Landscaping has often been likened to the painting of a picture. Your art-work teacher has doubtless told you that a good picture should have a point of chief interest, and the rest of the points simply go to make more beautiful the central idea, or to form a fine setting for it. So in landscaping there must be in the gardener's mind a picture of what he desires the whole to be when he completes his landscaping project.
Should you include lots of bare open lawn in your landscaping theme? A large extent of open lusious green lawn space is always beautiful. It is restful.
This type of open landscaping adds a feeling of space to even small grounds. If you cover your lawn space with many trees, with little flower beds here and there, the general effect is choppy and fussy. A bit like an over-dressed person. Not the most visual appealing result from your landscaping efforts.
When landscaping, a single tree or a small group is not a bad arrangement on the lawn. Do not centre the tree or trees. Let them drop a bit into the background. Make a pleasing side feature of them. In choosing trees for your landscaping project, keep in mind a number of things. You should not choose an overpowering tree. The tree should have a good shape, with something interesting about its bark, leaves, flowers or fruit.
For the beauty of landscaping, the catalpa is quite lovely by itself. Its leaves are broad, its flowers attractive, the seed pods which cling to the tree until way into the winter, add a bit of picturesqueness. The bright berries of the ash, the brilliant foliage of the sugar maple, the blossoms of the tulip tree, the bark of the white birch, and the leaves of the copper beech all these are beauty points to consider when planning your overall landscaping arrangement.
Landscaping may follow along very formal lines or along informal lines. The first would have straight paths, straight rows in stiff beds, everything, as the name tells, perfectly formal. The other method is, of course, the exact opposite. You should consider the advantages and danger points in each.
In conclusion, plan for open lawn spaces in your overall landscaping design and keep a visually appealing tree to blend in the background. Think balance and you will come up with a beautiful landscaping design for your yard.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, October 1, 2010
Choosing the right Trees for landscaping
Truthfully, you can use any kind of trees for landscaping. Everyone wants something that looks nice. But, why not plant something that serves more than one purpose? Here's a look at some of the multipurpose species.
Fruit-bearing
A fruit-bearing tree will usually flower beautifully in the spring-time, bear fruit in the summer and add color during the fall. Because they lose their leaves in the winter, they can be planted on any side of the house without preventing the sun's warming rays from reaching your home.
Apple, plum, peach and cherry blossoms range from white to brilliant pink in color. As the fruit begins to ripen, you will see a variety of colors. During the fall, you will have orange, yellow or red leaves depending on the variety you choose.
Eating more fruit is good for your health. Having a fruit-bearing tree in your yard makes it easier and less expensive to add these nourishing treats to your daily diet.
For those of you that are butterfly and bird watchers, you will find that you have more to look at. Nothing is more attractive to the creatures than the spring blooms and summer fruit.
Windbreaks
One of the earliest uses of trees for landscaping was to create a windbreak. Depending on where you live, a windbreak might not be something that you need. But, empty wide open spaces and cold winters don't mix. Think about the wind chill last winter and you'll understand what I mean.
In addition to helping keep you warm in the winter, a windbreak serves to protect the other plants around your home by lowering evaporation rates. Less evaporation means less watering.
Evergreens are the best choices to use for windbreaks. You can choose low growing shrubs like boxwoods or fast growing cedars.
Shade
Choosing deciduous trees for landscaping and placing them in the right spots will help keep your house cool in the summer, but won't block out the sun in the winter. It could even help improve the energy efficiency of your home by reducing air conditioner use in the summertime.
CO2 Reduction-O2 Production
Any tree will absorb CO2 and give off O2 or oxygen. Planting one is something that you can do to help fight global warming, while beautifying your home.
Whether you choose deciduous or evergreen, you are doing something good for the planet when you use trees for landscaping. Your friendly neighborhood landscape designer will have more green ideas.
Fruit-bearing
A fruit-bearing tree will usually flower beautifully in the spring-time, bear fruit in the summer and add color during the fall. Because they lose their leaves in the winter, they can be planted on any side of the house without preventing the sun's warming rays from reaching your home.
Apple, plum, peach and cherry blossoms range from white to brilliant pink in color. As the fruit begins to ripen, you will see a variety of colors. During the fall, you will have orange, yellow or red leaves depending on the variety you choose.
Eating more fruit is good for your health. Having a fruit-bearing tree in your yard makes it easier and less expensive to add these nourishing treats to your daily diet.
For those of you that are butterfly and bird watchers, you will find that you have more to look at. Nothing is more attractive to the creatures than the spring blooms and summer fruit.
