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The Top Four Landscape Design Ideas to Create a Landscape You Will Love

landscape designCurb appeal. Almost everyone has heard of it, yet few actually know how inexpensively to improve the curb appeal of their home. In this guide, you will learn the top four landscape design ideas of 2016 to improve curb appeal and make your outdoor areas more enjoyable. Continue reading to learn more!

 Outdoor Rooms

One of the most popular outdoor landscape designs is creating wonderful outdoor rooms that can help you enjoy the great outdoors. These “rooms” do not have traditional walls. Instead, they use the natural landscape and strategically planted bushes and trees to create an intimate space. Outdoor rooms are often found in the backyard and may include a fire pit, a water feature, and lighting that allows you to enjoy the area late in the evenings. Situate the seating in your outdoor room to encourage long, enjoyable conversations. Finish the area with a few small tables for drinks and citronella candles. Placing a few beautiful containers filled with fragrant flowers is another thing that can be included in these areas. Finally, you can light up the night sky with twinkle lights strung in the trees or create a chandelier with solar powered lights.

 Colorful Containers

Containers are a great way to add color and interest to your landscape. Find a couple of large colorful urns and fill them with potting soil. Then, plant colorful flowers that compliment your home’s exterior. Use a variety of plants of various heights to add dimension and structure to your container garden.

Most gardeners use a three-part technique that incorporates thrillers (vertical plants at the center of the container), fillers (compact plants that surround the vertical plant) and spillers (plants that are leggy and will grow over the sides of the containers. Examples of thriller plants include canna, agave or colorful ornamental grasses. Filler plants are low-growing plants, such as begonia, petunia or impatiens that are used to fill in the middle third of the container. Finally, finish the container off with a few plants that will spill over the sides of the container, such as lobelia, sweet potato vine or English ivy.

 Fire Pits

Fire pits are often used in landscape designs. These fire pits not only create warmth, but they also add to the ambiance of your outdoor areas. There are many options available, including wood burning fire pits, propane fire pits, natural gas fire pits and gel fuel fire pits. The sizes of each of these range from small tabletop fire pits to large fire pits perfect for roasting marshmallows. If your outdoor area has enough space, a larger fire pit is the best choice. Imagine sitting around with your friends staring into the flames of a fire pit. Sounds relaxing, doesn’t it?

 Water Features

Water features can add instant curb appeal and enjoyment to any home. When many people hear the words water feature, they think of large Koi ponds with water lilies. This is a great option, but what if you do not have that much space? There are still many options to choose from, including a small water fountain or even a water wall. When it comes to water features in the landscape, the sky is the limit. For example, you can take a beautiful container that will hold water and place a small water pump with a fountain head in the bottom of the container. Fill the container with water and plug up the fountain for a babbling water feature.

This article was filled with advice on how to incorporate the top four landscape designs of 2016 into your landscape. Follow the instructions here to create colorful areas in your landscape, beautiful container gardens, and outdoor rooms.

Contact Hyatt Landscaping for more ideas today. 

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The Many Benefits of LED Landscape Lighting

What is LED lighting?  Technically, LED stands for “light emitting diode.” A diode is an electrical component with two terminals which conduct the electricity only in one direction. Figuratively, LED means genius in low-voltage lighting.  You cannot discuss anything about energy-efficient lighting today without LEDs being mentioned and with good reason.  Let’s talk about some of the many benefits of LED landscape lighting.

Energy-Efficient 

LEDs have proven to be the most energy efficient lighting available. The U.S. Department of Energy states residential LEDs — especially ENERGY STAR rated products — use at least 75% less energy, and last 25 times longer, than incandescent lighting.  By using less energy, LEDs cost less to run. This means saving money on electricity.

LEDs Are Economical

Although LED landscape lighting costs more upfront, the bulbs last ten years or longer, depending on usage.  Additionally, most of them are guaranteed for at least five years.  When compared with halogen bulbs that burn out quickly and need replacing yearly, LEDs last longer.  Over time, the cost of halogen bulbs for replacement far exceed the upfront cost of LED lights.

Heat Reduction

LED lights create far less heat than traditional incandescent or halogen lighting. LEDs forego the use of heating interior filament. Because of this, LED landscape lighting significantly lowers wattage consumption.  This results in a longer life for the LED light and the fixture.

