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A sustainable landscape is created by carefully considering compatibility with local micro-
climates and ecological compatibility between plant species while achieving both functional
and aesthetic objectives. Cost effectiveness of various plants, both initial cost and long-term
maintenance cost, also influences sustainable landscape design.
We are not using dead ‘bricks & mortar’ here. Landscape design works with living things
that grow, change, have a lifespan, are sensitive to solar exposure and micro-climate. They
are very much like people - they need proper amount of nutrients, care, and the right
environment to thrive.
We apply these principles of sustainable landscape design and horticultural knowledge of
plant materials in design, installation and maintenance to achieve clients goals.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS:
Effective landscape design is created through the appropriate application of design
principles. Design principles drive plant selection and organization to achieve both
functional and aesthetic objectives. The design process applies principles from concept to
reality.
There are often many plants that will fulfill design objectives. Long experience, an ‘eye’ for
the landscape and horticultural knowledge to select harmonious blends of plant species,
texture, color, dendroform, growth rate and ecology are essential ingredients to creating
sustainable landscapes. Following are selection criteria that we use in selecting the right
plant for the right place:
PLANT MATERIALS SELECTION CRITERIA:
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE:
Our mission of being good Earth stewards has led us to discover ecologically compatible
methods of controlling pests. We offer, as an option to the environmentally conscious,
biological pest control and pest control using Essential Oils that are non-toxic to people, pets
or plants.
In addition, we offer organic lawn-care products (fertilizers etc.) that are free of synthetic
chemicals, completely biodegradable and have no adverse affect on people of the
environment. Composted, pelletized chicken manure provides not only NPK but a host of
micro-nutrients essential to insure plant health.
FAQ’S – LAWN & LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE:
Why maintain your landscape organically?
It saves you money, protects the environment and creates a beautiful landscape you, your
family, friends and neighbors can safely enjoy. Organic methods create an environmentally
balanced landscape greatly reducing pest problems. Naturally managed landscapes are also
more drought tolerant.
Why not use chemical fertilizers?
There are millions of highly beneficial organisms living in the soil. They play a critical role in
assisting plants obtain moisture and nutrients while helping to combat insect and disease
pests. Chemical fertilizers harm or destroy these vital beneficial organisms. Chemical
fertilizers do not take into account the natural soil fertility. This usually results in the use of
inappropriate fertilizer ingredients creating nutrient toxicities and deficiencies.
Most chemical fertilizers are fast acting which can burn plant roots and sometimes kill them.
Fast release chemical fertilizers generate rapid, deep green leaf growth that may look very
attractive. However, the fast growth results in weak imperfectly formed leaves that are very
susceptible to pest attack. This often results in pest damage and the need for costly pest
control treatments.
Our organic fertilization program uses the proper combination and amounts of natural
fertilizer materials custom designed to improve and enhance the fertility of your soil. The
result is a more fertile soil and healthier pest resistant plants. Organic fertilizers release
nutrients slowly. They are not harmful to plant roots. The growth of beneficial soil organisms
is stimulated and plant growth is at a normal rate assisting in natural pest resistance.
Are lawn and landscape pesticides safe?
The health and environmental safety of pesticides is unknown. Agricultural chemicals (in
particular pesticides) have not been adequately tested. Ninety percent of the pesticides
registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are missing safety
tests required for registration. The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) claimed that 32
out of the 34 most widely used products on turf are lacking health and safety data required
for registration. Anne Bloom of Public Citizen stated at a U.S. Congressional inquiry, "Of the
40 pesticides that compromise over 95% of the chemicals used by commercial lawn care
firms, 12 are suspected carcinogens, 21 have been shown to cause long-term health effects
in lab animals or humans, and 20 have been shown to cause short-range damage to human
central nervous systems."
Chemical lawn care firms claim the materials they use are safe. Are these claims justified?
