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Your Homes Architecture and Your Landscaping Selection

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When you design your ideal landscape many times for the best results, you need to consider the property’s architecture. For many, they first think about their favorite plants and trees, and they disregard if they’ll look good on the property. While it’s ok to choose your favorite plants, you may have to consider changing the architecture of your property to make sure your plants look home on your property.

Today we’ll review some of the critical components you should consider about your home’s architecture when selecting your landscape design.

Lines Matter

Your home’s architectural lines must be considered to produce a desirable result. While we’re not saying to rebuild your home to match your landscape design, we are saying to view your home’s lines to accent your landscape design. As an example, if your home has many straight lines. Straight lines give a sense of order and symmetry but can also be considered stiff and boring. You can either select long straight plants to maintain balance and order, or you can choose lightweight plants to soften the edges of the lines by adding texture and movement. Lines can also be used to produce a  more naturalistic effect. As we know, in nature, lines are rarely straight, and by adding wandering lines and plants with organic bends, you can create a design that contrasts the straight lines and unnatural angles of your home to tone down the appearance.

Lines in the landscape design are not just limited to plants and homes. You can incorporate this design scheme into the rest of the landscape. Pathways, planters, and other hardscapes can amplify the concept you choose based on the theme of your landscape design.

Materials and texture

While not necessary to match the materials exactly from home to landscape, you should always keep it in mind when designing your landscape. The material you choose can make a massive difference in your landscape. Common materials include wood, bricks, and stone. You may also need to keep in mind any outdoor furniture as well.  Like all other design choices, keeping similarities from the home to the landscape can make the property feel whole. For example, if your home uses red brick walls, consider using more red brick on garden beds or walkways. 

Textures are more challenging to incorporate but not impossible. The surface can stay the same in a home, but in a landscape, textures can change depending on the weather and season. Ideally, you want to match a similar consistency of the house to the plants you have selected. For example, a smooth white finish on the home can look great with peace lilies, although they bloom more often during late spring or early summer.

Colors and Lighting

Color can tie together a landscape to the home in many different ways. The hardscape’s color should complement the home and vice-versa. Try to avoid contrasting colors, as they can create unpleasant scenes. Colors combinations like greens and oranges or purples and yellows, although they stand out, don’t look good to the eyes. Something many people fail to consider is lighting. While you have natural light during the day, it can create shadows that change how some colors are viewed. At night, the moon’s natural light can change the shade of some dyes. If you decide to use outdoor lighting for the evenings, you must understand that artificial light has its shades of colors. For example, daylight bulbs, typically labeled “daylight” or 50,000k, will mimic the color of light produced by the sun and can be jarring to look at, at night. Softer colors, such as 35,000k or 40,000k, produce a warmer light, often called yellow. This can be easier on the eyes but can change how other colors are perceived.

How would you feel with a designed yard to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

A person mulching

Spring Tips to Keep Your Landscaping Vibrant in Long Beach

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Spring is finally here!

And with it comes bright new vibrant growth in our yards. To make sure your yard starts the season with the best chances of looking amazing for the rest of the year, there are a few things you need to take care of first. 

Today we will share our top 5 springtime tips to keep your Long Beach landscaping looking great.

Spring Cleaning

With so much rain coming down last season, there is undoubtedly some spring cleaning that needs to be done. Granted, a landscaping company can take care of the cleaning and maintenance for you, but if you have chosen a more “DIY” approach to your landscaping, it’s time to get your hands dirty.

This means eliminating unwanted weeds and plants that can affect your garden. Remove debris from your rain gutters and make sure they’re not leaking. Trim edges from grassy areas that border walkways to better define your landscape. You want to make sure your soil gets warmed up by the sun. This promotes better seed germination and overall landscape health.

Pruning and Clipping

Pruning your trees and shrubs has two main objectives. The first is removing dead or dying branches to allow the plant to grow healthy. The second reason is to maintain the desired shape of the plant. Some trees can benefit from heavier pruning every few years to promote more growth. If you’re unsure if your trees would benefit from more severe pruning, a knowledgeable landscaping company can always help.