Environmentally Friendly

LED landscape lighting contains no toxic chemicals. Most conventional fluorescent lighting bulbs contain chemicals and materials dangerous to the environment, such as mercury.  Additionally, LED lights are 100% recyclable.  The operational lifetime span of one LED light saves production and material equal to 25 incandescent light bulbs. When you chose LED landscape lighting, you take a huge step towards a greener environment.

Durability 

The durability of LED landscape lighting comes from the robust components used to build them. This makes them highly resilient, and able to withstand even the roughest conditions. The sturdy components used in LED landscape lights make them resistant to shock, vibrations, exposure to weather, wind, and rain.  Moreover, they withstand extremely cold temperatures, making them the perfect lighting system for frigid winters.  

Dynamic Flexible Design Features

LED landscape lighting produces highly efficient illumination. By combining them in various shapes, they create an even brighter illumination.  For example, make your walkways appear elongated, highlight focal points, and make waterfalls produce a dazzling effect by simply using LEDs.  More than just pleasing to the eye, sensational landscape lighting also helps to set the mood.  

Leave It to the Professionals

In conclusion, installing LED landscape lighting requires correct calculations of voltage, transformers, wiring, and knowledge.  Let the professionals at Hyatt Landscaping, Inc. help you design and install your landscape lighting system.  With 30+ years’ experience in the industry, our family-owned and operated business takes great pride in quality, punctuality, and dependability.  Call us at 704-888-5390 or fill out this Free Estimate Contact Form.  We are more than happy to assist you with all of your landscaping needs.

 

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Outdoor Living – Everything AND the Kitchen Sink

Nothing says outdoor living like a multi-functional patio. Grills, fire pits, swimming pools, decks, and patios are the norm for outdoor living. However, some fun, exciting, and long-lasting trends continue to emerge and quickly gain in popularity.  Let’s look at some of these fun outdoor living ideas.

Water Features

Water invokes feelings of peace and energy while enhancing the appearance of your landscape.  It adds sophistication and character to outdoor living spaces. Depending on your available budget and space, a pondless fountain or a cascading waterfall makes an appealing addition to your backyard.  Glass, stone, concrete and other materials can all be used to create the tranquility of water in your landscaping while adding value and curb appeal to your home.

Outdoor Kitchens

More and more people love the idea of bringing the functionality of inside, outside. Families who spend a lot of time outdoors love incorporating outdoor kitchens into their landscapes.  Moreover, it’s perfect for people who like to entertain in general.  An outdoor kitchen serves as the artistic focal point of your outdoor living space. The hardscaping that adorns the kitchen area add pleasing aesthetics for all to admire. If you choose to add an outdoor kitchen, consider using material finishes that either compliment or match your home’s exterior. Thankfully, there are numerous finishes for outdoor kitchens available. The most common finishes include stone, brick, or stucco. The architecture of your home as well as the cost of the material play a large role in determining the finish of your outdoor kitchen.

Lastly, an outdoor kitchen provides an inviting place for backyard barbecues, outdoor dinners, as well as entertainment for people of all ages.  Imagine the fun of cooking Thanksgiving dinner outside and enjoying it in the beauty of fall foliage.

Pergolas

Everyone loves the beautiful shade of a pergola. The also provide a variety of fantastic uses, it would be hard to pick just one unless you have something specific in mind.  For example, build a pergola with an outdoor great room in mind.  Moreover, design it with your style of furniture and you have yourself an outdoor living room. Enjoy it alone or entertain others underneath it.  Another trendy idea for a pergola is to house a hot tub in it.  Add some decking and relax and enjoy the hot tub no matter what the temperature is outside.  Your imagination is the only limit when it comes to the use of a pergola.

Retaining Walls

 There are numerous benefits of adding a retaining wall to your landscape.  Some of these benefits include:

  • Increasing your home’s value
  • Create visual effects
  • Manipulate existing spaces into usable outdoor spaces
  • Low maintenance and durable
  • Highly functional when constructed properly

Retaining walls last for decades when constructed properly. In addition, they also withstand tons of weight – including soil or water.  This proves a great advantage, if you have a prone-to-flooding area in your yard.  Additionally, retaining walls can be used to separate a fruit and vegetable garden or create attention-grabbing vertical gardens.  With the wide array of scale, color, texture, and style available, your outdoor living architectural and design needs can be easily met.

Outdoor Living – Hardscapes

From patios, decks, and walkways to retaining walls, pergolas, arbors and water features, adding an outdoor living hardscape to your landscape will increase your home’s value and improve the aesthetic appeal.  For all of your outdoor living needs, contact Hyatt Landscaping, Inc. at 704-888-5390 or fill out the free estimate form.  For over 30 years, we have created landscapes and outdoor living hardscapes with a solid reputation based on dependability, honesty, and fair, reasonable prices.

