Executive Care Inc.

Welcome to our November edition. We will be taking a break from our series for the next two months. I remembered that students usually get a Thanksgiving and Christmas break, so we will take advantage of this time to cover two important topics. This month we’ll look at winter planting. Then in December we will focus on “landscaping for the soul,” which should prove to be a very enjoyable and heartfelt read. So let’s begin.

I am often asked when the weather gets colder: “Is it too late for planting?” The answer is always “no.” The best home for plants, regardless of season, is always in the ground. I will explain.

The containers we buy plants in are hot in the summer and cold in the winter. They offer no insulation. In fact they can make summer heat even worse. The black can on our hottest days is actually hot to the touch. In the winter, the container is not colder, but all the cold is borne by the plant, and the water in the can will actually freeze when our night temperatures drop to freezing. For plants whose cold tolerances are border line in our climate, this means death. The tops of a plant can freeze, and the plant will still live, new shoots will emerge in spring. However if the roots freeze, the plant is dead. So while in the container, the plant has no protection from the extreme temperatures; it is vulnerable. Even for plants that are hardy, remaining in the container is harder for them. If the same plant is in the ground and in a container, the plant that is in the ground will fl ower and leaf out sooner than the exact same variety in the container. This tells us something: the ground is a much better insulator.

We landscape year round, knowing that getting plants in the ground is always better. Also the bark we add not only is aesthetically pleasing, but it also acts as an extra “blanket” of insulation for the plants. This double protection allows plants to survive our temperature extremes much better than a plastic can. As I’ve already noted a sensitive plant may lose all its leaves or die back to the ground in winter, but they will produce new shoots in the spring because their roots were insulated and protected. During my years as a grower in the wholesale nursery business, we had a saying: “Grow roots and shoots will follow.” It’s a simple truth, but it helps you to understand how important it is to protect and provide a “safe haven” for the roots to grow.

So, no, it’s not too late for planting. In fact, there are advantages to starting a landscape project now. First, you will be able to watch your landscape come alive. I always tell my clients, “Wait till next spring, and you will see all the surprises I have planted for your enjoyment.” Our landscapes always have color year round, but after coming through winter, spring color is so welcoming and warming, it puts a smile on your soul!

Also starting a project in the winter is like going Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. You avoid the Christmas rush. There’s less of a wait; I can attend to you sooner; and it is more convenient for you. Since you are spending more time indoors, you won’t “miss” opportunities to be in your garden. So in conclusion, it is not too late to plant, and in fact winter has some advantages of its own that the other seasons do not have. I wish you all a blessed Thanksgiving. Thank you for your support and faithful readership. –Arthur

We have completed our first “class” and, based on the appointments I have had since the start of the Landscape 101 series, I would give you all A’s. The appointments have been on track, with each client having a list of important descriptive phrases and potential themes. This has made our meetings more productive and enjoyable.

Now that you have graduated from Landscape 101, I would like to tell you about what happens next, hence our title Landscape 201. Before leaving our first meeting, I will schedule the second meeting approximately two to three weeks out. During this time I am working on the estimate, using Quick Books to type out the process of getting from an unattractive yard to a beautiful one. You could say I am mentally landscaping from the ground up or, more accurately, from below the ground up because I must include drainage and irrigation. I take the key points from out meeting, noting the changes and the additions to the yard. From this, I calculate the labor hours required to accomplish the work and list all the materials to be used.

Upon the completion of the estimate, there is a dollar number for the labor and an itemized list for the materials. The estimate is an education in itself, allowing our clients to see all the materials and labor required to accomplish the transformation. This process takes time, and I am aware not all landscapers approach the process in the same way—but, for me, it is the most important part of what I do. It takes creative time to convert verbal descriptions into physical representations, matching hardscape, plants and design to the theme. I’m tired after the process, but it is a good, satisfied kind of tired.

After the planning work is finished, I begin the design. That is the topic we will cover in our next edition. Until then, thank you for your support and please remember to call back if you do not hear from me after a couple of days. I look forward to meeting those of you who need our expertise and count the opportunity to serve you as a privilege. Enjoy fall. It’s a great time of year- Blessings, Arthur.