No! The U.S. General Accounting Office believes the chemical lawn care industry makes
inappropriate safety claims in advertisements and verbal communications with the public. (i.
e., "Practically non-toxic," "Safe to use", "Our products are practically non-toxic"). At a
congressional hearing associate director for GAO, Peter F. Guerrero, testified, "We believe
that the public should be protected from pesticide advertisements that convey the impression
of safety... The (lawn care) industry continues to make advertising claims that its products
are safe or non-toxic while federal enforcement actions against such claims remain limited."
Many landscape care companies state the chemicals they use are approved by EPA. That
is deceptive and untrue. EPA does not approve any chemicals but only registers them.
Registration is by no means a statement of approval or of safety.
Are pesticides necessary to maintain a healthy, green lawn and landscape?
No! A properly managed, totally organic landscape maintenance systems typically do not
require the use of pesticides! Increasing numbers of university studies from around the
country are confirming that a properly designed organic fertilization and management
program can prevent many lawn and landscape diseases while choking out weeds. Healthy
plants living in a soil with an abundance of beneficial organisms are better able to resist
insect pests.
ORGANIC LANSCAPES ARE WATER CONSERVING:
Many landscapes and gardens are having to survive with less water. Horticultural experts
around the country are making similar recommendations on how to keep your yard green
with less water. It is not difficult, in fact organic growers have been utilizing these practices
for years. The plan includes soil improvement, mulching, and appropriate maintenance.
Soil improvement is best accomplished with additions of organic matter (i.e., compost or
composted manures). This loosens and opens the soil allowing better water penetration. It
also increased the water holding capacity of the soil.
The improved soil stimulated beneficial microorganisms to assist plants in obtaining
additional moisture, and fertilizer while naturally fighting off pests. In established lawns
aeration would proceed the application of organic matter allowing the material to penetrate to
the turf root zone.
Mulching conserves a great deal of moisture in the landscape and garden. It reduces
evaporation from the soil surface, cools the area around the plant reducing the amount of
water used by plants. Mulch also reduces weeds that compete for soil moisture. When
organic materials are used as they break down they release nutrients that can be utilized by
plants and beneficial soil microbes.
Appropriate maintenance encompasses mowing and fertilization. As the temperature rises
the mowing height should be raised. For most cool season turf 2 to 3 inches is
recommended. This allows the turf to mature and serve as a living mulch. Under drought
conditions it is vital to encourage slow steady plant growth. Organic, natural fertilizers (i.e.,
Ringer Lawn Restore, Sustane) release their nutrients slowly over time resulting in steady
plant growth. The use of chemical fertilizers stimulates a flush of green growth increasing
the plants water requirements.
There are many advantages to utilizing an organic landscape maintenance services. It is
environmentally sound, and provides beautiful landscapes that are safe to humans and the
environment. And what is important is it conserves precious water. Utilizing organic
horticultural practices will conserve water even before you adjust and turn on your irrigation
system.
SOIL ANALYSIS – THE KEY TO PEST FREE PLANTS:
A successful landscape or garden maintenance program strives to create a fertile soil. The
goal of a sustainable fertility program is to activate a favorable environment for plants and
millions of beneficial organisms. These microscopic critters assist plants in obtaining
moisture and nutrients. Many of these creatures help resist drought and fight off a variety of
pests including weeds, diseases, and insects.
A soil fertility program should feed the soil not the plant. By creating a fertile soil you will
grow healthy, pest resistant plants. As a result, the need for costly pest control services is
reduced. Specialty fertilizers (e.g., lawn food, rose and flower food, vegetable food) are
designed to only feed the plant and ignore soil fertility.
To achieve a fertile soil the manager must first determine what nutrients are in short supply
or are out of balance. The soil pH must be examined to make sure it is within a desirable
range (6.3-7.0 for most plants). The organic matter content must also be checked. Soil
testing is the only effective method to determine the condition of your soil and achieve a
fertile living soil that will be able to provide the best environment for your landscape and
garden.
There are two basic methods of soil testing. The first is to do it yourself by purchasing a soil
test kit from a local nursery, hardware store, or mail order garden catalog. Kits test for the
three major nutrients used by plants (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) as well as pH. The
directions are simple and included with the kit. Making your own recommendations is not so
easy.
