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 🦚

Welcome to December in Florida

If you think landscaping activities in Florida stop once our winter begins, you may want to reconsider.  Your professional landscapers in St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Daytona, and Ormond Beach will be attending to the seasonal needs of you lawn and landscape design to keep it lovely and thriving all year long.  Landscapers will be pruning, mulching, and so much more for valued residential and commercial clients.

Most of our trees in this area are evergreen, meaning they do not lose their leaves.  This includes our particular species of towering live oak.  If you do have deciduous trees which lose their leaves, we can assist you with maintaining the well kept look of your home's exterior, which is everyone's first impression when visiting over the holiday season.  Outdoor decor can be very natural and beautiful in Florida as well: accessorize your Christmas lights with poinsettias, white mums, Norfolk pines, and other festive plants and blooms.

What's happening now and what do you need to know about our local greenery?  Here are some of the winter plants that we have highlighted in December articles of the past:

In northeast Florida as we celebrate the holidays we may enjoy the presence of "Florida Holly" trees in our yard producing red berries to enhance the season. Think again: these trees are actually a highly invasive species better known as the Brazilian-pepper tree...read more:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/florida-holly-is-not-so-festive-after.html

Poinsettia plants are everywhere around the holidays but do you know the story behind this festive bloom that is synonymous with Christmas itself? With its bright red, pink, or white "flowers" (which are actually colored leaves called bracts), the poinsettia is the most popular potted plant in the United States...read more:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2013/12/flower-of-holy-night-all-about.html

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...read more:
http://floridalandscapedesign.blogspot.com/2014/12/flower-of-december-christmas-cactus.html

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

Flower of March: Azalea is a Sea of Color

Azalea is a welcome sign of spring in so many parts of the world, and based on the beautiful colors this shrub has brought to North Florida, we can confirm that spring has sprung!  Azalea, with varieties both technically deciduous and evergreen, is the star of the show in the month of March.  Seas of color are visible in shades of red, pink, purple, white, and more.

The blooms of azalea, a shrub that is considered part of the rhododendron family, last for weeks at a time.  These flowers are shade tolerant and they especially love being planted near or under trees.  Popular as a garden plant for hundreds of years, azalea has at this point approximately 10,000 different cultivars!

It is possible to propagate azalea by both cutting and seeds. Native to Europe, North America, and Asia, the fertilizer needs of azalea are low and most respond very well to pruning.

The plant is slow growing and likes acidic soil, and all parts of it are highly poisonous.  There are many spring festivals and events that celebrate the azalea.

Would you like a landscape design full of brightly blossoming azaleas? 

Enjoying the Flower of Month series?  Check out our other blog posts for standout flowers:

Flower of November: Chrysanthemum

Flower of December: Christmas Cactus

Flower of January: Camellia

Flower of February: Bougainvillea


🦚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 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 🦚

Hurricane Preparedness Includes Your Landscaping

Hurricane season is right around the corner, and this year it begins June 1st.  This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week and we have several tips to get your landscaping and the area around your home ready in case of major storm.  Keep in mind that you can contact a landscaper regarding hurricane readiness and safety of your landscaping, and services cover many of the suggestions below.

1) Make sure if you have a shed, greenhouse, or other outbuildings that the doors and windows are secure and will not detach in heavy winds.

2) Prune your trees so that large branches are not hanging over your home or car, and away from power lines.  Do not engage in the inappropriately named "hurricane cut", which removes most of the fronds and can severely damage, or even kill, your trees.  Instead trees should be pruned to provide for air flow, which inhibits uprooting.  If a tree is obviously unhealthy and therefore weak, it should be removed.

3) Consider planting trees that are more likely to withstand heavy winds in the first place.  Native growing trees such as the live oak in Florida are standing all these years because they are strong, hard, resistant to winds, and their roots grow deep.

4) Clear your gutters and downspouts and ensure they are firmly attached and that your drainage system is fully functioning.

5) Be ready to stake tall plants in case of a storm, and if a storm is on its way you should be ready to harvest vegetables or flowers beforehand as those fragile plantings will most likely be damaged anyway.

