Using Pinterest to Inspire Your Landscaping

If you are ready to create your landscape design in North Florida, we are ready to help!  Perhaps you have moved into a new home and the landscaping is old or unhealthy, or you would like to use landscaping for privacy.  Or maybe you want to add value and curb appeal to your home, or would like to enjoy the health benefits of lush landscapes and trees.  Whatever your reason, you can design, install, and maintain the most beautiful lawn and landscape design you can imagine.

But what if you are not able to imagine exactly what your dream landscape design looks like?  Is this your first home or are you not familiar with the needs and conditions of Florida landscaping?  Trust our expertise but begin gathering ideas for what you like - this is where an online source like Pinterest truly comes in handy!

We suggest you start a Pinterest account if you have not already done so.  This is easily done on computer or phone, using an email address.  You will choose interests such as Landscape Design, Florida Landscape Design, Backyard Landscaping, Front Yard Landscaping, or Beach Landscape Design.  From there the site will give you many options to follow and you can begin to collect, known as "pinning" images to "boards" you create, and in so doing you make a database of the styles and types of landscaping you find the most attractive.

You can follow boards that feature landscape design ideas such as this one:

North Florida Landscape Design Ideas and Plans for Palm Coast, St. Augustine, and Ormond Beach

When you are ready to meet with us to draw up your new landscape plans, you will have an arsenal of photos that express exactly what you are looking for.  

We think you will enjoy the process and Pinterest makes it so easy to express your individual taste and style.  You might also follow Stoughton & Duran Pinterest for custom home design, landscaping, and more.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Form and Function: Landscaping for Privacy in Florida

Landscaping for privacy is one of the top reasons why a Florida landscape designer is called upon and we encourage the use of natural plantings to provide your own sanctuary. Landscaped privacy areas often look so much better than a fence, and often work better to distract from what you are hiding as opposed to drawing attention.



Reasons why you may need landscaping for privacy at your Florida home or business:

A small home site - Although easier to maintain, small yards bring your neighbors that much closer.

Noise reduction - If you live near a busy public area or road, this may be important to you.

An unattractive fence that borders your property - Double your privacy with a better looking screen of plantings.

Provide clear separation between yards - Property lines are not always obvious and landscaping can clarify borders.



Once your landscaping for privacy is planted, regular landscape maintenance is of the utmost importance to keep it doing its intended job.  Proper irrigation and fertilization is typically mandatory, and you also utilize the concepts of Florida friendly, waterwise, xeriscaped, and native landscape designs.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

The Four Seasons of Landscaping

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" -Ecclesiastes 3:1

Spring - In this season we begin to see the rebirth of certain plants, flowers, and trees in the St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Ormond Beach areas. We may have a few minor frosts but nothing that discourages the citrus blossoms, amaryllis (pictured), azaleas, lilies, and crape myrtles that emerge during our Florida spring. Faded plants are often switched out for fresh varieties and color comes back to our yards with aplomb.  

Summer - As the heat descends upon northeast Florida, the importance of proper watering becomes paramount. Improperly timed and zoned sprinkler systems can be devastating for your grass and landscaping. Having a licensed and insured professional check, set, and service your irrigation will protect you from burned out lawns and possibly save you money on your water bill.

Fall - Because our weather remains very warm during the "second spring" of Florida and hurricane tinged storms can bring an abundance of rain, our lawns are simply glowing with green life and growing so quickly you can almost see the blades expanding upward. Many of us are relieved to have hired a professional lawn maintenance company to keep our lawns under control throughout the summer heat and into the exuberant fall - the rest of us are wishing we did!

Winter - In Florida this is when we enjoy spending cozy family and social times on our patio, as we sit in front of a warm, softly burning fire pit. With days often mild and glorious in the midday sun, hardscaped areas within the landscape become very inviting. During the Florida winter you may find yourself ready to plan a winding garden path, a trickling waterfall, or an al fresco dining area within the beauty and sanctuary of trees.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Water is Life and Irrigation is Key

Water is life: regular watering from rainfall or irrigation systems is necessary for most of the beautiful plants in your landscape design.  Unfortunately, many Florida homeowners have unknowingly spent as much as half of their utility bill on watering lawns and landscaping, when watering wisely can be so much easier than you may realize. 

