Now that you’ve decided to construct a pathway in your yard you need to decide what material you want to use Two of the most common choices are concrete and pavers They both have distinct advantages and disadvantages A walkway contractor can help you with your pavement choices

Concrete

Concrete is hard and durable It can stand up to harsh weather as well as abuse by people and pets Another advantage concrete has is that it is easy to obtain Also, once you have it, it is fairly easy to pour In fact you don’t need to go to the expense or trouble of hiring someone to do the work for you In a short amount of time you can do it yourself At one time if you wanted to have a concrete walkway you had only one boring choice, it needed to look like an ordinary city sidewalk That is no longer the case You can now find several types of decorative concrete that are quite stylish and sophisticated One example of this type of stonework is stamped concrete This material is widely available and functions just like ordinary concrete; but it’s stamped to give the appearance of stone, tile, and many other popular designs

Concrete walkway installation can be quite expensive Also, once you lay it down that’s pretty much it Changing it or tearing it up can be costly as well This can prove to be especially troublesome if your concrete walkway does break or crumble Not only will it cost you financially to fix, it is also hard work

Pavers

Pavers are also a great option for walkways They are set in sand rather than mortar so they are very smooth and easy to walk on They also come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors so it will be easy to find a style to fit your tastes Pavers will give your walkway a more modern and contemporary look than ordinary concrete can You can lay the pavers any way you like in order to create interesting and unique patterns in your walkway

One downfall of the paver walkway is that its success as a functional part of your landscape depends upon its correct installation The stones lay on either sand or fine gravel that needs to be compacted If this is not done properly or well the finished product will be uneven and difficult to use You best bet is to hire a contractor rather than try to tackle the task yourself, thus costing you additional money

Whether you choose to use concrete or pavers is strictly a personal choice Take into consideration the size and function of your walkway before you make your final decision Either way you will be getting a walkway that will enhance your landscape

Caring for your lawn does not have to be difficult Through careful watering, feeding, and trimming, you can keep your lawn in tip-top shape

PROPER WATERING
As with any plant, if you forget to water your lawn, it will wane A healthy lawn should receive about an inch of water per week, depending on the average temperature of your climate This amount of water weekly will encourage the grass roots to dig deeper and grow stronger

It is best to water your lawn in the twilight of early morning If you water your lawn with the hot sun beating down, you risk burning the grass Additionally, during the day, water evaporates quite quickly, so the roots may not receive any water at all Many choose to water in the evening, but this may cause undesirable fungus to grow on your lawn

FEED YOUR GRASS
A slow-release organic lawn fertilizer is the best choice for feeding your lawn However, proper caution should be taken when applying any fertilizer during the hot summer months, as too much can actually burn and damage the grass It is best to fertilize in the spring or fall Also, because the summer heat allows more weeds to sprout up, spot-check the lawn on a regular basis Don’t go crazy Simply spot-spray or dig out any unwanted sprouts throughout the week

IMPORTANCE OF MOWING
During the summer, when growth is at a peak, you may need to mow your lawn more often–usually every 10 days is sufficient Consider, however, mowing it a bit higher when the weather is warm to help with water retention Longer grass has more water reserved in the roots and blade tissue, and therefore enjoys higher drought resistance Greater length also improves the grass’ ability to carry out photosynthesis, which leads to increased blade and root growth Finally, high mowing discourages weed growth, as healthy grass chokes out more weeds The ideal summer grass height is between 3 and 4 inches

As you mow the lawn, allow some of the clippings to remain, to aid in fertilization Avoid mowing the lawn in the same direction every time, to prevent wear patterns and encourage upright growth Finally, be sure your lawn is dry when you mow it This will improve natural fertilization, reduce clumping, and limit the spread of disease

CARE FOR YOUR LAWN MOWER
The lawn mower is a key tool to proper lawn care Just as you would with your car, give your lawn mower regular tune-ups by checking the battery, fuel lines, spark plugs, and oil level If anything seems to be loose or deteriorating, give it an update Repair any leaks immediately, as leaking fuel and oil can damage your lawn

The blades of a push or riding mower should never be neglected Many landscapers and lawn lovers keep an extra set of blades in the garage or shed As you approach summer, make sure to give the blades a good sharpening Dull blades can reduce the fuel efficiency of your lawn mower and damage the grass itself