Welcome back to Landscape 101 and a continued discussion of the thought process and design principles that are used to create an attractive landscape. This is the final article in the series, so I am going to begin with a brief review.

In the first article, we showed how your ideas about what you want are the starting point of design. Some example statements are “I want my yard to invite me out into it,” or “I love color,” or “I want to feel surrounded by the landscape,” or “I want to see green and color but open space and order.” These are quotes from past clients, and to me they describe a design, plant selection, placement and a hint at a theme.

Next, we took three editions to examine what a theme is and why it is important to design. Some example themes are Tropical, Mediterranean, Tuscan, and Asian. A theme gives the landscape a particular feeling, or mood. Theme is also used to narrow plant selection.

In today’s article, I am going to explore how your descriptions translate into a theme and how we move toward a specific design. If a client says, “I want something Zen,” I would lean immediately to an Asian theme. However, statements like, “I love color,” could find expression in many different themes. So to help my clients determine which theme they want color to be expressed through, I take them through our portfolio. This way, I am able to show what different themes might look like and explain how some themes lend themselves better to their comments. If you look at the many different themes in the slide show on our website, you will understand how the portfolio review gives clients an opportunity to talk very specifi cally about what they like or don’t like. Usually by the time we’ve finished looking at the book together, the client’s choice of theme is fairly clear. The portfolio is also used to spark ideas for the landscape. Think of it as a landscape catalog that not only shows different plant themes, but also different water features, hardscapes, retaining walls, etc. It helps you decide what features you want included in your design.

As important as it is to choose a theme and to think about desired features, any serious discussion about design must also include a discussion of budget. Here again, the portfolio is especially useful. I am able to use it to show what I call Volkswagen, Chevy and Mercedes landscapes and describe the differences. The distinctions are not a judgment, just a practical way to talk about expenditures. By describing landscapes in this manner, it makes it possible to effectively discuss cost, and what might be considered a later phase. For example, if there is a desire to have a water feature but it puts the job over budget, we can pre-plumb for it and add the water feature in phase two.

Going through this whole process together gives me a thorough understanding of the client’s desires and expectations. When I understand the “all” of the job, I am able to give the client a rough estimate of cost. Nothing disappoints a client more than being presented with a design that is not affordable, so I always make sure that a budget is agreed upon before I begin the actual design. My rough numbers are confirmed when I have run all the labor and material costs. These final numbers are presented to you with the completed design.

Through Landscape 101, I have walked you through my fi rst meeting with a client, including the things I listen for and the basic decisions you will make. Thank you for going through the process with me. If there are subjects that you would like me to cover in future articles, please contact me through our website. If you leave a voice message, please call me back if I do not respond within two days. I cannot always understand the messages. Blessings, – Arthur

Welcome Back to Landscape 101

This is the third and final section on the importance of determining a landscape theme. In Part 1, we introduced the concept of a theme, using interior decoration as an example. We want our rooms to have a certain look and feel, which could be described as a style or theme. Then we choose our furnishings to create the look we want. Landscaping is no different. We have to narrow the playing field. Nature gives us themes via different climate zones and/or environments, which determine what grows within that region. An easy example is that cactus does not grow with ferns; they are climatically incompatible.

In last month’s Part 2, we discussed types of themes such as Tropical, Nor. Cal, and Asian. We said that what GPS is to navigation so theme is to landscape. It helps us—the client and landscaper—to be on the same page with mutually agreed expectations. We also discussed how to select a theme. Our choice may be according to personal preference, to coordinate with the style of our home, or we might take cues from our surroundings.

With that brief review, we will now take a look at blended themes. Let me give you an example. Around my pool I have a Mediterranean setting with palm trees, sagos and plants that give a Mediterranean feel. Then, as you step away from the pool and move toward the garden, there is a large Redwood. The Redwood acts as a transition to the Nor. Cal. theme that defi nes the rest of the garden. Examples of other combinations are Tropical/Asian, or Mediterranean/ Tuscan, or English/Country.

