Toronto summers the baskets had to be watered manually. With hanging baskets and most potted annual displays, the roots are tightly packed into their pots and are actively competing for water. As it flows in the basket or pot, the water soaks the outer surface of the soil and works its way down the sides of the container.

If the water is not fed for a long enough period, the very center of the root clump will tend to dry out resulting in the death of your flowers! Water as often as needed (every 2 to 3 days), but at least once a week during drought periods, give that container a great soaking by filling a bucket with water and submersing the container in the bucket. Letting it sit until no bubbles come out from the soil is the best way to ensure even water distribution throughout the root clump.

If you are watering with a wand connected to the hose (recommended for delicate annual plantings), water until you see it flowing out the drip holes of the container, stop for a minute or so, then repeat 1 or 2 more times. The Japanese have a rule of thumb for bonsai plants (annuals are no different), water 3 times, once for the pot, once for the soil and finally once for the roots (plus the occasional dunk in the bucket).

Follow those simple suggestions and your baskets/pots should last till the first frost in fall. Anticipate that frost!!!... trim all the growth back before it hits, store the plants indoors in a cool place keeping soil moist and you can have that same planting arrangement for next spring! (feed with a bit of slow-release fertilizer in spring)

Well...after a long and drawn out winter season and a bit of a relapse in the beginning of April, I think we are on the upswing now for Spring weather!

I am glad because it means that we can now get projects that were started last year...underway in terms of construction. I am also glad because I can get out to see my new clients and measure up their properties without treading through snow!

InTERRAct Landscape Design:

Kolkwitzia amabilis

The one and only species in the Kolkwitzia genus which is however related to the Weigelas and Deutzias. It is native to the mountains of Hubei Province, China.
The Beauty Bush is a fast growing, large shrub reaching up to 12 x 12 or rarely 20 x 20 feet with long arching branches. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 8 feet.
The broadly oval, tapered leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are reddish at first, quickly turning to dull green then to dull red during autumn. The leaves are oppositely arranged on the stems.
In late spring the shrub is covered in masses of medium pink, bell shaped flowers, up to 0.5 inches, with yellowish throats. The fragrant flowers are borne in corymbs ( clusters ).
Hardy zones 4 to 8 and very heat tolerant. Prefers full sun on fertile, well drained soil. Tolerant of limestone soils.
Beauty Bush is rarely bothered by pests or disease and is rabbit and deer resistant.
Pruning is typically nothing more than tidying up after blooming.
It is easy to turn a Beauty Bush into an ugly bush by shearing. This is NOT a hedge.
Only plant it where it has room to be itself. To renovate an aging shrub; simply cut to ground immediately after blooming; it will grow back.
Propagation can be from removed suckers or softwood cuttings taken late spring to early summer. Seed can be sown as soon as it ripens.

* photos taken on May 5 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.




* photo taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD.

* photos taken on May 8 2012 in Columbia, MD
Dream Catcher
Very attractive with bronze-red spring foliage turning soft golden yellow in summer then to to golden-orange in autumn.
Reaches up to 8 x 6 feet in 10 years; eventually to 9 x 10 feet. Unlike the species; this cultivar is best in dappled sun in woodland gardens.

Pink Cloud
flowers are slightly larger and deeper pink

In the vein of continuing to explore whats out there in landscape design, I came across a great portfolio on a website out of Desert Hot Springs, California. Roger Hopkins Stone Sculpture offers contemporary stone sculpture design that can really add accents to your front or backyard landscape.

From carved etchings, to arches to water bowls and seating, these stone sculpture designs are sure to be the centerpiece and focal point of your outdoor living space.

This one is a great idea to incorporate the natural elements into the stone design. A custom burning system is just what the doctor ordered for this fire piece.

Here is another example of how a fire bowl can act as not only an aesthetically pleasing part of your outdoor living room, but also as a place to gather while entertaining family and friends.

I really like how this stone slab fence creates a barrier to the home and provides some privacy but also works well with the contours of the lines of the structure itself. The sharp angled lines of the architecture, work well with the uneven yet angled lines of the stone.

When I look at these stone seats, all I can envision is the custom fire pit that is going to be placed in the center.

Another great example of how custom fire pits and seating can be the center of attention for your outdoor living room.

Not only does Roger Hopkins provide functional seating, fire pits and address markers, he also provides artistic sculpture that will add a contemporary appeal to your backyard and gardens.

If you are in the market for a custom fire pit or outdoor burning system, please contact us online, or call today! 1-877-556-5255.