When it comes to lawn care, remember to take care of the basics Make sure your lawn is properly watered, fertilize only as necessary, and mow it regularly and correctly

Integrity Professionalism Fiscal stability Operating efficiencies Ethical standards These concepts are key traits of all top commercial real estate management companies Not surprisingly, they describe top commercial landscape maintenance companies, as well

As a commercial property manager or owner, you want to find a commercial landscape maintenance company who will partner with you in reaching your long- and short-term goals With your daily priorities of meeting the needs and demands of tenants, establishing property security and controlling budgets, time management is critical Therefore, it will make your job easier to work with a provider who honors your time

Finally, every property is unique, and so you want to work with a landscape service company who will maintain your property so that its strengths are maximized and, just as important, its weaknesses minimized

Components of a Commercial Landscape Maintenance Program

First, the benefits A quality maintenance program provides these four advantages:
Presents a positive image to your customers or tenants and their customers

Protects your investment
Extends and retains tenants by maintaining beautiful grounds
Helps conserve and enhance property value

The basic components of a commercial landscape maintenance program involve:

Landscape design services and installation
Design and installation In the design phase, a landscape service provider will work with you on the program elements, permitting issues, design approach including your likes and dislikes and aesthetics The next phase may include landscape layout, planting plans and cost studies In providing landscape services, a true professional should work diligently and patiently to help you define the scope of your project, determine the scheduling, coordinate vendors, assist in the selection of materials, and develop a final budget

Landscape lighting A well-designed landscape lighting system gives a commercial property 24/7 visibility Since lighting is a big deterrent of crime, one of the most important services that it delivers is safety, thereby providing an invaluable service to establishments that conduct business at night, such as hotels, country clubs, social clubs, colleges, schools, museums, and restaurants Ultimately, though, the main propose of landscape lighting is to create a beautiful nighttime vista of the landscape

Irrigation systems Money savings and convenience are the two main descriptors of an irrigation system It supplies the appropriate amount of water to the appropriate plant material It separates the lawn, beds and color areas into different zones that require different watering conditions due to the various plant types and sunlight conditions Finally, it utilizes controller box technologies, such as timers, time delays and rain sensors, that let you set an automatic schedule based on your landscape needs while, at the same time, allowing you to switch to manual for unplanned events

Drainage systems With Houston’s heavy soils, low lying areas and torrential rains, proper landscape drainage is essential for three reasons; to protect your property from flooding, to protect the foundation of the buildings from cracking and uneven shrinkage or swelling, to properly drain roofs and landscaped areas to avoid standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, breeding grounds for mosquitoes or drowned landscaping A landscape drainage system should be viewed as a whole to ensure that its appropriate functions and fixtures work together properly

Regular maintenance
Turf maintenance One of the most basic features of a commercial landscape maintenance program, turf maintenance is more than just cutting the grass It is edging, feeding and treating all activities that promote healthy growth And it is meticulous clean up so that your tenants can quickly return to enjoying the grounds once the crew leaves

Trimming hedges and ground covers As part of a thorough commercial landscape maintenance program, hedges, shrubs and bushes should be trimmed regularly to the desired contours Ground cover and vines should be edged to maintain a neat appearance The intention is to ensure that all elements conform to the overall plan of the landscape design

Tree care A top notch commercial landscape maintenance company will attend to trees, which are valuable assets Houston summers can be very stressful for trees, so deep root fertilization is important because it promotes healthy trees Aeration also encourages root growth Trees should be inspected regularly for any insect infestations Insects, such as pine bark beetles and boring insects, can be tree killers, sometimes striking very quickly, especially when Houston’s weather turns hot or if trees are suffering due to construction duress

Fertilization Critical to plant health, regular fertilization is a form of insurance for your plants Commercial landscape maintenance providers should have a methodical feeding program that insures the health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants The feeding program may also include spring and fall aeration of lawn areas with the application of fall rye grass

Herbicide and insecticide treatments These programs are also critical to plant health Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are the last part of a complete and proactive commercial landscape maintenance program

Seasonal Color
Seasonal plantings are an important part of presenting a positive image for any commercial property You will want to work with a commercial landscape maintenance company whose extensive knowledge of plant material, color, and texture creates eye-catching designs

Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance can be your best defense against potential landscape and property damage or something going wrong just when you need it to go right In the long run, preventive maintenance saves money

As a precaution, a professional commercial landscape maintenance company will make periodic surveys of your property to ensure that everything is in good order Items on the checklist include:

Tree inspection Watch for branches touching the building or overhead wires Dead limbs need to be trimmed to promote vigorous growth Trees should be regularly checked for disease, decay or wounds and swift action taken as needed

Irrigation inspection It is critical to have irrigation systems working smoothly as proper maintenance minimizes large amounts water pouring out of broken lines and heads Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds says, “This service is so important for commercial properties For some of our clients, it has meant savings of as much as $5,000 to $10,000 per month “

One of our more reputable achievements in recent years was a project in River Oaks that involved replacing a fountain that stood in the corner of the large brick wall While only one of many elements that we added, this new corner fountain played a significant role in transforming the entire landscape It introduced a new, more symmetrical geometry to the yard, and it helped provide a more noticeable, complimentary color contrast to that of the brick wall behind it

The existing corner fountain was a very old three tiered fountain structure that was common several decades ago This is the type of fountain you almost always see in old movies In a way it projects a certain sentimentalism about simpler, more absolutist times However, its power as a symbol fails to convey feeling beyond simple nostalgia, and because of this its use in landscaping has long since become cliche

The old corner fountain had many problems on a functional level as well It had started rusting out several years past and was now constantly malfunctioning This was primarily because the fountain pump had been installed underwater and had started to rust out The lighting fixtures had begun to rust out as well, and the leakage that resulted caused them to intermittently fail

There was also a problem of too much space between the fountain walls and the brick wall around the home Weeds and excessive vegetation had overgrown the back of the fountain, and they were beginning to overshadow a good portion of its structure The time had come for a significant change We therefore replaced not only the original corner fountain, but we also developed an entirely new fountain design

The new structure was shaped like rectangle whose right angles closely mirrored those of the wall behind it The vertical walls of new fountain itself were made to slope upward on either side in a slight, inverted arc that leveled off at the top and intersected in the corner

To create a decorative color contrast, we covered most of the bricks in the front, as well as the limestone walls in the back, with a travertine coping This gave the entire structure a soft cream color that proved a perfect complement to the red brick of the wall

Then, on both vertical walls, we installed three water spouts each and installed new fountain lights to illuminate the water from below as it fell into the basin To add to the mystique of this experience, we also fitted the new corner fountain with a remote pump and an external filtration system that allowed it to run silently, leaving only the water itself to be heard This also had the practical benefit of preserving the pump itself from the rust that had destroyed the original one

Of course, right angles create very sharp focal points that can often clash with other elements of a landscape In order to alleviate this and create a sense of harmony and blended aesthetic, we planted several new types of vegetation around our corner fountain

We used dwarf monkey grass and Ardesia to create ground cover Both species do very well in shady areas, and Ardesia also offers the added benefit of erosion control and a nice green color to further compliment the colors of the wall and the fountain To add an enhanced vertical element to the scene, we planted a Japanese maple beside the corner fountain This is a wonderful tree to use in landscaping because it provides both ideal proportions and color It has burgundy leaves that provide a great deal of shade, but it never gets too tall

Because this property was so large, it was actually landscaped with two separate patio areas in the yard Since each patio faced either one side of the corner fountain or the other, the illuminated waterspouts dancing against a limestone backdrop became the natural focal point that drew the eye toward itself as the center of attention regardless of one’s position in the yard

In general, contemporary design means spare and simple geometries arranged in a pleasing, functional way Combining innovation and flair, these designs use dramatic shapes to create a point of view that is fluid and natural We believe these adjectives describe contemporary water fountains, too

With contemporary water fountain and garden design, the focus tends to be on scale rather than the axial relationships commonly found in classic landscape designs In a modern landscape design, you will find the designer’s hand is very evident Perhaps the boundaries between areas of color, textures and shapes are undefined Conversely, you may find the opposite true with sharply delineated boundaries Composition and color initiate the emotional response