 

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The Soothing Sound of Outdoor Water

There are very few things as tranquil as the soothing sound of outdoor water. It is calming, de-stressing, and very therapeutic.  Imagine walking out of your back door into your very own private oasis. Imagine relaxing in your own little piece of heaven, forgetting all your problems, and simply enjoying nature.

Outdoor water features provide soothing signs and sounds that can help improve your physical and mental health.  The typical koi water pond is still common in many landscapes. However, in recent years, landscape water features have dramatically changed and improved.

Disappearing Water Fountain

A disappearing water fountain is a hidden reservoir buried in the ground that pumps water through the fountain piece. As an added feature, the water then, seemingly disappears back into the ground.  It provides the spray and sounds of a water fountain without an open pond.  Moreover, it also offers a stunning visual effect as the water will disappear back into the base.  Either as a standalone feature or a garden enhancer, a disappearing water fountain is certain to draw attention.

Waterfalls 

Virtually everyone loves the sight and sounds of a waterfall. Common waterfall features include staircases, driftwood, and gravel. Regardless of which you choose, the benefits waterfalls provide make them a smart and rewarding investment. By adding a waterfall to your landscaping, you can expect to increase the curb appeal and value of your home. Moreover, the sounds of flowing water help to drown out noise pollution from neighbors and traffic. If these benefits aren’t enough, consider the entertainment a waterfall provides. Additionally, many people find it peaceful to watch the birds and wildlife that are attracted to waterfalls.

 Pondless Waterfalls

 A pondless waterfall can be likened to a beautiful lagoon – minus the maintenance required for upkeep.  Often, a pondless waterfall is considered the perfect option for a homeowner with limited space or no time for maintenance. Pondless waterfalls are connected to a standing body of water that is not visible.  A grate sitting over an opening in the ground is hidden by rocks or gravel.  From there, the water falls into a reservoir that has a pump attached. The pump then channels the water through a filter and up to the top where it repeats the same process.  Pondless water fountains are compact and nearly maintenance-free.  Moreover, they are also available in many designs.  The only limit is the amount of space you have in your yard.  Choose a pondless waterfall as a simple accent piece or choose a style that spans your entire yard.

Contemporary pondless waterfalls often feature marble or granite steps. In addition, combine your pondless waterfall with lighting placed under the surface or near the edge, to give it a striking appearance.

Stand Out from the Rest

Enhanced landscaping and outdoor water features not only increase your home’s property value, they add character, sophistication, and tranquility to your outdoor living space. For over 30 years, Hyatt Landscaping has created landscapes and outdoor living hardscapes with a solid reputation based on dependability, honesty, and fair, reasonable prices.  Experience the dynamic effects the sound and motion of water provide. Call us at 704-888-5390 or fill out the contact form for a free estimate.

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The Differences in Pergolas, Arbors, and Trellises

One of the best things about landscaping structures is the choices you have.  That having been said, many are confused about exactly what pergolas, arbors, and trellises are, and often use the terms interchangeably.  The first step in designing the exact landscape structure you want is knowing what it is called.  Pergolas, arbors, and trellises each have their own unique features and can be clearly identified with some tips.

Pergola

By definition, a pergola is a garden feature forming a shaded walkway, passageway, or sitting area of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and a sturdy open lattice.  It can be free-standing or attached to your home or other structure.  Today, a pergola consists mainly of four posts or columns and is used to define a space.  It can be topped with beams, retractable canopies, pergolaor woody vines.  Another option is open rafters.  A retractable canopy provides protection from sun and rain.

A pergola can add architectural interest to a flat landscape and provide shade during the summer.  Fruits and vegetables can be grown on a pergola or you can string up a hammock and relax.  You can also add lights, heaters, and sheer curtains to create a type of outdoor room using a pergola.  There really is no limit to how you can design your own pergola and, best of all, it is easy and inexpensive to build.

Arbor

arborAn arbor is typically an open, free-standing structure using interwoven lattice pieces and sometimes having an arched top.  It is common for arbors to define an entry point such as the entrance to a garden.  Arbors are also used as dividing spaces along a pathway or simply erected over a walkway.  The main difference in a pergola and an arbor is the size.  An arbor is usually much smaller than a pergola.  Additionally, a pergola usually has open sides, although some have curtains or lattice work.

