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Archives for April 2014
Common Landscaping Mistakes
April 22, 2014 by
Avoid The Biggest Landscaping Mistakes
HGTV recently shared some of the biggest landscape mistakes and we thought we’d summarize some of our favorites – and add our expert comments, as well. Remember, the best way to avoid a landscape disappointment or disaster is to simply give us a call. A professional landscaper understands how to design, install and maintain an outdoor area that thrives.
Mistake: Using Excessive Lawn Ornamentation
We agree with the HGTV experts! Homeowners often over-accessorize, just as one can add too many rings or scarves to an outfit. Too many decorative items can distract from the beauty of the natural landscape. When we have completed a landscape, you can be assured that it has just the right look and feel. But, if you feel compelled to add something, ask yourself why are you putting it there and how it fits into the context of your overall design. It’s best to stick with one crisp choice. One little whimsical statement has impact, but several – not so much.
Mistake: Not Recycling
If you conduct the yard maintenance yourself, do you recycle? We do and are careful to ensure that your outdoor area is left clean and pristine. HGTV points out that yard projects tend to produce a good amount of waste, which most people don’t realize when they set out to do the work. They suggest that instead of tossing out the branches, clippings and other debris, dispose of them in an eco-friendly way. You can create a compost pile and return those elements to your beds later on. In fact, you can contact us for rainwater harvesting and other irrigation needs.
Mistake: Adding Plants to the Wrong Area
Understanding sunlight, drainage and aesthetic beauty are key parts of how we ensure your landscape looks gorgeous year-round, but many people who add plants or attempt to landscape on their own do not take into consideration the proper sunlight and exposure for their plants. If you are compelled to start your own garden or add a favorite plant, be sure to pay attention to the little tag that you get when you buy the plant. Also consider the final size of the plant. If you have made some planting mistakes and your area looks overgrown or disheveled, be sure to give us a call. We are experts are revitalizing and making over existing landscapes.
Mistake: Not Keeping a Room with a View
One of our favorite suggestions from HGTV is to remember the view of the landscape from all angles. Your landscape should be designed to provide joy not only from the street, but from the inside of the house, too. What does it look like from the guest bedrooms or the kitchen window? In addition to our design, you can contribute to color at every angle by creating containers with some of our seasonal color suggestions. Place your containers where you want them, and then go inside and look look through every major window to see what they’ll look like before you plant.
Create a Garden That Thrives in the Marietta GA Area
April 17, 2014 by
Brilliant flowers and hearty landscapes with plenty of year round interest are two of the spectacular benefits of gardening in Georgia. Giving your yard a touch of your own personality is important in every season, but you can really express yourself in the spring and summer with all that color and fragrance has to offer. You may have missed the beautiful early spring bulbs, but you can start planning both for this summer and for spring of next year! (NOTE: If you are ready to get that outdoor living space project moving, remember that Unique Environmental Landscapes serves Marietta, Atlanta, Kennesaw, Smyrna, Vinings, Decatur and the surrounding areas. We are here to help.)
In fact, your summer planning should include stress-free perennials, such as Alyssum and Candytuft, and gorgeous native plants that are ideally suited for a southern yards. Often these native selections combine stunning flowers with amazing fragrance, as well. Understanding the climate in in Georgia is paramount to correct plant selection, because we certainly go through a real hot spell – or two. We advise trying out some extra tough varieties that do not require a lot of your TLC to thrive, and our experts have some gorgeous suggestions for you: Click here to view our 2014 Seasonal Selections
About Georgia’s Plant Hardiness Zones & Georgia Landscaping Ideas
Georgia’s USDA plant hardiness zones range from 7 to 9. This varied range means gardeners in this area of the U.S. can plant an assortment of plants, but you need to be aware of your zone and take into consideration recent fluctuations. Here are a couple of gardening ideas to get you off on the right “green thumb” if you’d like to add a thing or two to your landscape.
Use the Spring Bulbs (Start planning for next year)
Spring bulbs tell you spring has arrived! Daffodils are spectacular and will bloom early to mid-spring. Most of them are yellow in color, but you may also find them in a cream color, orange and even pink. tulips are another great selection and they bloom from mid- to late spring in an array of colors. Or, maybe irises are more your style. They bloom in late spring in outstanding yellows, blues, violets and white. Even with a Unique Environmental-installed landscape, you may receive bulbs from family or friends as “pass alongs”. Don’t be afraid to include them in your garden.
Consider a Perennial Wildflower Bed
Georgia really does have the best of both worlds for landscapers. Our winters are mostly mild (as along as the polar vortex doesn’t come along!) and the summers last a while. Lots of perennial plants do very well in Georgia. Here at Unique Environmental, we understand the Atlanta, Georgia climate, the range of weather and how plants will respond to it. We also work hard to determine YOUR individual style. If you like more of a cottage garden feel, let us know during the consultation and design process .
Whether you choose to add plants to your landscape yourself or you partner with the design experts at Unique Environmental to create the Atlanta landscape of your dreams, we’ve got you covered and look forward to talking with you.
Want More? Check out these landscape design resources.
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The Atlanta Landscape Show on BTR – Hear Todd talk the unique needs of north GA landscape design and landscape maintenance.
2014 Atlanta Homeshow Showcased Our Landscape Designs – See the pic!
April 8, 2014 by
The 2014 Atlanta Homeshow was a huge success, with hundreds of Atlanta-area homeowners, property managers and business owners stopping by the Unique Environmental Concepts booth to ooooo and ahhhhh over our, well, unique display. The display was colorful and inspirational, drawing on a palette of vibrant colors, north Georgia friendly plant selections and soothing sounds of water. (See the pic below!)