All plants need to be watered during the first weeks after planting or transplanting, and during development.  Then they fall into different categories according to water needs, from the very thirsty to the drought tolerant.  In irrigation terms, efficiency refers to how much of the water applied to the plants is finally used by them and uniformity refers to how evenly the water is applied to the plants.  This is the science we employ to keep your landscaping looking its best.

A knowledgeable landscape designer will divide your plantings and irrigation segments into watering zones (hydro-zones): oasis, transitional, and xeric. The oasis zone is for the thirstiest plants and will be placed closest to a water source. The xeric zone is for plants that need no supplemental water after being established. The transitional zone will contain plants that need occasional watering, or regular watering during a drought.

It is concepts such as the three watering zones that explain why a professional landscape design will look better and thrive unequivocally through the dramatic seasons of Florida.  Your comprehensive site plan will include placement of water sources among the plantings, and you will be able to recognize the oasis, transitional, and xeric zones if you look closely.   Perhaps it is your preference to feature one of the three hydro-zones predominantly in your landscaping and we can do just that.  

A licensed landscaper, who is foremost an irrigation professional, knows the science behind a lush and waterwise landscape.  We make it our business to understand unique concepts such as field capacity, which refers to the maximum amount of water a soil may hold before draining to become runoff.  An irrigation controller is an automatic timing device that operates irrigation zones for a predetermined time and frequency.  Scheduling of irrigation is based on factors such as soil type, root zone depth, and weather conditions - it should be regularly calibrated and checked for proper functionality.

North Florida wavers between extreme drought conditions and record rainfalls.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

A Look at Homeowner Landscape Design Data Reports

The new research reported by the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscape Trends Study was on target for our industry and we would like to present some highlights here.  

The results of the research survey come from approximately 1000 American homeowners who have completed outdoor projects in the last year, who are currently in the middle of a landscaping project, or who plan to do it soon.  These landscape designs are upgrades or updates of the current homeowner's exterior spaces, with the typical goal to make the space their own.

How much do people spend? The majority of the respondents (23 percent) spent between $1000-$5000.  Complete overhauls or major luxury landscaping were not a rare occurrence: 15 percent of the projects were over $50,000 in budget. Bottom line: Spending money on improving landscaping is considered worth the expense.

Where are the landscape projects? We know that landscaping is known to increase curb appeal exponentially, yet 69 percent of the landscaping jobs were completed in the backyard of the home.  44 percent were the front yard, and 32 percent were side yards. (Keep in mind some projects were in multiple locations.) Bottom line: We care the most about our living and entertaining spaces.

What needs are being addressed with landscaping? The number one issues that landscape design and installation were focused on were "drainage" and/or "poor use of space".  This was followed by "lack of privacy".  If curb appeal were the main goal of the landscaping work, the most important feature was flower beds/borders by a wide margin. Bottom line: Landscaping equals functionality.

How long does the project take?  It is important to remember that unforeseen problems such as extreme weather (especially in Florida) can upset project schedules. But these were the averages for three different levels of landscaping work:

Minor project: 3 months of planning/3 months of implementation
Major project: 5 months of planning/4 months of implementation
Complete overhaul: 6 months of planning/6 months of implementation

What plants are the most popular? For the past several years of studying these statistics, the top answer to this question is "low-maintenance", followed by "flowering". (Pictured at top is the stunning camellia variety, "Pink Perfection", which grows well in North Florida landscape designs.) Bottom line: Combine color with waterwise hardiness.

Ultimately, 73 percent of landscape projects are completed by a professional landscaper such as GreenFlex Landscaping.  Although, of those homeowners who are currently in the planning stage of their landscape job, only 63 percent plan to hire a professional.  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

   

Coming to the End of a Year in Flowers

2016 had several milestones for the world of trees, plants, and flowers.  Swedish botanists discovered seeds from the oldest flowering plants known to science: Cretaceous flower seeds dating back 110 million to 125 million years.  Another team of plant researchers discovered a fascinating way that blue leafed plants use their color to achieve photosynthesis in low light conditions.