While any of the themes listed above can be used to define the whole landscape, they create another “feel” when they are combined. Let’s look at some examples. English alone is formal and very green. There is a lot of topiary with manicured hedges. Adding Country to English brings in a variety of flowers and leaf colors, softening the otherwise formal appearance. The same is true with Mediterranean and Tuscan. Tuscan will have the gray and green foliage. The plants within this theme are more drought tolerant by nature. Rosemary and lavender are good examples, and for accents it will in particular have red, as in red roses. When we add Mediterranean to it, we incorporate palms, sagos, grasses, and more color. Mediterranean softens a Tuscan landscape, much like Country does to English.

One of my favorite combinations is Tropical/Asian. Asian, like English, has lines; it’s vertical. Yet within Asian are the soft and graceful Japanese Maples, sculptural bonsai and raked gravel. The vertical lines are softened further by adding more Tropical plants with broad leaves, such as the burgundy-colored Canna Dark Knight. Palms and ferns also soften because they drape. Incorporating rich color and softening plants to the Asian theme creates the most restful, Zen-like landscape you can imagine.

Of course, the best theme choice is the one you make because it makes a statement about you. I was just asked to do a “Classic Drama” theme, and recently completed a Contemporary Asian/ Mediterranean landscape, which is pictured here.

Now that we understand the importance of theme, we will move forward next month. The Landscape 101 series is an outline of the thought process and design principles that are used to create an attractive landscape. Until next month, good gardening, and remember to call me back if I do not respond in a couple of days. I cannot always understand the voice messages. Blessings- Arthur

Welcome back to Landscape 101 and a continued discussion on the importance of theme. Last month we noted that the plant kingdom is vast, but nature breaks it into groups. Every region has specific plants that lend themselves to the climate of that environment. Every environment has a unique “feel.”

With this as our framework, we can communicate the types of themes you might choose from. We have Tropical, Mediterranean, Tuscan, Asian, English, and within English is Country (though County is not just English, it is most commonly thought of that way). There’s Mountain, or what I call it Tahoe, and then there is our own Northern CA., which has Coastal as a subgroup.

Each of these themes should create a picture in your mind. That picture is recreated in a landscape by using plants that represent the theme and give the desired feel. So choosing a theme gives you an objective for your garden. Both you and your landscaper know the goal and have proper expectations. Theme is to landscaping what GPS is to travel. It provides the direction so we arrive at our intended destination and do not get lost along the way. With so many interesting and beautiful plants to choose from, getting lost is not hard to do!

We are fortunate that so many landscape themes work in our climate. Only within the Tropical theme do we have to use caution. Some of the varieties can be damaged when the temperatures go below 35° and/ or will not survive freezing temperatures. Plants within this grouping need to be covered with frost blankets to help protect them, or they can be planted close to the house for shelter. All the other themes do quite well.

So how do you decide on a theme? Aside from personal preference, the only other strong determiner would be the style of your home. Other considerations could be your surroundings and soil conditions. For instance, if you live in a more rural area, you may want to select a Nor. Cal. theme to blend in. If your soil is sandy, a Tuscan or a Native/Drought tolerate theme would be good. So these are some examples of how I go about helping the homeowners choose their theme.

Once chosen, the theme controls the plant selections. This is where the knowledge of the landscaper comes in. If he has a good working knowledge of plants, he should be able to come up with twenty to thirty plants that fi t into the theme, from full sun, partial sun to shade. These are the common light conditions of most yards, especially if the project includes front and back yards. To accomplish this, it is not unusual for me to visit at least three nurseries; none seem to carry all the varieties that I want to use, so I need to shop.

Once the plants are selected, the placement of the plants begins. I refer to this as “show time”. Though up to this point we have been installing drainage, irrigation, topsoil blend, etc., most clients don’t really get excited until the plants show up. With plants in sight and design in hand, our clients can get a real visual on how their yard is going to look.

Next month we will conclude our discussion of themes by looking at “blended themes.” Until then good gardening, and remember to call me back if I do not respond within two days. I cannot always understand the voice messages. Blessings – Arthur

I first discovered ornamental horticulture in high school, through the Future Farmers of America. Through that organization, I was able to rent space in green and shade houses, as well as a full sun area for growing plants to sell. I was responsible for the plants, the sales and the business records. From the money I earned I paid for my gas and my dates, so I was hooked! This early exposure has led to a life-long career in plant care and landscaping. After working in wholesale nurseries for many years (since 1978), I started Executive Care, Inc. in 1989.