Your lawn also needs to be trimmed, likely under 3 inches. Any taller grass stalks can rot due to too much moisture. Mowing low can also remove debris that accumulates during the winter. This exposes the soil to more sunlight which can help germinate grass seeds for the spring. But be weary, as this can also promote the growth of weed seeds.

Adding Nutrients

Spring is a great time to add more nutrients to your soil. This can be done with liquid or granular fertilizers or organic compost. The goal is to replenish nutrients in the soil that the plants need to grow. Though in a vegetable garden, you’ll want to add specific nutrients depending on the crops you plan to grow. 

Replenish the Mulch

This time of the year is an excellent opportunity to check on the mulch in your landscape. Mulch can slowly add nutrients to the soil as it decomposes, reduce water evaporation which helps conserve water, smother unwanted weeds, and can help retain warmth to help seeds germinate and grow. Ideally, you want a  layer that is 2 to 3 inches deep. If your mulch is lower than 2 inches, it’s time to add more.

Dethatching

Because lawns continue to grow yearly, many homeowners don’t realize that the grass eventually builds a barrier of thick organic matter made up of a buildup of interwoven decomposing and living grass shoots, stems, and roots. A thin layer of thatch is healthy for any lawn, but if your layer is over 2 inches thick, it may cause problems. It can make your property more susceptible to disease and environmental stress, making it more difficult to tolerate drought, cold, and heat.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

watering globe

Fine Touch Watering Tools to Help Keep Your Landscaping Vibrant

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Just because your Property is complete doesn’t mean the work is done. Although you can hire the same company that did your job to do maintenance on your landscape, in between visits, it’ll be up to you to keep your landscape looking vibrant and healthy.

Especially for plants that require specific watering needs that a sprinkler system can’t provide, you’ll want to invest in fine-touch watering tools.

Today we’ll review some of these tools you can use to help make yard work something relaxing and enjoyable.

Watering Can

Naturally, the most iconic tool is a watering can; however, don’t let the tool fool you. A watering can, can be an essential tool for gardening, especially if there isn’t a hose nearby. To water effectively, ensure water is delivered in small drips rather than a heavy stream. Whether a vegetable garden or a flower garden, watering cans are a great way to provide your plants with enough water. 

For parents, watering the garden with a watering can, can be a fun activity to do with their kids to teach them how to care for plants and flowers.

Water Wand

Much like a watering can, a water wand delivers water more gently than just sticking your thumb on the end of a hose. Unlike a watering can, a water wand does require a garden hose to attach to. However, a significant benefit of a water wand is that it more closely mimics rainfall. The spray is effective yet gentle enough not to destroy fragile seedlings, sprouts, and flowers. The length of the wand allows you to water plants at the root without hurting your knees, bending, or crouching. It can also be used to water taller plants without the need for a step stool or ladder.

Garden Hose Nozzle

Though more of a generic watering tool than the water wand, the adjustable garden hose nozzle is commonly used in many homes. While doing the same jobs as a water wand, a flexible hose nozzle can be helpful outside your garden bed, usually because it can provide more water pressure. This water pressure can be useful when spot cleaning in between landscape maintenance visits or removing pests from your vegetable garden without using chemicals.

Watering Globes

Only some people have the time to water their plants daily, and they find it relaxing and enjoyable. Lucky watering globes can help give your plants water automatically without needing to do it yourself physically. You’ll have to monitor the amount of water in the globes to ensure your plants don’t dry out. Fortunately, many water globes retain liquids for 7 to 14 days, depending on the size you choose. Watering globes can also add a splash of color and liveliness to some plants, or you can purchase clear globes not to take away from the focal plant. Though lighter on maintenance than watering your plants daily, water globes still need to be cleaned regularly to ensure the opening is not impacted by soil. However, an agreement can be made with a landscaping maintenance company to inspect during their scheduled maintenance.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

Water fountain feature

Are you Interested in a Water Feature as Part of Your Landscape Design?