A much more effective method of soil testing is to send your soil to a testing laboratory for
analysis. It is more expensive, but the additional information obtained is worthwhile. In
addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and pH, the lab will test for items such as micro-
nutrients, percentage of organic matter, cationic exchange capacity, and others (e.g.,
testing for lead in vegetable gardens is often available). They will also make
recommendations on how to correct any problems found.
It is important when choosing a lab that you find a reputable service that can provide you
with recommendations you can understand and that utilize organic management
techniques. This should include recommendations on soil fertilizers, cover crops,
management techniques and necessary additions of organic materials.
Information provided from a quality testing service assists the landscape and garden
manager in formulating a custom fertilizer blend for your garden or landscape. Utilizing
these custom fertilizers will yield a fertile soil with abundant beneficial organisms that is
capable of growing healthy, pest resistant plants.
DEFINITIONS:
Annual Gardens: Gardens that need to be replanted each year because the plants are not
cold hardy. Annuals are frequently chosen for their intense flowering and often become
focal points in the landscape.
Clients: Anyone who hires an individual or company to provide landscape service or a
product, such as a homeowner who hires a nursery to landscape his/her property.
Commercial Grounds: Commercial grounds usually surround a business, townhouse
complex, or an apartment building.
Completed Landscape Design: A completed landscape design in plan view. This plan has all
the information necessary to install the landscape.
Concept Plans: Initial drawing of how the spaces in the landscape will appear. This drawing
evolves from the shapes developed in the bubble diagram.
Cost Effectiveness: A satisfactory return on investment from money spent on landscape
design, implementation, or maintenance.
Easements: An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited
use or enjoyment.
Environmentally Sound: A landscape that does not harm the environment, soil, water, and
air. An environmentally sound landscape is less dependent on pesticides, fertilizers, and
water to maintain the desired appearance.
Functional: Any part of the landscape with a specific purpose for its location other than just
aesthetics. Functionality is associated with uses of the landscape.
Hardscaping: Features in the landscape other than plant materials. Examples include walks,
fences, and retaining walls.
Imaging:
Graphic depictions of the finished landscape. Typically we use digital imaging that starts
with a digital photograph of your project and adds digital landscape elements to provide a
photo-realistic preview of the installed design.
Landscape Architect: A licensed professional who plans and designs landscapes.
Landscape architects are usually educated in planning, design, engineering and
architecture, including the environmental sciences of horticulture, biology, ecology,
geology, dendrology, and botany.
Landscape Designer: A non-licensed person who plans and develops landscapes, usually at
a residential or small commercial level.
Landscape Design Program: What the client desires to accomplish with the landscape -
what activities he wants supported, what features does he want to have, what look does he
want - for example, formal vs. non-formal, shade/sun, colors in the plant materials, vegetable
garden, herb garden, annual and perennial garden, water feature (waterfalls, pond, stream,
lake), patio, gazebo, walkways, swimming pool, deck, attract birds, create habitat for forest
fauna, recreation spaces (badminton, tennis, boccie, horseshoes, ball field, basketball),
horses, barns, other out buildings, screening, fences, etc.)
Maintainability: The ease with which a landscape can be maintained.
Perennial Gardens: Herbaceous plantings that can tolerate the cold and will come back
each spring. Perennial gardens provide seasonal interest for a longer period of time than
annual gardens.
Plan View or Plan View Drawings: Aerial view looking straight down on a project from some
distance. The completed landscape design is done in plan view.
Bird’s Eye View: Aerial view of the area being designed and angle as a bird would see it.
Principles of Design: Process that defines and ties all individual components together to
create unity within a design. Example of principles of design would be simplicity, variety,
balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale.
Public Grounds: Public grounds include public property owned by a city, state, or the
federal government. Examples include parks, schools, and any other public recreational
areas. Maintenance is usually performed by personnel hired by the city, county, or state.
Relationship Diagram: Bubble diagrams consist of a series of circles or rounded shapes
drawn on paper to show what the areas in the landscape will be used for. The areas may
represent a various land use areas.