A study by American health scientists proved that women who have the most vegetation around their homes have on average a 12 percent lower death rate than those that have little vegetation. The most striking differences were seen with 41 percent lower death rate from kidney disease, a 34 percent lower death rate from respiratory disease, and a 13 percent lower death rate from cancer.

GreenFlex Landscaping completed its series of Flowers of the Month for each of the twelve months this year.  We invite you to revisit these beautiful North Florida landscaping plants, many unique to our special region of Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, Daytona, and St. Augustine.  As the new year of 2017 dawns soon, we will get to enjoy each of these upcoming highlights again:

January: Camellia

February: Bogainvillea

March: Azalea

April: Soap Aloe

May: Gardenia

June: Passionflower

July: Crepe Myrtle

August: Firebush

September: Blanketflower

October: Hibiscus

November: Chrysanthemum

December: Christmas Cactus

Do you love flowers as much as we do?  

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of September: Blanketflower Covers the Dunes with Wheels of Fire

We have selected the blanketflower, Gaillardia, as our Flower of September. You will see it blooming everywhere in North Florida, especially the colorful dunes of our beaches, well into the fall months. This native wildflower is also called firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian blanketflower, or sundance.

There is an abundance of subspecies of this flower but the one that grows the best in Flagler Beach, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona, and Ormond is Gaillardia pulchella.   This flower grows either as a short-lived perennial, annual flowering plant, or sometimes year round.  Blanketflower is a relative of the sunflower family.

Gaillardia pulchella is a hardy plant that will grow in almost any soil but it tends to appreciate soil that is sandy and well-drained. It thrives in our region in summer and fall because of its high drought tolerance and predilection for a dry, hot climate and full sun. It spreads beautifully (like a blanket) and you will see expansive patches of its bright fiery colors.

Blanketflower is loved by honeybees, butterflies, and caterpillars - in fact some species of caterpillar will eat only Gaillardia.  Blanketflower produces plentiful seeds for replanting and self-seeding, and the seed heads are very popular with wild birds.  If deer are damaging your landscaping, you will be pleased to note that blanketflower is deer-resistant!

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Arbor Day is the time to celebrate our trees

Begun all the way back in 1872 as a designated day for everyone to plant a tree, Arbor Day is commemorated in special ways all over the United States.  

The Arbor Day Foundations suggests many different species of trees for our Agricultural Zone 9 climate including certain magnolias, crepe myrtles, dogwoods, cypress, maples, and oaks.  Some palm trees are also a favorite for our area, especially the Florida state tree, the native Sabal Palm. Professional landscapers will advise you as to the best trees for your landscape design, and will provide professional and dependable maintenance of your lawn and plantings.

Without a doubt, perfectly beautiful and thriving trees make the supreme focal points for a landscape design.  Find out more about the benefits of trees in your landscaping and other information here:

Landscape Design: Planting Trees has a Host of Benefits

A Few More Important Facts About Trees in Landscape Design

Amazing Facts About the Live Oak Tree

The Official Flora of Florida

Hurricane Preparedness Includes Your Landscaping

Florida Holly is Not So Festive After All

Crape or Crepe? This Myrtle Tree is Florida Friendly

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Florida Landscape Design in Agricultural Zone Nine

To say that Northeast Florida has a unique climate that creates landscaping challenges would be a bit of an understatement.  Our lovely little bit of USDA Zone 9 is quite possibly one of the most challenging and unusual climates in the world.  Just the fact that this area has wavered for decades back and forth between Zones 9a and 9b shows you that even the agricultural experts have a hard time keeping up with it.  GreenFlex Landscaping will design, install, and maintain your dream landscaping using our knowledge and experience in this zone.

You may think that dealing with the Florida heat is the challenge for landscaping in our area, but in actuality dealing with the occasional and erratic cold of our brief winter is the factor that can change an easygoing landscaping project into a complex plan of science, nature, and art.  A professional landscaper knows what you are dealing with, and even modifies your landscape design based on how close your property is to the ocean as well. 