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Just because the work at your Property is complete, doesn’t mean the work is done. Although you can hire the same company that did your work to do maintenance on your landscape, in between visits it’ll be up to you to keep your landscape looking vibrant and healthy.

Especially for plants that require specific watering needs that can’t be provided by a sprinkler system you’ll want to invest in fine touch watering tools.

Today we’ll go over some of these tools that you can use to help make yard work something relaxing and enjoyable.

Watering Can

Naturally the most iconic tool is a watering can, however don’t let the simplicity of the tool fool you. A watering can, can be an essential tool when gardening especially if there isn’t a hose nearby. Though watering cans deliver water in small drips rather than a heavy stream you would get from a garden hose. Whether it’s a vegetable garden or a flower garden, watering cans are a great way to provide your plants with just enough water to keep them healthy without the use of a sprinkler system. 

For parents, watering the garden with a watering can, can be a fun activity to do with their kids to teach them how to care for plants and flowers.

Water Wand

Much like a watering can, a water wand is used to deliver water more gently than just sticking your thumb on the end of a hose. Unlike a watering can, a water wand does require a garden hose to attach to. Though a major benefit of a water wand is that it more closely mimics rainfall. The spray is effective yet gentle enough to not destroy fragile seedlings, sprouts and flowers. The length of the wand allows for you to be able to water plants at the root without having to hurt your knees bending or crouching. It can also be used to water taller plants without the need of a step stool or ladder.

Garden Hose Nozzle

Though more of a generic watering tool compared to the water wand, the adjustable garden hose nozzle is commonly used in many homes. While doing the same jobs that a water wand does, an adjustable hose nozzle can be useful outside of just your garden bed usually because it can provide more water pressure. This water pressure can be useful when spot cleaning in between landscape maintenance visits, or removing pests from your vegetable garden without using chemicals.

Watering Globes

Not everyone has the time to water their plants daily, nor do they find it relaxing or enjoyable. Lucky watering globes can help give your plants water automatically without the need to physically go out and do it yourself. Though you’ll have to monitor the amount of water in the globes to make sure your plants don’t dry out. Fortunately many water globes retain liquids for 7 to 14 days depending on the size you choose. Watering globes can also add a splash of color  and liveliness to some plants, or you can purchase clear globes so as to not take away from the focal plant. Though lighter on maintenance than watering your plants daily, a water globes still needs to be cleaned regularly to make sure the opening is not impacted with soil though an agreement can be made with a landscaping maintenance company to inspect during their scheduled maintenance.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.
Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

Various,Flowers,And,Cactus,Plants,Inside,Nursery

Top Plants to Help in the Design of Your Long Beach Landscape

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When designing your ideal landscape, choosing the right plants can be difficult. It doesn’t have to be though, there are many plants native to our semi-arid climate that can thrive in your landscape. Though there are many different design themes you can choose from, there are often plants native to Long Beach that can help fulfill your design.

Different Design Themes

Every homeowner has different preferences when designating their ideal landscape. Some of the themes offered by MC Landscaping include:

  • Drought tolerant
  • Low Maintenance
  • Cottage Garden
  • Vegetable Garden
  • English Garden
  • Xeriscape
  • Contemporary
  • Modern
  • Mediterranean 
  • Water Wise
  • Tropical

Although each design can be made unique, they’re not mutually exclusive to each other, feel free to contact us if you have any ideas in mind.

Popular Plants used in Long Beach Landscaping

To help with designing your landscape we’ve gathered 7 of the top plants homeowners in Long Beach use to help design their landscape.

Aloe Vera

An incredibly robust and versatile plant, aloe vera can be used in a variety of themes including water wise, xeriscape, and tropical. It being a succulent plant, it can withstand severe droughts and it’s hearty enough to be planted on nearly any kind of soil.