Executive Care’s philosophy is very much based on my own experience, education and values. I strongly believe that great landscaping comes down to four things: theme, plant knowledge, proper marriage of hard and softscapes, and talent. The theme determines the choice of plants, as well as the color and style of the hardscape. Choice of theme is ultimately what distinguishes one garden from another and allows homeowners to personalize their landscape.

Once the theme is determined, proper plant selection and placement is critical to the success of the design. Knowing the strengths and limitations of a wide range of plant materials and understanding the variables that affect plant health (such as light, soil quality and moisture levels) makes the difference between a garden that struggles and a garden that thrives.

The third aspect of a great landscape is the proper marriage of landscape to hardscape. If you look at photos of finished landscapes, you will see that many landscapers are actually hardscapers; they specialize in cement, blocks, cultured stones, etc. The actual landscape, which is also called softscape, lacks texture, depth, color and creativity.

So while the hardscape is nice, the softscape is flat. There is no marriage between the two. The theme is not clear and the plant selection is limited to what you see at shopping centers. Those plants are appropriate for commercial settings, but your own garden can and should be more interesting.

When you go into a nicely completed backyard, do you look at the cement, or the plants? What draws your eyes? They naturally go to the trees, flowering bushes etc. It’s not that we don’t notice the hardscape, which brings function to the space while supporting the theme. Yet what speaks to us, calms us, are the plants. So by determining the type, location and use of plantings fi rst, we are able to create vibrant designs that center on the natural, soothing beauty of Creation.

The fourth aspect of great landscaping is talent for design and execution, which comes in varying degrees. A landscaper’s website is a clear indicator of talent because it shows the range and caliber of completed work. The proof is in the pictures, so to speak.

Whenever I talk to prospective clients, I encourage them to view Executive Care’s website, where they can see a variety of settings, themes and designs, as well as before and after photos. This way, the client is confident that we have the talent and ability to bring lasting beauty to the landscape while giving expression to the unique tastes of individual homeowners.

I believe that talent is a gift from God, so I try to be a good steward of the talent I’ve been given. I seek always to grow it through continued education.

I follow trends, read trade journals and carefully study the work of other landscapers. Keeping up-to-date allows Executive Care to bring the latest in styles, plant health and conservation to our clients through fresh design.

Since I work with nature every day, I also work to be a good steward of the land. Water wise irrigation and drought tolerant plants greatly reduce water usage. Square foot gardens and edible landscapes take advantage of nature’s bounty while reducing our carbon footprint. These things and many more, allow us all to be wiser stewards of the world around us.

Thank you for reading and thank you for supporting Executive Care. It is nice to be appreciated within the community. Please be patient as we get into our busy season. It’s just the three of us initially meeting everyone—me, myself and I—and we three work on a quality basis, not quantity. Even so, I always return calls within a day or two. If I do not call within that time period, it means I couldn’t hear the phone number clearly enough to reach you. So please do call again. Now as always, Good Gardening!

We left off in October discussing what occurs between our first and second meeting, the procedure of going from an unattractive yard or bare dirt to a landscape that is both beautiful and functional. However before beginning, I hope Christmas and New Year’s were enjoyable, and that during our break from this series you found the two publications, November’s ’A Good Time to Plant’ and December’s ‘ The Gift that Heals,’ as meaningful and beneficial reading. I have received several very positive comments about our December article, for which I am most grateful.

For this edition I am going to do a review of October’s Landscape 201, and then go into greater detail about the procedure I follow to create the design and estimate. In our first 201 article, I explained that at the end of our first meeting we have decided on our theme, some specific design features (water features, decorative walls, specific plants, flagstone etc.) and a verbal estimate of cost. Before I leave the yard I take measurements and fill out a form that I use to determine the materials needed, both in hardscape and plants. In the process, the design details become clearer in my mind.

