Protect Your Landscaping Plants From Cold Snaps

Weather can change quite quickly and can bring cold snaps that can really damage your landscaping. So we've put together some tips that will help you prepare to protect your plants, especially if your landscaping has been installed recently.

(1) Your landscaping will be able to better withstand the cold when they are healthy. The first step in creating healthy plants is to feed them properly. Be sure to fertilize your plants, trees and lawn with the proper fertilizers. Water is also an important part of keeping your plants healthy. So just prior to any cold snaps, be sure your plants' roots are hand watered for maximum protection against the cold.

(2) Wind chill during a cold snap is usually several degrees cooler than the actual temperature so it is vital to attempt to block that wind from directly hitting your vulnerable plants. You can do this several ways but one of the most common ways is to cover them with sheets or blankets. Clothespins and twine can serve as means to hold your sheets and blankets in place during the overnights.

(3) Find out how vulnerable each of your landscaping plants is to the cold. Many native plants can be more cold resistant than others. Search the web for info on your particular species. Typically more exotic flowering plants are more vulnerable and tender and it's a good idea to bring them inside if they are potted plants. Try to harvest your fruit from fruit bearing plants or trees if you fear the cold may damage them. Many strawberry farmers will water their fruit in the freezing overnights to form a layer of ice over the plants to help protect them.

Enhance Your Landscape Patio Design With Outdoor Landscaping Plants

Families are spending more time in their backyards. They are looking into fresh outdoor landscaping ideas. The patio is an additional living space and with great landscape patio design can add tons of value to your home.

Outdoor Landscaping Plants

When choosing a new design for your backyard space it is important to find outdoor landscaping plants that are native to your area that can tolerate the your weather. In the moderate temperatures of Southern California many types of plants flourish without much care. But in the harsher northern parts of the U.S., where there are definite seasons, weather tolerant plants need to be considered. The perennials are great because they go dormant in the winter and then pop in the spring bringing color to your outdoor landscape.

Landscaping Patio Design

Potted plants are the mainstay of landscaping patio design. Find artful pots and plant dwarf trees that produce beautiful fall colors. A small pond and waterfall with koi and water-lilies can be a soothing addition to any patio landscape. A wood-burning chimney can add warmth to an intimate gathering.

Outdoor Kitchen Designs

A well designed outdoor kitchen will set the scene for memorable entertaining. Having everything you need conveniently located to grill and cook for your guests allows you to be a part of the patio party.

Outdoor Patio Furniture

Landscaping patio design also requires casual a sitting area to visit with guests on a cool evening. It is important to find sturdy, long lasting, weather resistant furniture to go with your newly designed landscape. patio furniture comes in many styles from formal to very casual. Teak patio furniture can look both formal and casual. Iron grill furniture takes on a very formal and stately look.

Research and design

Outdoor landscaping ideas that have been carefully researched to fit in with your area and your personality will provide years of enjoyment for your family. If you are not comfortable with making these design decisions visit a professional landscape architect. He will know what plants work well in your area. He should also be aware of your family's personality. Are you athletic types or do you just want a peaceful and tranquil area to relax and entertain in? Do you live near a body of water or do you want to add a man-made body of water that looks natural?

Landscaping Planting Guides - Gardens Of Wisdom

If you're new to the wonderful world of home landscaping, you can't do better than to turn to well-respected landscape planting guides for their words of wisdom. Written by expert landscapers with decades of matching various species of plants to various environmental conditions, landscaping planting guides offer a wealth of information on not only plants, but also architectural elements to enhance your landscaping.

No matter what part of the globe you call home, you can find landscaping planting guides authored by indigenous experts. Loaded with facts about every imaginable form of vegetation, landscaping planting guides will tell you precisely how to keep your garden at its best throughout the year.

Types Of landscaping planting Guides

Landscaping planting guides can have either a general, or a specific, focus. If you have a passion for roses, you will have no trouble finding landscaping planting guides devoted to roses and roses alone. The rose guides will give you information on the thousands of rose varieties available, their growing habits; their colors, and the types of soil and drainage they prefer; their pest and disease resistance; and ways to combine them in plantings with the greatest visual impact.

You can find landscaping planting guides devoted to other plants as well; some of them will be more broadly based looking at the many varieties of perennials, while others will be devoted to gardening in small areas or pots. There are landscaping planting guides to suit any type of gardening, from water gardens to rooftop balcony trellises.