Purple Tree Aeonium

Another succulent, the purple tree aeonium is often used as an accent plant due to it growing a wide rosette of dark green and purple leaves on long thick woody stems. The purple tree aeonium is often paired with other succulents that require similar water needs like the aforementioned aloe vera, as well as the lion’s tail and other succulents.

Fox Tail Agave

A water wise plant, the agave thrives in dry and arid locations. Often planted around entry points, around foundations, patios and swimming pools, the fox tail agave is a slow growing succulent that grows a large rosette atop a long curved trunk.

Golden Barrel Cactus

Nothing says water wise like a cactus. The golden barrel cactus is a plant that requires well draining soil as its roots can rot if left wet for too long. Used as an accent plant for its unusual shape the golden barrel cactus is best used around walkways, patios and raised planters.

Dymondia

A drought tolerant plant, dymondia grows in an incredibly dense mat that can be used to replace lawn grass all together. It produces a small yellow flower when it blooms and is also used to grow between stepping stones, and pavers.

Elfin Creeping Thyme

Though not having as great ground coverage as a dymondia, the elfin creeping thyme can spread quickly over the soil it’s planted on. Often used around walkways, fences and walls the elfin creeping thyme produces beautiful little purple flowers during the summer and can be used to flavor your foods.

Olive

Olive trees can provide shade to your patio, lawn or be used as an accent piece. While not requiring much water to grow, this tree can grow with multiple trunks and produce olives during the fall. Though fruitless varieties can also be purchased if you feel like dealing with the fruits can be too messy.

There are many other plants that can thrive in the Long Beach weather. The majority of the plants listed only require low to medium watering and can be a part of any design theme.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

a jar full of coins

What is the Budget for Your Landscape Design?

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Designing your ideal landscape is a dream many homeowners have, especially first time buyers. However setting up a budget can be difficult to do if you aren’t going into the job prepared. There are many elements to consider when establishing a budget for your landscape including dimensions of the property, theme of your design and preparation of the land. A beautiful landscape goes farther than simply looks, it can contribute considerably to the curb appeal and add to the overall value of the property.

Join me as we breakdown key elements you need to consider when assessing your budget for your dream landscape design.

Inspecting and Preparation

Before you get started it’s a good idea to have your property surveyed and inspected. You’ll want to avoid any potential liability that needs to be fixed prior to having people begin work.  What you should be looking for are toxic plants, tripping hazards, and dead or dying trees. Other items to keep an eye on include: 

  • Erosion Issues
  • Poor Drainage
  • Poor Lighting
  • Damaged Fencing
  • Damaged Irrigation

The type of soil can affect the amount of preparation required as well. As an example if your soil is primarily clay based many vegetables and fruit trees have a difficult time growing. 

Walking through your property gives you a unique opportunity to see the dimensions of your yard as well as what existing features and plants you like and would like to reuse. Reusing elements from your existing landscape whether its plants, pavers, or  hardscape can go a long way in stretching your budget.

Choose a Theme

Once preparations are underway, you should begin to think of what kind of landscape you are looking for. You can make your own design from scratch or a theme as a starting point. We offer a variety of different landscaping themes to suit every need such as:

  • Contemporary
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Water Wise
  • Low Maintenance
  • Modern
  • Vegetable Gardens
  • English Gardens
  • Mediterranean
  • Tropical
  • Xeriscape

Keep in mind that some plants cost more than others, especially when trying to buy plants that arent in season. As for the hardscape, Importing rocks and other elements can be worth the investment but can be more costly than people realize.

We’ll meet with you to discuss your vision and landscaping needs. Once you’ve selected a theme our landscape designer can help you select everything else you’ll need including grass, irrigation, lighting, layout, plant selection and more.

Prioritize Needs, then Wants

Do you want to grow fruits and vegetables? You’ll need nutrient rich fertile soil and maybe a raised bed.

Do you want to conserve water during the dry seasons? Then you’ll need mulch and an irrigation controller.

