The New Landscape

March 13, 2017 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

The New Landscape – By

Jenn Stumer – Appalachian Creations, Inc.

If you have ever started from scratch with a landscape you know how tempting it is to fill in the beds with lots of plants. So many plants look interesting when touring the garden centers that it’s tempting to fit them into the landscape. Just as with so many other things, landscaping with plants ends up becoming a trial and error process. What works for one area might not work for another. A plant doing great for a neighbor down the road might die where you put it. Who knows why plants flourish for some and die in one week for others? Why does one plant out of a group of 3 or 5 not perform as well as the others? Sometimes there just isn’t an explanation. Sometimes plants just die.

Don’t give in to the temptation to plant as much as will fit. If you want your landscape to last for 15-20 years, you will have small plants to start and spaces left in between. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

¨ Shrubs and trees will grow – some quicker than others

¨ Perennials will spread

¨ Grasses will multiply

¨ Trees and shrubs planted too close will grow into each other (or into your house)

Pay attention to plant maturity sizes either by reading the plant tags or doing your own research. Try to envision how the plants will look when they have reached their mature size. Keep spaces open for them to grow into instead of planting them closer together for instant, maximum impact. As the landscape matures, most of the plants will spread and grow into the space left open for them. (Or into the plants next to and around them if they are too close together.) An overloaded landscape will only last a few years before more maintenance is required. The plants will need to be sheared or trimmed to maintain a smaller size or you will find yourself removing some of them to make room. Plant bulbs or annuals in the meantime to help fill the void until the installed plants begin reaching their potential.

Nobody wants an overgrown landscape just a few years after planting. Your landscape should last for a minimum of 15 years before you need to think about removing and replacing plants. A carefully maintained landscape will last longer.

Pruning shrubs and trees becomes a little more important as they grow larger with maturity. You will get more longevity out of your landscape with some regular trimming. We recommend pruning a minimum of once annually after the first 2 years.

Some evergreens are perhaps the hardest to keep manageable. If let go without trimming, the foliage can become too great to cut back aggressively without exposing bare branches and causing unsightly or irreparable damage.

Deciduous plants can be a bit easier to maintain regularly by size. Most of the time with a deciduous plant, you can maintain an overgrowth in size by cutting it down significantly during its dormant season (late October through February.) Otherwise, once annually pruning will be sufficient.

Finally, a note about “No Maintenance.” There simply is no such thing. Landscapes can be designed for low maintenance but the no maintenance is impossible. All plants want some kind of attention at some time or another. Whether it’s just fertilizer or a healthy pruning or a hefty cutting back in the fall. Bed edges will only last for a season or two before the grass begins to encroach into the bed or there is no definition left between the bed and the grass. Yes, you can make a landscape lower maintenance but you cannot make it no maintenance.

Be Kind to Your Trees

August 17, 2016 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Be Kind to Your Trees – By Jenn Stumer – Appalachian Creations Inc.

It may not be easy to hear, but sometimes your best intentions can actually be harmful to your trees. Most of the time, you probably won’t even know if a tree is in trouble or not. Short-term damage is obvious, but long-term damage usually isn’t. And if you don’t know what to look for or how to choose placement, you won’t be able to stop it before it’s too late. So let’s learn how to be kind to your trees. Here are some common ways that trees can be harmed – on purpose:

Staking – This practice seems to come naturally to even the beginning tree planter. Staking can be beneficial when done properly. But it can also be destructive when overdone or not done properly. It’s important to know that most tree species do not need staking and if they do, most of the time only minimal support is needed for a short time. This is the key – if you must stake, be sure to check on the tension periodically to avoid bark damage and remove the staking material when the tree is established (usually within one year). Keep in mind that staking can also cause abnormal trunk growth and girdling and could cause a tree to become top heavy.

Mulching – I am a big fan of mulch rings for trees. It not only looks nice, but it protects the roots and helps hold moisture. It also keeps mowers and trimmers at a safe distance from damaging the bark. But be mindful of the amount of mulch you place at the base of the tree trunk. Applying too much (more than 4”) can hinder root and bark function. One technique is to create a “moat” around the base of the trunk leaving a trench a few inches deep.