Scale: Scale is the relative size of one part of a landscape to another. Scale may be the
proportion or ratio of size to other components in the landscape.
Screen Plantings: Plantings used to screen an area to provide privacy, block a poor view, or
as a natural boundary or barrier.
Seasonal Interest or Color: Seasonal interest and color are created by the colors that we
see when we look at a plant. Color is the element that is often first noticed about a plant.
Color is often used in a landscape to provide interest throughout the entire growing season.
This is often referred to as seasonal interest. Seasonal interest is simply the time of the year
that a plant provides a special characteristic such as flowers, fall color, fruits, etc.
Site Analysis: Compiling the information found during the site survey and the family or client
interview to be used in the development of the landscape plan.
Site Plan: A drawing that illustrates the elements on a site.
Site Survey: A drawing that shows property boundaries, topography, easements, rights of
way, buildings, hardscape elements (roads, streets, sidewalks etc.), utilities, water elements
(streams, lakes, rivers etc.) and major trees.
Specimen Plants: Specimen plants can be part of a larger planting, but usually stand alone
in the landscape. Specimen plants provide specific seasonal interests or color through
flowers, fruit, or leaves.
Texture: Coarseness or fineness of the plant. Texture in plants can be created by leaves,
branches, bark, or other plant parts. It can also be created by rough or smooth looking
surfaces, thin or thick leaf set, or by darkness or lightness.
Unity: How well the entire design comes together to form one landscape. All aspects of the
landscape should complement one another rather than compete for attention.
Variety: Mixing up the form, texture and color combinations in a landscape to create extra
interest without sacrificing the simplicity of the design.
Top of Page
climates and ecological compatibility between plant species while achieving both functional
and aesthetic objectives. Cost effectiveness of various plants, both initial cost and long-term
maintenance cost, also influences sustainable landscape design.
We are not using dead ‘bricks & mortar’ here. Landscape design works with living things
that grow, change, have a lifespan, are sensitive to solar exposure and micro-climate. They
are very much like people - they need proper amount of nutrients, care, and the right
environment to thrive.
We apply these principles of sustainable landscape design and horticultural knowledge of
plant materials in design, installation and maintenance to achieve clients goals.
DESIGN PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS:
Effective landscape design is created through the appropriate application of design
principles. Design principles drive plant selection and organization to achieve both
functional and aesthetic objectives. The design process applies principles from concept to
reality.
There are often many plants that will fulfill design objectives. Long experience, an ‘eye’ for
the landscape and horticultural knowledge to select harmonious blends of plant species,
texture, color, dendroform, growth rate and ecology are essential ingredients to creating
sustainable landscapes. Following are selection criteria that we use in selecting the right
plant for the right place:
PLANT MATERIALS SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Plant type (tree, shrub, ground cover etc.)
- Mature height and width
- Plant Hardiness zone
- Evergreen or Deciduous
- Solar Exposure preference
- Dendroform
- Seasonal interest – bloom, fall color, winter bark & fruit
- Texture
- Support of local fauna
- Xeriscape planting
- Insect and disease resistance
- Soil adaptability
LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE:
Our mission of being good Earth stewards has led us to discover ecologically compatible
methods of controlling pests. We offer, as an option to the environmentally conscious,
biological pest control and pest control using Essential Oils that are non-toxic to people, pets
or plants.
In addition, we offer organic lawn-care products (fertilizers etc.) that are free of synthetic
chemicals, completely biodegradable and have no adverse affect on people of the
environment. Composted, pelletized chicken manure provides not only NPK but a host of
micro-nutrients essential to insure plant health.
FAQ’S – LAWN & LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE:
Why maintain your landscape organically?
It saves you money, protects the environment and creates a beautiful landscape you, your
family, friends and neighbors can safely enjoy. Organic methods create an environmentally
balanced landscape greatly reducing pest problems. Naturally managed landscapes are also
more drought tolerant.
Why not use chemical fertilizers?