Contemporary water fountains have a look and feel that is both au courant and timeless At the same time, we encourage our clients to remember that, more than with any other type of fountain design, it is imperative that the style blends and complements the architecture of your home and existing landscape Otherwise, the imagery is too jarring

With material choices, concrete, because of its hardiness and malleability, has won a top place in the contemporary garden design lexicon Its cool, gray color alone gives it credibility In addition to using concrete in the contemporary water fountain design, you can extend that material theme by using concrete as the flooring of your patio design or in a simple garden structure

Steel, metals and glass can be used, in addition to concrete, to good effect within the modern landscape design In some of our designs, we have left the materials, such as stone, metal, plastics, steel and glass, in an exposed or raw state Part of the beauty of these materials comes from the resulting reaction to nature the way steel rusts to a warm, burnt patina, for instance

As with all outdoor water fountains, lighting can be used to enhance the sensual loveliness and liveliness At Exterior Worlds, we actually think lighting is critical for the full enjoyment of your investment in a water fountain, just as proper landscape lighting brings your entire landscape architecture to full fruition We specialize in creating one of a kind fountain designs so that you will not only enjoy the enhancement to your property’s value, but will also receive the 24 hour pleasure of moving, soothing, beautifully lit water

When lighting a fountain, it is critical to properly ground the electrical system and GFCI protect the lights Even if the fountain is not meant to be entered or played in, you want to be sure that the fountain remains safe

One final note about contemporary water fountain design: we want to point out that modern design techniques do not have to imply a high tech look For instance, you can make use of horizontal and vertical planes to create a modern sculpture effect and then let your color and planting choices evoke a warm, welcoming feel It is that juxtaposition hard and soft, linear and non linear, energetic and restrained that is the essence of modern landscape design In this case, less really is more

We were contacted by a family that had just moved into a home built in the 1960s The house had that classic “space age” look that was popular in the years that America ran the Space Race with the Soviets During this time, architects envisioned a future where technology would eventually create a better world, and where Nature would be more or less replaced with human innovation

As such, the contemporary landscape we developed for this home was rather unique in terms of the typical projects we develop It consisted mainly of a concrete patio and a custom fountain, but it had virtually no vegetation incorporated into its design This was due to the fact that the homeowners had specifically requested an inorganic look and feel to the landscape that compliment the right angled geometry and predominantly glass construction of the home

The home was actually built in two linear wings that came together in a sharp right angle, forming a natural courtyard of sorts in the lawn Since grass was something the homeowners wanted to minimize, we converted this rectangular green space into a contemporary-style concrete patio We decorated the patio by making diagonal saw cuts in its surface

This had the effect of extending the home’s sense of linear movement by creating intersecting patterns of right angles that mirrored the right angles formed by the house Then, in the corner where the two wings converged, we removed a rectangular portion of the patio and laid down alternating white and black gravel in a checkerboard of squares

We added just a touch of greenery that lent, some but not too much, of a sense of Nature to the patio and surrounding landscape We planted a solitary palm tree in the graveled corner, and we placed a contemporary Frank Lloyd Wright planter near one of the far patio corners Just beyond both wings of the home, we then built small, square planters out of stainless steel edging

We planted mondo grass in some of these squares, and we filled the rest with moonstones to maintain the sense of minimalism characteristic of custom, contemporary landscapes

We then implemented the second phase of the landscaping project, which consisted of the construction of a highly customized fountain design The intention in constructing this element was two-fold First the back of the home had windows so large they looked more like sheer walls of glass than typical windows

Adding a custom, contemporary fountain to the center of the patio would create a feature that would reflect off the glass during the day, and compliment interior lighting when illuminated at night On a functional level, the fountain was also intended to provide a special recreational area for the children, who loved to play in the water, but who were too young to swim unsupervised in a pool

We decided that the best way to accomplish both tasks was to custom-build a rectangular platform over the fountain jets that could easily support the weight of multiple children This platform would have to be constructed with both a sturdy frame and a permeable surface that would allow water to penetrate it as it shot up into the air from the jets below

In order to fulfill both functional and safety requirements, we custom designed the fountain platform with two very unique materials First, we built a frame with very stainless steel bars that would not rust Then, we selected a very fine mesh made from shredded steel wire that was folded over and over onto itself until all sharp edges were gone This made the steel feel more like a sea grass rug than a piece of metal when we were finished stretching it over the frame