Girdling – This is the process of intentionally (or unintentionally) removing or damaging the bark encircling the tree. Lumber companies will intentionally girdle a tree so that it dies and is then cut down for lumber. Examples of unintentional girdling are dog chains looped around the base of a tree, wires for clotheslines, unchecked staking material, and rope (especially nylon). Dog chains rub and saw through the bark from constant movement around the tree. The other materials do not expand along with the tree as it grows and eventually they girdle it. This pressure from the girdling cuts off food and water movement that seriously weakens and could potentially kill the tree. In some instances, the trunk swells, grows over the material and heals back so that it looks like it has survived. However, the damage is done and the trunk is forever weakened at that point.

Power lines – Usually there is a zoning issue when it comes to planting anything under a power line. Don’t take any chances. Eventually the tree will no longer be a sapling and your local power company will have no sympathy when they send their crews to saw off the top of your tree to keep it away from their wires.

Know the tree’s needs – If you are going to plant a tree, be sure to know its space and growth requirements. Some trees can suffer from too much shade or too-wet conditions and vice-versa. It’s also good to know how tall and wide a tree is meant to grow at its full potential. Always avoid planting trees that will outgrow the space provided. Poor tree placement can become a real issue 5 or 10 years down the road. There exists the possibility of damage to building foundations, water and utility lines, and walkways or patios not to mention over-crowding your other ornamental trees or shrubs. Maintenance and/or removal can become costly and time-consuming. Consult your landscaper or garden center if you are not sure of a certain tree’s requirements. It’s very tempting to put those beautiful evergreen trees at the corner of your house not knowing that in 10 years, you won’t even be able to see your house.

Be kind – and plant trees where they belong so they can grow to their full potential and perform as they were meant to.

Summer Landscape Tips

August 17, 2015 By Jenn Stumer 1 Comment

Summer Landscape Tips
By Jenn Stumer, Appalachian Creations, Inc.

The hum-drum days of summer have finally arrived. After a dry spring and an extra wet June and July, August is showing us drought-like conditions. Not only are the lawns drying up but the plants are showing signs of stress as well. Here are a few summer landscape tips for planning and maintaining your landscape for times such as these.
Plant Drought-Tolerant Perennials in Sunny Areas
To make life easier, make sure that sunny areas are planted with plants that are meant to take a lot of sun. A low-maintenance, water-wise, yet still attractive landscape plan for a sunny area calls for the use of drought-tolerant plants. Some examples are:

Yarrow                                Coneflower                           Salvia
Lavender                            Russian Sage                       Veronica
Artemisia                            Nepeta                              Black-Eye Susan

It’s nice to liven up a hot sunny location with warm bold colors, such as golden yellows, bright reds and orange with purple accents to vividly stand out in the summertime heat.
Dead-head Annuals & Perennials
Summertime blooms of annuals are greatly enhanced if dead-headed regularly, so they cannot set seed. Perennials should have faded blooms removed to maintain plant strength & some varieties will even re-bloom again later in summer. If foliage is in need of shearing, don’t cut back plants by more than 1⁄2 to avoid excessive stress & poor root growth.
Be Prepared to Water
Summer’s most important job, especially now, is watering. If rains do not provide at least 1” of water every 5-7 days, then a deep soaking of your plants may be necessary. Trees & Shrubs/every 10-14 days; Perennials in established beds/every 10-14 days; perennials in new plantings/every 7-10 days; and annuals in beds every 5-7 days…depending on soil type & weather conditions. And finally just a few handy things to remember for additional protection

Spray plants with water during daytime to avoid spider mites development. Drought and heat encourage spider mites infestations.
Mulch around plants to prevent weed growth. It also helps in retaining soil nutrients and moisture.
Remove weeds because they compete with water and nutrients.

Apply these summer landscape tips to your landscape and your plants will thank you!

Snow, Snow and More Snow

February 25, 2015 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Snow, Snow and More Snow – by Jenn Stumer, Appalachian Creations, Inc.

As snow seems to be the topic of much conversation lately, I decided to make it the topic of this blog. What happens when snow falls on our landscapes and then doesn’t melt for weeks? All this snow piling up actually has a few benefits for us. It can be protective, conserving, cleansing and beautiful.

A protective layer of snow insulates the ground during extreme and extended cold weather and during damaging freeze and thaw intervals. Temperatures beneath the snow can be more than twenty degrees warmer than the air. This regulates soil temperature and keeps the ground from freezing to a greater depth. This in turn protects the water table and prevents widespread permafrost (ground that remains frozen for 2 or more years.)

Snow helps to conserve soil moisture during the winter. Harsh winter winds and cold temperatures can actually dry out the ground. Having soil moisture and snow to melt provides water for the lawn and landscape.