There are millions of highly beneficial organisms living in the soil. They play a critical role in
assisting plants obtain moisture and nutrients while helping to combat insect and disease
pests. Chemical fertilizers harm or destroy these vital beneficial organisms. Chemical
fertilizers do not take into account the natural soil fertility. This usually results in the use of
inappropriate fertilizer ingredients creating nutrient toxicities and deficiencies.
Most chemical fertilizers are fast acting which can burn plant roots and sometimes kill them.
Fast release chemical fertilizers generate rapid, deep green leaf growth that may look very
attractive. However, the fast growth results in weak imperfectly formed leaves that are very
susceptible to pest attack. This often results in pest damage and the need for costly pest
control treatments.
Our organic fertilization program uses the proper combination and amounts of natural
fertilizer materials custom designed to improve and enhance the fertility of your soil. The
result is a more fertile soil and healthier pest resistant plants. Organic fertilizers release
nutrients slowly. They are not harmful to plant roots. The growth of beneficial soil organisms
is stimulated and plant growth is at a normal rate assisting in natural pest resistance.
Are lawn and landscape pesticides safe?
The health and environmental safety of pesticides is unknown. Agricultural chemicals (in
particular pesticides) have not been adequately tested. Ninety percent of the pesticides
registered for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are missing safety
tests required for registration. The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) claimed that 32
out of the 34 most widely used products on turf are lacking health and safety data required
for registration. Anne Bloom of Public Citizen stated at a U.S. Congressional inquiry, "Of the
40 pesticides that compromise over 95% of the chemicals used by commercial lawn care
firms, 12 are suspected carcinogens, 21 have been shown to cause long-term health effects
in lab animals or humans, and 20 have been shown to cause short-range damage to human
central nervous systems."
Chemical lawn care firms claim the materials they use are safe. Are these claims justified?
No! The U.S. General Accounting Office believes the chemical lawn care industry makes
inappropriate safety claims in advertisements and verbal communications with the public. (i.
e., "Practically non-toxic," "Safe to use", "Our products are practically non-toxic"). At a
congressional hearing associate director for GAO, Peter F. Guerrero, testified, "We believe
that the public should be protected from pesticide advertisements that convey the impression
of safety... The (lawn care) industry continues to make advertising claims that its products
are safe or non-toxic while federal enforcement actions against such claims remain limited."
Many landscape care companies state the chemicals they use are approved by EPA. That
is deceptive and untrue. EPA does not approve any chemicals but only registers them.
Registration is by no means a statement of approval or of safety.
Are pesticides necessary to maintain a healthy, green lawn and landscape?
No! A properly managed, totally organic landscape maintenance systems typically do not
require the use of pesticides! Increasing numbers of university studies from around the
country are confirming that a properly designed organic fertilization and management
program can prevent many lawn and landscape diseases while choking out weeds. Healthy
plants living in a soil with an abundance of beneficial organisms are better able to resist
insect pests.
ORGANIC LANSCAPES ARE WATER CONSERVING:
Many landscapes and gardens are having to survive with less water. Horticultural experts
around the country are making similar recommendations on how to keep your yard green
with less water. It is not difficult, in fact organic growers have been utilizing these practices
for years. The plan includes soil improvement, mulching, and appropriate maintenance.
Soil improvement is best accomplished with additions of organic matter (i.e., compost or
composted manures). This loosens and opens the soil allowing better water penetration. It
also increased the water holding capacity of the soil.
The improved soil stimulated beneficial microorganisms to assist plants in obtaining
additional moisture, and fertilizer while naturally fighting off pests. In established lawns
aeration would proceed the application of organic matter allowing the material to penetrate to
the turf root zone.
Mulching conserves a great deal of moisture in the landscape and garden. It reduces
evaporation from the soil surface, cools the area around the plant reducing the amount of
water used by plants. Mulch also reduces weeds that compete for soil moisture. When
organic materials are used as they break down they release nutrients that can be utilized by
plants and beneficial soil microbes.
