Agave spp. is one of the most spectacular show stopping plants for the southern landscape with the most common species of this genus being Agave americana, also known as Century Plant, due to its long lifespan. The Agave species is most recognized as being used in tequila. Agave can grow…
Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’, or Powis Castle Artemisia, is a medium perennial used in many landscapes both as an accent plant and as a means to break up monotonous greens and soften bright colors. Powis Castle can grow to be 2 to 3 feet tall and twice as wide giving it…
Hesperaloe parviflora, also known as Red Yucca, is a moderately growing perennial often used in Texas native and water wise landscaping. It is hardy in all of Texas, the south and into the mid-west, from zone 5 to 11, and requires full sun. Red Yucca is an evergreen plant with…
If you didn’t read the article on Hiring an Installer, then I recommend it before continuing. The same concepts will apply. With a DIY project, service must be the highest priority on your list. You will need the help of a team of professionals who have done it before to…
When you are considering hiring an installer, start by determining what is the most valuable to you. The rule of thumb is that you receive a good value for 2 of 3 things offered by a landscape installation company (or most companies for that matter). Those things are service, price,…
There are many types of landscape designers and companies offering design services. Each company has different goals and approaches to design. Determine what your goals are, what design services are most valuable to you, and pick a design company you trust. Look on the company’s website for a description of…
I receive hundreds of calls every year from clients asking for help designing something for their property. My first question is always, “What is your budget for installation?” That may sound like a strange question for a design company to ask, but it is very important in understanding what can…
Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’, more often known as Fuyu Persimmon, is a highly sought after variety of Persimmon due to the sweet, non-astringent taste. You will often find Persimmon fruit to be an astringent variety in most commercial stores. There is a small ripe window for Persimmon, so, if you’ve purchased…
If you are looking for a deer resistant, low maintenance and drought tolerant evergreen ground cover (zones 8-10) or perennial (zones 4-7), Lamb’s Ear is the ideal plant for you. Resembling the down-turned, soft ears of a lamb, Stachys byzantine, commonly called Lamb’s ear, is a low growing, soft textured…
Malvaviscus arboreus, or Turk’s Cap, is a large flowering shrub with a natural tendencys, has a tropical look with large leaves, and flowers resembling a turk’s cap bloom or a closed hibiscus flower. It can grow 6 to 8 feet tall and wide with a wild habit that, when used…