Creating a Waterfall
Water, in its ancient ways, provides tranquility, prosperity, and restoration. Recently, we installed a pondless, falling water feature to mimic a natural waterfall. Check out the before and after photos of this project below. To learn more about how this water feature works & about other water feature options. Check out our previous blog on […]
Should You Use Landscape Fabric? Pros, Cons, and Smarter Alternatives
What is Landscape Fabric: Landscape fabric—also known as weed barrier fabric—is a permeable material placed over soil to suppress weeds while allowing water and air to pass through. It’s commonly used in garden beds, under mulch, and beneath gravel or stone. At first glance, it seems like the perfect low-maintenance solution. But is it really […]
The Hidden Value of Dead Wood in the Landscape
When most people see dead wood in the landscape—a fallen branch, a decaying stump, or a weathered log—the instinct is often to remove it. It may appear messy or unproductive. However, dead wood plays an important ecological role and can be a powerful asset in sustainable landscape design. From supporting wildlife to enriching soil, leaving […]
Friends Don’t Let Friends Plant Wisteria!
Wisteria may look pretty but it can be highly invasive. Wisteria is a showy, woody vine that blooms in mid-spring and will grow to 10 to 25 feet, depending on the support it is given. There are four species in the genus, three native to eastern Asia and one native to the eastern USA. When choosing […]
Suzanne’s Pet Peeves: First Up…Mulch
When I visit new clients, there are a few annoyances that really stand out to me. I am going to begin with mulch. Mulch is an organic material spread over a bed to hold in moisture, inhibit weeds and finish off a garden bed, making it look neat and tidy. It should break down/decompose over […]
Curb Appeal in Gainesville, GA-Phase 1 of 3
One of the best ways to begin improving your curb appeal is to assess the shrubs, bushes, trees, etc. that surround your house. Are they overgrown? Are they touching the house or the front porch? Are there too many of them? Maybe they aren’t the right choices to begin with. Removing bushes and shrubs that […]
Mystery Plant Death
We were at a home where the owner asked us to replace one of their dead goshiki osmanthus. It was in a grouping of three by the front of the home. I wanted to know why it died and the other two were thriving… was it nutrition? Was it a disease? What could be done […]
Beautiful Blue Trees Used in Landscaping Design in North Georgia
I recently had a call from Andy Kinsey at Kinsey Family Farm about a new shipment of blue trees. As my readers know, I prefer using native plants and trees in landscaping design in North Georgia, but I have a special place in my heart and garden for conifers. Conifers are trees that bear their seeds […]
Designing Landscapes That Last
Recently, I read a blog posted by another arborist titled ‘Deforestation by Design’. His premise was that by planting the wrong plants, in the wrong way, and in the wrong place, we are essentially deforesting our landscapes. Or ensuring that we will have to plant again much sooner than if we did it right the […]
Weary of Weeding? Consider Going to Ground Cover.
Believe it or not, there is a certain subset of the population that enjoys weeding. Many cite its therapeutic benefits like quiet time in the sunshine,listening to the bees and the birds, and the rustle of the wind in the leaves ofthe garden. But let’s face it, having to weed constantly, especially at the peak […]