In a nutshell the approach to landscaping in North Florida is a well thought out plantings that are tolerant to both the regular extreme heat of summer, but also the extreme cold as we experience freezes a few nights each year.  Delicate and tropical plants can be placed in protected spots and a comprehensive landscape design plan will be provided before any work is done.  We live in a part of the country that is unlike any other, and part of it is our plants, trees, and flowers.

Do not be daunted by the customized needs of this area's climate, soil, and rainfall (which ranges from extreme droughts to overabundant floods).

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Fall is Here and We Have Landscape Design in Mind

Fall in North Florida means an end to the dog days of summer and an excitement for the beginning of the holiday season.  Although we don't have a large amount of deciduous trees changing color, you can still spot a few mixed in with our citrus, palm trees, and live oaks.  Landscape design considerations evolve a bit for autumn, and may include:

Adding bursts of color with temporary seasonal elements to landscaping and outdoor living areas such as chrysanthemums. Read more about this unique flower here: 

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2014/11/flower-of-november-chrysanthemum-for.html

Cooler weather signals the time to enjoy a fire pit or fire bowls. Get ideas for how to add them and keep in mind we can integrate a fire pit or beautifully placed fire bowls to accent your overall landscape design:                    
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2010/12/fire-pits-add-cozy-heat-to-florida.html

Is now going to be the year you finally update or upgrade your property's landscaping?  Begin collecting inspiration for landscaping makeover now with these suggestions, so you can share your vision when it's time to get a free estimate:

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-will-you-design-your-landscaping.html

Many pool owners are not using their pools over the colder months of the year.  So it is a great time to plan and install "poolscaping".  Just imagine your enjoyment next summer of new hardscaping and landscaping installed now while no one is using that area of the home: 

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2015/09/poolscaping-for-your-florida-landscape.html

Our hurricane season is nearing its official end on November 30th.  Have you noticed that some of your landscaping may pose problems in a strong storm?  

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2014/05/hurricane-preparedness-includes-your.html 

Fall is a great time to refresh beds of mulch throughout your landscape design.  There are many reasons why proper mulching is important if you want beautiful and thriving landscaping, which is known to be the key to curb appeal and first impressions:

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2013/09/mulch-is-must-in-landscaping.html

Our clocks will "fall back" at the end of October for Daylight Savings Time.  The days of autumn and winter also have less hours of sun naturally as our planet rotates.  Lighten up the darker months of the year with low watt, elegantly placed landscape lighting:

http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/accent-lighting-for-your-florida.html

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of May: Love for Gardenia is No Secret

We know that deep red roses are for True Love; bright yellow roses are for Friendship.  The symbolism of a flower is often a testament to its character, but not in the case of the elegant and stunning gardenia, which is the floral symbol for Secret Love.

This evergreen flowering shrub has just begun its fragrant show of blossoms this month in North Florida landscape designs.  That being said, gardenia is not salt tolerant so we would not advise you to incorporate it into beach landscaping.

Also sometimes growing in the fashion of a small tree or a hedge, gardenia have very shiny dark green leaves and its flowers are a pure white that eventually fade to yellow as they end their brilliance.  With its heavenly scent and a classic shape, gardenia are often used in weddings.

Botanists know that gardenia will continuously bloom for several months of late spring into mid summer.  Selective about its conditions and placement, gardenia does best with a professional landscaper's guidance in regards to installation and maintenance.

Gardenia is part of the coffee family of plant species, Rubiaceae, and the most common gardenia is Gardenia jasminoides, found growing wild in Vietnam, Southern China, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar, and India. Gardenia is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has been in cultivation in China for at least a thousand years.

You may hear gardenia sometimes called "cape jasmine" or "cape jessamine".  The flowers eventually become oval fruits, and these are still used in Chinese medicine.  Gardenia is also used to make yellow dye in Asia.  It is a flower with a rich history and a popularity all over the world, either as a landscape design element or as a houseplant.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of April: Soap Aloe is in Exotic Bloom

This month we have aloes flowering in Flagler, St. Johns, and Volusia Counties' landscape designs, especially the Florida friendly aloe maculata that many mistakenly identify as aloe vera.  These red/orange flowers we are enjoying in North Florida are also called zebra aloe, aloe saponaria, or most commonly soap aloe because the plant is used to make soap in its native Africa.