The plants and trees you want may have individual needs. Depending on the plants you want to have, you may need to have an irrigation system to support your landscape design. It’s important to keep the necessary landscaping support in mind. Afterall, it’s easier to add more plants or stones to your landscape then it is to redesign everything because you didn’t prioritize the landscape’s needs.

Consult with a Landscaping Company

If there is anything you’re unsure of, talking with a landscaping company can help. That’s why they are the professionals, they should be able to give you estimates, and offer unique solutions to your problems. Oftentimes they may recommend a resolution that fits what you want and what your landscape design needs.

Landscaping companies can help you itemize the costs of your projects to better understand what your budget should look like. If you decide to forgo hiring a company keep in mind you’ll need to include the costs for permits, tool rental, and even fuel.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Feel free to call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

a frosted lawn during the winter

Winter Tips to Keep Your Landscaping Strong in Long Beach

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Winters in southern California may not result in a scenic blanket of snow. Still, it brings colder temperatures and rain that can impact your vegetation negatively if you’re not prepared for it. Many plants may go dormant or die off this season, making it the ideal time to prepare for new growth in the spring.

Today we’ll go over some tips to keep your landscaping looking great during the winter and why it’s essential not to ignore your landscape during this season.

Keep Watering

Winters in southern California bring more precipitation, so you won’t need to water your landscape as often as you would during the summer. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t water at all, though. A good rule of thumb is to wait for two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. This can take two to three days on average, depending on the amount of rain that falls and the quality of your soil.

Failing to water your plants in winter can cause plants to become susceptible to diseases and other issues. During the colder months, it’s best practice to avoid getting the plant’s stems and leaves wet, as this can cause them to rot. 

Trim Trees and Hedges

While many trees lose their leaves during autumn, by winter, many of the branches are completely exposed. This is the ideal time to inspect your trees and hedges for any dead or damaged branches and remove them. Pruning your trees and shrubs during the winter will encourage your plants to grow stronger during the spring.

Prepare and Amend Soil

Winter is an excellent time to do maintenance on your soil. Although only sometimes necessary, it’s a good idea to check if your soil is appropriately retaining water and is healthy. Healthy soil should have diverse microfauna. If this may not be the case, consider amending your soil with organic compost or fertilizers if necessary.

If you notice water pooling in your lawn or garden, you may want to call a professional landscaping company and ask about aerating your lawn. This process creates holes in the soil to alleviate compacted soil to allow for air, water and nutrients to reach the roots of your grass. Doing this in winter allows for nutrients to be more readily available to your grass for the growing season of spring.

Prepare and Repair Drainage System

As we’ve mentioned winter brings with it more rain, it may be easy to forget about your drainage system during the hotter months. If you haven’t already, clean out your gutters. During autumn many leaves fall and can cause gutters to back up and not drain properly. Dirty gutter can become clogged which results in standing water, this can become a breeding pool for pests such as mosquitoes. You should inspect your gutters for leaks as well. Repair any damages done to it not just for your landscape and plants but for your home as well. Leaks to your gutter can lead to water entering the walls and damaging the drywall. It can also cause unwanted erosion to the outside of the home and driveway.

Remove Debris and Rake Leaves

Could you be sure to remove dead leaves and debris from your lawn? It may not seem like much but leaves can cause the grass to suffocate. Riding leaves often allows your property to absorb all the moisture it needs. Dead leaves can house unwanted pests that can damage your lawn. Ideally, you can collect the leaves and compost them yourself; this can keep yard waste down and save money in amending your soil.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Feel free to call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

a person measuring turf

Front Lawn vs. Rear Yard, Should there be Cohesion in Landscape Design?

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Can your backyard and front lawn design be completely separate from each other?

Should your front yard have a similar design and theme to your backyard?

Landscape design is different for everyone. Some customers choose to have matching landscapes, others keep their front lawns focused on curb appeal, and their backyards are more personal. 

Today we’ll explore your options when designing your front lawn and backyard and how to add cohesion to landscape design while keeping both sides different.

