Top Landscape Plant Choice in North Texas:

As I work on my landscape designs and drive around Keller, Southlake, Grapevine, Ft. Worth and all great North Texas cities, I am pleasantly noticing the use of one of the greatest plants that can be installed in the landscape garden:  the knockout rose.  This is such a fantastic choice for the professional and amateur landscape gardens.  They are also an incredible accent to any outdoor living space.

Knockout roses are very easy to grow and are extremely low in maintenance.  It's almost one of those plants that you install and leave alone.  It is very cold temperature hardy and extremely disease resistant which is nice because some of the other rose species will require constant chemical spraying.  They can be used as a stand alone specimen, in a cluster planting situation or a shrub row.  The blooms will be constantly blooming through a majority of the growing season which definately provides the wow factor in the garden.  Most people are unaware of the fact that they also come in many other colors such as red, apricot, pink and yellow. 

I try to use knockout roses as much as possible when doing my landscape designs.  Please visit us at http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/ and inquire about a consultation to go over your landscape plans so we can install some beautiful knockout roses in your garden.  If you need further information about knockout roses, please visit the website for the American Rose Society at http://www.ars.org/. 

Happy Gardening!

Jim Shimala
http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/

Landscape Step #2 "Choosing a Contractor"

Now that you have your design tweeked to your liking and you have decided that the design in your hand is what you want your yard to look like, it is time to choose a contractor to transform your vision into reality.  Unless you have gone with an independant architectural firm, most landscape companies will offer design and build services.  Here are a few things to look for in a contractor.

1.  The basics:  references, insurance, experience.  ( I can write several paragraphs on each of these but I think you know what to do here.)

2.  In my opinion, the most important thing in choosing someone to do your work is how comforatable are you with this person.  Keep in mind, you are trusting this individual to construct a very big and important investment on your home.  If you think that you will not work well with that person, you may want to move on to the next choice, no matter how nice the design is.  The reason that I say "person" is that sure, you will choose a landscape company to do this work, but the project manager is the person who is responsible for the finished outcome.  If you are going to get a salesman, who passes it off to the project manager, who passes it off to the foreman, you are really having to deal with too many people.

3.  You need someone with the skills to adapt.  A design on paper can be different once it is transferred over to the jobsite.  Sometimes things just look better when you have the ability to tweek the plan and add/subtract from the plan to make the finished outcome even better.  I have been constructing landscapes for 20 years and can count on one hand where a landscape project came out EXACTLY per plan. The ability to adapt and suggest is very important in a successful outcome.

4.  Experience is Gold!  If you choose someone who has the experience in all apects of this industry and you are comforatable with them, you can't go wrong.  Now of days, we do not just install beds.  We are getting pools, patios, kitchens, fireplaces and so on and so forth.  Hiring someone who is knowledgeable and experienced, not only in landscape, but in construction as well is a must for a project with a significant amount of hardscape.  This is very important as most landscape companies subcontract out a very high percentage of their work.  Knowing how to work with subs and organize these projects will be the difference in obtaining your vision.

I hope that these small tips will help as we have gotten into the beginning of a great growing season.  Feel free to contact me at absoluteoutdoorspaces@gmail.com if you have any further questions. 

Until Next Time,

Jim Shimala
Absolute Outdoor Spaces
http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/

Landscape Step #1: Landscape Design

Now that the weather is beginning to cooperate and you have that "itch" to start on your landscape project for this year, consider your plan of attack on how you want your project to turn out.  The best way to do this is to gather your thoughts, magazine cut outs, plant tags and pick up the phone and make a few phone calls to hire someone to help design your project. 

Hiring someone to design your project can be a little confusing.  There are quite a few qualified designers and architects to choose from.  The bottom line is:  Hire someone who is knowledgeable in landscape and hardscape, who is in your comfort zone because you want to work with this person throughout the entire construction process, and someone who will actually listen to your needs and wants.  That is the most important.  You are hiring a professional in this industry but sometimes designers want to push their ideas on you without listening to your needs.  The designers job is to listen to your needs and wants and incorporate that, along with their expertise into the first draft of your design. 

Here in Keller, Texas nature has seemed to come alive almost over night.  As I drive around North Tarrant County I can see people shopping for plants, mulch, and garden art.  Everyone is so excited to cast aside the gloom and doom of Winter and get outside and enjoy the weather.  Visit us as http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/ and inquire about your Landscape Step #1.  We are excited to help you in all of your landscape needs.

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Have you thought about what you want your yard to look like this summer.....its time to start! Take a look at Absolute Outdoor Spaces website for some ideas!

http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/master_planned_designs

It too dark at 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Being in the business of making things beautiful I can honestly say that having the sun go down at 6 is not fun!!!  That being said I love working with outdoor lighting....call me today and I will get you set up for a bright and beautiful winter!!!  I can be reached at 817-600-1083

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Seasonal color....when is too soon?

Seasonal color is a question we have been talking about with our clients the last few days.  Yes, it has gotten cooler over the last few days.  That being said, we recomend you wait until November to plant your seasonal color.  North Texas will still have a few warm days and the last thing anyone wants is to spend a weekend planting, watering and let us not forget bending to plant those pretty colors...just to have a heat spell destroy your hard work and investment!