Landscape Design Tips

The Dargan Landscape Design Process – Part 2

February 8, 2014

Recently, we began a discussion on the landscape design process that we follow here at Dargan Landscape Architects. Our landscape design process consists of 12 steps that are intended to help homeowners achieve a beautiful landscape through meticulous planning. Our previous discussion covered the first six steps in the process, which include making a survey; developing a base plan; taking an inventory of the site; analyzing the site; developing a program wish list; and creating a functional diagram. Let’s continue the discussion today with a look at the final six steps of our landscape design process.

7. Develop a concept diagram. The concept diagram plays off of the functional diagram, putting more details and ideas into the vision for your landscape design.

8. Sketch alternative plans. You may discover through creating your diagrams that some ideas you had hoped for your new landscape won’t be ideal based on site conditions, space and other factors. A sketch of alternative plans gives you a “plan B” to fall back on.

9. Verify field conditions. Verifying your field conditions is a way to test your landscape design on the site before your plan and drawings are finalized. This can be done by taking measurements of the space you’re working in and marking it accordingly. By verifying the field conditions you’ll avoid costly construction mistakes.

10. Create a master landscape plan. The master plan shows the locations of the project and boundaries of the area to be designed. It also includes features to be built like walkways, buildings and other structures, as well as flower beds, focal points and more. Your master plan should include the approach and arrival sequence, hub, perimeter and passages to destinations.

11. Make implementation drawings. Making implementation drawings is one of the final parts of the landscape design process. These final drawings will guide the contractors and designers that will build and install your new landscape.

12. Get it built! Now it’s time to get started on your property’s new look. Once you’ve signed an agreement with your contractor and set the date, construction can begin.

For more information on our landscape design process, purchase a copy of Mary Palmer Dargan’s book, Timeless Landscape Design. If you would like to discuss a master plan or a tune-up for your property, contact Dargan Landscape Architects for more information.

Protecting Your Landscape from Winter Weather

January 31, 2014

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.

Source: Personal Touch Lawn Care, Inc. via Houzz

Here are some tips:

Landscape

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.

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

January 24, 2014

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!

Atlanta landscape architects — 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.

Cashiers landscape architects — 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.

Atlanta landscape architecture — 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.

Cashiers landscape architecture — 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.

Preventing Plant Diseases

January 2, 2014

If you are anything like us, you see plants not only as beautiful objects but as living things that deserve a healthy, happy life. Hence, knowing and understanding how to prevent and treat plant diseases is crucial to a gorgeous and thriving garden that is able to yield and reproduce.

As master gardeners Simeon Wright and Christopher Starbuck put it, “A plant disease is defined as a response to environmental factors or pathogenic, disease-causing organisms that cause negative changes in the plant.” Here are the fundamentals to preventing pathogens and host plants from carrying and spreading disease as well as environmental conditions that favor disease.

Certified Plants: You can avoid bringing disease-causing bacteria, fungi and viruses into your garden by only introducing high quality seeds and certified disease-free plants or disease-resistant cultivars.

Watering Regimen: Water early in the day to give plants time to dry before nightfall, when they can become vulnerable to disease. Making sure soil is properly drained and ensure sufficient sunlight to keep plants from becoming soggy and to prevent root rotting.

Soil Conditions: Adding compost to soil and topping it with mulch will strengthen and shield plants from disease. Compost increases the number of pathogen-fighting microbes while creating favorable conditions for these good microbes while preventing germination of fungal spores. Mulch suppresses weeds and prevents contaminated water or disease-carrying organisms from splashing onto plants.

Adequate Space: When gardens are overcrowded, plants have to compete for sun, water and nutrients while also suffering from stagnant airflow. Giving each plant enough space to mature will ensure health and plenty of fresh air and resources.

Keep Clean: Always start with a clean landscape for planting by removing any dead plant material or debris from the previous season. Keep garden beds neat by weeding and pruning promptly. Practice good sanitation when using gardening tools by sterilizing them before and after working with individual plants. Remove plants that show signs of disease immediately.

To receive more gardening tips for beautiful and healthy plants and landscapes, sign up at LandscapeYourLife.com to receive free worksheets and videos straight from Mary Palmer Dargan, America’s Landscape Alchemist.

The Landscape Your Life Winter Sale Ends Tonight!

December 18, 2013

Are you still searching for the perfect holiday gift for your garden-loving family or friend? If so, you’ve still got some time to take advantage of Landscape Your Life’s first winter sale! Santa’s Helper, Mary Palmer, has packed the garden shopping cart with a few bundles to make your holiday shopping a breeze. Here’s a look at our special gift packages available through midnight tonight!

Our Holiday Book Bundle includes Timeless Landscape Design, Lifelong Landscape Design and The Early English Kitchen Garden, all autographed by Mary Palmer, beautifully wrapped and ready to go! These books are perfect for those in need of a good read over the winter as they dream and make plans for their spring gardens.

Also featured in our winter sale is our home training study, SPROUT in PLACE. This legendary course begins in January and will help you achieve the garden of your dreams with a virtual blueprint system and 90 days of support included! This system has helped hundreds of homeowners transform their landscapes into beautiful and functional spaces they thought were impossible to create.

Our holiday sale ends tonight at midnight! Act now to take advantage of this special holiday offer.

Also, don’t forget about Mary Palmer’s free gift for you this holiday season – a complimentary training video and worksheet that will help perk up your indoor environment with the crisp white color and refreshing scent of beautiful Narcissus.

And for additional free worksheets and videos covering sustainable landscape design topics that will help you improve your garden into a space created for health, longevity and fun, be sure to register your email address with us at www.landscapeyourlife.com. We’ll send these freebies right to your inbox, so keep an eye out for the current worksheet!

From the Dargan Landscape Architects family to yours, Happy Holidays!

Landscape Design Tips

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