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.

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.

Choosing Plants For Landscaping

Some homes have landscaping that is just incredible to look at. When you are designing your own landscape, a large part of it is choosing plants. For landscaping, you need to choose plants that will fit your lifestyle.

There are several thing that you need to consider before selecting the actual plants that you will use.

What are you trying to accomplish for your yard?

How much space is going to be devoted to it?

To get the best results for your landscape project, you need to have a plan that you will work from. The type of landscape plan that you create will be different depending on what you are trying to accomplish. To decide what you want to accomplish, consider what the final goal is.

Would you like your landscape project to:

create a private haven,

create an area to entertain,

create a bird sanctuary,

create a wildflower garden,

create a beautiful place to welcome you home,

dress up an existing eye sore,

simply be a small flower bed

As this small, incomplete list shows, there are many possible outcomes for even a well planned landscape. Taking the time to plan out what the finished project will be will help to accomplish what you have in mind.

Once you have a plan for your landscape project, it is time to start choosing plants. For landscaping plants, there are several key items to consider.

1. Do you enjoy working in the yard?

- Some plants require a lot of maintenance while others are maintenance free.

2. How close to the house will it be?

- Many varieties of plants grow extremely large and can cause issues if planted in the wrong place.

3. Do they over-populate the lawn?

- Many plants produce seeds that are spread by the wind or birds.

4. What colors would you like to use?

- Your favorite plants may be available in a multitude of colors.

5. How easy are they to get rid of?

- Many plants travel by root systems that can overtake the yard.

6. Will this be a container garden or planted?

- Not all plants do well inside containers.

Many landscape nightmares happen because the plants are chosen when they are small. Most often, people do not realize how large a plant will become as it matures. Rhododendrun plants are placed right against the house, honeysuckle is placed where it is free to overtake the entire yard, etc. When these types of mistakes are made, the plants can quickly overtake the yard and ruin your plans, turning your landscape dream into a daily nightmare.

Once you have a complete landscape plan, it is much easier to have a vision of how it should turn out. Use this vision to start researching the plants that will be used in the design. Look around at other landscape projects to see what types of plants you enjoy and what to expect as they grow. Look at the different color combinations as well as the layout of the heights and specific types of plants. You will quickly figure out what plants compliment one another.

Another thing to keep in mind is that plants will look different during different seasons, and even at different times during the season. You may need to use plants that "flower" at different times during the season to keep your design all season long.

Researching the types of plants that you are considering using and knowing what to expect from them as they grow is the best way of choosing plants for landscaping. This will ensure that you are satisfied with the landscaped space that you have created for many years to come.

5 Must Know Tips For A Better Looking Landscape

There is no doubt that when landscaping one wants to save money, as well as have an attractive property. Not only can landscaping help you beautify your home, but it can also provide a source of satisfying exercise in the fresh air. When you take care of your yard on your own, it is possible to save money and to improve your physical conditioning. But if the landscape turns out to look bad, then that is so much time and money wasted. However, it is possible to ensure a better-looking landscape by following a few tips that can help you take better care of your yard.

Know your soil type. Some plants thrive in soil with more acidity, and others prefer a little more alkali. Additionally, sandy soil and clay soil, as well as the presence of a loamy soil, can make a difference in what types of plants will thrive in a landscape. You should have your soil evaluated in order to determine what types of vegetation should be planted on your property. When you purchase plants that will succeed in the soil conditions present in your yard, then you make a wiser money decision, and you end up with a more attractive landscape. If there are plants that you would like to use in your soil, but the soil is not quite ideal, it is possible to improve the soil to proper conditions. You need only add mulch or peat, or to add crushed limestone or clamshells, depending upon what you hope to accomplish. As long as there is not a great difference in what you have and what you hope to achieve, it is possible to make soil adjustments to be more accommodating.

Understand how much space each of the plants need. There are some plants that require more room for their root systems than others. If you choose one plant that tends to grow everywhere, and you do not have adequate space, you will find that your other plants may be crowded out or that they may choke and die. Also, make sure you understand the spacing requirements for between plants. Many shrubs and small trees need to be planted at least three to four feet apart to have enough room to grow.

Use native plants in your landscape design. One of the most effective things you can do to ensure a good-looking yard is to make use of native plants. Find out what plants grow best in your area, and what plants are indigenous to the region. This way you will already be ahead, in that you know that the plants you choose are adapted to the climate. You will not have to struggle against natural inclinations to keep your landscape looking beautiful. If you due use non-native plants, assure yourself that they come from a place that shares a climate similar to the one in which you live.

Plan your landscape around different blooming times. Different plants bloom at various times throughout the year. If all of the plants in your landscape are at their most attractive all at the same time, then your yard will look beautiful for a few weeks each year, but quite possible ugly the rest of the year. One way to help avoid this is to choose attractive bushes and shrubs that look good green, but also have some sort flower. However, it is a good idea to stagger plants among each other. Plant tulips and crocus among later-blooming plants so that in early spring the bulbs bloom, and then when those flowers’ time is up, the next plants will be in bloom. In this way the cycle of your landscape is in keeping with the seasons, and looks attractive all year round.

Use wood chips around shrubs, bushes and trees. Wood chips can help the ground around shrubs, bushes, and trees look more attractive. Not only do the chips cover the ground (often looking better than dirt), but they also help keep in moisture, repel weeds, and provide natural food as they break down. Likewise, attractive groundcover like chicks and hens placed around trees and shrubs can make the area more interesting and pleasing to the eye.