The design worked beautifully, and allowed part of the water to shoot straight up in streams, but also produced a fine mist that added to the play element of the fountain To light our custom fountain, we then suspended special luminaires just under its surface to enliven the streams of water and fine sprays of mist that shot up into the night

While contemporary patios are relatively common in the world of landscaping, developing an entire landscaping plan around almost exclusively inorganic elements was something of a challenge The key to our success in this project lay in careful analysis of home architectural elements, a correct interpretation of the spirit of the times in which it was built, and an incorporation of the two into a custom, contemporary fountain and patio design reflective of the optimism and modernism of the Space Age era

Contemporary landscape architecture is characterized by a subjective determination to sculpt the landscape into spaces that reflect the human living experience It develops these spaces with respect to Nature, and in some way or another always works to create a relationship between architecture and the contemporary landscape

Contemporary landscape architecture can be used either unify architecture and the surrounding landscape, or it can be utilized to starkly contrast the differences between the two The exact nature of the relationship is always determined by the project itself, its location, and the type of environment being worked in

Because it flows along the lines of contemporary design in general, and because of its highly subjective characteristics, contemporary landscape architecture can be found in almost any setting where the experience of living itself is used to create forms and structures outdoors

When attempting to visualize a clear differentiation between contemporary landscape architecture and more traditional forms of landscaping design, think infrastructure Facilities such as libraries, hospitals, corporate campuses, civic centers, academic institutions, and sports stadiums all create a human experience characteristic of the urban living experience

Any open spaces that are not technically inside these buildings are then developed into planned environments that improve the quality of human life through manipulation of natural forms and outdoor spaces Traditional landscaping seeks to emphasize and sculpt the beauty of Nature for the purposes of human appreciation

This is predicated on the belief that Nature itself offers a certain spiritual, emotional, or aesthetic meaning to life itself Contemporary landscape architecture, on the other hand, is far more Existential and seeks to create only forms that are based on some practical function dedicated to improving the quality of life

This is not the first time such a mindset has taken hold in a society The idea of mirroring the human experience in natural forms goes back to the Roman Empire, where civil engineering and outdoor projects were used to build an infrastructure that united the entire Mediterranean coast into a single cultural entity

Wherever the Romans went, they built their arenas, amphitheaters, gymnasiums, aqueducts, roads, and temples as reflections of themselves Even in the rural parts of Spain and Gaul, agricultural regions were landscaped into Roman-style villas and estates to remind conquered people that man was the master of Nature, and that Rome was the master of all men

Pure lovers of Nature, (both then and now), find this concept distasteful, and prefer tend to gravitate instead toward more aesthetic forms of landscape design whose forms represent states of mind rather than functions that serve humanity This is why we see very little contemporary landscape architecture around private residences, but an almost universal adherence to its utilitarian principles in any public setting where civil engineers and planners have decided to integrate the natural world into human life itself, allowing people to experience the landscape on uniquely human terms

Movement through the landscape is encouraged as much as possible Clean lines in gardens and low growth trees help put the landscape on more of what you might call an eye level experience for human beings that makes them feel comfortable and confident when walking through outdoor areas like city plazas, parks, and streets

Because of the need to bring contemporary architecture into unity with the landscape itself, variety of species in plantings is frequently replaced with geometry as a means of mirroring the structural features of buildings

By contrasting only a few plant materials and low growth trees with linear bed lines and stark geometric designs, the contemporary landscape architect can take a single open space and convert it into many blocks of form and space, woven together, much like a building containing hallways and rooms with specific lines of movement and specific functions and unique experiences contained therein

Contemporary Landscape Design is a melding of the old and the new

Unlike modern it utilizes traditional approaches to space with newer finishes or applied technologies Without realizing it, contemporary design exists everywhere such as in a 60’s home remodel or a new classic home with modern finishes the slicker look of all stainless steel appliances It could be thought of as reinvigorating the old with clearer function new materials, technologies while creating the simplicity and beauty and organic in the new

Creating Contemporary Landscape Design
As a design form, the contemporary may work with a classic landscape design form based on axial relationships or a modern landscape design Within the classic garden design foundation contemporary would include updating design form and simplifying materials Within the modern landscape design, the contemporary would add a more humanistic approach to the use of space rather than pure focus on form or add more detail in finishes to “warm up the space”

