Yes, we know. It’s only February, and it’s not exactly bloom season yet. But that doesn’t mean you need to stop dreaming of beautiful gardens and the inspiration you can gain from them. And it’s certainly not too early to start planning a spring or summer gardening trip, especially one that focuses on some of the beautiful gardens that can be found in Virginia.
Read More
What’s new? What’s on trend? The world of landscaping and exterior design is always changing with new looks, new products and new technology. One thing that’s big this year is using interior design elements outside. Pick an element that you’ve fallen in love in with inside your home and move it to the outdoors. Perhaps you love that herringbone pattern on your kitchen’s backsplash or that chevron pattern that’s surrounding your fireplace. You can pull that into your outdoor areas in a variety of ways. Use it on your porch furniture, to create a privacy wall, or a pattern for a patio. Traditional indoor materials are also finding their way outside. Porcelain tiles are being used to create patios, walkways and garden paths because of their durability and long life.
Read More
This is a favorite with many gardeners because it will provide you with dynamic purple blooms through the autumn season. Mexican Bush Sage (salvia leucantha) is drought tolerant which makes including it in your garden an even wiser decision. Particularly with the drought we’ve been experiencing this season.
Read More
As summer begins to wind down, there are certain lawn and landscape items that need to be taken care of during the months of September and October. Most importantly is that it’s the perfect time to think about renovating and rejuvenating your landscape design because these two months are a little cooler and there is more moisture in the air. This gives new plants the best possible conditions for establishing themselves in their new home. Make a list of the plants you want to incorporate in your landscape. This is also an ideal time to start buying and planting spring time bulbs as well.
Read More
Love the look of stone and rock in landscaping? There are many different types of stone that can be incorporated into your landscape, and an infinite number of ways to use stone. New ideas pop up all the time, and some of the traditional uses will never go out of vogue. Our favorites? You certainly don’t have to ask twice.
Read More
Garden structures are a great way to add height interest to your landscape. Arbors, pergolas, vine poles and trellises all have a purpose, but along with that purpose comes the prospect of a new way to add more beauty and color to your landscape.
Read More
How can you improve your curb appeal? In a multitude of ways! You can do it quickly and with minimal cost or you can make some dynamic changes and really spruce things up.
Read More
Tranquil. Peaceful. Calming. Elegant. The term the Japanese use for a Zen garden is “karensansui” and it means dry landscape. To achieve this look, a merging of gravel, rocks and boulders are used to create a vision that represents islands and mountains surrounded by an imagery of flowing water. A Zen Garden is not a Japanese Garden. There are differences in the two. A Zen Garden will not include a pond, but a Japanese Garden typically will.
Read More
We love all things HOT! And we’ll admit that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos are part of our obsession. After trying this recipe, we just had to share. Give it a try. If you like HOT as much as we do, you will not be disappointed with the flavor. And don’t let the Cheetos deter you from giving it a try.
Read More
Summers in the southeast and mid-Atlantic states can often be very hot and very dry. Very dry. And when it feels like 100 degrees outside, the sun is beating on you and you look outside at all your beautiful flowers struggling outside, knowing you have to water them AGAIN, it can sometimes be a struggle. A real struggle. But you can make things easier on yourself by planting drought tolerant perennials to brighten your outdoors. There are plenty of varieties available. The color, size and texture variations are many and finding the right plants for your yard will be a fun adventure.
Read More