At current count there are over 500 species of aloe and soap aloe is one beautiful species uniquely set apart because of its fat, thick leaves and exotic looking spikes of orange or red flowers in the spring.  This plant is waterwise and tolerant of just about any soil, making it a home run for landscape designs in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and the surrounding areas.

Warm desert regions enjoy the beauty of soap aloe and it will also be seen in Arizona and California landscaping.  Along with being drought tolerant and therefore xeriscape friendly, soap aloe is a rock star in beach landscape design because it is so salt tolerant.  You just can't go wrong with this stunning plant if you enjoy the look of an exotic species, but with low maintenance needs.

We can assist you with all aspects of beach-beautiful landscaping: design, installation, and maintenance are the services we offer, with specialties like water features and outdoor lighting also in our realm of expertise.  Oceanside landscape designs are a challenge that very few professional companies are prepared to meet, and we do it with years of experience and a trusted reputation behind every beachfront property.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of February: The Eye Catching Bougainvillea

Even in the Sunshine State, there are minimal flowers blooming in the winter month of February.  But one eye catcher can remain evergreen and colorful: the bougainvillea, a vine like shrub that adds a taste of the tropics to any landscape design in Flagler, St. Johns, or Volusia Counties.

Establishing a bougainvillea in the proper soil with the proper light and drainage is the difficult part, and many who love the plant depend upon the expertise of a professional landscaper to install and maintain it to its ultimate beauty.  Colors include whites, purples, reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks.

The flower of the bougainvillea is actually a tiny white one in the center, but the surrounding three leaves of color are the real show stoppers.  This plant, which can grow in tree, vine, or bush form, is native to South America.  Beware of one thing about this beauty: it has thorns!

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of January: The Beautiful Camellia

Have you noticed the camellias in bloom around northeast Florida this month?  If you would like to enjoy the camellia during its season of stunning flower, visit Washington Oaks State Park in Palm Coast, Florida, where there are several cultivars blooming right now.

Camellia originated in eastern and southern Asia, and its beautiful image is frequently featured in Asian art. In Chinese the name translates to "tea flower".  On the Indian subcontinent and in Asia, leaves of Camellia sinensis are in fact the basis for tea.

There are 100–250 known species of camellia and the ornamental varieties are generally Camellia japonica, Camellia oleifera, and Camellia sasanqua, with over 3,000 hybrids and cultivars. Camellias are evergreen shrubs or small trees that can grow over 60 feet tall.

Their leaves are glossy and the flowers range from white through pink colors to red and blends of these shades.  Rare yellow camellias are found in South China and Vietnam. Camellias prefer rich, acidic soils and a large amount of water, usually not tolerating drought at all.

Camellia plants have a rapid growth rate and are food plants for many butterfly species.  Along with tea, camellia is also used to make a cooking oil that is widely used in Asia.  Camellias were not found in gardens outside of Asia until 1739 in England, then America in 1797.

Frequently planted in woodland settings (such as Washington Oaks), camellias are highly valued for their winter flowering, setting them apart in cold weather. Flower forms include single, semi-double, double, anemone form, rose form, and formal double.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Flower of December: The Christmas Cactus Lives Up To Its Name

If you live in North Florida, you will notice that the plants called "Christmas Cactus" truly do bloom around Christmastime here, if left to their own devices.  It is sign of the season in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, or St. Augustine to see the plant Schlumbergera begin to bud and flower in its unique and beautiful way in December.

Christmas Cactus is native to the coastal mountains of Brazil and grows there on trees and rocks as an epiphyte, or air plant.  This flowering succulent plant enjoys humidity and shade, making it a perfect plant for our North Florida homes and patios, and slightly different than its desert relatives who enjoy sun and dry conditions.  

In its native Brazil, Christmas Cactus blooms in May.  All around the world, as a houseplant it has been very popular and it can live for a long time, being passed down through generations.  For many areas of the United States, careful steps are taken to make the plant bloom during the holiday season.  That is not the case here, as it does not demand much care and is perfectly suited to our climate.