6) Take inventory of all your lawn ornaments, outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills, flags, awnings, and other loose items around the home.  These can become flying projectiles in strong winds and should be stored when a storm is imminent.

7) Consider replacing your gravel beds with softer wood mulch.  Small stones can be hazardous if they become airborne in extreme weather conditions.

8) If you live close to the beach and the possibility of flooding is high, keep in mind that salt tolerant plants and trees are most likely going to be the few survivors of a major storm. When saltwater creeps up higher than usual on the coastline and blows its spray through the air, salt tolerance is severely tested.

Stay safe!  Hurricane season ends November 30th.

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

Flower of the Holy Night: All About the Poinsettia

Poinsettia plants are everywhere around the holidays but do you know the story behind this festive bloom that is synonymous with Christmas itself?  With its bright red, pink, or white "flowers" (which are actually colored leaves called bracts), the poinsettia is the most popular potted plant in the United States with its wholesale contributing over $250 million dollars to the U.S. economy each year.    

The poinsettia got its name here from Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, physician, and diplomat to Mexico who in 1828 sent cuttings to his home in South Carolina. The poinsettia is native to Mexico (its Spanish name translates to "Flower of the Holy Night") where as a wild tropical tree it can reach heights of more than ten feet. The ancient Aztecs called it cuetlaxochitl and used it to make a reddish-purple dye as well as a medicine for fevers.

One of 2013's holiday season U.S. Postal Service Forever stamps features artwork of the lovely poinsettia. “The image of the poinsettia has proven to be so timeless that the Postal Service has featured it on two previous holiday stamps, one in 1964 and one in 1985,” stated Stamp Services Director Susan McGowan.

Typically the plant is for indoors only, as it is sensitive to freezing.  In Florida, the poinsettia can be planted outdoors as well. If you have poinsettias that you would like to transfer outside, wait until the weather begins to warm, then bring the pots outside and put in a shady place so they can acclimate.

After a few weeks, plant your poinsettias in full sun in well drained soil and keep in mind that in order to flower they need 14 hours of complete darkness each day for 6 to 8 weeks, so keep away from bright street lamps or other outdoor lighting.  Pruning poinsettias after they bloom in spring promotes a fuller plant and in our area you will have a thriving poinsettia if you fertilize it once a month from May to September.

Contrary to what many people have been led to believe, the poinsettia is not toxic to humans or animals.  Eating the poinsettia will cause stomach upset and being exposed to the milky sap of the plant can irritate the skin, but the commonly held notion that poinsettias are highly poisonous is an urban legend.

🦚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 🦚 

Striking Signs of Spring: Bottlebrush in Bloom

What flower is one of the most eye catching elements of Palm Coast landscape design?  If you have taken note of the striking Bottlebrush trees and shrubs that are currently in bloom, with their unique brush shaped red blossoms, you will agree this is a special plant.  So many beautiful Palm Coast landscapes incorporate the evergreen Bottlebrush, or Callistemon, and its lovely shape is an elegant addition to your yard year round, although many would say it is at its peak while blooming.

Red in the landscape is a powerful design component and nothing attracts attention like the hot hue of the Bottlebrush.  The tree or shrub has an Asian style as its delicate leaves cascade downwards, adding texture and movement among other stronger, thicker landscape plants and trees.  Some Native American cultures believe the red bottle brush shaped flowers catch evil spirits before they can enter a home, giving Bottlebrush a whimsical story behind its attractive appearance.

What do you need to know about the Bottlebrush from a botanical point of view?  This plant is perennial, relatively easy to maintain, and drought resistant, although it does best with regular watering, as most Palm Coast landscape designs, because of our unpredictable weather patterns, tend to thrive as well.  A relative of the crape myrtle, Bottlebrush is native to Australia and was introduced in European gardens in 1789. If you have a Bottlebrush blooming, expect to see lots of nectar feeding birds, like hummingbirds, as well as insects, especially butterflies!

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

Palm Coast Landscape Blog Highlights

This landscape blog covering Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Ormond, Daytona, and St. Augustine is in its third year of knowledge sharing for those readers interested in Florida landscaping issues.  Here are the top five posts of all time, counting our total readership well into the thousands:

1) Century Plant and Agave in the Florida Landscape Design - Still one of the most stunning examples of our unique northeast Florida botanical elements for landscaping, this plant is as fascinating as it is beautiful.

