Shrubs are attractive, versatile assets to any lawn. You can use them to decorate, enhance privacy, and add artistic flair. Maintaining shrubs requires care and attention throughout the year to ensure the foliage looks its best. Follow these tips to keep your shrubs healthy, happy, and beautiful.

Choose Appropriate Sizes

Cramming any plant too close to its neighbor leads to bigger messes and hassles. Before adding shrubs to your yard, decide on the style you want. Are you aiming for a dense privacy hedge, or would you prefer to line the front walk with stout accent bushes? Choose the shrubs that look best with the layout of your lawn for an eye-catching landscape design.

Water and Moisture Maintenance

Like all plants used in landscaping, your shrubs need optimal water to thrive. During the first couple of years after planting, give everything a good drink once a week, soaking the soil without leaving a puddle. … Read Full Post »

A beautiful landscape invites people to linger, enjoy the sights and savor the fragrances for a few moments. The only problem is that creating this kind of landscape isn’t as simple as it appears. After all, if it were easy, everyone would have one. Add to this the intense Houston climate, and a pretty landscape can seem like an impossible dream. Yet it doesn’t have to be.

All you need for a fabulous landscape is a bit of knowledge. To help you get started, websites like HGTV are an excellent resource for landscaping ideas and suggestions. Then, to ensure that you don’t make the most common landscaping mistakes, here are five tips on what to avoid:

Planting Without a Plan

Creating an attractive look requires some thought. A garden is no exception. If you’ve ever seen a landscape with plants of every color and size virtually thrown together, you have a fair idea … Read Full Post »

Houston business owners who care about the environment have a lot of options when it comes to going green. Those looking to take the next step while creating beautiful outdoor areas at their places of business should consider aeration and composting. If you’re not convinced your company can benefit, check out these ten reasons why many business owners love to choose aeration and composting.

1. Aeration helps to improve fertilization and nutrient intake. When your lawn is aerated, its root system allows more room to breathe and collect nutrients. This means you can use less fertilizer and still get excellent results.

2. Aeration improves water absorption. Because lawns can get water and nutrients more quickly when they are aerated, this simple action can help reduce watering costs while allowing you to create a beautiful lawn.

3. Aeration reduces water runoff. Less water runoff means lower bills and a better environmental track record for … Read Full Post »

Aren’t you sure what to do with your home for the holidays? Check out our top 10 ideas for transforming your Houston home into a stunning seasonal success.

1. Emphasize existing landscape features and the graceful branches of deciduous trees by illuminating them with ground-level flood lights. Use existing landscape lighting or modular spotlights to highlight wreaths and green decorations. Fill fountains, urns, and birdbaths with gazing balls or evergreen boughs to maximize their seasonal appeal.

2. Think about your landscaping before you decorate. Watch for decorative plants that will complement your holiday display. Treat landscape shrubs in late fall to protect them and keep them looking healthy all season. Evergreens, hollies, and berry-producing shrubs are ideal for incorporating into your holiday display.

3. Place greenery, topiaries, garlands, and evergreen wreaths on entryways, windows, mailboxes, columns, and porches. These items will look beautiful during the day before the timer activates your lights.

4. Add … Read Full Post »