Answers from the Experts at Eshelman Mill Gardens & Landscapes
Whether you’re in the early stages of deciding on a home landscape design plan for your property or have already had landscaping installed, there’s much to consider. From deciding on flowers and foliage to choosing hardscape features to understanding how to maintain your landscape, you likely have some questions.
Rest assured, you’re not on your own! Here are some typical questions the specialists at Eshelman Mill Gardens & Landscapes answer for our customers.
5 Landscaping FAQs to Help You Create and Maintain an Extraordinary Outdoor Space
Q. How can I create a backyard flower garden that gives me lots of colors all season long but doesn’t require too much maintenance?
By choosing an assortment of perennial plants that flourish at different times of the year and come back year after year, you can achieve a floral garden that offers vibrant color and texture year-round. Augmenting your perennial selection with low-maintenance annuals can help fill in bare spots and add additional visual interest. We recently designed a stunning four-season garden for a family featuring greenery and flowers—such as irises, Hoogendorn holly, and other perennials—that bloom at varied times of the year and require minimal upkeep. Read more about the project in this blog post.
Q. How do I begin to create a low-maintenance landscape?
If you want to spend as little time as possible on watering, weeding, and pruning, choose easy-to-care-for plants and shrubs that are resistant to heat and drought and consider using a pre-emergent weed killer. A few flowers and plants known for standing up to dry, hot conditions include lilac, dusty miller (a.k.a. silver ragwort), black-eyed Susan, and most species of ornamental grasses. Perennials, especially those native to your area, typically require less ongoing maintenance than annuals.
Q. My property is a mix of sun and shade. How do I find plants that will work throughout my property and give me the look I want?
When you have open spaces with plenty of direct sunlight and areas shaded by trees, it can become a bit of a puzzle to choose flowers and greens that will not only thrive where you place them but also deliver the aesthetic you envision. Several plants that do exceptionally well in full sun include bee balm, catmint, daylily, and dianthus, while ferns, hostas, brunnera, and columbines prefer mostly shade. And some plants—such as hydrangeas, salvia, and autumn joy—blossom in a combination of sun and shade. Working with a landscape designer takes the stress and uncertainty out of determining which plants to place where for an outdoor space rich with the colors and textures you desire.
Q. I want a fully designed backyard with stone walkways connecting our patio with multiple gardens, water, and fire features. Can you help me achieve this look?
You can count on our team to bring all of your landscape design ideas together and create a fully customized plan that fits your lifestyle. From designing gardens and flower beds to designing and building patios, walkways, retaining walls, and other hardscaping to integrating water and fire features for the ideal outdoor ambiance, we will work with you on every aspect of your outdoor space.
Q. How do I maintain my newly landscaped property to make sure I keep my plants and shrubs healthy and looking beautiful?
The best way to ensure your property’s flowers, foliage, shrubs, and trees stay healthy and maintain their good looks is to follow a landscape maintenance plan from your landscape designer. Water your plants according to their species’ needs, use plant food as recommended, and take appropriate measures to control weeds and insects. In this blog article, we share more about caring for your landscape.
Ask the Experts
We are landscape professionals committed to helping you create a beautiful outdoor space and care for it properly so it always looks its very best. Learn more about our team and contact us for answers to your questions, consult with our design team, and begin planning the landscape you’ve dreamed about!