2) Amazing Facts About the Live Oak Tree - This tree is nothing if not majestic and apparently many web searches seeking information on the live oak bring web visitors to this post.

3) The everlasting green beauty of Florida landscape design - The second blog ever posted, announcing important company news and sharing an interesting tidbit and quote about color, has stayed in the top ever since.

4) Florida Holly is Not So Festive After All - This explains in detail the truth about one of our area's most mistakenly identified trees, and even if you know its true identity, you may not know the whole story.

5) Fire Pits Add Cozy Heat to Florida Evenings - Fire pit design, as aspect of hardscaping that GreenFlex Landscaping specializes in, has gotten more popular as a functional landscape design feature.

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

The truth about Amaryllis flowers

In the early spring of northeast Florida we begin to see signs of what many of us call the Amaryllis flower - a tall spike of large showy flowers emanating from a bulb in the ground.  In cooler parts of the country these bulbs are grown in pots indoors and are sold around the holidays.  Our climate enables us to put these beauties in our landscaping and enjoy their return each year, as well as their thriving propagation.

What may surprise you is that this flower is not an Amaryllis at all, but rather a Hippeastrum, according to botanists who have been divided on the issue for centuries!  A true Amaryllis is a South African bulb related to the Hippeastrum, a flower which originates in South America.  The decision was made official in 1987 but that has not changed the common (incorrect) classification.

Other facts of note regarding the Hippeastrum:

1) It includes about 90 species and 600 plus hybrids and cultivars.
2) Some Hippeastrum have evergreen leaves and some deciduous (seasonal).
3) This flower usually has six petals, three on the outside and three inside.
4) Depending on the species, there may be two or as many as 15 flowers on one stem.
5) Some varieties of Hippeastrum are air plants, which is why the bulbs need exposure to air.
6) The plants can be food sources for butterfly and moth larva.
7) Hippeastrum is Greek for "knight's star", most likely a reference to the morning star weapon.
8) These bulbs do not respond well to frost or too much watering.
9) The first commercial growers of Hippeastrum were the 18th Century Dutch.
10) There are five types of flowers: single, double, miniature, cybister, and trumpet.

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

Here's the Scoop on St. Augustine Lawn Maintenance

In this blog post we are going to cover one of the most commonly seen varieties of grass used in Florida lawns, St. Augustine, also known as Carpet, Wire, Buffalo, or Charleston grass.  St. Augustine is used primarily in tropical and subtropical areas and usually requires a sprinkler system.  Because St. Augustine turf is very thick and dense, it crowds out weeds and other unwanted grasses.  It has a lovely dark green uniform color year round as long as its maintenance needs are fully met.

Fun facts about St. Augustine grass include:

• It has been used for lawns in Florida since the 1890s.
• It is native to the Gulf of Mexico and Mediterranean regions.
• It has a high level of salt tolerance for beach landscaping. 
• A new variety was developed in 2008 that is resistant to chinch bugs.
• It grows only in coastal regions.
• Propagation is by plug, sod, or stolon - seed propagation was only recently made possible.

The best way to describe a St. Augustine lawn is that it is like a carpet in its thickness, spreading and growing its runners of grass so that nothing else can penetrate it.  This species of grass performs well in many soil conditions with consistent fertilization and attention to its moisture needs.  We will not only install and maintain your St. Augustine lawn, but we also understand the watering necessary to maintain it.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a softer lawn that is similar to the ones found in Northern climates or on golf courses, you may want to learn more about zoysia grass. 

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

Zoysia Grass for Soft, Fine Florida Lawns

Did you think lush, soft lawns in Florida were only to be found at golf courses?  Or even worse, did you think you had to give up a fine textured lawn when you moved to the sunny, warm Florida climate? Fortunately more and more of our customers are discovering the beauty of zoysia grass, a variety of turf that was introduced in the United States in 1900 from Korea.  

