newsletter

It’s Hydrangea Season! Explore the diverse world of hydrangeas and discover the top types recommended by professionals to enhance your outdoor spaces.

Hydrangeas are a diverse group of flowering shrubs (and even vines) known for their stunning and showy blooms. There can be confusion with the hundreds of different varieties on the market but they fall into several different categories which can help understand their use and limitations in the landscape. With proper planning and care, hydrangeas can be a beautiful and rewarding addition to any landscape.

We use mostly Panicle Hydrangeas, occasionally some Smooth Hydrangeas, and you will find out why with the Pros and Cons listed for each type...

Keeping your landscaping weeded involves consistent effort and adopting effective strategies. Here are some tips to help you maintain a weed-free landscape:

Mulching: Mulch applied around your plants and flower beds helps suppress weed growth. Make sure to replenish the mulch layer as needed. We recommend Shredded Hardwood Bark Mulch.

Regular maintenance: Dedicate time to regular weeding sessions. 5-10 minutes a day or 30-60 minutes a week, inspect your landscape regularly and remove any weeds before they have a chance to spread....

Rain gardens are designed to manage stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces such as roofs, driveways, and sidewalks. They allow water to slowly infiltrate into the ground rather than flowing directly into storm drains or waterways.

They are typically designed as shallow depressions in the ground with sloping sides. The size and shape of the garden depend on factors such as the amount of runoff, soil type, and available space. Rain gardens are made with a well-draining medium, and plants and grasses that tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Downspout extensions or surface grading directs water flow to the rain garden.

During intense summer storms, rain gardens can play an important role....

We get so many questions about Landscaping Shorelines in this area. It’s a complicated and confusing process, so here are a few of the most common questions and basic answers.

Every situation, county, and municipality has different ordinances for vegetation removal, land disturbance, setbacks, and wetland protections. We always recommend asking a professional (like us) or the county zoning office what you can and can’t do at your particular site...

This extremely wet year was disaster for many properties in the area. Along with general drainage issues, this year we took numerous calls about failing retaining walls. Retaining walls have the job of holding back soil on a slope that might otherwise erode during rainfalls. This is especially important on shoreline properties....

We have done many projects on the area lakes over the years, and have a lot of experience in the process. We have a good working relationship with Walworth County, and we are usually able to get the permits needed to do projects on the lakes, as long as we play by the rules.

Recently, things have changed, however. Some changes are for the better, and some for the worse, and the permit process has become very complicated...

In July 2017, we purchased a property to house our growing company. The 27 acre property is a mile and a half down the road from our home/office, and is an abandoned nursery...

I usually tell customers that they can expect their new plantings to have maximum effect in 3 years. A wise plant person once told me that in year 1 they survive, year 2 they strive and year 3 they thrive.

The first year after planting, perennials will be busy putting down roots, and for most plants you will not see much growth on top. This is also why proper watering the first year is so important. Underwatering and even overwatering can delay or damage roots...

Vegetable gardening has been on the rise, but for those with limited space, incorporating fruits and veggies into the landscape can be a good option. Incorporating edible plants into your landscaping is a wonderful way to enhance the beauty of your outdoor space while also providing a sustainable and convenient source of fresh food. Edible plants can be used in attractive beds and containers or mixed in with ornamental plants. This approach allows you to have your edible plants close to the house, making it easier for maintenance, harvesting, and enjoyment. There are many cultivars in hybrid and heirloom vegetables that are attractive as well as tasty. There are dwarf or container varieties of almost everything to make the most of limited space....

Watering is #1 in the Summer Pay attention to the weather and look at your plants periodically, especially those planted in the last two years. Established plants (properly sited) should only need water in extreme drought conditions.

Best Time to Water: water when the sun is not at its hottest – morning is a great time...