SCAPEMAIL
VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 June 17, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Welcome Summer
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Be Water Smart
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Water-Wise Plants
Summer officially arrives this Friday at 10:42PM and marks the longest day of the year for the Northern Hemisphere! We hope you’re ready to enjoy every moment of one of the most exciting and fun-filled seasons. Today, we’ll share a few more important tips to keep your lawns and gardens looking great throughout the hot and dry summer months.
During this incredibly busy time, I also want to take a moment to thank you all for trusting us with your properties. It is a pleasure to bring beauty and life to your outdoor spaces. We’re excited for the season ahead and look forward to continuing to serve you with care, professionalism, and dedication. -Shayne
WELCOME SUMMER!
Jonathan (L) & Ruben (R) – two of our Lawn Maintenance crew team members that take extreme pride in their work.
It’s finally here – summer! One of the busiest and most rewarding seasons for landscape professionals! With plants in full bloom, lawns growing as fast as they can be cut, and outdoor spaces being used more than ever, our focus shifts to maintenance, enhancement, and landscape protection.
Lawn care takes center stage during the summer as we prioritize mowing schedules that keep grass neat and healthy. We also monitor irrigation systems to ensure lawns and gardens receive adequate water, while also suggesting proper watering schedules to reduce water waste from evaporation and to help prevent fungal risks to plants.
Plant health and pest control are also key concerns at this time. Summer heat can stress plants, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Our estate management team inspects for signs of trouble and applies treatments if needed, while also deadheading flowers and pruning shrubs to keep them healthy while also encouraging continued growth and blooming.
Hardscape maintenance is another summer priority. We check for wear and tear of hardscaping elements such as walkways, patios, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, water features and firepits to ensure that everything is safe and visually appealing.
Finally, summer is a fantastic time for design upgrades. Whether it’s adding seasonal color with new plantings, installing lighting for evening ambiance, or planning larger projects for fall, we work closely with you to enhance the beauty and functionality of all your outdoor spaces.
“And so, with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Be Water Smart
As temperatures rise and rainfall becomes less predictable, being mindful of water use is more important than ever. Smart watering not only conserves a precious resource—it also promotes healthier, more resilient landscapes.
Timing is everything. The best time to water your lawn and garden is early in the morning, before the heat of the day sets in. This allows water to soak into the soil and reach plant roots without evaporating too quickly. Avoid watering in the evening, which will leave plants damp overnight and encourages fungal growth.
Water deeply, not frequently. Giving your lawn and plants a good soak less often encourages deeper root growth, making them more drought-tolerant. Shallow, frequent watering can lead to weak roots and water waste. Also, water slightly away from the center of new plantings to help their roots “search” for water and grow outward and strong.
Mulch matters. A fresh layer of mulch around trees, shrubs, and garden beds helps retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and reduce the need for frequent watering. It also suppresses weeds, which compete with your plants for water and soil nutrients.
Consider upgrades. Drip irrigation systems, rain sensors, and smart controllers can make a big difference in water efficiency. If you’re interested in making your landscape more sustainable, we’d be happy to recommend solutions tailored to your property. Let’s work together to keep your landscape thriving while using water wisely this summer!
Water-Wise Plants
Coneflower is a beautiful and native perennial for drought-resistant gardens.
Water-wise gardening is an increasingly important practice in Connecticut, where fluctuating weather patterns and occasional droughts make water conservation essential. Choosing drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants not only helps conserve water but also supports a more sustainable and resilient landscape. These plants typically require less irrigation once established, thrive in local soil conditions, and often attract pollinators, enhancing the ecological value of your garden.
Some excellent water-wise plant choices for Connecticut gardens include sedum, echinacea (coneflower), Russian sage, and black-eyed Susan. These perennials are not only hardy and drought-tolerant but also provide vibrant color throughout the growing season.
Native grasses like little bluestem and switchgrass are also ideal, offering texture and movement while requiring minimal water. For ground cover, creeping thyme and stonecrop are attractive, low-growing options that suppress weeds and reduce evaporation from the soil.
Incorporating water-wise plants into your garden design can also reduce maintenance needs and lower your water bill. Grouping plants with similar water needs, using mulch to retain soil moisture, and improving soil with organic matter are all strategies that enhance the effectiveness of drought-tolerant landscaping.
By embracing these practices, you can create beautiful, resilient gardens that thrive with less water and support local biodiversity.
Sedum is low maintenance, drought resistant, and pollinator friendly. It helps stabilize soil and adds year-round interest to the garden.