Mirabella Double Chaise by Caluco

Significant home improvements do not always require a contractor or a landscaper.  In the case of a small 400 square foot porch, a comfortable living space is added to the home once properly furnished.  Beyond its diminutive size, it has many openings and awkward angles.  It is important to take accurate measurements before furnishing such a space.  The space is accessed both from the master suite and from the main living area of the home.  Understanding how the space will be used in addition to its relationship to interior spaces is relevant.  Good questions the do-it-yourself designer will ask include:  Will it be used as a lounge, a dining room or a meditation space?  When will the space be used?  What activities do the users of the space like to do outside?  Which interior rooms connect to the space?  Answers to these questions will help the designer perfect a design.

Mirabella Double Chaise by Caluco

  

Mirabella End Table by Caluco



Through landscaping you increase the value of your property both in residential and commercial. It will be beneficial to hire the services of an expert landscaper to create a noteworthy landscape design. A landscape designer can help you develop a plan and will work with you through the entire design process from consultation to development, to analysing your site, construction and dealing with matters concerning permits.
Once developed, it is proper to maintain and protect the landscape design and installation. A professional landscape design program includes caring of shrubs, vines, lawn and flower beds. Trees are trimmed regularly as well. Mulching is needed to make sure that the exchange of air and water into the soil flows properly. A landscape expert will keep a regular scheduled service to make sure that all the plants are healthy, looks good and observes to the original design.

Commercial landscaping needs maintenance as well. Most commercial establishments have landscape lighting which creates a stunning and dramatic night time effect for the property. A professional landscaping company or expert will ensure that this lighting system is well-maintained as it becomes deterrent and particularly invaluable to commercial businesses who normally conduct business at night like hotels, restaurants, social clubs, museums, etc.

Irrigation system is also part of a landscape service program. A well-run irrigation system supplies the right amount of water to the right area. For example, Houston is heavily soiled, with flat areas and rains abundantly so what it needs is a good drainage system. It will at least protect the property from flooding. Keeping a drainage system that is well developed, installed and properly maintained as a whole is essential to fully benefit from this system.

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Lycium
A genus of nearly 100 species of shrubs native to western North America, Eurasia and Africa, that are part of the larger Solaneaecae ( Tomato ) family.
The abundantly produced fruits on many can be eaten raw but are usually better dried or cooked. The natives often dried them like raisons and stored them for winter.
Propagation is from seed, layering, suckers or cuttings.

Lycium andersonii ( Anderson Box-Thorn )
A moderate growing, dense, rounded, drought-deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum height of 9 ( rarely over 5 ) feet. It is native to the desert southwest from central California to Nevada to Arizona; south to the Baja Peninsula to Sonora State in Mexico. The Anderson Box-Thorn has a fibrous root system up to 18 feet across.
The thick, succulent, spathulate leaves, up to 1 ( rarely over 0.7 ) inches in length, are bright blue-green.
The white to pale purple flowers, up to 0.3 inches in length, are borne during spring.
They are followed by orange or red berries up to 0.4 inches across.
The pale gray stems bear thorns up to 0.8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 9 to 10 ( tolerates as low as 10 F ) in full sun on sandy or gravelly well drained soil. It thrives where yearly rainfall is as low as 5 inches and tolerates extreme heat well. It is moderately tolerant of salt and alkaline soil.

Lycium barbarum ( Gojiberry, Chinese Wolfberry )
A deciudous, arching to spreading, shrub or small tree, reaching a maximum size of 20 x 25 ( rarely over 10 ) feet, that is native from southeastern Europe to western China.
The lance-shaped or ellipical leaves, up to 2.5 x 0.25 ( rarely over 1.2 ) inches in size, are gray-green.
The pale-purple, tubular flowers, up to 0.4 inches in length, are borne singly or in clusters up to 4 during late spring into early summer.
They are followed by edible, orange-red, oblong fruits up to 1 x 0.4 inches in size.
The berries are extremely rich in Vitamin A, minerals, amino acids and antioxidents.
A very good beverage can be made from crushing the berries and steeping them in hot water.
The spiny branches of this plant make it an excellent barrier hedge.
Hardy zones 4 to 9, despite its natural range, it is tolerant of maritime climates and can be grown in the British Isles.

* photo of unknown internet source


Sweet Little Berry
Sweet, tasty fruits ( the fruits on many wild plants are often bitter ), otherwise similar.