Appropriate maintenance encompasses mowing and fertilization. As the temperature rises
the mowing height should be raised. For most cool season turf 2 to 3 inches is
recommended. This allows the turf to mature and serve as a living mulch. Under drought
conditions it is vital to encourage slow steady plant growth. Organic, natural fertilizers (i.e.,
Ringer Lawn Restore, Sustane) release their nutrients slowly over time resulting in steady
plant growth. The use of chemical fertilizers stimulates a flush of green growth increasing
the plants water requirements.
There are many advantages to utilizing an organic landscape maintenance services. It is
environmentally sound, and provides beautiful landscapes that are safe to humans and the
environment. And what is important is it conserves precious water. Utilizing organic
horticultural practices will conserve water even before you adjust and turn on your irrigation
system.
SOIL ANALYSIS – THE KEY TO PEST FREE PLANTS:
A successful landscape or garden maintenance program strives to create a fertile soil. The
goal of a sustainable fertility program is to activate a favorable environment for plants and
millions of beneficial organisms. These microscopic critters assist plants in obtaining
moisture and nutrients. Many of these creatures help resist drought and fight off a variety of
pests including weeds, diseases, and insects.
A soil fertility program should feed the soil not the plant. By creating a fertile soil you will
grow healthy, pest resistant plants. As a result, the need for costly pest control services is
reduced. Specialty fertilizers (e.g., lawn food, rose and flower food, vegetable food) are
designed to only feed the plant and ignore soil fertility.
To achieve a fertile soil the manager must first determine what nutrients are in short supply
or are out of balance. The soil pH must be examined to make sure it is within a desirable
range (6.3-7.0 for most plants). The organic matter content must also be checked. Soil
testing is the only effective method to determine the condition of your soil and achieve a
fertile living soil that will be able to provide the best environment for your landscape and
garden.
There are two basic methods of soil testing. The first is to do it yourself by purchasing a soil
test kit from a local nursery, hardware store, or mail order garden catalog. Kits test for the
three major nutrients used by plants (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium) as well as pH. The
directions are simple and included with the kit. Making your own recommendations is not so
easy.
A much more effective method of soil testing is to send your soil to a testing laboratory for
analysis. It is more expensive, but the additional information obtained is worthwhile. In
addition to nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, and pH, the lab will test for items such as micro-
nutrients, percentage of organic matter, cationic exchange capacity, and others (e.g.,
testing for lead in vegetable gardens is often available). They will also make
recommendations on how to correct any problems found.
It is important when choosing a lab that you find a reputable service that can provide you
with recommendations you can understand and that utilize organic management
techniques. This should include recommendations on soil fertilizers, cover crops,
management techniques and necessary additions of organic materials.
Information provided from a quality testing service assists the landscape and garden
manager in formulating a custom fertilizer blend for your garden or landscape. Utilizing
these custom fertilizers will yield a fertile soil with abundant beneficial organisms that is
capable of growing healthy, pest resistant plants.
DEFINITIONS:
Annual Gardens: Gardens that need to be replanted each year because the plants are not
cold hardy. Annuals are frequently chosen for their intense flowering and often become
focal points in the landscape.
Clients: Anyone who hires an individual or company to provide landscape service or a
product, such as a homeowner who hires a nursery to landscape his/her property.
Commercial Grounds: Commercial grounds usually surround a business, townhouse
complex, or an apartment building.
Completed Landscape Design: A completed landscape design in plan view. This plan has all
the information necessary to install the landscape.
Concept Plans: Initial drawing of how the spaces in the landscape will appear. This drawing
evolves from the shapes developed in the bubble diagram.
Cost Effectiveness: A satisfactory return on investment from money spent on landscape
design, implementation, or maintenance.
Easements: An interest in land owned by another that entitles its holder to a specific limited
use or enjoyment.
Environmentally Sound: A landscape that does not harm the environment, soil, water, and
air. An environmentally sound landscape is less dependent on pesticides, fertilizers, and
water to maintain the desired appearance.
Functional: Any part of the landscape with a specific purpose for its location other than just
aesthetics. Functionality is associated with uses of the landscape.
Hardscaping: Features in the landscape other than plant materials. Examples include walks,
fences, and retaining walls.