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.

Three Dependable Landscape Plants For Fast Privacy Screens In Dry Gardens

Many people are rediscovering the joys of staying home. Your garden can become the perfect place to provide a peaceful sanctuary to escape from the world and unwind. Screen plants can provide privacy in your garden, hide an unsightly area and provide shade. Hopseed Bush, Brush Cherry and Italian Cypress are three shrubs or small trees that are useful for screens, grow fast or are drought tolerant. Some plants have all three qualities!

When creating your backyard paradise these screening shrubs can also help create 'walls' to establish separate sections in a garden, so you can create different 'garden rooms' in your yard. Two of these are also good for planting in narrow spaces between houses to help block out the world. Try these versatile plants in your Patch of Heaven:

HOPSEED BUSH (Dodonaea viscosa)
USDA Zone: 9-11
Sunset Zone: 7-24
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate to low, drought tolerant

Hop Seed bushes come with leaves in either bright, lime green or dark purple. Both versions have leaves about 4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide and are very shiny on multiple shrubby branches. These drought tolerant shrubs are fast growers to about 10 feet tall and almost as wide. They take full sun to part shade. Once established in the garden (1-2 years) they can survive on rainfall alone.

Hopseed bushes have a growth habit that is a bit airy, with lots of small branches and the long leaves add to the lacy feel. They can be trimmed as hedges or espaliers for a slightly denser effect. These are good for layering to create a full, lush feel in the border. They are perfect for the back of the bed (where the sprinkler won't reach), along fences or as border screens. In late spring they develop large, papery seed pods, usually light brown, which hang on for weeks and provide a dramatic effect. Although the seed pods break down quickly in the soil, I do not recommend planting these bushes near pools.

BRUSH CHERRY, CAROLINA LAUREL CHERRY (Prunus caroliniana)
USDA Zone: 7 - 9
Sunset Zone: 5 - 24
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate to low

Brush Cherry is another dependable, versatile garden shrub for quick screens and hedges. These shrubs can grow up to 30 feet tall and 10 - 12 feet wide. Although I have seen mature stands of Carolina Laurel grow even taller. They can grow in full sun to part shade. Once established they can survive drought conditions. However, in desert areas they prefer less sun and will appreciate more water during the hottest summer weather.

Brush Cherries have a dense growth habit with lots of branches so they take well to heaving shearing as a hedge and can even be used for topiaries. Left untrimmed, they will still maintain their neat, shrubby shape, but the interior growth will not have leaves. They can also be trained as small multi-trunk trees. New growth is a pretty reddish rusty color in the spring. They get sprays of white flowers followed by clusters of small, bright red cherries. The cherries can stain concrete and make a mess. If you don't have enough birds in your area to take care of the cherries for you, just trim off the flowers before they set. This will also relieve the plant of the stress of producing seeds.

ITALIAN CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens)
USDA Zone: 7 - 9
Sunset Zone: 4 - 24
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Moderate to low, drought tolerant

Italian Cypress trees are a familiar staple in the city, growing along border lines as tall screens. They grow up to 60 feet high on single trunks and are generally 1-2 feet wide but mature plants can be much wider. All cypresses prefer full sun, but will tolerate part shade and can survive on little water once they are established in a year or two.

Italian cypress are perfect shrubs for problem areas. They grow tall but they're thin, so you can tuck them into narrow spaces. Their trunks will eventually reach about 12 inches around, so your narrow bed should at least be that wide. Their growth habit is sleek and cylindrical, with most of their leaves pointing up. They lose a small amount of needles during they year, but litter is not a big problem with these trees. They do not grow very fast the first year, but they will make up for their lack of growth in the second year. Continually trimming the tops will result in a slightly fatter shrub, but they are fairly care free, needing no trimming.

When you are planning on having your shrubs survive on rainfall, it is best to encourage deep root development early on by soaking your plants every few days instead of sprinkling the topsoil every night. Even established plants appreciate a deep soak during a heat wave, when the weather has been over 100 degrees, or when it has been especially dry and windy.

All three of these plants are growing happily in my heavy clay, alkaline soil in hot and sunny Southern California. Good luck and happy gardening!

Maintaining Growing Landscape Plants in a Home Setting

The drip line of your roof is an important factor in locating foundation plants even in regions which do not get much or any snow and ice. Falling rain should reach the plants, so, except in unusual cases, they should be placed at least a foot beyond the drip line. At first they may look as though they were sitting out there by themselves, but in time, as the branches spread and the plants get larger, they will gradually reach back to the house and occupy all the space provided for them.

Plants under Eaves

When under unusual circumstances, you have to place plants under the broad eaves of a mod em type house, it is perfectly all right to do so if you make sure of a constant and sufficient supply of water for them. Do not wait until the soil is bone dry before applying water; set up a regular schedule of watering (adjusted to the weather, of course) so that the plants will never be in danger of injury from drought.

Mulch

If you do not choose to maintain a ground cover under the plants, the next best thing is a layer of mulch which will keep the soil cooler in hot months and keep a supply of moisture in the ground over a longer period. This practice is absolutely essential to success in regions where several months of hot, dry weather are the rule.

The temptation to grow flowers in the midst of the foundation planting is widespread. My own view is that theoretically and ideally there should be no flowers in the public area, including the foundation planting. However, the desire for flowers is so strong that it is next to impossible to convince the average home owner that he should not have some annuals or perennials in his front yard.