We started off by transplanting the weeping spruce tree in the client's backyard. It is hard to tell in the picture, but the ground was sloped (the area near the property line was a lot higher than by the driveway). One way to deal with this slope would be to put a flowerbed, which would add a lot of visual appeal to the area. The client liked the idea! We needed to trench where the flowerbed would go - it started at the corner of the garage and ended at the property line, s

Q: How often should I mow my lawn? A: Depending on who you ask, you will get different answers, but the general consensus is every 1-2 weeks. And remember the "one-third rule": never cut more than one-third of the height of your grass!

Northern lights tuft hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa 'Northern Lights' Zone 4-9 Variegated grass that "blushes" pink as the temperature drops (early spring and fall). Plant in filtered sun and water regularly for best growth. Grows best in evenly moist soil. A moderate grower that can reach 12" tall and wide. This ornamental grass tends to clump so it’s a good idea to divide clumps every few years. Cut back to 1/3 the height in late winter/early spring. Fun fact: this

Although this transformation might look like a simple change, the amount of labor was extensive! The client wanted the front yard to go from natural to manicured. They also wanted several types of grass to break up all the gravel, as well as a locust tree. Lastly, the client wanted a holding pond to prevent the rainwater coming off the canale and messing up the gravel. The first step in this transformation was to clear the vegetation and level out the area. This took several

Q: How often should I change the soil in my planters? A: Although this may seem like a simple question, there are a lot of variables. When planting, you ideally want to put new soil in every year for best growth and overall health. Potting soil has fertilizers and amendments that lose their efficacy over time. If you have an older plant that has never had its soil changed you have a couple of options. The first is to transplant into a larger pot, and fill the pot with fresh p

Dwarf Katie purple ruellia Ruellia brittoniana 'Katie' Zone 8-11 Beautiful, lavender-blue 'paper like' flowers add a gentle contrast to the spiky dark green foliage. Blooms appear from late spring to mid-summer. This low-growing perennial does best when planted in full/partial sun. Water regularly for best growth. Drought tolerant once established. This plant may freeze during extreme winters, so mulching the area around it in late fall/early winter is a must. A moderate grow

In this week's Transformation Tuesday, we can see how even the smallest of projects can have a big impact on your yard. The client had a corner in their yard that they wanted to dress up and it into a focal point with a flower bed. The client had some blocks that they used to outline the area and used that outline design to improve on it. Once we got the client's approval it was time to get started! First, we brought in high-quality landscape blocks; the block we use comes in

Happy September from Desert Rose! In this month's blog, we are going to review a couple of the most common mistakes that can occur when installing flagstone or paver patios/steps. These missteps (haha, pun intended!) are easy to overlook when it is your first time working with these materials. Whether it is just a few steps or an entire patio, these mistakes will leave you with an uneven, shifting area that can not only look unappealing but can quickly become a tripping hazar

In this week's Transformation Tuesday the client had a flagstone patio that needed attention. The joints between the flagstone were fairly wide, and since some of the flagstones had shifted, it created a tripping hazard. The mossrock steps leading to the patio were no longer level. A holly shrub was also growing near the steps, which needed to be removed. Client goals: easy access and to have a finished look! The first step was to fix the mossrock steps and remove the holl

Angelita Daisy Hymenoxys acaulis 'Vossii' Zone 5-8 Dainty, yellow flowers that resemble baby sunflowers cover thin, green foliage. Can reach 8" tall and 18" wide. Prefers well-drained soils, but tolerates a wide variety of poor soils. Plant in full sunlight for the best growth. Can also tolerate partial shade but the blooms will be reduced. This wildflower prefers to be left alone and easily reseeds. Blooms throughout the spring and summer. Cut back in the early winter to kee