When snow melts, it provides a slow supply of water to feed and fill undergound water reservoirs. Lakes, rivers and streams find their water supplies greater. All of which is beneficial if drought conditions happen to occur. Entire ecosystems are maintained when their water supplies are greater.

Having a good amount of snow and soil moisture also contributes to the water table. If the permafrost layer was greater for extended periods of time we could experience a lower water table not to mention the damaging effects a soil heave would have on the root systems of trees and shrubs.

The ground isn’t the only thing protected by snow. Think of your perennials, bulbs and groundcovers. The regulated temperature underneath the layer of snow creates an insulation effect that protects these guys from the freeze/thaw cycle. Without snow in winter, freeze/thaw intervals can cause the soil to heave. This can break apart roots and bulbs exposing them to the drying effects of the air.

Snow reduces the insect pest population. Many damaging insects are unable to survive snow and cold. This is good news for gardeners and the environment. When nature handles insect pests, no pesticides are necessary.

How often have you stepped outside after it snows to find that the air seems cleaner and fresher? Falling snow (and raindrops too for that matter) acts as a purifier in the atmosphere. Every snowflake captures floating dust particles as it begins to form. Then as it falls, it collects other contaminants effectively “cleaning” the air.

Snow can bring enchanted beauty to winter. Evergreens appear more brilliant, a backdrop of color against fluffy white, fresh snow dripping from their branches. Tree bark and branching form become much more interesting. Trellises, fences, benches and arbors all stand out in the landscape. For me snow is nostalgic bringing home memories from when I was young. Building snowmen, ice skating, sledding and hot chocolate!

So step outside (or watch from your window) and appreciate the snow for the positive element it is meant to be. Nature is transformed and stillness is serene. Glorious in nature, unique in design, every snowflake is an example of a creative genius leaving us with a sparkling new world, fresh clean air and magical landscapes.

Beautify a Business Landscape

April 4, 2014 By Jenn Stumer Leave a Comment

Beautify a Business Landscape – by Jenn Stumer, Appalachian Creations, Inc.

Someone recently asked me for some tips on how to beautify a business landscape for maximum effect. A business’s landscape can be perceived as a reflection of the business itself. First impressions are key and the first thing people see is the exterior of a business.

One of the first things to do is evaluate the landscape. Is there outdated and overgrown plant material? Do the plants present year-round interest? Are the plants healthy and performing to their potential? Are they lacking proper maintenance? If the answer is yes to any of these questions then perhaps the landscape is ready for some attention.

Start by removing trees or shrubs that have outlasted their stay or just aren’t working anymore. Redesign using contemporary landscape techniques and mixing different textured evergreens with flowering deciduous plants. Intersperse hardy perennials and grasses for splashes of color and seasonal interest. Work towards bringing out the natural flow and design of the landscape without letting nature take over and run wild.

Just a few thoughts to keep in mind during refurbishing:

• Watch using plants with thorns near high traffic areas

• Keep plants that attract stinging insects away from entrances/exits

• Carefully place plant material to keep it from growing into or hanging over your walkways or main traffic areas as it matures

• Choose plant material that requires very little maintenance

• And learn the maintenance requirements of the plants

If the landscape simply needs attention, start by concentrating on things that can be done now in spring. Redefine landscape bed edges for a dramatic effect. Remove any residual leaves hanging out in the bushes and check for weeds. Cut back grasses and perennials if you didn’t get to them in the fall. For maximum plant health, use a granular acid fertilizer for evergreens and flowering shrubs and perennials. Finally, refresh the mulch. I’ll never forget when someone once said to me, “mulch covers a multitude of sins.” So true! And so nice and fresh!

Add Ambiance with Landscape Lighting

Consider using landscape lighting to draw attention to the business. Lighting adds beauty and ambience at the same time as safety. Light up foot traffic routes and parking areas. Make sure to light up business signs and entrances. Strategically place spotlights to enhance feature plants or graze architectural features on the façade of the building.

Businesses need to decide what they want their outward appearance to portray. They can make a statement with their business landscape. And welcome people with clearly lit foot traffic areas and tidy, well-kept landscape beds.

Funeral Home Landscape with Landscape Lighting

Funeral Home Landscape with clear foot traffic routes and modern plant selection and placement.

Call 484-239-3918 today!

The New Landscape – By Jenn Stumer – Appalachian Creations, Inc.