Blog

FALL BULB PLANTING PLAN
November 9th, 2023

Creating a fall bulb planting plan can help you organize your property and ensure a beautiful and colorful display of flowers in the spring. Below explains our process of creating a well-thought-out bulb plan:

1. Assess Your Garden: With the help of CWLA, we will look at your space and consider factors such as sunlight, soil quality, and existing plantings. We will determine where you want to plant your fall bulbs.

2. Choose Your Bulb Varieties: We will help you choose the best type of bulbs and consider factors like bloom time, color, height, and the compatibility of different bulb varieties. We will also help you choose bulbs that are best for cutting to enjoy inside if this is important to you. Common bulb choices include tulips, daffodils, crocuses, hyacinths, and snowdrops.

3. Create a Bulb Planting Plan: We will design a bulb planting plan that will mark the areas where you plan to plant your bulbs. We will consider the arrangement and spacing to create an aesthetically pleasing design. We will also consider the following factors when completing your plan:
a. Sunlight Requirements and expected height.
b. Planting depths and spacing for each variety of bulbs. Amount of foliage will also determine spacing requirements. For example, smaller varieties of daffodils will have less foliage and can be spaced closer together.
c. Number of bulbs needed for each variety and each planting location. We recommend planting bulbs in groups or clusters for a more natural look.

4. Purchase Bulbs: We will assist in purchasing bulbs from reputable suppliers. We always make sure the bulbs are firm and healthy before planting.

5. Prepare the Soil: We will provide a list of landscape contractors that could assist you in preparing your soil and planting your bulbs. It is recommended to loosen the soil to a planting depth of 4-8 inches (depending on bulb type) and amend soil with compost or bulb fertilizer to provide adequate drainage and oxygen for the bulbs.

6. Placing & Planting of Bulbs: Our team will come out and place your bulbs and ensure correct spacing before they are planted. We suggest applying a layer of mulch over the planted areas to help conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature.

By creating a fall bulb planting plan, you can design a well-organized and visually appealing landscape that will reward you with vibrant spring blooms!

SELECTING TREES FOR FALL COLOR
November 20th, 2023

Selecting trees for fall color in your yard can add vibrancy and visual interest to your landscape. Different trees exhibit various shades of red, orange, yellow and purple during the fall season. Here are some of the most popular trees known for their brilliant fall foliage:

Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): Known for its stunning orange red to deep red leaves, the sugar maple is a classic choice for fall color.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum): This tree offers a range of colors, from bright red to yellow. It adapts well to different soil types.
Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua): Sweetgum trees have star-shaped leaves that turn shades of red, orange, and purple in the fall.
Oak Trees (Quercus species): Certain oak species, such as the Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), provide beautiful red foliage in the fall.
Dogwood (Cornus species): Dogwood trees, especially the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) feature deep red foliage in the fall.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum): With its delicate and intricate leaves, the Japanese maple offers a range of fall colors, including red, orange, and purple.
Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus): This shrub turns a brilliant red in the fall, making it a popular choice for landscaping.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba): Ginkgo trees display bright-golden yellow leaves in the fall. They are unique in that their leaves often fall all at once, creating a golden carpet.

The recommended season for planting trees is spring or fall. This allows the tree to establish a root system before the intensity of summer or winter.

Mixing tree species on your property can create a diverse and visually appealing landscape during the fall season. Make sure you are planting trees in locations that have enough room to mature and exhibit their full fall potential. Consider planting trees in groups or clusters to give a more dramatic effect on your property. Remember that the intensity of fall colors can vary from year to year based on weather conditions.

Acer Rubrum Ginkgo

GARDEN CONSULTATIONS
December 1st, 2023

Garden consultations are provided by professionals or experts in the field of horticulture and landscaping to assess, advise, and plan various aspects of a garden or outdoor space. These consultations can be beneficial for both residential and commercial owners looking to improve the aesthetics and functionality of their landscape. Below are some key points that are addressed during garden consultations:

1. Assessment of your Garden: During a garden consultation, the consultant conducts a thorough assessment of your existing property. This includes evaluating plant health, current landscape features, sunlight exposure, slope, drainage issues and any other relevant factors. The initial assessment can help consultants offer recommendations and create an existing conditions drawing of the space. This time also allows the client to define their goals. This might include creating a more functional space, improving curb appeal, or enhancing hardscape areas.

2. Design and Planning: Consultants can help clients design and plan their outdoor spaces using landscape, planting, irrigation, and lighting plans. Through these plans they can advise on plant selection, layout, hardscape elements and the overall design for your outdoor space.

3. Maintenance Guidelines: Garden consultations often provide maintenance guidelines, including watering, pruning, and pest control recommendations, to help clients keep their garden healthy and vibrant.

4. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices: Many garden consultants promote sustainable and eco-friendly gardening practices, including water conservation, native plant selection, application of ecological design, use of low impact materials and organic gardening techniques.

5. Budget Planning: Garden consultants can help clients develop a budget for their space, considering costs associated with plant selection, materials, labor and ongoing maintenance. Consultants can also provide phasing options for projects to make it more cost-effective for the client.

6. Problem Solving: Consultants can address problems associated with drainage, soil quality, privacy, slopes, invasive plant species, harsh weather conditions, plant crowding and poor plant health and offer solutions to these issues.

It is important to find qualified consultants in your area. You can ask for recommendations from family or friends or search for referrals from professional organizations like the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Make sure you check their qualifications and ensure they are licensed in your area.

Garden consultations can be a valuable investment for anyone looking to enhance the beauty and functionality of their outdoor space while ensuring that it thrives in a healthy and sustainable manner. Whether you’re starting a new garden or looking to improve an existing one, a garden consultation can provide expert guidance that helps you achieve your design goals and budget.