What To Expect From A landscaping planting Guide

Good landscaping planting guides will walk you through steps involved in establishing your garden one by one. If they do their jobs well, even someone totally new to landscaping can achieve glorious results; fantastic roses full of colorful blooms; or a perennial garden which looks completely different with each passing month. Good landscaping guides will also offer advice on how to take care of your garden when everything is dormant, so that all you plants will winter over in good condition and be ready to go again when spring rolls around.

The most thorough landscaping planting guides will also have chapters devoted to trees, shrubs, and ornamental grass. You can even find columns in your local paper which serve as excellent landscaping planting guides for gardeners in your area.

Written by those experienced overcoming in the challenges associated with the local growing conditions, these columns will cover such topics as which plants do well in the local climate. They can become one of your most invaluable resources in creating the perfect garden!

Landscaping Planting Guidelines - By the Experts

The gardener with a love of hydrangeas can find a landscaping planting guide on this particular plant. The guide will provide information on the numerous types of this plant and the necessary care for each type. These guides will provide information on the viability of the different types of plants and the soils that are appropriate for each. The guides will give information on the placement of the plants for optimum use of the available sunlight and the rain. These guides will give information about the year round care of the hydrangeas so they bloom again year after year.

Advice for Roses or Ornamental Grasses

A great landscaping planting guide can help an amateur grow beautiful rose bushes that will produce many fantastic blooms. A good guide will help any amateur without any experience plant and groom roses for fantastic results. These guides will help the amateur plant the roses with just the right soil and nutrients and will help each gardener trim the roses through the growing season, and then they will be able to prune the roses while they are dormant. A good landscaping planting guide will give directions for each month of the year.

A properly constructed planting guide will touch on plants, trees, vegetation, and any other aspect of landscaping planting you would need to know. They are also created by local professionals so it is not uncommon to have a guide contradict a prior guide you had if you have moved to a defend climate. Remember what works well in one area may not grow somewhere else.

If you are interested in purchasing one of these landscaping planting guides, you can check online and find where they are available locally. You can also call your local horticultural school or your local greenhouse. They should know where you can find one of the planting guides if they do not have them themselves. Either way, make sure you get the correct guide for the climate you live in. It would do you no good to get a guide for Hawaii if you live in Maine.

Long Lasting Types of Desert Landscaping Plants

Some believe that you can only have types of desert landscape plants if you live in the warm and dry southwestern part of the U.S. But they can also thrive in the high deserts of the Pacific Northwest and in most humid tropical areas.

The various varieties of the cacti, with their sharp thorns, have been used as a fence to ward off predatory animals and other uninvited guests. They can also be used to protect a vegetable from animals that enjoy stealing your prized tomatoes. The short and stout "Barrel Cactus" would be very uninviting.

While creating a look using desert landscaping plants, you might find that you have some areas of the property or perhaps a side of the home with lots of shade. Obviously, this would require you to use landscape shade plants, those that will handle the hot and dry climate but also do well growing in shade. Again, the possibilities are tremendous, giving you great coverage and beautiful blooms during the year.

Regarding some of the desert landscaping plants and landscape shade plants, we wanted to provide you with some excellent options that you might consider. Those listed below are just a few samples of the hundreds of possibilities.

Opuntia Varieties, or better known as the prickly pear due to its colorful fruit-shaped flower bud. The bud blooms into the most beautiful, almost rose like flower.

Opuntia phaecantha variety discata, this plant is very hardy, it is able to withstand a bit of cold weather. It is very heavily covered with some with vicious long spines and would not be a good plant to have around children. It will also produce beautiful, deep yellow flowers.

The Agave, also known as the "century plant," because of the legendary flower stalk that is said to only bloom every one hundred years. The truth is that it produces the flower stalk at the end of its life, which can be as long as twenty to thirty five years. They have been grown for fiber for ropes, some for tequila, and some are said to have a delicious meat inside that is very good baked.

Using landscape shade plants in your Desert Garden

Feather Flower," grows well in the shade and lots of moisture. Because of its feather like flower it complements a cactus or desert garden nicely. The flowers can bloom from early spring to late summer and come in white, ivory purple, pink or red.