This is the beginning of translating our conversation and selected theme into a physical representation. The best way for me to describe what’s happening is to say that everything in the yard “floats.” Nothing is fixed or permanent unless we decided during our meeting that it was to remain. The idea of floating rocks, plants or hardscape sounds strange, I know. It has taken a while to train my mind to see past what is visible to what is possible. Each designer sees the possibilities a little differently, so it is always important to visit a designer’s/landscaper’s website and look at examples of their work. Remember not all landscapers are also designers, and vice versa. I am grateful that we can do both.

Upon completing the materials form, my field work is done. I normally need between 10 days to three weeks to complete the design and estimate, depending upon the complexity of the job. In the busiest times of the year, which come upon us almost overnight, my project load increases, so please plan ahead, especially if we need to be finished by a specific date.

Back in my office, I begin to develop the design using my notes and design software. At times, I do a “rough” estimate prior to the design, especially if there is a “tight” budget. This way I know the ratios I need to work within, between labor, hardscape and plants, which allows me to use the budget I’m working with more effectively. When both the design and estimate are completed, I am ready to review them with the client(s).

Sometimes, a drawn design is not necessary, for example when the hardscape is going to remain largely unchanged or when I’m working with a client who can “see” what I am suggesting. In situations like these, I am able to return to meet with the client sooner.

So this explains the procedure I follow, from verbal concepts to design. Next month, I will begin to discuss design challenges. Using these photos, I will explain the particular challenges of this project.

Remember we landscape year round. In most cases the winter weather does not hinder us more than a day or so. The plants also will be happier in the warmer ground as opposed to remaining in a cold plastic can.

Finally, I will be at the Northern California Home & Landscape Expo in the Landscape Pavilion Building, sharing a display booth with Patio Perfection. Look for us midway, south end close to the speaker’s corner. I would enjoy meeting you. Blessings and Good Gardening.

Welcome to our February edition of House2Home. Last month we recapped our discussion on our fi rst visit and talked about what goes into the design on a conceptual basis, how we go from verbal concepts to a viewable design. Through the use of a form I use, notes taken and with the aid of some computer software, we are able to reproduce a plot plan and hence the design. This is what the second visit is about. We review the design, making sure that we addressed all the concerns mentioned, as well as specific requests, such as favorite plants or trees, color areas and or water features etc. All this is covered in the second meeting. At times clients will ask how we come up with so many distinct designs, especially after having viewed our portfolio. It is a challenge to make each job unique, stand alone, but we are all different people, have different landscape settings, concerns and needs. We are all asked to solve problems in our job, and it is no different with landscaping. Whether it be a slope that appears to be too daunting to landscape, or a landscape that faces south and is unbearably hot, or so small an area that it “appears” that nothing much can effectively be done with it. In these cases and others like it; it is the concerns that infl uence the design. As in the landscape picture before us, you can see in the before picture what the “canvas” looked like. So in this edition I want to review three key concerns that the client had, and how we designed the landscape to solve them.

However before we get started I want to say a word of thanks for all the encouragement I received from our readers at the Home and Garden Show in January. It was great to see you all, and hear how much you appreciate our writings- thank you.

Now to get started. The yard shown in the first picture above was extremely unsightly and quite embarrassing for the homeowners. They are very conscientious neighbors and wanted to do their part in contributing to the overall good appearance of the neighborhood. So concern one was a new landscape, and any new landscape well done would solve their most pressing problem. However, there were two more concerns that needed to be considered in the design. One, they did not like that the only access to their front door was via the driveway. They both had sizable cars that took up much of the space which if left out, caused their guest to have to maneuver around them; or if guests parked in the driveway it caused subsequent guest the same inconvenience. So a walk way of some design was necessary. Next, in the new design they wanted to retain some lawn but were not sure how to place it. Aside from the poor appearance of their existing lawn, the lower slope portion of the lawn was always muddy and slippery to walk on. So once these problems were identified and the theme decided on (which is Mediterranean) I went to work.

