VOLUME 8 ⚪ ISSUE NO. 20 ⚪ OCTOBER 22, 2024
As the vibrant hues of autumn paint the landscape, it’s the perfect time to bring that same beauty into your property with plants that take center stage in fall and winter. It’s also a wonderful time to think about all the improvements you thought about making this past summer. Our expert team is here to help you enjoy your outdoor spaces during all seasons. From planting seasonal flowers and maintaining garden beds, to installing patios and firepits, we offer a range of services to ensure your property always looks its best while also connecting you to nature and all its benefits. Embrace autumn and let us help you create a picturesque landscape that you’ll love coming home to at any time of year. ~Shayne
WINTER INTEREST
The flowers may have faded, and the landscape is beginning to go dormant, but there are a wide variety of native shrubs and trees with evergreen foliage, brightly colored twigs, and striking bark that are particularly showy in winter to help brighten up any landscape.
- Red-Twig Dogwood (above) is known for its striking red stems that stand out in a white winter landscape. It also produces white flowers in spring and white berries in late summer.
- Gro-low sumac is another native shrub that is not only showy in autumn but is also perfect for stabilizing slopes or covering hillsides. It only grows about two feet high but can branch out to eight feet working double-duty as a shrub and groundcover. It is very tolerant in most conditions, birds love the berries, and the fall color is fabulous.
- Witch Hazel is a shrub that blooms in late fall to early winter with fragrant, 4-pedal yellow flowers which add bright patches of color. Did you know CT is the organic witch hazel capital of the world and it is harvested in Connecticut’s state forests?
- Buttonbush has unique round flowers in summer, but the fruits turn bright red from fall into winter, continuing to add visual interest. The seedheads are another native winter food source for birds.
- Chokeberry is a hearty shrub valued for its multi-season interest, producing white spring flowers, dark purple summer berries, and vibrant red fall foliage. The berries are sour and are used to make various foods and beverages.
- Winterberry (below) is a deciduous holly that loses its leaves in winter, leaving bright red berries that stay through the cold months. It is not only a beautiful contrast against the snow, but, as a native species, it also provides important food for birds. You will often see artificial winterberries used in holiday decor.
WARM UP YOUR WINTER
Setting up an inviting outdoor area is quickly and easily accomplished with a firepit, some lighting and comfortable seating! The space can be used during spring, summer, fall, and even winter, providing a fun area to entertain or gather with family and friends. Firepits can be constructed in almost any size or shape and are a terrific addition to any property.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the perfect firepit and placement.
- LOCATION! Choose an area at least 10-15 feet from your home, trees, and other flammable structures.
- Consider the size and shape that best fits the space and your aesthetic.
- Research the pros and cons of wood-burning, propane, or natural gas and decide which one best fits your needs and lifestyle.
- Ensure safety by using a steel fire ring and spark screen. ALWAYS keep water or a fire extinguisher close.
The addition of landscape lighting will also help create the ambiance you’re looking for.
- Accent lighting highlights specific elements like trees, statues or water features.
- Today’s LED lighting offers almost limitless options for colors, brightness, light speed and special effects, all operated through a small remote to tailor the lighting to the mood.
- Learn the difference between cool (white) and warm (yellow) hues in lights to help you place them correctly for the desired effect.
- Candles, lanterns, or torches also add a warm and cozy glow.
FALL HARDSCAPING & REPAIRS
Fall is a wonderful time to tackle new hardscaping projects and to address any needed repairs in existing hardscaping.
- The cooler temperatures are ideal not only for the workers, but also for materials like concrete and mortar to set properly.
- The ground hasn’t frozen yet which makes it easier to dig and install materials ensuring that walkways, patios and other elements settle well before winter.
- If the project involves moving or planting trees or shrubs, this time is best because many are dormant and will not be exposed to excess stress.
- There is less demand for hardscaping in fall allowing us to schedule and complete jobs much sooner.
- Finishing projects in fall means you won’t have to wait for spring to enjoy them!
Please visit our website to learn more about our hardscaping services and to see additional photos of our work.
PRIVACY SCREENING
Whether you need to create privacy, hide or camouflage the neighbor’s property, define boundaries, or just want to add height and drama, utilizing evergreens for screening has numerous benefits.
- Evergreens do not lose their foliage in the fall, providing year-round privacy and greenery.
- Evergreens function as natural sound barriers, helping to reduce unwelcome noise from roads and neighbors.
- When planted on the north side of your home, they can help shield your property from strong and icy winter winds.
- The variety of colors, sizes and shapes of evergreens make it easy to pick the best ones suited to your needs.
- Hedges are more welcoming than fences.
The most popular evergreen used for privacy screening is the Green Giant arborvitae (below at HQ). It has dense foliage, grows quickly, is not appealing to deer, is low-maintenance, and rarely has issues with disease or pests.