Imaging:
Graphic depictions of the finished landscape. Typically we use digital imaging that starts
with a digital photograph of your project and adds digital landscape elements to provide a
photo-realistic preview of the installed design.
Landscape Architect: A licensed professional who plans and designs landscapes.
Landscape architects are usually educated in planning, design, engineering and
architecture, including the environmental sciences of horticulture, biology, ecology,
geology, dendrology, and botany.
Landscape Designer: A non-licensed person who plans and develops landscapes, usually at
a residential or small commercial level.
Landscape Design Program: What the client desires to accomplish with the landscape -
what activities he wants supported, what features does he want to have, what look does he
want - for example, formal vs. non-formal, shade/sun, colors in the plant materials, vegetable
garden, herb garden, annual and perennial garden, water feature (waterfalls, pond, stream,
lake), patio, gazebo, walkways, swimming pool, deck, attract birds, create habitat for forest
fauna, recreation spaces (badminton, tennis, boccie, horseshoes, ball field, basketball),
horses, barns, other out buildings, screening, fences, etc.)
Maintainability: The ease with which a landscape can be maintained.
Perennial Gardens: Herbaceous plantings that can tolerate the cold and will come back
each spring. Perennial gardens provide seasonal interest for a longer period of time than
annual gardens.
Plan View or Plan View Drawings: Aerial view looking straight down on a project from some
distance. The completed landscape design is done in plan view.
Bird’s Eye View: Aerial view of the area being designed and angle as a bird would see it.
Principles of Design: Process that defines and ties all individual components together to
create unity within a design. Example of principles of design would be simplicity, variety,
balance, emphasis, sequence, and scale.
Public Grounds: Public grounds include public property owned by a city, state, or the
federal government. Examples include parks, schools, and any other public recreational
areas. Maintenance is usually performed by personnel hired by the city, county, or state.
Relationship Diagram: Bubble diagrams consist of a series of circles or rounded shapes
drawn on paper to show what the areas in the landscape will be used for. The areas may
represent a various land use areas.
Scale: Scale is the relative size of one part of a landscape to another. Scale may be the
proportion or ratio of size to other components in the landscape.
Screen Plantings: Plantings used to screen an area to provide privacy, block a poor view, or
as a natural boundary or barrier.
Seasonal Interest or Color: Seasonal interest and color are created by the colors that we
see when we look at a plant. Color is the element that is often first noticed about a plant.
Color is often used in a landscape to provide interest throughout the entire growing season.
This is often referred to as seasonal interest. Seasonal interest is simply the time of the year
that a plant provides a special characteristic such as flowers, fall color, fruits, etc.
Site Analysis: Compiling the information found during the site survey and the family or client
interview to be used in the development of the landscape plan.
Site Plan: A drawing that illustrates the elements on a site.
Site Survey: A drawing that shows property boundaries, topography, easements, rights of
way, buildings, hardscape elements (roads, streets, sidewalks etc.), utilities, water elements
(streams, lakes, rivers etc.) and major trees.
Specimen Plants: Specimen plants can be part of a larger planting, but usually stand alone
in the landscape. Specimen plants provide specific seasonal interests or color through
flowers, fruit, or leaves.
Texture: Coarseness or fineness of the plant. Texture in plants can be created by leaves,
branches, bark, or other plant parts. It can also be created by rough or smooth looking
surfaces, thin or thick leaf set, or by darkness or lightness.
Unity: How well the entire design comes together to form one landscape. All aspects of the
landscape should complement one another rather than compete for attention.
Variety: Mixing up the form, texture and color combinations in a landscape to create extra
interest without sacrificing the simplicity of the design.
Top of Page
SERVICES:
- Design/Build
- Grading
- Hardscape Construction
- Irrigation
- Aquatic Environments – Water Gardens
- Landscape Management
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| NEW!!!! Edible Organic Gardens We'll Design/Build & Maintain them for you! All you have to do is enjoy the fruits and vegetables of our labor! Providing NON-GMO and NON-HYBRID seed plants. These are a-la-carte menu options to be chosen by the customer. |
