Utilizing vines in your landscape is a great way to obtain additional greenspace without taking up a lot of room. Vines benefit landscapes in several ways; they attract wildlife, provide vertical appeal, privacy, and shade! Personally, I prefer vines that have stunning flowers as well as landscape benefits. Climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris), trumpet vine (Campsis radicans), Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), and clematis (Clematis paniculata or Clematis ‘Jackmanii') are just a few of my favorite.

 

Climbing hydrangea produces white flowers in the early to mid-summer that will fill your backyard with a subtle sweet scent. This vine provides great all-season interest with its bright yellow fall color and shaggy bark during the winter. 

 

Trumpet vine attracts many types of butterflies and hummingbirds and has striking bright orange “trumpet” shaped blooms. Just be careful with this one – it is an aggressive grower that can quickly become out of control if not maintained properly. 

 

Japanese wisteria has beautiful grape-like lavender colored blooms that create a weeping effect. Be sure to grow this vine on a very strong structure, since it is known to twist and destroy weak structures.

 

There are several different types of clematis that I would recommend. There are varieties that bloom in the spring and others that bloom in the fall. The spring bloomers tend to have large purple flowers that provides a great focal point for an outdoor living space. The fall bloomers have small white flowers that cover the vine and create the illusion of a snowfall in early September. Vines such as Mandevilla (Mandevilla sanderi) and Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea) are annuals in Michigan and are a great way to add height to planters with the addition of a trellis! Both of these vines have stunning blooms that will last all summer long! 

 

In summary, there are several vines to choose from when looking to enhance your landscape with a new vertical focal point and benefits ranging from attractive appearance to functional use. Vines are all-around great options to include in your landscape!

We continually make quick judgements based on our first impressions. It is a normal part of being human. The same thing happens when we are looking at homes. Curb appeal, or the impression we get of a home from the street, is based on the homes facade as well as the landscaping. That's why landscaping to improve curb appeal can reap big rewards in terms of attracting customers and turning them into new home buyers.  

 

The most widely accepted research on how much landscaping raises the value of a home was conducted years ago by researchers at Virginia Tech. The results, published in the October 14, 2014 issue of REALTOR® magazine found that upgrading a home's landscape from average to excellent can raise its overall value by 10 to 12 percent, which translates into an additional $8,300 to $19,000 in extra profit on a modest $150,000 home. The article mentioned that Michigan homes saw the biggest difference in landscaping appeal, with a home's value being increased by 12.7 percent. "Looking at our before and after pictures would convince most skeptics of the perceived value of landscaping and landscape maintenance," said David Alexander with D.A. Alexander & Company. "Clean lines, expertly pruned shrubs, crisp-edged walkways, and a nice fresh layer of ground cover can really enhance curb appeal. The overall appearance of a well-maintained property appeals to the kind of prospective buyers that builders wish to attract."  

 

D.A. Alexander is a fullservice landscaping company offering landscape design, installation and maintenance services for residential, commercial and industrial properties. "I am proud that we are celebrating 40 years in business this year and we keep growing based on our reputation for quality work," said David. The firm was honored by the HBA as the 2015 Subcontractor of the Year. RJR Services, Inc., a sister company to D.A. Alexander, was also founded 40 years ago and is a recognized leader in complete facilities management including parking lot and grounds maintenance.  

 

Spring is the ideal time to spruce up a property to attract buyers. "Landscape crews will come in and re-cut bed edges, do shrub pruning, install annual owers and generally make the entranceways, common areas and model homes or single sites clean and beautiful," said David. "If a home is slow to sell, instead of discounting the price, builders should consider upgrading the landscape with irrigation, sod, foundation plants and larger trees." D.A. Alexander does landscape design, installation and maintenance for a number of HBA member builders. "Base landscape makes the whole community look better," said David. "We always try to create a memory point, especially with model homes. If people see how landscaping can be used to enhance the beauty of a home, they often want those koi ponds and waterfalls just like the model has. Builders can offer landscape packages as an option. Another advantage of having professional landscaping done is that our designers, arborists and master gardeners have the knowledge to design landscapes to mature correctly. We are focused on increasing the investment value of every home we landscape." 