The hosta plant is another great shade plant. The large variety available range from some with variegated leaves, solid green, gold or bluish green. They are perennials, returning each year larger than the last.

The Liriope Spicata is one more great shade plant that looks like grass and is often times referred to as border grass. The flowers turn from white to purple when in bloom then in the fall it produces a dark berry.

The Foxglove which is better known as a day lily grows well both in the sun and shade. It will produce unusual looking flowers of different colors depending on the species. The Foxglove is a poisonous plant so it should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

Where to Find Landscaping Plants and Why They Are Important

Landscaping plantsform the basis of any landscaping project and are very important. Selecting the proper plants can make a yard truly stunning or be a complete headache if not properly chosen. plants can also have a specific purpose instead of simply being decorative and can be used as focal points, for erosion control, shade and screening. You need to get proper plants to avoid having to replant your garden fresh every single spring. You should think how much time you can take care of your yard every week, and depending on this, choose plants with little or higher maintenance.

It is very common for individuals to choose the wrong plants for their landscaping projects. You should try to have some basic landscaping information before purchasing plants. You should always have a plan before purchasing plants and be prepared in advance. You should completely design and decide what plants you want to incorporate into your design before visiting a nursery. This will also allow you to make sure you stay within your budget.

Beside mistakes with choosing the wrong plants, individuals also frequently do not pay attention to zoning, in that certain plants grow better in recommended zones and climates. You should pay attention to what zones are listed on for each plant. The tags on plants will provide enough information for you to make an informed choice. You should have this information before you go plant shopping in order to make sure you can use the plants you desire.

Finding Landscaping plants

There are many different places in which you can purchase landscaping plants. The first place you should visit is your local landscaping center or gardening store. If they do not have the plants you want in stock then they may be able to tell you where you can obtain them. You will most likely need to stop at a few different stores but no matter how long it takes you will be happy you purchased the plants you want.

You can also purchase plants on the Internet. The Internet offers speedy searching and the ability to browse from your own home. Internet stores will also provide a lot of information on landscaping plants besides the ability to purchase them. In fact online plant stores can be a great place to obtain plant information. You can also see about getting any questions answered as their support staff will be very knowledgeable, as they will respond to your question in about a day.

Choosing Pool Landscaping Plants

Choosing plants for your pool landscape is a difficult process that is unique to each individual, depending on decor, region and style. Some plants are more suited to different locations and others may have traits that are particularly detrimental to pool landscapes. Knowing which to choose to maximize the appearance and effectiveness of your landscape will help you enjoy and relax in the pool.

Shedding Leaves:

Trees and shrubs are notorious for shedding leaves, catkins, nuts, fruit, flowers and needles, which is bad news for pool owners. These discarded materials can find their way into your pool, regardless of whether you have a cover or not. Once in the pool, they can clog drains and prevent the pool from functioning properly. Because of this, plants that drop a lot of foliage should not be incorporated into the pool landscape, and if they are, they should be a long way from the actual pool.

Thorns:

Some plants, namely cacti, holly bushes and rose bushes, have sharp thorns that can cause potentially cause injury. When people relax around the pool, they usually have a large amount of skin exposed, which increases the likelihood of a thorn related injury. Additionally, the water can result in an increased amount of slips and falls, which would be even more painful if the individual landed in a thorn bush. While thorny plants can be implemented into the landscape, they should be kept near the back or away from frequently traveled areas. Landscaping rocks can help block these dangerous plants without hiding their beauty.

Roots:

Some plants, especially large shrubs and trees, can form root systems that travel long distances underground. These roots can eventually grow into the pool and cause a substantial amount of damage. For this reason, trees should be planted a long way from the actual pool if they are used in the environment.

Insects:

Flowering plants are a colorful way to add style to the pool landscape, though there is a hidden threat lingering within each blossom. The scent of nectar that inevitably attracts hordes of wasps, bees, flies and other insects. While butterflies and hummingbirds are also attracted, the danger of bees frequenting an area populated with nearly naked wet people is asking for trouble.

Size Matters:

The maximum size of the plant should always be considered when purchasing and planting pool Landscaping plants. Most plants are sold in their infant stages, and can grow several times their original size in the landscape. This can result in crowding and the death of other neighboring plants in severe cases. Research every plant considered to make sure it will have a happy home in the landscape.