Florida landscape design is very customized and our clients have found that the assistance of a professional landscaping company leads to success in planning, installation, and ongoing maintenance of a well landscaped home or commercial property. 

If you enjoyed this post, please feel free to read about other Florida winter plants of interest:

Amaryllis:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-truth-about-amaryllis-flowers.html

Poinsettia:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2013/12/flower-of-holy-night-all-about.html

Florida Holly:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/florida-holly-is-not-so-festive-after.html

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Managing a Landscape to Look its Absolute Best

What can you expect when a landscaper maintains your commercial or residential landscaping?  Here is a general idea of the elements of good landscape management by a professional, experienced company:

1) Shrubs will be pruned and trimmed approximately six times per year.  We will use proper horticultural techniques so that the integrity of the plant is maintained.

2) Any dead, diseased parts of plants will be removed as well as any plant material obstructing walkways or roadways.  Clippings and cuttings will be removed from the site.

3) Small trees (up to 10 feet in height) will be trimmed and shaped to their optimal condition approximately six times per year and checked for proper growth.

4) Medium trees (10-16 feet in height) will be trimmed to maintain clear trunks from ground to lower branches, giving them a clean look and healthy growing condition.

5) If necessary, chemical treatment will be used on plants with infestations of pests or disease.  This will be done very carefully and paying attention to whether the chemicals are working.

6) Thorough weeding will occur, especially in open areas of plant beds.  The soil in these beds will be tested once per year to evaluate pH and nutrient content.

7) Fertilization of shrubs and ground cover will be done twice a year, typically in Spring and Fall.  The fertilizer used will be based on soil testing evaluations.

8) Trees will be fertilized based on size using a balanced formula, and though usually done once a year the initial application will usually be in the spring.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

What It Means to Manage a Landscape

A landscaper is a company that not just designs and installs landscaping for residential and commercial properties, but one that goes beyond just maintenance to management of the landscape design.  They follow strict guidelines so you can have peace of mind:

Mowing

Mowing frequency is customized based on the different growth rates of the seasons.  Certain grasses will be mowed more than others: for example, St. Augustine turf will be cut up to 44 times per year and Bahia turf will be cut up to 21 times per year.

Rotary mowers will be used and the blades will be kept sharp and maintained so grass is not torn.  Height of grass will be determined for optimal health of lawn.

Mowing patterns will ensure an even distribution of clippings for appearance and protection, and clippings will remain on turf to restore nutrients for a healthy lawn.

Edging and Trimming

Plant beds, curbs, roadways, driveways, trees, and buildings will be neatly edged and trimmed to maintain a desirable shape.

After edging and trimming, walkways and patios will be cleared to maintain a clean, well-groomed appearance.

Edging and trimming will coincide with mowing and areas inaccessible to mowers will be maintained with other equipment.

All debris created by our company will be promptly removed.

Fertilization and Control of Weeds, Insects, and Disease

Various percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will be determined based on different seasons and environmental conditions.  St. Augustine turf will be fertilized four times per year.

Soil tests will be performed once per year to evaluate pH and nutrient content.

It is the sole responsibility of our company to treat for insects, disease, or weeds.

All state and federal regulations will be strictly followed when applying pesticide or herbicide products.  These treatments will be performed by trained technicians only.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

Mulch is a Must in Landscaping

One component of landscaping installation you can be assured will not be ignored by a professional landscaper is the necessity of mulch, initially applied and continuously maintained, for your garden beds.  Mulch is the material, usually organic, that covers the soil around your plants.  In nature, mulch is created by leaves and other decomposing matter and it is part of what encourages the growth of plants in both wild and structured landscape plans.

The basic purposes of mulch are to conserve moisture, improve the soil, discourage weed growth, and enhance visual harmony and beauty.  The next time you notice a property with an especially attractive landscape design, look a little bit closer and you will see how important the use of mulch is when it comes to an appealing flow to the design.  And of course, any thriving and healthy landscape will have proper mulching to thank for it.  There are even brightly dyed mulches that add a dose of color to entice the eye.    

