Notes on Building and Maintaining a Successful Landscape Garden
  • First, the soil content must be evaluated to determine the proper amendments to be made. It is very important to amend the soil because this is the lifeline of the plant materials to be used. The soil underneath also determines whether the plants will have normal growth habits, or struggle to survive.
  • Second, the plant materials must be chosen to best suit the area to be landscape.
    1. A. Trees should be positioned away from home, and are important to give shade and beauty.
    2. B. Large growing and tree form shrubs are to be used next as backdrops.
    3. C. Lastly, ground covers and flowers are to be used to give last layer and create a colorful array.
  • Third, proper fertilizer should be used when planting. Areas of planting are to be mulched to control erosion and unwanted weeds.
  • Finally, proper maintenance is crucial to having a successful garden. We strongly recommend the following
    1. A. Early Spring (April - May) - fertilize trees, shrubs, and lawn. Use lime on lawns.
    2. B. Early Summer (May - June) - is best time for first trimming of most trees and shrubs. A good rule of thumb is to always wait till after a tree or shrub has bloomed to apply any severe trimming. Selective trimming can be performed most anytime during the year. Also, pesticides and fungicides should be used on particular trees and shrubs as needed.
    3. C. Mid Summer (June - July) - watch for lawn problems, such as mole crickets, and fungus. Lawn pesticide should be applied around June 1st as a preventative for most summer lawn pest. Herbicides can be used to control most weeds. We recommend Round-Up, and weeds can be sprayed in shrub beds as needed. Be sure spray does not get on the shrubs leafs. Remember round-Up works through shrubs leafs and will not hurt any plants that are not sprayed. Round-Up should not be used for lawn weeds.
  • Recommended plant materials:
    1. 1. Large trees - Live Oaks, Magnolia, Tulip Popular, Sweet Gum.
    2. 2. Small trees - Crepe Myrtle, Wax Myrtle, Japanese Maple.
    3. 3. Large shrubs / tree form shrubs - Ligustrum, Holly, Cleyera, Camellia, and Azalea.
    4. 4. Medium shrubs - Azalea and Nandina.
    5. 5. Small shrubs - Dwarf Azalea, Dwarf Nandina and Dwarf Gardenia.
    6. 6. Ground covers - Asiatic Jasmine, Liriope, and Giant Liriope.
    7. 7. Perennials / Annuals - Daylilies, Agapanthis, Heather, Lantana, Vinca, Pansies and Impatiens.