Windbreaks
One of the earliest uses of trees for landscaping was to create a windbreak. Depending on where you live, a windbreak might not be something that you need. But, empty wide open spaces and cold winters don't mix. Think about the wind chill last winter and you'll understand what I mean.
In addition to helping keep you warm in the winter, a windbreak serves to protect the other plants around your home by lowering evaporation rates. Less evaporation means less watering.
Evergreens are the best choices to use for windbreaks. You can choose low growing shrubs like boxwoods or fast growing cedars.
Shade
Choosing deciduous trees for landscaping and placing them in the right spots will help keep your house cool in the summer, but won't block out the sun in the winter. It could even help improve the energy efficiency of your home by reducing air conditioner use in the summertime.
CO2 Reduction-O2 Production
Any tree will absorb CO2 and give off O2 or oxygen. Planting one is something that you can do to help fight global warming, while beautifying your home.
Whether you choose deciduous or evergreen, you are doing something good for the planet when you use trees for landscaping. Your friendly neighborhood landscape designer will have more green ideas.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
All About Outdoor Lighting
Ask any landscape architect and they'll tell you that well chosen and situated outdoor lighting is essential to all-season enjoyment of your garden.
When carefully planned and installed, outdoor lighting can transform your property at night, turning trees, buildings and other landscape features into dramatic focal points. Lighting is also essential for safety along paths and walkways, and around decks, patios, and stairs.
If you are doing research on lighting products or want to know more about lighting your property to its best advantage.
Low voltage lighting is a type of landscape lighting that uses 12 volt electrical instead of the 120 volts delivered by regular household current. These 12-volt systems do not require an electrician to install which makes them safe, easy to work with, and thus popular with homeowners.
Another benefit is that light fixtures can be added and adjusted while the system is plugged in and turned on. Low voltage landscape lighting kits are generally affordable and available in most hardware and building centers. That said, professionally installed and designed low voltage systems using higher grade components will give you lasting satisfaction that stands the test of time.
When carefully planned and installed, outdoor lighting can transform your property at night, turning trees, buildings and other landscape features into dramatic focal points. Lighting is also essential for safety along paths and walkways, and around decks, patios, and stairs.
If you are doing research on lighting products or want to know more about lighting your property to its best advantage.
Low voltage lighting is a type of landscape lighting that uses 12 volt electrical instead of the 120 volts delivered by regular household current. These 12-volt systems do not require an electrician to install which makes them safe, easy to work with, and thus popular with homeowners.
Another benefit is that light fixtures can be added and adjusted while the system is plugged in and turned on. Low voltage landscape lighting kits are generally affordable and available in most hardware and building centers. That said, professionally installed and designed low voltage systems using higher grade components will give you lasting satisfaction that stands the test of time.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Welcome to Volterra Landscape Lighting serving Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, where we provide fast, friendly and reliable services for all your landscaping lighting needs. Volterra has been serving Los Angeles County for over 15 years and over that time we’ve accrued a wealth of landscape lighting experience that is second to none.
When you need fast, friendly, reliable landscape lighting services call the best. Call Volterra today!
At Volterra we can help transform that ordinary yard into a terrific one. We specialize in helping Los Angles County residents attain the kind of beautiful properties they’ve always dreamed of and are renowned throughout the region for our commitment to quality and outstanding service.
When you hire Volterra to improve your landscape lighting, we’ll work alongside you to insure that your landscape looks exactly the way you envisioned it would. After all, it’s your yard and should look just the way you want it to.
We are fully licensed and insured and prepared to handle and job, regardless of size. Big or small, Volterra Landscape Lighting will insure that your yard is the envy of the neighborhood.
When you need fast, friendly, reliable landscape services call the best. Call Volterra today!
When you need fast, friendly, reliable landscape lighting services call the best. Call Volterra today!
At Volterra we can help transform that ordinary yard into a terrific one. We specialize in helping Los Angles County residents attain the kind of beautiful properties they’ve always dreamed of and are renowned throughout the region for our commitment to quality and outstanding service.
When you hire Volterra to improve your landscape lighting, we’ll work alongside you to insure that your landscape looks exactly the way you envisioned it would. After all, it’s your yard and should look just the way you want it to.
We are fully licensed and insured and prepared to handle and job, regardless of size. Big or small, Volterra Landscape Lighting will insure that your yard is the envy of the neighborhood.
When you need fast, friendly, reliable landscape services call the best. Call Volterra today!
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