Form and Function in Contemporary Landscape Design
As in Modern Landscape Design, it is still important that form follows function In fact this is an important maxim for contemporary design especially in a home remodel or update We are essentially bringing outdated space, materials and landscaping into the 21st century

Away from the straight or overly manicured hedges or old uneven brick patios built to only accommodate seating for four and a charcoal grill Contemporary landscape design has the use of diverse concrete applications and finishes, full grills and bars for complete outdoor entertainment and landscape plantings that don’t require weekly hedging A Contemporary landscape design can significantly “bring up” the functionality and value of an older home

Today’s Technology in Your Contemporary Landscape With breakthroughs in concrete as well as the wide range of availability in stone, tile, and stone veneers from around the world, there are a whole range of creative possibilities for bringing a contemporary warm look to the Contemporary landscape garden

Contemporary landscapes still utilize natural materials but with new installation technologies to create beauty, warmth, simplicity and clean finishes
Plant Materials and design for the Contemporary Landscape Again the theme runs true for updating and simplifying tried and true great design with the best of modern materials

“By designing in bands and blocks of contrasting materials and colors we create a symphony of color year round,” says Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds Accents and pops of color are accentuated by beautiful planter bowls or small ornamental trees As everything grows in a beautiful garden of varying sizes, heights, colors and mysteries for the viewer to experience prevail

Other uses of space in contemporary designs include:
Outdoor rooms for living These living areas, in effect, extend the inside out They also serve to create transition areas that connect indoor and outdoor spaces In this regard, this style is similar to a Mediterranean landscape design in its use of the outdoor living area for entertainment and use just as the home’s interior

Outdoor kitchens These can be the center of outdoor entertainment Outdoor kitchens provide a natural gathering place and inspire our primitive yearnings Their design should complement the homes architecture, selection of materials and weave naturally out into the landscape

Luxury swimming pools When designed from a contemporary viewpoint, luxury swimming pools are anything but the rectangle, ameba or boring tile waterline finishes of the past Contemporary swimming pools can also be combine with an outdoor water fountain that eliminates building a separate water feature while adding functional, usable art as part of the overall pools function

Thoroughly Contemporary
Contemporary landscape design and contemporary design in general pervades our design world Contemporary design is the application of tried and true design fundamentals with Modern landscape design functionality Natural materials are used to bring a timeless sense of warmth and beauty

As a commercial property developer or owner, you want to find a commercial landscape design firm who will partner with you in reaching your long and short term goals Key members of that team will include landscape designers or landscape architects, the professionals who will help enhance the investment potential of your property Another key team member will be a commercial landscape maintenance company

Commercial Landscape Design: The Process
The basic components of a commercial landscape design include:

Design In the early stages of the design process, your commercial landscape design team will work with you on the program elements, aesthetics and permitting issues The next phase includes landscape layout, planting plans and cost studies In providing design services, a true professional should work diligently and patiently to help you define the scope of your project, determine the scheduling, coordinate vendors, assist in the selection of materials, and develop a final budget

Landscape lighting A well designed landscape lighting system gives a commercial property 24/7 visibility Since lighting is a big deterrent of crime, one of the most important services that it delivers is safety, thereby providing an invaluable aid to establishments that conduct business at night, such as hotels, country clubs, social clubs, colleges, schools, museums, and restaurants The second, and equally important, purpose of landscape lighting is to create a memorable nighttime setting for the property

Irrigation systems Money savings and convenience are the ultimate end goals of an irrigation system It supplies the appropriate amount of water to the appropriate plant material It separates the lawn, beds and color areas into different zones that require different watering conditions due to the various plant types, sunlight conditions and weather

Drainage systems With Houston’s heavy soils, low-lying areas and torrential rains, proper landscape drainage is essential for three reasons: a) to protect your property from flooding b) to protect the foundation of the building(s) from cracking and uneven shrinkage or swelling c) to properly drain roofs and landscaped areas to avoid standing water that can cause slippery surfaces, breeding grounds for mosquitoes or drowned landscaping A landscape drainage system should be viewed as a whole to ensure that its functions and fixtures work together properly

