2008: Breaking the ice

Pond maintenance is one chore we are able to attend to on your behalf. Although every pond we install is designed to operate efficiently, requiring a minimal amount of maintenance, occasional check-ups and cleaning may be performed to ensure all is runni

Preparing for party crashers

At a time of year notorious for inspiring lapses of moderation, who better to herald in the New Year than an uninvited flock of wandering Waxwings that suddenly crash at your doorstep and devour every berry in your garden in a single afternoon? Bohem

Sprucing Up Northern VA Winter Landscapes

Northern Virginia residents often encounter a less than white Christmas, leaving us faced with a dull gray and brown garden for several months. So what makes a winter garden stand out against the faded winter backdrop?
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Sprucing Up Northern VA Winter Landscapes

December 14 2007   

Look into the garden, Where the grass was green;
Covered by the snowflakes, Not a blade is seen.

Now the bare black bushes All look soft and white.
Every twig is laden-What a pretty sight!


Northern Virginia residents often encounter a less than white Christmas, leaving us faced with a dull gray and brown garden for several months. So what makes a winter garden stand out against the faded winter backdrop?

Shapes: pruning of evergreens and topiaries adds visual interest throughout the year

Lines: paths and stairs, retaining walls, strong lined junipers, trees, or structures

Colors: Evergreens and berries, colored gravel or mulch, lawn furniture, or sculptures

Wildlife: attracting wildlife keeps the garden lively and interesting

Livening up winter landscaping with a few choice trees and bushes with berries and/or evergreen foliage will bring color back to the landscape and provide food for winter birds.

For color, Junipers (Juniperus varieties) have green berries. Yews (Taxus varieties) and Hollys (Ilex varieties) have red berries.

A few winter garden recommends:

Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
Dwarf Euorpean Cranberry Bush (Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’)
Cranberry Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster apiculatus)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier)
Virginia Creeper vine

Tip: When shoveling the walk and driveway, careful not to pile salted snow onto the lawn and landscaping plants as it may dry them out quickly once the weather clears up.


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