 

 

Article written by Nancy Rozum, published in the HBA's BUILDING Business & Apartment Management magazine-May 2018

Everyone hates weeds, and we are constantly trying to figure out the best way to prevent them. Many people think that installing weed barrier is going to solve all their weed problems, but is it really a good idea?

The Truth About Weed Barrier

Let's talk about installing mulch on top of a weed barrier. What happens to mulch every year? It eventually loses its color and breaks down into soil. After years of replenishing mulch, you create a beautiful soil layer on top of your weed barrier. The good news is you have created a great mulch base, high in organic matter. The bad news is, the decomposition of the mulch on top of the weed barrier has just created an optimal and excellent opportunity for weeds to grow. 

 

When the weeds start popping up and it's time to pull them, it is more difficult to pull them because the roots are often embedded in the fabric. Therefore, when you do pull them, the entire root is not removed, and the weeds grow back in quickly. So, while the weed barrier fabric seems like a good idea for weed prevention in your beds, it actually leads to more weeds.

 

A Great Alternative to Weed Barrier

Using a preemergent herbicide when you spread your fresh mulch is a great way to avoid weeds. As the season goes on, maintain the areas by hand pulling the visible weeds, or using a non-selective herbicide, or do a combination of both. This should be sufficient when trying to combat any weed problem. 

 

The Best Use for Weed Barrier

When it comes to decorative rock installation, a weed barrier is a necessity and it will give you much better results in controlling weeds. Obviously, rock is not going to break down like mulch, but be aware that rock can be more costly than mulch. When installing rock, I recommend a geo-textile fabric. This type of fabric is a stronger, more durable landscape fabric than typical weed barrier. If you are having rock installed by a contractor, make sure to request geo-textile fabric to give you the best results. 

 

It's shocking how many seasonal hanging baskets are overpriced and poorly made. Most won't make it to the end of the season. Do you have a beautiful ceramic planter that is empty or lack luster? We're here to talk about fixing that!

Convenience is key in getting a knock-out look for many of us. We will gladly accept a less than ideal look if we can get a better than expected price. And, if you only have one place to make an impact in a planter, why not make it the best it can be?

 

When you think about a gorgeous planter or annual basket, you typically look for three factors: color, size, and price. Julie Bergmoser, of Four-Star Gardens, grows fabulous annuals for Proven Winners and claims that these three factors are what most people look for. 

 

Let's start with color - planters and the plants you put in them should be an expression of you. Inspiration can come from a memory or a thought, but when focusing on color, stay away from monochromatic schemes unless you have a massive space. Monochromatism can look boring and uninspired if it's in a small space. Likewise, when you have a small front entryway, focusing on very punchy colors can have a great impact.

Picking a size is easy, as long as you prepare with measurements in mind. Many garden centers will have a location where you can design your planters before purchasing. Most annuals should be twice as high as they are wide. This creates a wonderful canvassing effect and architectural height. That said, remember, it's your space and it is important to focus on what makes you happy. 

 

The price can be the hardest part of planters. I've seen winter planters crafted from leftover Christmas tree cuttings and foraged branches that look great, but I have also seen costly planters that fall flat. I suggest setting a budget and sticking to it. 

 

 

Setting up your planters:

Now that you have your planters, know what your budget is and you have thought about colors, use these installation guidelines:

 

Materials for 2 large planters approx. 24” tall by 12" wide:

1 bag of sand per planter

3 high-quality bags of planting mix (Note: Do not use bedding/topsoil/ect. as it is too heavy) 

1 bag Pea gravel

1 bag of sand

4 wood shims per pot

1 plastic 5 gal. pot (you can purchase these from most garden centers where you will likely be buying the material from)

 

 

1. The plug or drain hole is very important so that water is allowed to freely drain from this hole. 

2. Wood or plastic shims- these shims will keep your planter from touching the ground and allowing ice to freeze/thaw cracking or decaying the bottoms.

3. A plastic pot with holes punctured in it helps create great drainage.

4. Pea gravel acts as a filter and adds weight to the planters.

5. Sand prevents the soil's nutrients from running out the bottom of the pot while adding a porous drainage to the plant mix.