Different mulch affects the soil in different ways and a professional landscaping company will be familiar with the prime choices of mulch for your particular landscape design.  Bark chips, shredded mulch, wood chips, and wood chip mulch are some examples of what may be used locally and these materials vary in appearance, cost, availability, and effect on the soil underneath.  Rocks, crushed stone, and gravel are also considered a material for the process of mulching, with its own special accommodations.

Mulch is applied as deep as six inches to keep soil temperature and moisture at a stable level.  Application of mulch decreases evaporation so plants get properly watered, and blocks sunlight so that weeds cannot sprout.  Mulch slowly decomposes into the soil, which is why it needs to be replaced periodically. 

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚   

    

The Official Flora of Florida

This year, Florida celebrates 500 years since Ponce de Leon first landed upon our shores.  He proclaimed the peninsula (which he believed was an island) would be known as Florida, the "flowery land".  This arrival by a European explorer occurred in the vicinity of St. Augustine and you might like to imagine the flowers, plants, and trees that were most likely present.

Landscaping in this area is full of tropical and semi-tropical blossoms and a variety of palm trees, among so many other varieties of unique flora.  Ponce de Leon's landing occurred during the Easter season, also known as Pascua Florida, the Feast of Flowers.

When it came time to create an official state seal in 1868, it is not surprising that hibiscus flowers being scattered by a Seminole woman were the focal point of the image chosen to symbolize Florida.  Because of the times, a cocoa tree was also used to represent Florida agriculture.

Many years later the cocoa tree was replaced in the seal with the native sabal palm tree, which is now also the designated state tree of Florida.  The state flag of Florida is comprised of the seal superimposed over a red St. Andrew's cross on a white background.

What other flowers have come to stand for our beautiful land of blooms?  The official state flower since 1909 is not hard to guess: no other flower could symbolize the Sunshine State as perfectly as the lovely, fragrant orange blossom.

And there is an official state wildflower as well: selected and announced just recently in 1991, Coreopisis can be seen thriving along roadsides as part of highway beautification programs.  This native wildflower is usually bright yellow but can be other colors such as pink.

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚

How will you design your landscaping?

You have your property and you know you need a new landscape design planned, installed, and ultimately maintained.  There are options available to you when beginning this project - a project that can be so significant that it basically creates the very first impression everyone who visits your home will experience.  Consider these starting points:

1) Design it yourself.  This is an acceptable idea if you are by trade a professional landscape designer.  If not, you will need more understanding of your property's soil, climate, and weather patterns than you probably realize.  You will also need to know the growth schedule and needs of the plants you use for your landscaping so that you can create a year round design.  Watering and pest control are important components of successful landscape design in Florida, so you should be well versed in these factors as well.

2) Utilize feng shui concepts.  Perhaps this Chinese method of decorating will be a good guide to how your landscape should be set up and designed.  Feng shui takes into consideration directional placement, color meanings, use of water features and lighting, the flow of "energy" through the garden, and the elements of wood, fire, water, earth, and metal.  Feng shui is not for everyone, but it may be the way you want to design your landscape, although it leaves out important maintenance considerations.    

3) Duplicate other landscape designs.  There is such an abundance of material to peruse when designing your landscaping.  Magazines, web sites, books, and other sources will give you a wealth of ideas when you are collecting your personal landscape inspiration.  Perhaps you will decide to copy some plant and design choices found in your own geographic area, taking into consideration how well this works for the local climate.  Keep in mind: soil, sun, and watering can be very different for each particular property and you may have very little idea of how much regular maintenance is required.  

4) Hire a professional landscaper.  Most successful landscape designs either begin with a professional designer or continue indefinitely with one.  This is because with an established, licensed company, you know that you are hiring someone who knows the conditions and climate of your property better than most and will create beautiful gardens that reflect this knowledge.  Landscapers have not just the initial design to think about, but the long term performance of the plants and trees that are selected for each unique project.  Another benefit of utilizing the services of a professional landscaper is that you can also incorporate your own design ideas, whether they come from feng shui or other sources, and work together in harmony to create something amazing and personal!

🦚Article by Connie Helena, author of The Green Orchid 🦚