Fresh Take on Black-eyed Susans
Most everyone recognizes Black-eyed Susans…the sunny late bloomers brightening up the fall landscape. It would seem hard to improve on this classic, but we really like the newer variety, Viette’s Little Suzy. Looking at this picture you can see what makes it different: the center circle right around the brown cone is a golden, almost orange color, and a beautiful, clear yellow radiates out from the orange. Very striking! Their two-tone flowers are work well with others—here they look fantastic with the Fireworks Solidago behind them.
A Negligent Gardener? That’s OK!
When people ask us for a low-maintenance landscape and if they have sunny exposures, you can bet we are going to include some sedum. You can get away with a looooot of neglect when it comes to sedum...these perennial plants actually prefer you leave them alone! Water them 1-2 times a week for the first couple weeks after planting, and then turn them loose. So you can imagine how happy we are that some really, really nice new sedums are hitting the market...this picture is of Dazzleberry Sedum from the Sunsparkler series. Gorgeous, no? Even better in person, as are Cherry Tart, [...]
Oxymoron: New Vintage Paver
One of our suppliers has come out with a new paver meant to look old. I know, I know, but it's not a cobblestone-street/ tumbled brick look. While definitely cool, that's been done. THIS new paver is meant to mimic the look of weathered barn wood...how great is that? We are all finding ways to incorporate this new paver in our designs. Take a look! Barn plank 2 pgr LR
Please Pass the Popcorn– VIDEO!
We truly have the best customers. These great homeowners not only asked us to landscape their backyard, they also made a video of the project from start to finish. A terrific idea and something we have not yet done. I'd like to think it's because we're too busy landscaping? Anyway, click the link and enjoy this overhaul! new back yard
On the Rebound
Isn't it nice that September and October cooperated and were so mild? Isn't it nice that plants know how to push the re-set button and recover from pest damage? These two facts have allowed the shrub roses to rebound after being chowed on--and then chowed on some more--by Japanese Beetles earlier this summer. The scent of roses caught me off guard last night, and I had to stop, and yep, smell them. So nice to see them get a chance to show off before winter.
Doing a 180
Photo by Andrew Link, Winona Daily News A couple years back, Winona State University built a gorgeous, Silver LEED-certified Integrated Wellness Center (IWC). The landscape was not looking quite as stellar as the building, but that has all changed due to a senior student's capstone project idea...and collaborative follow-through. We were happy to be part of the landscape project that turned the IWC's landscape into a thing of beauty. The 180-degree change is being embraced by the university community and community-at-large! You can read more about the project and see some pictures here: http://www.winonadailynews.com/news/article_75ffd9ea-f348-11e2-b2ca-001a4bcf887a.html