6. Plant mix, which is a light and fluffy mixture of peat, styrofoam, hummus, manure, topsoil, sand, and fertilizer is the best mix for plant annuals

 

The three essential factors to a great Planter: 

Take a look at these two quick drawings. Most of us have seen pottery like this for sale, and we may even own similar pots. Now we will learn about the thriller, the filler and the spiller.

1. The thriller is usually a tall showy grass or a grouping of pussy willow in spring. It could also be a tall metal trellis for a climbing vine.

2. The filler is where the “pack a punch” flower should be used. Most of your annuals can be fillers. Geraniums, pansies, hydrangeas and coleus are great options.

3. The spiller is usually the most difficult to find. A few plants trail greatly, but the most common are sweet potato vine, Boston ivy or creeping Jenny. 

 

If setting up a planter yourself seems like too much hassle, our D.A. Alexander Team would be happy to keep your planters looking great all year long!

 

   

 

   

With every new home that is constructed, homeowners are faced with the decision to install a deck or patio. Both have their place and provide functionality. The materials available are endless, giving homeowners plenty of colors and styles to choose from. I am here to help you decide if you need a deck, patio, or possibly both. 

 

The first thing you should look at is how high above-grade your door wall is. If you are above 3ft, or if the home is newly constructed with a basement (even if you are below 3ft to grade), I would strongly recommend a deck landing to get you down to grade level. This is because the soil that has been backfilled around your foundation has not had time to settle. Decks have footings that allow for little to no settlement. My advice is, save yourself the trouble and install a deck landing to get you to ground level and then build a patio there.

 

Decks have evolved with composite materials making maintenance easier. The cost and energy expressed by staining or painting is no longer necessary with a composite deck. There is even the option to make the floor of the deck screwless to really give you a clean look. Composite deck companies tend to include warranties on their products and I have even seen some that offer 25-year limited warranties. Composite decks are more expensive than your typical wood deck, but they quickly pay for themselves over the years. With a composite deck, a quick wash with the hose a few times a year will be all the maintenance you need. My clients also love the decking colors that are available to complement their home. It is important to remember that when installing a deck of any type, it is vital to have an HOA approval letter and obtain the appropriate permits.

 

If a patio is the option you are looking for, make sure to hire an ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) Certified Installer to build your patio. Remember, in order to build a patio without a deck landing, the drop from your door wall should be less than 3ft. Having a landing will eliminate settlement issues in the future, especially on a newly constructed home.

 

Pavers patios can be raised or ground level which gives you many options for you outdoor living space. Raised patios are more expensive than ground level patios. In price, a raised patio is closer to the price of a composite deck.  Nonetheless, paver patios still tend to have good warranties if installed by an ICPI contractor. There are many ways to customize your patio with a wide array of colors and brick options. 

 

Most commonly, I see many small decks and large patios on the new home builds. The reason for this is the cost difference. Paver patios generally are less expensive than composite decks per square foot. The biggest factor is the maintenance on a paver patio. It is important to power wash and install jointing sand every few years as well as fixing cracked or settling pavers. In general, the maintenance costs on pavers are at least double that of a composite deck. Both composite decks and patios create a great space to entertain for many years. 

Petunias love full sun, come in an assortment of colors and are heat-tolerant, making them one of the most popular annual flowers available. 

Check out these 3 varieties.

Wave:The original spreading petunia reaches a height of 5-7”. The spreading habit creates a ground hugging layer of color spreading 3-4'. Popular colors include Misty Lilac and Classic Purple. 

 

Supertunia®: This Proven Winners variety has a mounding / trailing habit allowing this plant to function as both the filler and spiller in your containers.  Supertunia® is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds, requires no deadheading and should be fertilized often for best summer performance. Extraordinary color availability includes Bordeaux, Limoncello, and Pretty Much Picasso. 

 

Million Bells®: Although not technically a petunia these easy petunia look-alikes by Proven Winners create a profusion of cascading flowers all season.  At 3-8” in height Million Bells® are a fantastic trailing annual for containers, hanging baskets and window boxes. Color options include Trailing Pink, Terra Cotta and Crackling Fire.  

There are three main benefits of trees:

1. Health Benefits

2. Environmental Benefits

3. Financial Benefits

Yes, financial benefits!  Most people are familiar with the first two but the later you won't hear discussed as often.  We will break down the main points of each with some surprising statistics.

