Autumn includes more than general yard cleanup and winter landscape prep. If you're a planner and want to see lots of color in your flowerbeds this spring, try planting a selection of bulbs in late September-early October. Here are some of our favorite flower varieties that, instead of seeds, start as bulbs and are ready for the fall planting season:

Tulips- The tulip bulb produces flowers when spring-like temperatures arrive, and they are available in almost every color imaginable. Tulips can be placed randomly in your garden or as a colorful border.

Iris- Irises are very beneficial to springtime flowers, as they attract pollinators early in the season.

Crocus- This flower (pictured below) is usually the first to blossom in the spring! These tiny flowers add a big pop very early in the season.

Daffodils- Look out for sprouts starting in early March, with white and yellow blooms by April.

Lilies- Tiger lilies are our favorite! They smell beautiful and lily flowers will typically continue blooming until mid-summer.

When selecting which bulbs to plant, a good rule of thumb is the larger the bulb, the bigger the stems and blooms will be. Make sure to plant the bulbs before the ground freezes. Another good practice when planting bulbs is to dig the soil about 2-3 times as deep as the bulb is in length. This way, the bulb will remain protected from extreme cold throughout the winter. It's also a good idea to add mulch over your planting area for optimal protection.

Fall is in the air! As we look to shorter days and colder temperatures, your garden may need some help transitioning to the new season. Here are a few ways we recommend prepping your landscape for fall:

1.  Don't stop weeding-

Chances are, the majority of plants in your garden are done growing this year. Now is the time to remove any invasive weeds and clean up around the perennials that will go dormant this winter. Mulch is a great way to prevent lingering weeds from coming back, while also insulating the soil. Here in Michigan, mulch can be a lifesaver from the unexpected drops in temperature and frost. While you're at it, rake over your entire garden to ensure plants are free of disease. Check for signs of discoloration and get rid of any dead leaves in the process.

2.  Take out any annual plants-

Your annuals lived the good life and are slowly starting phase their way out of your landscape. And since they won't be returning next year, why not make some room for next year's annuals? In the extra space, try adding mulch or even planters with seasonal mums that can withstand the cold.

3.  Bring your sensitive plants inside-

This includes any summertime staples like ferns or succulents that require the warmer temperatures and sunshine to thrive. While they might look great by the pool, it's likely they won't last very long outside, especially after the first frost.

4.  Clear the leaves-

Perhaps the most daunting task of the fall season, clearing away leaves before cutting your lawn is both healthy for the grass and your lawn mower. If the fall tailgating season has your weekends tied up, you can always rely on the professionals at D.A. Alexander & Company to take care of the grass (and leaves) in your yard.

5.  Invest in Core Aeration-

By the end of the summer season, your soil is very compacted. Core aeration is a process where plugs of soil are pulled from the lawn in order to break up compacted soil and thatch build-up. Fall is the perfect time to aerate the soil so it is in peak condition next spring.

For more information on lawn services, core aeration, and prepping your landscape this season, contact D.A. Alexander & Company at 734-427-0030.

Living in Michigan means a full four seasons of unpredictable weather. Some landscapes often look gorgeous in the warmer months, but tend to fall a little flat by winter. Lucky for us in our hardiness zone, there are a few plants that will contribute to a beautiful landscape all year-round!

1.  In Michigan, purple beautyberry (Callicarpa dichotoma) is a wonderful option when looking for a plant with all-season interest. In the spring, they produce bright-medium green foliage with leaves that are perfectly horizontal and cascade down the branch. In the early summer, this shrub produces clumps of pinkish-white flowers that are delicate and petite in nature.  As summer turns to fall, the foliage turns to a yellowish color and vibrant clumps of purple berries appear on the branches that persist through the winter, even once the leaves are gone.

2.  Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a shade-loving shrub that also has attractive qualities all four seasons in Michigan. This hydrangea has medium-green textured oak-like leaves and beautiful conical white flower blooms. In the fall, this plant exhibits brilliant orange, red, and burgundy color. The most noticeable trait about this plant in the winter is its orange-brown shaggy bark. Oakleaf hydrangea provides a lot of texture to a winter landscape and undeniable beauty throughout the rest of the seasons!

3.  Coral bark Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Sango-kaku') is a stimulating tree option when trying to achieve all-season interest. This tree has fire engine red bark and a sharp, seven lobed leaf with bright green color. In autumn, the bright green leaves turn a striking yellow-orange color that is a great focal point for a fall landscape. In the winter, the branches take center stage and provide a nice pop of color during some of the duller months.

These are just a few options to incorporate into an all-season landscape in Michigan. To work with our award-winning design team on your next landscape project, please contact us.

So, you made the decision to build your dream backyard living space! The landscape process can be overwhelming, but working with a professional design team will help you plan properly and avoid getting in over your head.