Arbors can also be incorporated into hedges (as shown) using wood, metal, stone, or a mixture of materials.  Topped with flowers or climbing with vines, an arbor can be truly stunning regardless of its size.

Trellis

 A trellis is a one-sided piece of woven latticework that is typically built to support climbing plants, vines and flowering foliage allowing them to grow longer, higher, and fuller.  As it has no roof or sides, the sunshine is always able to penetrate the foliage.  It does not provide trellisprotection from rain.

The versatility of a trellis makes it very attractive. It can be attached to the side of a house or building, but it can also be freestanding in a yard or garden.  Today, trellises are made of many different materials, including treated lumber, wire, copper, and even the side of an old crib.  A trellis is usually not placed in the ground and can be relocated if you choose to do so.

Hints to Help

Now that you know the difference, here is an easy way for you to tell the difference. Memorize a word that fits each one.  Here is a simple way to remember:

  • Pergola = people
  • Arbor = arched
  • Trellis = less

When you think of a pergola, remember that people can fit under it.  Typically, an arbor is arched.  A trellis is less because it is one-sided.  There you go!

Pergolas, arbors, and trellises add beauty to your landscaping. If you need help designing or building a pergola, arbor, or trellis for your landscape, contact Hyatt Landscaping, Inc. at 704-888-5390.  With 30+ years in the landscaping industry and an outstanding reputation based on trust, dependability, and superior work, we are more than happy to help you design the landscape structure that is perfect for you.

 

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Tips for Choosing the Right Plants for the Right Places

(Part 4 of a four-part series on Trees, Accent plants, and Landscaping)

With so many beautiful flowers, shrubbery, and trees to choose from, selecting the right plants for your landscaping can seem a bit overwhelming. The majority of us choose a plant because we like its appearance; however, for a plant to thrive and survive in your yard, you have to look beyond the visual aspect. The soil conditions, climate, and the design of your landscape all need to be considered when choosing the right plants for your landscape.

When the right plant is planted in the right place with ideal growing conditions, the following results:

• The plants establish themselves quickly, growing and getting strong (bulking up).
• They produce healthy root systems and steady top growth.
• They can withstand insect and disease attacks. A plant that is in the wrong place will not be healthy or strong. When a bug comes along,     whether an insect or a disease, the wrong plants are perfect specimens for infection.

Plan Before Planting

To ensure you are planting the right plants in the right places, you need a plan. A plan, for which plants will thrive in your landscape, is the key to success when choosing plants. Investing your time in planning before planting results in using less time maintaining the plants you choose. Additionally, you save money by not having to replace the plants that did not survive because they were not suitable for your yard.

A good place to start is with the USDA Hardiness Zone Map. This map provides information pertaining to your zone and reveals whether or not plants can survive the winter in your area. Filling a landscape with plants that are hardy to your particular zone almost guarantees successful plant survival.

Follow the Light

On a day when you are home all day, observe your yard for sunlight, ideally every hour. Take notes so you remember which areas of your yard receive full sunlight and which are in partial shade. When shopping for plants, you will know if the plant you are considering for a particular space will flourish there.

Dig a Little

Different plants require different types of soil; therefore, you need to know what type of soil you have. All soil consists of three types of weathered rock particles – sand, silt, and clay. It is how these three particles are combined that define your soil’s type – how it feels to the touch, how it holds water, and how it is managed, among other things. One of the great characteristics about soil is that you can change it. For example, clay soil is slow-draining soil and can be made faster-draining and more porous by adding organic matter like compost. However, before you decide to go to the expense of changing your soil, research the types of plants that grow in the soil you have. You just might find something that you love and that thrives there, as well.

Size It Up (or down)

Plants need width space for spreading and headspace for growing. Look for plant tags that state how large plants will grow in ideal conditions. Plan for this and make sure you have the space the plant needs. Tall plants can be an eyesore in the wrong place; however, in the right place, they can form a privacy “fence” or a vibrant backdrop for other plants. Plants that are too small may disappear from sight if surrounding plants or hardscaping dwarf them.

No Green Thumb Required

There are many, many plant choices you can make for your landscape, that suit you and add curb appeal to your home. With a little research and careful planning and planting, your plants can thrive. If you need assistance choosing the right plants for the right places, call Hyatt Landscaping, Inc. at 704-888-5390. We are a family-owned company with over 30 years’ experience in the landscaping industry. Offering services including but not limited to custom landscape design, installation, grading, drainage, irrigation, landscape lighting, and outdoor living spaces, we will be more than happy to help you.