Zoysia is often seen used on golf courses where a dense, low-cut turf is desired.  It does go dormant in winter though, so you cannot expect a full year of bright green grass as you can with St. Augustine lawns.  But if St. Augustine grass seems too rough and heavy to you, consider zoysia.  It requires about the same level of care and watering but you can walk barefoot in zoysia and it feels lovely.  

Once established, zoysia holds its own against weeds and other grasses. When watering, the rules are consistent: water in early morning and water deeply, wetting the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Generally zoysia does not have many insect, disease, or thatch problems if properly maintained.  

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

Well Maintained Landscaping for Safety and Curb Appeal

Thinking about trimming those palm trees yourself?  Keep in mind, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that unless you have the professional skill and experience to do so, you should not perform household tasks that require you to climb anything higher than a six foot ladder.  Reportedly, ladder injuries have become a major factor in emergency room visits.

There are so many reasons why you should consider the services of a landscaper to maintain the grounds of your home or business.  Did you know that untrimmed bushes and shrubs could give coverage to a burglar attempting to break in through your doors or windows?  Or that one of the things that thieves look for is a home with a lawn that has not been mowed, indicating that the homeowner is on an extended absence?  

In a previous Florida Landscape Design post, we went over the ways that professional landscaping design and care will raise property values in areas such as St. Augustine, Palm Coast, and Ormond Beach, where motivated sellers are looking for ways to give their houses added curb appeal.  There are other facts to consider when making the choice to trust your lawn and landscape's maintenance to a company such as GreenFlex Landscaping:

• Studies have shown: 75 percent of interested buyers drive by an available property and 63 percent look at photos online before walking through. You simply must have the exterior appearance at peak perfection.
• Outdoor landscape lighting gives your property curb appeal at night!  This is becoming evidently more important as so many potential home buyers drive by homes for sale during the evening hours, after work. 
• It is recommended that to look its absolute best, a home must have its lawn mowed twice a week in the summer.  Along with that it is necessary to pull weeds from beds and sweep or blow walkways clear of trimmings and debris. 

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

Landscaping for Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, and Saint Augustine

New residents to northeast Florida find almost immediately that landscaping here is very different than other parts of the country.  There are specific varieties of plant material that thrive in this area, many of which require specific care for optimal health.

Landscape designing and installation in the Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, and St. Augustine areas is challenging and many people find it beneficial to outsource these tasks to professional companies.  Choosing a trusted company to install and maintain your landscaping and lawn is of the utmost importance - check that your landscaping service provider has the appropriate licensing, customer testimonials, and insurance.

Florida living is close to nature and the outdoors; it is usually an active lifestyle of beach, golf, and swimming.  Palm Coast landscaping companies are full service landscape design, maintenance, and installation organizations.  As your Florida landscape designer, we will create an outdoor space that invites entertaining and enjoyment with water features, hardscaping design, outdoor lighting, and a green lawn.

Ready to take your landscaping to the highest level of style, beauty, and growth?  Do you need consulting on the best plants and trees for your particular landscaping project?  Is your existing lawn not up to par? 

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

St. Augustine Florida Landscaping - Historic and Beautiful

The oldest city in the United States is the seaside town of St. Augustine, Florida. This gently sprawling village on the northeastern coast of the Sunshine State combines both colonial British and Spanish elements in its historic architecture and narrow cobble stoned streets. Today's St. Augustine is an artsy destination with amazing tourist attractions such as the Castillo de San Marcos, the Fountain of Youth, the Pirate Museum, St. Augustine Alligator Farm, and the original Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum.

Landscaping and lawns vary in St. Augustine throughout the city limits as most areas in Florida tend to do. The closer to the ocean, the more salt tolerance and soil conditions become an issue with landscape design and lawn care. St. Augustine does experience the occasional frost during winter months, although tropical varieties of plants typically thrive if placed properly in the landscape design plan with sufficient irrigation. Because they enjoy a mild climate, residents of St. Augustine lean towards outdoor entertaining so hardscaping, patios, pavers, firepits, and pool landscape design are very popular.

Be sure to tour all the major sections of St. Augustine including St. Augustine Beach, Crescent Beach, Vilano Beach, Downtown, Uptown, Lincolnville, Westside, the Shores, the South, Davis Shores, Treasure/Butler Beach, and Ponte Vedra. 

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