Challenges I had in solving these problems had to do with the limited space of the yard and a large house. Not fully visible in the pictures, but the height of the house made the limited yard seem even smaller. So whatever we did, we had to do in a “bigger” way yet keeping everything in proportion. The “easy” part was the landscaping. I had already selected my main plants for the job, so that was not going to be a challenge, especially once the trees and their roots were removed, the ground became very workable. The challenge was incorporating the steps into the landscape. Typically steps need to be at least three feet in length with a ten inch tread. Given the smaller yard I felt the landscape could not give up that amount of space and still be balanced. In other words, I did not want the steps to be the main focus. I needed something less intrusive yet functional, so I needed to think on this. The concern the clients had with the lawn was an easy solution for us, or better said, we had the answer but it took a bit to get the “pieces of the puzzle” together. I first needed to know that I could purchase the same veneer that the house had, so identifying the veneer was step one. Once the veneer was identified, I was able to call around and found out that it was not out of production, and that locally there was enough in stock to complete the project. So that took a big concern off me. Now it was just a matter of designing the proper portion of lawn to landscape and building it. Not hard, but not fast either, it has it’s proper time. When you do a radius wall, cutting/fitting the blocks and capstones is always time consuming. However, by building the raised wall we were able to keep the lawn level, and with a French drain inside the wall there would be no concern of water collecting- and it gave a “bigger look” to a small lawn.

Finally as we were finishing the wall the solution of the steps came to me. It took some creativity to incorporate hardscape in a way that it was not designed, but it was very do-able and solved our problem. So with the steps in place and the raised wall planter completed, we were ready to landscape using plant material true to our theme. This picture is of the landscape just finished, so the plants are still somewhat small, especially given the height of the house. To help with a “tall face” we used two Tiny Tower Cypress, you can see on either side of the front window. Clients were amazed at the transformation, and we were happy. They said, and many clients say this, that they couldn’t wait to get home each night to see the progress. So that’s cool.

Last note, we are already booking appointments for March, so if you are planning a landscape please call as soon as possible. Thank you, and Good Gardening.

Welcome to March’s edition of Design Challenges. For this month and next, we will look at a large landscape project and discuss the design challenges it presented. In this edition we will give the background, note the challenges, ask the questions but answer them in our next edition (like a good mystery novel).

The project I’ve chosen is typical of many backyards in the Folsom/El Dorado/Rocklin area where a portion of the yard is given over to a slope. The percentage of level ground versus the percentage of sloped area varies with each yard. In some yards, the slope is only 20% of the yard; in others it is just the opposite, making for a very challenging job. This particular client’s percentage of slope varies, depending on whether we are viewing the west side or the east side of their yard. The pictures shown here are of the west side where about 20% of the yard is a slope. Next month we will view the other side, which is about 70% sloped.

Looking at the pictures, you can see the Before, with a bare yard and a block wall under construction, and the After. The difference is more than aesthetic. This design, like all good designs, needed to address the concerns of the homeowner. What were those concerns and what design challenges did they present? Aside from the bareness of the yard, there were three.

The most apparent, of course, is the slope. A combination of soil, rock and lava cap, it posed both a design and a physical challenge. This is jackhammer work, and at the end of the day your arms are still vibrating.

The second concern was the need for privacy and screening from the glare of a couple street lamps. Look at the After picture. Just to the right of the fi rst tree you can see one of the street lamps, and the roofs of neighboring homes. And outside the camera’s view, there is another street lamp and more exposure to the neighbors’ balconies than is desirable. As my client put it, “They can look right into my kitchen from their balconies, and at night the street lamps shine into our bedroom.”

The third challenge was related to access. My client’s husband is only mobile with the aid of a wheelchair, so elevations needed to be gradual for her to move him in and out of the house. So access from kitchen slider to the patio, from the patio to the spa (not shown), and the width and slope of sidewalk (not shown) required special attention.

Now here’s the question: How does one create a landscape that is inviting and beautiful, and yet addresses these very specifi c concerns? I think it is a lot like women’s purses. How do you design a purse that can carry the multiplicity of stuff you ladies carry and still look stylish and feminine and not like a small suitcase? On a much larger scale, landscaping is the same thing, solving at times huge problems but having the end result look like there was no problem to solve.

The answer always begins with the theme, for whatever materials we select to address the problems has to fit within the overall theme. Fortunately the theme of this yard is Northern Cal, which is a very easy theme to work with, many colors and hardscape elements agree with it. So with that said, we have laid our foundation, understand the client’s concern (and our challenges) and know the theme. Next month we will see from a “landscaper’s eyes” what the solutions were.

