Category Landscaping

We recently shared a post on removing a stump by slowly burning it.Due to fire restrictions, some people need a different solution for how to remove a tree stump so here’s a guide for chemical stump removal.It’s best to get the trunk of the stump s low as possible without stump grinding.Next drill 1 inch holes about 12 inches deep into the stumpAround the out side edge drill holes into the stump at about a 45 degree angle.

Slopes and hillsides always provide for a challenge in landscaping and pathways. This imgur gallery shares one great looking and functional solution.A brief project how to…Here’s the side yard on a slope overgrown with weeds and “steps” overdue for replacing. See how the air handler hangs precariously.

The job of hillside landscaping is a problem with more homes built on sites which have major changes in elevation and steep slopes.Landscaping a hill as gardening trend is likely to continue in cities and suburban areas across the nation as most of the “level sites” are in short supply.Homeowners have a growing awareness of the dramatic value or curb appeal of landscaped hillside locations in their garden or backyard.

The deciduous handsome Silk Oak, scientifically known as Grevillea robusta (grev-ILL-ee-uh, roh-BUS-tuh) is a part of the family Proteaceae.It is native to the temperate climate of eastern coastal Australia (Queensland and New South Wales), thriving in riverine, subtropical and dry rainforest environments.

Add berm landscaping to your garden design by building a berm or landscape mounds is an easy and attractive way to add interest to your yard especially in flat areas.What is a berm?Building a berm or mound isn’t as complicated as many would think. By following simple guidelines in the design of the landscape mounds and berms, many garden troubles can be eliminated with ease.

Question: I know there are many types of tree and plant injury out of man’s control.However, what are the best steps, precautions and preventive measures to take to protect the trees and shrubs in our landscape? Renee, St. Louis, MissouriAnswer: Renee, what a great question and one I wish more would consider.

The bright red tops of the Royal Poinciana tree (Delonix Regia) are an amazing site when this colorful tree is in full bloom.Delonix Regia is pronounced dee-LON-iks REE-jee-uh , but the plant also has easy to pronounce common names:Royal PoincianaFlamboyant treeFlame of the forestFlame treeThe plant is native to Madagascar, but it’s been introduced throughout the tropical regions of the world.

When the heat of summer hits and everything seems to droop a bit, it’s nice to some color backup.Summer flowers are few during the months for bloom and few plants can handle the heat. With the hot summer days just a few months away, it’s time to start analyzing the things to plant for the upcoming hot season.

Most people take retaining walls for granted. But if you take a moment you’ll find lots of wonderful landscaping wall ideas all over the place. I realize they don’t come to the top of most people’s list. But, a short retention wall makes for a wonderful “tool” to use in the landscape for transitioning from one elevation to another and to add curb appeal.

I’ve seen wind chimes done in lots of different ways. With spoons, keys and even bamboo. My goodness, some people are blessed with such creativity!So many times we assume things need to be molded and made using special machinery. However, when you see this copper wind chime and how simply it was made with few tools, it inspires you to want to make one yourself.

Garden pathways with stepping stones range from very simple… poured concrete or pavers to much more.A path made of natural stepping stones is a simple and inexpensive way to add charm to your garden landscape.Stone paths offer a natural and practical route for foot traffic from driveway or sidewalk to your doorstep and the back or along the side of the house.

Across the country, millions of flowers are under threat from a powdery mildew disease ravaging landscapes in 32 states.This has been an ongoing issue since 2008.When the disease hits it is devastating but can be managed according to Colleen Warfield, plant pathologist for Ball Horticulture. Powdery mildew disease attacking Impatiens was first thought to be frost damage.

The Colocasia Black Magic is one of the “new breed” of black elephant ears.The culture of Black Magic, as well as most newer introductions, is very similar to the well known and popular, elephant ear – Colocasia esculenta.Colocasia “Black Magic” FactsOrigin: AsiaFamily: AraceaeBotanical Name: Colocasia esculenta Black Magic – KOLL-oh-kay-zhuh es-kew-LEN-tuh Common Name: Black Elephant EarsPlant Type: evergreen perennial bulbSize: 3′ – 6′ foot in height and widthLeaves: heart shaped elephant leaves, black-purple leaves with a “smokey” castFlowers: yellow-green spathe and spadixBloom: Not showyHardiness: USDA hardiness zones 8 – 12Exposure: Plant Sun or Shade?

Garden stones come in many different types available for landscape use.Each type is suited for a different use, making it important that when selecting a stone, you need to carefully choose the right type of rock or stone to enhance your garden setting.In this article, we will discuss the uses of various types of common landscaping gravel and stones.

You’ve seen them! The elephant ear plant – colocasia with it’s spectacular, giant leaves adding a tropical feel to any landscape.Learn all about growing them, their needs, pest issues and how to carry them over winter to enjoy again next year. Read on…The Elephant Ear plant or taro elephant ears is the common name for the genus Colocasia.

Hummingbirds make wonderful additions to the garden. Hummingbird flowers and hummingbird feeders will help attract them to the garden.But, there are plants like these 15 we can call the hummingbird favorite flowers. The presence of birds, especially the hummingbirds, is a beautiful thing that we all want to see in our surrounding.

Which summer flowers help you light up the hottest dog days of summertime?Below are 11 flowers that bloom all summer and an tips of how they grow and where to plant them.The descriptions also provide some required maintenance.1. Butterfly WeedThis is a butterfly attractor (along with the Butterfly bush – aka Buddleia) make butterflies flock your garden.

Spring-flowering bulbs and flowers you plant this fall burst into bloom next spring because food needed for flower development is contained in the bulbs at the time you plant them.For flowers the second and succeeding springs, you must see to it at planting time that the soil for flowers contains nutrients which the plants can use to replenish the food used up the first spring.

Visitors to theme parks like Disney World will get to seize the opportunity to view firsthand some of the world’s finest examples of topiary trees and shrubs.For the ancient, eye-intriguing art of topiary – with its sheared figures and geometric designs – is truly a lost art.Never practiced extensively in America, topiary is found most of the time at large theme parks like Disney World because of a significant amount of time required to trim the leaves and branches to intricate figures and cost of that time.

I have always loved to see plants “trained” into a small butterfly bush, especially when they are plants we don’t normally see grown as trees.Plants like a standard lantana tree or coleus tree.The buddleia or the butterfly bush is another one.In some states the buddleia is considered a invasive species (BBC) and they are trying to eradicate it.