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Protecting Your Landscape from Winter Weather

Winter weather can wreak havoc on your landscape and hardscapes if they’re left unprotected. But a little maintenance can help prevent serious damage to plants, pathways and more.

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Source: Personal Touch Lawn Care, Inc. via Houzz

Here are some tips:

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First, you need to determine which of your plants are the most sensitive to cold and frost. Many plants are cold-hardy and don’t need special care, but some species such as gardenias, aucuba and lantana do, according to gardening expert Walter Reeves.

To keep plants frost-free, you can place old towels and sheets over them with tree stakes or poles. The idea is to keep the materials from resting directly on top of the plants while still keeping them covered. This preserves air flow to the plant. During the day, covers should be removed to allow plants to absorb sunlight. Hedges or shrubs can be wrapped thinly with burlap, just not directly on top. Be sure your mulch is deep enough to offer adequate insulation as well. Potted plants should be brought indoors.

Black plastic sheeting can also be used to cover and protect plants from cold. Similarly, evergreens can be wrapped in twine prior to a snow or ice event to offer additional protection. Smaller trees can be anchored to taller, more sturdy trees with rope.

Hardscapes

Hardscapes are just as important as landscapes when it comes to cold weather protection. Be sure to seal and reseal your hardscapes such as driveways, paths and patios to prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. You should also paint or seal any wooden hardscape features such as arbors and decks for the same reason.

Be sure all patio furniture is covered, and watch out for rusting metal, which can stain hardscapes in damp weather.

Draining out water in your swimming pool and above ground ponds will help prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle. Pools should also be professionally winterized and covered for the season.

For more landscaping tips and ideas, follow Dargan Landscape Architects on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

The Dargan Landscape Design Process – Part 1

Beautiful landscapes require thoughtful planning and a well-executed design plan. That’s why Dargan Landscape Architects has developed a multi-step landscape design process that is both artistic and functional. Our design process helps us create a master plan for your outdoor space, keeping in mind the size and location of the house, the configuration of the grounds and the desires of the owner. In this post, we will cover the first six steps in this process, and we will cover the last six steps in a future post.

1. Make a survey. A survey is a drawing of your property that includes topography, existing trees and shrubs, and the existing or future location of your house and drive. The survey also includes boundaries and easement facts in graphic form.

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Plat and architectural drawings are essential for creating a survey and developing your base plan.

2. Develop a base plan. The base plan is an overlay of semitransparent tissue on your survey that indicates where two paths cross for the purpose of identifying either how the area can be tightened up or how it can be made into a destination in the landscape such as a garden.

3. Inventory the site. This involves taking an inventory of the existing plants on your site and the space they occupy and placing them on your drawings using circles drawn to scale.

4. Analyze the site. A site analysis takes into account the constraints and potential of your property based on existing environmental and functional conditions such as climate and soil type and desired views.

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5. Develop a program wish list. The program wish list consists of your goals and guidelines for activities and places you want included on your finished property.

6. Create a functional diagram. A functional diagram includes a complete set of construction drawings consisting of a title sheet, site plan, master plan, layout plan, grading plan, material reference, planting plan and construction details.

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We will discuss the rest of the steps to our design process in an upcoming post, so be sure to stay tuned for more information. For more on how to create a timeless landscape, pick up a copy of Mary Palmer’s book “Timeless Landscape Design”.

Infuse Your Landscape with Radiant Orchid – Pantone’s Color of the Year

Color, as we’ve mentioned before, is one of the four visual tools for interesting and beautiful landscape designs. So why not infuse magical warmth into your landscape this year by incorporating Radiant Orchid, Pantone’s 2014 Color of the Year. “An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm” (Pantone). These incredible qualities are exactly why we think this color should not be limited to the runway and home interiors. Here are four plants that can be used to incorporate this stunning shade of purple into your garden or landscape. Ornamental Onion: This gorgeous and whimsical plant is easy to grow and adds stunning spherical shapes. It’s hard to believe this plant is in the onion family because the only thing that will bring tears to your eyes is it’s beauty!

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Source: Clinton & Associates Landscape Architects via Houzz
Hazel Spanish Lavender: This plant not only provides the color and fragrance of lavender that you love but is tougher and more durable than other varieties of lavender. Their silhouettes add fabulous dimension to gardens and landscapes.
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Source: JMSDesignAssociates via Houzz
Chinese Astilbe: Great for a focal point or in a large quantities for extra drama, these plants add height and unique vertical interest to garden beds. They can brighten up landscapes for up to two months with their rich purple hues.
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Source: Leslie Rohrer via Houzz
 
Cheddar Pink Dianthus: With a nice clove-like scent, this wide-spreading ground cover is great for edging and lining beds with delicate blossoms that add bright color.
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Source: Bruce Clodfelter and Associates via Houzz
What colors are you thinking about adding to your gardens this year? Share with us in a comment below!
 
When you are ready to add splashes of radiant orchid or other vibrant colors and plants to your landscape, contact Dargan Landscape Architects, and we’ll help you tune-up your property or create a master plan for a whole new landscape design.
 
P.S. – If you are in the Atlanta area and in need of some more inspiration for adding orchids to your landscape, you can visit the Orchid Daze event at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. 

The Four-Part Master Plan of Timeless Landscape Design

Timeless gardens and landscapes have the ability to make an impact on individuals and speak to us for years on end. As Mary Palmer says in her book, “Timeless Landscape Design,” gardens that were created centuries ago “still speak to use as places of unmistakable beauty as relevant today as ever before.” Your home environments hold the same potential.

To design a timeless landscape that will “Let Nature SPEAK” as we like to say, you should focus on four main components, which we call the Four-Part Master Plan: the approach and arrival sequence; the hub; the perimeter; and passages to destinations. In this post, we will define and discuss these four topics in general and delve into them more deeply in future posts.

The approach and arrival sequence
Approach and arrival are all about anticipation and setting the scene. The approach and arrival area of the property is between the street and the front door, and it is the first impression of your home as told by your landscape. This is where curb appeal comes into play and where you can begin to express your personality and style.

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The hub
The hub is the central focus of your property, where all the activity originates from. Once you identify your home’s hub you can use your landscape to accentuate it. You will want to envision both inward- and outward-looking views of the hub to guide your landscaping choices. The landscape in this area should help the home blend into its natural surroundings.

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The perimeter
The perimeter refers to the outdoor spaces that surround your home and can be accessed from the interior of your home. Perimeter areas can be used for a variety of functions such as dining, reading, entertaining and more and allow you to still be connected to what is going on inside.

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Passages to destinations
Passages to destinations not only are functional but also are elements of landscape design. These paths around your landscape help connect outdoor areas such as gardens and pools as well as define the look of your space.

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By including these four components in your landscape design plan, you are laying the foundation for a beautiful and memorable space that is timeless. Defining these areas also helps divide the large task of designing an entire landscape into smaller, more manageable pieces.

For more details on this topic, order a copy of “Timeless Landscape Design” by Mary Palmer Dargan, and contact Dargan Landscape Architects for professional landscape design services. Our team is ready to discuss your needs, be it a master plan or a tune-up!