Timing

Timing is vital when designing your landscaping. Not everyone can have work done on both the front lawn and backyard at the same time. This can add challenges, especially when trying to have matching landscapes. Depending on the season, some plants, trees, or grass may not look as lively or vibrant as the established plants.

Ideally, if you want to have your front lawn and backyard design match, you’ll want to get them done simultaneously. If this isn’t possible, understand that there may be some differences during the initial setup; however, after the plants become established in the hardscape, the cohesion of both yards should begin to match.

If you keep your designs different, you can work on the front of your house separately from the back with minimal issues. That’ll help you decide if you want to keep the backyard completely distinct from the front or if you want to introduce cohesion between the two.

Front Yard Design

Your front yard landscaping design doesn’t necessarily need to match your backyard. Many homeowners like to use their front yards to increase the curb appeal of their homes. A well-designed front yard should ideally highlight some of your home’s best features. Include a focal point or “hero plant” with supporting elements such as flower beds that complement the house’s color and lush hedges. Your front lawn should be welcoming and naturally guide visitors to the front door. This can increase the curb appeal and make your home stand out.

Backyard Design

While many see the front lawn, your backyard is a bit more private. You can design your backyard landscaping by hosting events, gardening, relaxing, and bird watching for those who love birds. This doesn’t mean your front and back yard don’t have to match either. There are many ways to make two completely different designs feel cohesive.

Bringing them Together

A simple way to keep cohesion between your front and back yards is by incorporating similar colors. Mulch is a common color element that ties the front lawn and backyard together, and flower beds and plants that produce similar-colored flowers are a great way to connect on both sides of your home. When flowers begin to bloom, the connection is more prominent. Using a similar hardscape can also bring cohesion. You share elements such as the same brick for walls and accents, decorative stones, or even a matching pathway to your front and back door. During the evening, a simple tip for bringing the front and back yards together is to illuminate typical hardscapes, features, and plants that are shared among both sides.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allow us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Our team of experts carefully manages your project. Fill out our Landscape Design request for your landscape to fit your aesthetic. Feel free to call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for your project.

storm water retention system

Stormwater Retention Ideas as Part of Your Landscape Design

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Living in southern California there are often droughts and water shortages. This makes rain water a scarce resource that we should use more often. Many people have at some point considered catching the rain water but aren’t sure where to start. Afterall when it rains, it’s free water that your plants enjoy and is free. 

Unfortunately much of the rain water that isn’t absorbed by soil often evaporates and doesn’t get used. Amending your soil with compost or mulch can help it to retain more water but there is only so much before the soil becomes completely saturated. Today we’ll go over some suggestions and design elements on how to collect stormwater, save a bit of money and make use of this natural resource.

What is Stormwater Retention?

There is a myth that in southern California it was illegal to catch rainwater, but this can’t be further from the truth. Anyone can have stormwater retention on their property so long as the water you are collecting comes from your roof, no permit is required.

Areas such as Long Beach tend to get about 15 inches of rain on average every year. Much of the rainwater that lands on roofs or driveways results in runoff. Runoff water can collect pollutants that enter the city’s storm drain system which leads to larger bodies of water until it eventually reaches the ocean. Stormwater retention is a great way to conserve water, save money, and keep your plants looking vibrant. It may seem like installing a stormwater retention system is a drop in the bucket due to the infrequent rain we get, but it all adds up.

Designing a Stormwater Retention System

Stormwater retention typically begins with the gutter system that collects rainfall from your roof. Rain gutters are already a good investment as they protect your home’s walls and foundation from water erosion as it directs run off water to either a drain or the street. But why not collect this rainfall in a vessel like a barrel?

A simple solution to collecting stormwater from your roof is to simply put a barrel where your gutters drain. That’s all you really need to collect rainwater, however many people will agree that a large plastic barrel on the side of your home can not only be unsightly but take up quite a bit of space. 

