I’m back with design notes from the field, where I share observations and recommendations from my work as a landscape consultant. This edition features a new build, metal art, weeds, and shade. I hope that you can pick out helpful tips that you can use in your landscape. Up first, is a new house that…
Landscape Problems
Don’t Be Fooled By a Pretty Face
Do you ever find yourself transfixed by a pretty face (flower)? I have. In fact, I’ve rarely seen a flower that I didn’t like. However, sometimes it’s easy to get fooled by a pretty face, or in this case, a flower. Over the weekend, I made a quick trip to my local grocery store where…
Landscape Transformation: Drab to Colorful
Is your outdoor space looking rather drab? If so, you aren’t alone – many landscapes can appear somewhat dull, especially if there is a lack of color. But, it doesn’t have to stay that way. One of my favorite aspects of my job as a landscape consultant is to help my clients to transform their…
Javelina in the Desert Garden
Yesterday, I had a rather unexpected encounter with a javelina while taking pictures of a landscape. I think he was as surprised as I was to see him and he retreated back to his arroyo after a couple of minutes. That meeting inspired me to write this post and how they affect the desert garden –…
Got Old, Overgrown Plants? Know When to Prune or Replace
You have undoubtedly seen an old, overgrown shrub filled with mostly leafless branches that rarely flower anymore. Or, perhaps it is an aged succulent that has brown patches that are slowly encroaching onto the upper parts of the plant from the base. So, what is the solution for plants that no longer add decorative value…
Behind Every Green Thumb Are a Trail of Dead Plants
Do you know someone who possesses a green thumb? Usually, it’s someone that has a beautiful garden that stands out among their neighbors, which is filled with thriving plants that are flourishing. While you may think that people with green thumbs are born and not made, I’m going to let you in on a BIG…
Farewell Fire Ants! The Crafty Gardener’s Guide to Fire Ant Annihilation
I am currently waging war in my backyard. My foe is tiny in comparison to me but knows how to inflict a painful bite when my feet get too close for their comfort. I am proactively searching out ant mounds, which are often cleverly hidden in an attempt to get rid of them. Ant poison isn’t…
Screening and Color For a Blank Wall
Have you ever encountered this landscaping challenge? This blank wall is rather boring, and the home behind it dominates the view. So what would you do to fix these problems? I faced this dilemma last month at a client’s home. The pool was the main focal point of the landscape, and the dull wall wasn’t…
Succulents, More Than Just Drought Tolerant
In the past, succulents were valued primarily for their drought tolerance and found their way into gardens in arid regions. Today, while they are still a great choice for water-wise plants are wise, they offer many other benefits to outdoor spaces including adding colorful flowers and solving common garden problems. I’ve written a series of…
How to Protect Citrus Trees From a Heatwave
Living in the desert southwest, I am blessed to be able to grow a variety of citrus trees in my garden and they do very well under most circumstances. However, when temperatures outside of the average highs and lows occur, steps need to be taken to protect them. With this week’s record-breaking highs, my orange tree…