THE FINANCIAL BENEFITS

The most tangible bang from your ‘bark' comes from energy savings.  Here are the statistics.

- “Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20-50 percent in energy used for heating.” – USDA Forest Service

- “If you plant a tree today on the west side of your home, in 5 years your energy bills should be 3% less.  In 15 years, the savings will be nearly 12%.” – Dr. E. Greg McPherson, Center for Urban Forest Research

Trees are responsible for increased property values.

- “Landscaping, especially with trees, can increase property values as much as 20 percent.”  – Management Information Services/ICMA

- “In one study, 83% of realtors believe that mature trees have a ‘strong or moderate impact' on the salability of homes listed for under $150,000; on homes over $250,000, this perception increases to 98%.” – Arbor National Mortgage & American Forests

- “Trees can be a stimulus to economic development, attracting new business and tourism.  Commercial retail areas are more attractive to shoppers, apartments rent more quickly, tenants stay longer and space in a wooded setting is more valuable to sell or rent.”  - The Arbor Day Foundation

HEALTH BENEFITS

There is no denying trees are pretty to look at.  They flower, change colors and block unsightly views.

- “In laboratory research, visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.”  -Dr. Roger S. Ulrich, Texas A&M University

They also produce oxygen.  How much exactly?

- “On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year.  Two mature trees can provide enough oxygen for a family of four.” – Environment Canada, Canada's National Environment Agency

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Trees create habitats for wildlife, reduce soil erosion and prevent runoff from entering storm sewers amongst other things.

There are plenty of statistics to support these benefits but, by now I'm sure you've had your fill of facts for the day.  So, just take our word on this one!

It's easy to take for granted both trees and the many benefits they provide.  Our communities wouldn't be the same without them!

 

 

 

Spring brings warm weather, colorful blooms and dreaded weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides are a useful tool in your warm weather battle against weeds.  Here are 6 tips to ensure you get the most out of a pre-emergent application.

1. READ THE LABEL. Pre-emergent herbicides are chemicals. It is the law to read the label and follow the instructions. The label will tell you what weeds and grasses the pre-emergent is effective against, how much to apply and if the product needs to be watered after the application to be effective. 

 

2. Avoid planting new grass seed. Pre-emergent herbicides can prevent the seeds from germinating. 

 

3. Don't assume the pre-emergent you use on your turf can be used in your landscape beds. Read the label. You could cause serious damage to your landscape by misusing a pre-emergent product.

 

4. A pre-emergent is NOT effective once the weeds are showing. The active chemicals in the product must be in place prior to the weed starting to germinate. 

 

5. The soil or mulch must remain undisturbed in order to maintain the pre-emergent chemical barrier. Disruptions and holes made in a pre-emergent barrier create places for weeds to survive and drive you crazy.

 

6. Some pre-emergent products may cause staining on concrete, pavers, stone and other hard surfaces. There are non-staining formulas available.

 

Concrete pavers are affordable, versatile, sustainable and more weather resistant than poured concrete or brick. There are two common production methods for concrete pavers; dry-casting and wet-casting. Knowing the difference between these two production processes can help you make the best decision when selecting hardscape pavers for your landscape project:

 

Dry-cast pavers are produced using a dry-mix of concrete and aggregates and have a low water ratio. These are what we traditionally think of when we say “pavers”.  Dry-cast pavers are formed through the vibration and compaction of dry materials and are air-cured, making them quick and affordable to produce, but limited in color and texture options.

• ideal for driveways and high-traffic areas

• affordable

• high density, high strength (an approximate PSI of 8,000)

Wet-cast paver mix contains more water than dry-cast pavers, rendering the mix a similar consistency to concrete. An increase in curing time means wet-cast pavers are more labor intensive to produce, resulting in a higher price point. Wet-cast pavers come in a wider variety of shapes, sizes, colors and textures. 

• ideal for pools, patios and walkways

• moderately strong (an approximate psi of 6,500)

• practically non-porous

 

Pavers manufactured for Michigan are versatile, long lasting and designed to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. For examples of how concrete pavers add beauty and value to your landscape visit our project image gallery here.