Exotic plants:

Exotic plants are an easy way to add a unique and colorful aspect to your pool landscape. Most exotic plants, however, have stringent care requirements to survive in regions of the United States. This is fine for some gardeners, though others may find keeping the plants alive an overwhelming task. Some plants won't survive in your region regardless of the care provided. Once again, research your chosen plants and choose one that will thrive in your region with little care, unless you have lots of time to spare gardening.

Landscaping Plants - The Choices

How to Choose the Right Landscaping plants

When you want your yard to be landscape, whether you are going to do the work yourself or have a professional landscaper do it, you need to choose the plants to have planted. How do you know the right plants to choose?

Climate

To begin with, you need to consider you climate. plants do not always thrive in any given climate. Some plants need it hotter and some colder. Likewise, some need direct sun and some need indirect sun.

Once you have figured out what plants will work in your climate, the next step is to narrow your list. Unless you have an oversized yard, choose no more than three types of plants. Too many different plants do become too hard to care for.

Faux plants

There are those that have the idea to plant faux landscaping plants. If you are a person with allergies or that does not have the time to take care of your yard, this may be a good option for you. However, the secret to faux plants is choosing the plant that will not look too fake to the people visiting your home. Also consider your going to have to replace them as their color fades from exposure to the sun.

If you still want to use real plants, make sure the plants you choose do not require more upkeep than you have time to do. plants that shed a lot are cause for many hours of cleaning and maintenance. If you are not able to do so, do not by plants that frequently shed.

For more information on landscaping plants, you can consult your local gardening center. Remember, the purpose to landscaping your yard is to enjoy it and make it beautiful. Only plant what you have the time to take care of.

There are many different landscaping plants available to choose from. You need to select as few plants and keep them well organized. It is not an issue of how many different plants you have in your yard but how well put together the designs you choose are placed. Choose a maximum of three or four plant types depending on your yard size, shape and dimensions.

Place like plants together and do not be afraid to display an assortment of colors. Variation of colors adds a sense of glamour to an ordinary yard.

Landscaping Plants - A Major Decision

Your yard has a lot of potential, but it can't live up to it without the right landscaping plants.
There are so many choices to choose from, and if you don't know a lot about plants or landscaping, it's often difficult to choose the perfect landscaping plants for your yard. There is a lot of great advice available on the internet and in landscaping books to help you narrow down some tough decisions and really make the most of landscaping plants to add a bit of magic to your yard.

The Right Landscaping Plants

There are many factors to considering when choosing the right landscaping plants. Where you are geographically has a huge impact on which plants will thrive in your yard. You may love Birds of Paradise, but that plant probably won't grow well in your Canadian yard. Taking the time to research which plants will really thrive in your particular yard will save a lot of time and trouble.

Even if you live in a warm climate, tropical flowers may not be able to survive if you happen to have a harsh winter. Tropic flowers tend to thrive in year-round temperate climates. You can better monitor the temperatures of your tropical flowers if they are kept inside, in which case they can't be considered as a staple of your landscaping plants.

Hardy flowering plants such as the Impatiens of Chrysanthemums are excellent choices if you live in a climate with very distinct seasons. Your local garden center is a great place to find out about all the different flowering plants that work well in your corner of the world. They can also fill you in on the basis of plant care including watering.

Another thing to keep in mind when researching the right landscaping plants is what functions you want your plants to provide. You made only have an aesthetic appeal in mind, but plants can serve other purposes as well. There are also many aspects to what you prefer aesthetically. Do you want a lot of flowering plants and colors, or would you prefer some elegant green foliage? Taking the time to consider the aesthetics qualities of the right plants and how different landscaping plants may or may not work together harmoniously is essential if you seek a beautiful yard.

Landscaping plants are indeed often more than just a pretty face. They can provide much needed privacy. The ivy vine is a great plant to consider if privacy is your goal because it can easily conceal the spaces in a fence. Ivy is also an attractive plant, so it can serve dual functions in your yard, providing both beauty and privacy. If you decide to use ivy as one of your landscaping plants, remember to keep it in check because it may grow too fast and overtake everything in your yard. It may grow to reach walls that you didn't actually want it to touch. Just remember to keep a careful eye on the ivy vine, and the two of you can have a very symbiotic relationship.