If you're working on a budget, there are many ways to build your backyard in phases, extending the project's installation timeline over the next few years. Working with a professional landscape designer and a proper landscape plan gives you realistic expectations for both cost and completion timelines.

First, as a homeowner, it is important to understand what you actually need to get by as the bare minimum. Sod and irrigation systems are more costly and, in many cases, these items are completed within the first phase of installation. We prefer to install the base of the hardscape items (deck, patio, or both) along with sod and irrigation in Phase 1 to help the remainder of the project progress, depending on what your plans entail. For example, an irrigation system built in Phase 1 will give life to the shrubs and perennials that are installed farther along in the project.

After the sod, irrigation and basic hardscape items are completed, we begin the more intricate hardscape details in Phase 2 of your project. This phase can represent a larger portion of your budget if you opt for a complex hardscape feature such as a fireplace, firepit, outdoor kitchen, masonry work or water features. Additionally, this phase may take the longest to build, but part of the D.A. experience includes regular follow-up from your designer along with an estimated timeline for completion so you can plan accordingly.

Phase 3 is about the finishing touches such as creating planting beds and planting ornamental and shade trees. In most cases, this is the least costly phase and an exciting one for any homeowner as we come close to finishing the space.  

In the end, with your hardscape, landscape, sod and irrigation installed, what other options should you consider? How about an LED lighting system or a raised vegetable garden… maybe some decorative ceramic pots for seasonal flowers or a small water feature? These are easy add-ons and give a thoughtful final touch to your living space.  

By designing in phases, YOU have ultimate control over the timeline, budget and aesthetics of your project. The Design Team at D.A. Alexander has your best interests in mind and will work with you to bring those dreams to life.

Should I install sod or plant seed? It's a common question with a somewhat complex answer. There are benefits to both options; this information may help you decide.

Sod is usually chosen by homeowners in a new build process as it is often a requirement of the homeowner's association. A clear advantage of sodding over seeding is the immediate aesthetic improvement of the property. In addition, the flexibility of being able to walk on and use the new turf areas within only a few weeks is desirable to most everyone.

Washout can be an issue with a new sod installation on a steep hill, although the sod can be staked to help prevent this. Depending on the quality of the existing soil in your yard, additional topsoil may not be necessary.  It is difficult, however, to keep sod alive in an area that does not get at least four hours of sunlight a day. So, if you want to install sod in a shady area, over-seeding with a shade-tolerant seed may be required to keep the area from thinning. Consistent watering is necessary with new sod. I would not recommend installing sod if you do not have an irrigation system or a lot of daily time to water until it becomes established. For the health of new sod, it will require 4-6 fertilization applications per year.

There are many instances where grass seed is the better option. For extremely large areas or very small areas, seeding works great. Also, there is a large selection of seed to choose from which helps in difficult areas. Seed works much better than sod for shady areas and is a much quicker process that requires less water and does not require an irrigation system. 

There are several things to consider before you install seed; the main one being its germination rate. To obtain a lush lawn, it may take several months and multiple seeding applications. Seed can easily wash away with heavy rains; therefore, it is recommended that an erosion blanket be applied in necessary locations and conditions. For the best results, topsoil should be installed before any seed application. 

In the end, there is not much of a price difference between seed and sod when you factor in the fertilization and topsoil requirements. The choice is up to you and what works best for your situation.   

Picture yourself sitting in your favorite chair, relaxing in your yard, watching butterflies and hummingbirds enjoy your colorful flower garden. If this sounds terrific to you, we suggest you consider planting for the pollinators. They're easy to attract; here are some tips. 

A pollinator garden includes vibrant flowers that are often native to the area or part of the natural environment. These gardens provide a great source of nectar and pollen for butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other beneficial insects. The flowers tend to be brightly-colored with a pleasant scent. Not only are pollinator gardens visually appealing, but these creatures will remember the scent and location of your garden and return regularly throughout the season. These gardens help our environment too by sustaining pollinator populations that work hard helping to produce over one-third of the foods we eat including fruits, vegetables, nuts and greens. 

Tips for attracting your pollinator guests:

If there are specific types of pollinators you are interested in drawing to your garden, think about their favorite types of nectar. Butterflies are attracted to plants such as common milkweed, butterfly weed, hollyhock, lilacs, marigold and petunias. Honey bees enjoy the nectar of sunflowers, coneflowers, lavender, black-eyed Susan and peony. Hummingbirds tend to go for phlox, cardinal flower, catmint, lily, snapdragon and zinnia.

Planting a healthy mix of these flower varieties will draw an abundance of pollinators to your outdoor living space. Another option – because natural and native flowers are always a great go-to for pollinators, just planting wildflower seed mix from your local garden center can provide a nice variety of flowers that will attract with their favorite foods.