Commercial Landscape Design: Maintenance
With your daily priorities of meeting the needs and demands of tenants, establishing property security and controlling budgets, time management is critical Therefore, it makes your job easier to work with a commercial landscape maintenance provider who honors your time by working efficiently without needing a lot of oversight

Regular maintenance
Turf maintenance This term includes cutting the grass, edging, feeding and treating activities that promote healthy plant growth

Trimming hedges and ground covers This task ensures that all elements conform to the overall commercial landscape design

Tree care Trees are valuable assets and can be protected with deep root fertilization

Aeration also encourages root growth Trees should be inspected regularly for insect infestations and disease

Fertilizations Regular fertilization is a form of insurance for your plants It means a methodical feeding program that insures the health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants

Herbicide and insecticide treatments Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are critical to plant health

Seasonal Color
Seasonal plantings are an important part of a commercial landscape design because they present a continuously positive image of the property Your commercial landscape maintenance company should possess extensive knowledge of plant material, color, and texture

Preventive Maintenance
Preventive maintenance can be your best defense against potential landscape and property damage and, in the long run, saves money Items on the checklist include:

Tree inspection Watch for branches touching the building or overhead wires Dead limbs need to be trimmed to promote vigorous growth Trees should be regularly checked for disease, decay or wounds and swift action taken as needed

Irrigation inspection Regular inspections and proper maintenance minimize the prospect of large amounts of water pouring from broken lines and heads Jeff Halper with Exterior Worlds says, “This service is so important for commercial properties For some of our clients, it has meant savings of as much as $5,000 to $10,000 per month “

Flower gardens can bring beauty and mark the change of seasons in both the residential and commercial landscape Seasonal color can bring a positive image to a commercial building that can indicate attention to detail and class Annual flowers bring to life the front entry of a home, create light and excitement to shrub boarders or can accent a water feature or restful area in the yard Whatever the function annual flowers bring beauty and classiness to a home or business

What annual flower are there to choose from?

It’s imperative that annual flowers be chosen to make a bold impact Residential and commercial flowers planted as a combination of all colors often times come across as a riot of different colors We approach annual flowers the same as a landscape design; we center our attention on their layouts, unique patterning as well as simplify design Complimentary colors, simple contrasts of textures and flowers make a great statement

Sometimes just varying two different types of flowers is enough There is a big difference between mediocre mixed annual flower borders and annual color combinations that are bold, dominant and simple

What are good annual flowers for Houston landscaping?

In Houston, annuals and perennial flower combinations can be chosen that last from early winter through spring and then from summer through the hot fall Even though, with unpredictable heat and drought, it’s more the case that annual and perennial flower combinations are changed out quarterly Some examples are as follows and also take into consideration sun conditions: Spring-petunias, geraniums, dianthus, begonias, caladiums, impatiens, Summer- lantana, plumbago, moss rose, salvia, caladiums, salvias and shrub rose varieties, Fall/Winter-cyclamen, pansies, violas, alyssum, cabbage and kale

How can you be successful planting of seasonal color plants?

Bed preparation, good drainage and water coverage are all important to being successful with annual and perennial flowers in Houston Be sure to have the correct drainage system so the planting bed doesn’t hold water Be sure that the ground is not solid clay, amend with compost and soil Also, make certain that there is good irrigation system that covers the area During times of drought especially, if your irrigation system is not getting the proper coverage it will show

Fertilization and chemical treatments are the next important step in being successful with annual color and should also be a part of the landscape maintenance program providing a boost to healthy plants and preventing disease or infestations common to the Houston area

Fertilization is the next important issue to attend to For continual blooms, flowers should be fertilized every six weeks or so in the Houston landscape Also, dead heading which is simply pinching off the flowers that have died should also be done to encourage profuse blooming Regular landscape maintenance ensure that the flower beds are weeded weekly It is also a good idea to turn the mulch every two weeks so that you keep the exchange of air and water flowing into and out of the soil To optimize the growth and bloom cycles of seasonal flowers, they also should be regularly pruned

Being successful with annual flowers takes knowledge and experience of color combinations, sun conditions, seasonal color plant section, proper amending of the soil as well as maintenance to be successful in our difficult Gulf Coast Climate