On a 1,000 square foot roof, an inch or rain can give you about 600 gallons of water. Design choices to consider for collecting water from your roof include using seamless gutters which give a clean sleek look to the system and helps prevent leaks due to having less failure points. A leaf filter and a downspout fist flush filter should also be installed to prevent debris from being collected. Afterwards it’s a matter of hiding the plumbing that goes to your water collection vessel of choice.

You could then use this water to give your landscape a splash during the dryer days, and avoid any local water ordinances you may be subjected to in the future.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allows us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Your project is carefully managed by our team of experts. Whether you are looking to turn your front yard into a showpiece or creating the backyard of your dreams we are here to help. Fill out our Landscape Design request for landscape to fit your aesthetic today. Feel free to call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for the project you have in mind.

hero-plant

Do You Want to Make any Particular Plant a “Hero” in Your Design?

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Many people, when designing their landscape, have a vision in mind. What they want their dream back or front yard to look like. Others know they want a change but have a hard time deciding on design elements or themes for their landscape. An excellent option for building a landscape is choosing a “Hero” plant. This is basically a focal plant that gives you an attractive visual entry point to your yard or garden.

Although choosing a “Hero” plant isn’t necessarily difficult, you should keep in mind how you can support this plant with either supporting plants, hardscape and other features. Join me as we go through these elements in order to help you design a visually appealing landscape.

What is a Focal Point?

In your landscape, a focal point refers to where you want to direct the eyesight of guests visiting your yard. Any feature in your garden that you deem striking can be used as a focal point. 

Unique, exotic or colorful plants can create an exciting point of interest if the supporting landscape follows more natural colors and smoother lines. Trees can give a sense of scale while providing unique textures to your garden. Dwarf shrubs or potted bonsai trees can create a bit of an optical illusion shifting the sense of scale to make your landscape seem bigger than it is. Simple sculptures or decorative potted plants and hardscapes can be used to stand out from the natural colors and shapes. Water features like a bird bath, pond or waterfall can also be used to draw both eyes and ears towards the sounds of water.

Choosing your “Hero” Plant

A hero plant is basically the focal point of your landscape. There are many options for a “hero” plant, this can be anywhere from a fancy plant that you build your landscape around to a particular plant that you are already growing, like a tree you grew from a seed.

A “hero” plant can also be a beneficial plant to your environment. Many environmentally conscious customers like the idea of having the focal point in their garden also aid with local wildlife, a plant, tree or shrub that not only looks spectacular but can also help local insects, and birds thrive. For example the California fuchsia with thin red flowers attracts hummingbirds when it blooms in summer and fall, or the California milkweed which blooms with a round cluster of small white, pink or lavender flowers and can host the iconic monarch butterfly among others.

Supporting your Focal Point

Now that you’ve selected a focal point for your landscape you need to support it. Ideally you want eyes to naturally gravitate towards the focal point. There are a few different ways to provide support. Following the rules of 3rds is a great way to get started. Imagine your landscape is a canvas, divide it into a 3×3 grid pattern. The focal point should be placed either in the left or right side of the grid but never the middle. The rule of 3rds gives your landscape more depth, and is more visually dynamic.

You can design your landscape to have walkways, hardscape, walls, or flower beds to guide your eyes towards your focal point. Don’t forget that at night, your landscape design can change depending on the amount of light available. Lighting can be used to emphasize focal points during evenings. A plant or tree can blend into the surroundings during the day, but once the sun sets can be the “hero” of your landscape.

How would you feel with a yard expressly designed to fit your unique home and personality?

Our staff is dedicated to delivering unique landscapes that 100% fit the needs of homeowners. Each yard is designed in-house by our landscape designer. Our expertise and experience in the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, Seal Beach, Rossmoor & surrounding communities allows us to custom design the perfect landscape for you.

Your project is carefully managed by our team of experts. Whether you are looking to turn your front yard into a showpiece or creating the backyard of your dreams we are here to help. Fill out our Landscape Design request for landscape to fit your aesthetic today. Feel free to call us at (562) 225-9460 or get a free quote for the project you have in mind.

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