Natural flower environments are a low-maintenance, beautiful way to spruce up your landscape and add interest. The pros at D.A. Alexander & Company are always happy to assist in your next outdoor project. For more information, please contact us.

Lavender nepeta - attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds

Who doesn't love a fireplace or firepit? A fire feature can enhance any outdoor living space. When choosing a fire feature, you have two options; wood or gas. Both will give you a beautiful fire, but which version is going to best fit your needs and budget?

Gas fire features have been becoming more popular in the last few years due to the advancing technology, including remote controllers and timers. They make a great addition to any landscape and have lower maintenance requirements...no more cleaning coal or chopping wood! And, if you don't care for the smell of burning wood, a gas fireplace or firepit is perfect for you. 

Unfortunately, these luxuries do come at a price. Gas fire features are often 3-4 times more expensive than their wood-burning counterparts due to the amount of work needed to install them. Unlike a wood-burning version, a gas fire feature requires a burner kit and gas line installation, which requires a permit. Most landscape companies will subcontract the gas hook-up, which may result in the installation timeline being longer. 

An additional cost for the gas version is a cover. We recommend covering your gas fireplace or firepit when it's not in use to avoid any damage to the burners. 

Wood-burning fireplaces and firepits are still the most common outdoor fire feature we see in landscaping. Without the need for a gas line, they are quick to build and are definitely more cost effective. If you already have an outdoor patio, wood-burning fireplaces and firepits can typically be installed on the existing structure and are easy to customize. When installing, it's best to include a layer of egg rock under the flame to elevate the wood and reduce moisture. This also helps alleviate smoke and tar build-up on the surrounding brick.

Whether you choose gas or wood-burning, a fire feature will undoubtedly enhance your outdoor living space and give you easy access to all-season marshmallow roasting! Contact D.A. Alexander & Company, Inc. to learn more about our award-winning landscape designs and for help in choosing the perfect fire feature for your family.

At D. A. Alexander, the only thing “shady” about us is our trees. 

But all jokes aside, a question many homeowners have is, “What can I grow in all this shade?” 

Let's start first with the definition of shade. Now, before I break out my luminometer, (yes that is a real thing) when was the last time you looked at your back yard all day? As a kid in science class, we once went outside every hour and poked popsicle sticks in the ground under a large maple tree and tried to guess where the shadow would be the following hour. This helped us understand not only the movement of the sun, but also that the densest maple tree isn't shady all the time. 

Shade can be light, moderate, or dense. Like the names suggest, they are based on the amount of light that breaks through. For instance, Locust trees can have full sun on top and allow “dappled” light to filter to the grass below. Whereas, a forest canopy may completely shade out all light.

Apart from the typical shade plants we all know, there are a wide variety of shrubs, trees, and even evergreens that will withstand shade. A proper plan of action will include the time to measure and understand your space. D. A. Alexander has a team of professional landscape designers who will not only help you with this, but will help to seek a solution to make your shade garden livable and lively.

While online resources have an abundance of advice, each yard is different and only the experience of a trained professional with industry knowledge will be able to help you properly plan. So, rather than randomly purchasing another plant from your local big box store, make a plan to have the right plant in the right place.

Wave petunia, begonia, salvia, lantana, impatiens, coleus, potato vine, morning glory, purple fountain grass, king tut grass – there are a TON of annual options to include in your landscape! Seasonal plantings are extremely versatile; you can mix sizes, textures and colors to create a living work of art for your home. Whether planting in the ground or in pots, the bright, cheerful colors really bring your landscape to life. 

You can choose a monochromatic color scheme – light pink, dark pink with fuchsia. Or you could choose a complimentary color scheme – deep purple with bright orange. The options and combinations are endless! It is important to consider sunlight and watering needs when choosing your annuals, so be sure to pay attention to those aspects of your space. Once you find the right plant with the right color and look, you will want to prepare the soil for planting. 

First, start prepping your planting space by removing any weeds or debris that has gathered over the winter. Next, add organic matter to your existing soil. You can buy pre-mixed bags of potting soil or you can mix in compost or a fertilizer with your existing soil. Once the soil is prepped, you can begin planting! 

Your plant spacing will depend on what type of plant you choose. Make sure to abide by the recommended spacing, as you do not want to overcrowd your plants. Leave them room to grow and they will fill in the space nicely. Make sure you give them ample water and I recommend fertilizing throughout the season to encourage growth and flowering. 

You can change them with every season, mix colors or styles and really define your space in a way that speaks true to who you are. We all know the season in Michigan is short, but the ‘wow factor' brought by summer annuals is well worth the planting process. So, grab a flat or hanging basket and add a spark of color to your landscape! If you are more of a ‘hands off' gardener, reach out and we would be happy to help with your annual plantings!