Welcome to our September edition of Design Challenges, and this back yard definitely had its challenges. So hang on to this copy, it will take two or possibly three editions to cover the full subject. Our clients could not have been more pleasant. In fact, with them being many years younger than I, I have appointed myself to being their Uncle Arthur. Overall, we have been blessed with great clients, I just can’t be everyone’s uncle. With that as our introduction, let’s get started.

As you know with each and every edition, theme is always front and center, and for our clients it was pretty much set. They have vacationed in Hawaii and having enjoyed it, wanted to bring some of that home; so tropical was our theme. With each theme, I always discuss what I consider to be the benefits and the challenges. With a tropical landscape, high maintenance and frost concerns would be the challenges. Given those concerns, I was able to encourage them into a Tropical/Mediterranean blended theme. It is very worrisome and impractical to go out each night forecasted to freeze, and cover eighty or so tropical plants. So the blended theme maintains the “feel”, but introduces plants that are hardier.

With the theme decided, what were the design challenges? Was it the weedy condition of the yard? Well admittedly that didn’t help, it is always helpful to see the contour of the yard, but that was not the challenge. It was the layout of the yard. The yard is divided into very distinct sections, both in size and shape, and in sun light. The dividing aspects are the pool and a sizable wood deck that encircles a large Oak (not shown). Creating a harmony or a flow was going to be the challenge, especially with the varying light, from full sun all day, to shade for most of the day. Also capturing the fullness of the yard in a picture to show is just not possible. There is not one picture or position that can capture the whole yard, so as mentioned, keep your copy and next month we will see another area.

I am always asked, “Arthur if this was your back yard (or front yard) what would you do?” I have about five minutes to come up with a general design. So how is that done? Well I look for the obvious first, which the Oak tree could not be more obvious. It told me that I would need to use larger sized palms and trees. The next thing I look for is if there is a need for privacy. This is a big deal for you ladies, and yes there is definitely a need for that. Next what request do the clients have? They had two, one was to create an area for a future fire pit, and the other was to use stepping stones in the landscape.

In the picture shown at the top, notice that the center area remains without plants, which represents the location of the future fire pit. Also notice the stepping stones, they curve around and go down a side planter. At first I tried to persuade them to not use the stepping stones, the area down the side was already so narrow, but they wanted them. Of course the client always wins. In the end I really liked them; it was an added feature that tied the two sections together. By planting two mature palms on either side of the pathway it emphasized the pathway. The look is similar to how an archway emphasis an entrance into a garden. These are some of the things I look for, and the questions I ask when coming up with an initial plan. So in answering the question, I emphasize the need for larger plant material and the need for privacy. And since the trees will be so close to the pool, they need to be evergreen and smaller trees.

Lastly we would repeat the use of specific plants in all the planters to tie the yard together. It is the obvious things I start with, and as we finish discussing and I’m left alone to start taking measurements and counts, more ideas come to me that I share with our clients later in our second meeting. However this gets me started. I have yet to repeat the same landscape twice which is amazing to me, and a big Amen; for I know where my inspiration comes from. Until next time – Good Gardening.

Welcome to our September edition, and our continued discussion of this landscape theme. Last month we discussed the concept of the design, how it came from three basic areas; the client’s needs, what I felt would be beneficial based on their needs, and the space we had to work with. These three thoughts, though very basic, are the foundation of all our designs. From here comes putting an “identity” to these thoughts/needs, or in other words a landscape design. Following the design, is the execution, the building or construction phase and that is what we reviewed last month. If you would like to learn or read about this phase, it is available on our website under “publications” or Home Improvement & Remodeling Magazine’s website, but for this article – let’s talk plants.

I have mentioned this before, but it is worth re-mentioning, as a landscaper, I see many yards, meet new friends (one of the best parts of my job) and see what has been built/landscaped prior to me. In some cases, the hardscapes are very elaborate, yet for the most part they are minimally used; and I see why, the landscape is non-inviting, rather boring and generic. The two must complement each other to have a yard that is both functional, via the hardscape, and inviting, via the landscape. In the design shown, we could have built the hardscape exactly as you see it, selected some very ordinary plants, and the outcome would have been completely different, plain and non- inviting. So when the two, hardscape and softscape, are “married,” they must each support one another.

