ScapeMail
Volume 9, Issue 4 February 18, 2025
IN THIS ISSUE:
Early Bloomers
Outdoor Living
Rain Gardens
The Rodent Was Right
Well, it looks like Phil increased his accuracy rating by correctly predicting six more weeks of winter weather. He may have gone back to sleep, but our team has been working hard to ensure our customer’s driveways, steps and walkways are safe and free of snow and ice over the flurry of winter weather events since Groundhog Day.
I would like to thank everyone who took a minute to reach out and compliment the crews that have provided service that has impressed you.
This feedback is important to us, not only to acknowledge their hard work but also because they are awarded “points” towards the coveted ‘Scaper of the Year award in December. We also post your comments in the crew room to make sure they are aware of your kindness and appreciation. -Shayne
EARLY BLOOMERS
Spring arrives in just 31 days, and we are impatiently anticipating when the landscape comes alive again with the vibrant colors of spring. If you look at the treetops, you can see the beginnings of colorful tinges of red and yellow of growing leaf buds.
The plants shown here are not only the first to bloom in our area, but they are also beneficial native species that are essential to the first pollinators as they awaken and search for food. Native plants also attract native insects that help keep the undesirable pests out of your gardens.
Virginia Bluebells (below) are lovely plants that begin with pink buds that produce clusters of beautiful blue, bell-shaped flowers. They prefer to be planted in rich, moist soil with partial to full shade. Bluebells attract bumblebees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies. Hoverflies are not only great pollinators, but they also eat aphids and other unwelcome garden pests.
Bloodroot (top) is one of the earliest natives to bloom and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. The delicate flowers open in the day, close at night, and are a favorite of bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and predatory beetles making them a great addition to enhance a garden’s biodiversity.
Wild Red Columbine (above) has delicate classic red and yellow flowers with deep nectaries (aka honey glands) on slender stems. They are shaped perfectly for a hummingbird’s long slender beak and are an ideal source of nectar for them in early spring. Other long-tongued insects like some bees and butterflies also appreciate their sweet nectar.
OUTDOOR LIVING
Outdoor living spaces are more than just extensions of your home, they are gateways to an enhanced quality of life by bringing you closer to nature and creating the perfect atmosphere for enjoying family, entertaining guests, or simply relaxing and recharging in the fresh air.
By carefully blending functionality and aesthetics, we can create stunning outdoor spaces that you can enjoy right outside your door. Instead of everyone gathering in the kitchen indoors, or worse, the cook alone inside and missing the fun outside, you can create a custom gathering space outdoors that brings all the comforts of the kitchen outside.
There are numerous elements that can be incorporated and the deign possibilities are limitless once you consider:
- Grill (Gas, Electric, Charcoal, Wood)
- Sink
- Fridge
- Storage
- Island / Countertops
- Seating
- Lighting
- Pizza Oven / Smoker
- Fire Pit / Heater
- Shelter / Covering
Studies have proven that spending time outdoors, even on the front porch with a cup of tea, has physical, mental, social and cognitive benefits. It has been shown that being in nature supports the reduction of stress, improved mood, enhanced immune function, better sleep, stimulation of creativity, improved focus and concentration, and even helps short-term memory.
Whether your dream is a complete backyard sanctuary, a patio for relaxing, a firepit for extending your nighttime enjoyment, a custom space for entertaining, or a stunning flower garden to admire or tend to, we can help with all phases from design to installation and maintenance.
RAIN GARDENS
Last issue we spoke about pollinator gardens, and this issue we’re focusing on the many benefits of rain gardens – another option that can help protect our environment and create a stunning, low-maintenance feature.
Not only do they have aesthetic appeal, but rain gardens also help the environment in many ways,
Rain gardens are an excellent way for homeowners to manage stormwater runoff while adding beauty and biodiversity to their landscapes.
These specially designed gardens capture and filter rainwater, aiding in pollution control and reducing the amount of runoff that enters storm drains and ultimately, our local streams and rivers.
They also help conserve water by reducing runoff, recharge groundwater supplies by allowing the water to seep into the ground, reduce erosion by stabilizing the soil with deep roots, improving water quality by filtering contaminants, and provides habitat for birds, butterflies and other beneficial insects further enhancing the ecological health of your property. 