* photo taken by Milan Havlis, owner of central Europes premier plant nursery


Lycium chinensis ( Chinese Box-Thorn )
A vigorous, arching to speading, deciduous, large shrub that is native from southeast Europe to China, Korea and Japan; south to Pakistan to Nepal to Taiwan.
The ovate leaves, up to 4 x 2 ( usually half ) inches in size, are smooth and bright green.
The purple, funnel-shaped flowers are borne singly or in clusters up to 4 during late spring.
They are followed by showy, intense scarlet-red, oblong fruits, up to 1 x 0.3 inches in size, ripening late summer and persisting into late autumn.
The pale gray stems are usually thornless, unlike most species of Lycium. When thorns do occur, they can be up to 0.8 inches in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 9 in full sun on well drained soil. It is tolerant of saline soil and salt spray making it an excellent plant for binding sand dunes by the sea.

Lycium depressum
A spiny shrub, reaching a maximum height of 8 feet, that is native from western Russia to central Asia; south to Isreal to Iran. Its dense, spreading root-system makes it very useful for binding sand dunes.
The oblong or spathulate leaves, up to 2 x 0.7 inches in size, are deep green.
The pale violet ( rarely white ) flowers are borne during late spring.
They are followed by showy, oval, scarlet-red berries up to 0.25 inches across.
Hardy zones 6 to 10 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on sandy ( or clay on slopes ), very well drained soil. It is very tolerant of heat, drought and salt.

Lycium fremontii ( Fremonts Box-Thorn )
A very attractive, moderate growing, dense, arching to spreading, drought-deciduous shrub, reaching a maximum size of 13 x 10 ( rarely over 5 x 8 ) feet. It is native to the desert southwest from southern California to southern Nevada to Arizona; south to northwestern Mexico ).
The thick, succulent, spathulate leaves, up to 1.4 x 0.6 ( rarely over 0.7 ) inches in size, are bright blue-green.
The pale purple flowers, up to 0.8 inches in length, are borne during early spring then sporadically after.
They are followed by juicy, glossy scarlet-red, oval fruits, up to 0.4 x 0.3 inches in size, that ripen the following spring. The fruits are great for attracting birds to the landscape.
The stems are brown later turning to gray. They are armed with sharp spines.
Hardy zones 8b to 10 ( tolerates at least 10 F and hardiest seed source should be tested in 7 & 8 ) in partial shade on very well drained soil. Propagation is the same as for Lycium ruthenicum.

Lycium pallidum ( Box Thorn )
A very long-lived, moderate growing, suckering, dense, arching shrub, reaching a maximum height of 10 x 6 ( rarly over 6 ) feet. It is usually evergreen, unlike many other species which can be drought deciduous. It is native to the southwest ( from California to central Nevada to southern Colorado to western Oklahoma; south to northern Mexico and Texas ). The roots are very widespreading making transplanting of established plants nearly impossible.
The thick, succulent, oblong or obovate leaves, up to 2 x 0.6 ( usually half ) inches in size, are bright blue-green.
The creamy-white to pale green flowers, up to 0.5 inches in length, are borne singly or in pairs during early spring.
They are followed by edible, juicy, glossy red, oval fruits, up to 0.4 inches, during summer lasting into autumn. The fruits are highly attractive to birds.
The stems are armed with sharp spines.
Hardy zones 5 to 10 ( seed source from endangered population in far west Oklahoma is the hardiest ) in full sun on very well drained soil. It is very salt soil and sea spray tolerant. Pale Box-Thorn sprouts readily when cut. It is very difficult to root from cuttings.

Lycium ruthenicum ( Russian Box THorn )
A spiny, divaricate, sprambling shrub, reaching a maximum height of 6 feet, that is native from western Europe to Kazakhstan to Mongolia to northwest China; south to Kashmir, Tibet and Afganistan. It is usually found on salty or sandy desert in the wild.
The linear leaves, up to 1.2 x 0.1 inches in size, are deep green.
The creamy-white or pink flowers are borne during summer.
They are followed by edible, glossy black berries up to 0.4 inches across. Russian Box-Thorn does not need a pollinator as the flowers are pollinated by bees.
Hardy zones 6 to 8 ( 5 on protected sites ) in full sun on sandy, very well drained soil. It is very tolerant of drought and salt. Its extensive root system and tolerance of salt spray makes it suitable for binding coastal sand dunes. Propagation is from seed sown in a greenhouse during early spring. They seed usually germinated readily and quickly. When large enough to handle, transplant into individual containers and keep in a greenhouse for the following winter. They can be planted outdoors during the late spring following. Pinch the tips of 1 to 2 year old plants to encouarage bushy habit. Russian Box Thorn can also be reproduced from layering and be separated suckers. They can also be propagated from semi-ripe cuttings 3 to 4 inches long during mid to late summer. Ripened cuttings from current seasons growth can be laken late autumn into winter and placed in a cold frame.