Recently I spoke to the client of this landscape. She shared with me what a pleasant evening her girlfriend and her enjoyed recently while sitting out on the patio visiting and viewing the landscape. The evenings are usually so pleasant here, and with the night lighting the yard can be enjoyed for hours. So what are the plants that work for this theme? Well some you will know, Dwarf Gardenias, Ferns, Hydrangeas, Camellias, and Japanese Maples etc. are some of the most recognizable varieties, but there are others that are not as well known; Daphnes, Carex, Huecheras, Thujas and Viburnums are some that are not widely known or used. It is the combination of these, knowing their maturing heights and how and where to place them that makes for an attractive garden. Placing them too close or too far apart, or next to another plant that will outgrow them and eventually hide them from view does not work. So variety is very good, and knowing how to use them together is even better. So some studying is necessary to understand the heights, widths and sun tolerances of the plants, whether they are evergreen or deciduous, and what they have to offer in foliage color, texture, flower and when they flower etc. Some knowledge can be booked learned, but most is experience, or if you’re a “do it yourselfer”, trial and error. One of the great benefits of my working in wholesale nurseries for many years is the exposure to a wide variety of plants and their growth habits. A good place for you to start is at a retail nursery. You can read the description tags, view the plants and learn if that particular plant would work for your situation. That is how I started, except I started on a six hundred acre nursery of what seemed to me at the time like a “billion” plants; with my plant book, taking notes and pictures as I walked. It was a great education.

Last point I want to make deals with landscaping slopes. Remember that water runs down hill. Ok, so is that your point you say? Nothing new with that; however, in translating that over to landscaping means that your plants at the bottom of the slope need to like water, or tolerate wetter roots, or you will be constantly replacing plants. As with this landscape, the slope did not end with the plants. The lawn begins below the plants mid way down the slope and continues to the bottom of the slope – so I was not concerned with wet soil, but I mentioned it for your sake. Also read Plant Talk to learn of a couple such plants that can handle wetter roots.

Next month we will look at a full sun, Northern California landscape, it will be interesting and fun to see the transformation.
Until next time – Good Gardening.

Plant Talk

This month we will discuss two plants that can tolerate wetter roots. A “normal plant”, once established, does best when it is watered thoroughly and then has a drying period where the soil goes from wet to semi moist. At the base of a hill, the opportunity to become semi-moist never happens. It is always wetter at the base of the hill. Knowledge of plants that actually can live in wetter soils is essential when choosing plants. Two such plants, are Agapanthus Elaine and Acorus Ogon. Agapanthus Elaine is a much better choice over the over planted

Agapanthus Africanus that grows to 2’ feet, and its other relatives, Queen Anne a medium grower to 12” inches, and Peter Pan the smallest of the family, growing to 8” inches or less. Elaine grows in height similar to Queen Anne, but unlike Queen Anne with its pale blue flower, it has beautiful dark purple flowers. In early morning or evening light it almost looks fluorescent. It blooms later than its boring relatives, blooming from about mid to late July, and going through August with a multiple of stems filled with blooms. It’s claim to fame is that it is so easy to use, virtually even “black thumbs” can’t kill this plant. It will grow in full sun, among normal plants, it will grow in wet surroundings, and it will grow in filtered light. Aside from this, another very important quality of this plant is its ability to live in the shade till about 2:30 pm, and then receive the hot afternoon sun without burning. There are only a handful of plants that can do this. I shared with you one last month, Cornus Elegantissima Alba – Coral Bark Dogwood.

Our next water lover is Acorus Ogon, it loves wetness and can even grow in water. Its common name is Japanese Sweet Flag, and the yellow variegated foliage adds color in shade gardens. If you notice the most common shade plants are just green. There are not a lot of plants that have other foliage colors, so this one is a welcomed addition. It does not like the afternoon sun, it will burn. It requires filtered, in-direct sun, especially in the summer. There are some plantings of these along East Roseville Parkway and I cannot for the life of me understand why this plant was selected? So use it in your shade garden, and it is a super nice addition to Asian themes. Blessings