Welcome to the Islands!

Many of the properties we manage have small islands of plantings, accents to the larger landscape, each with its own unique design depending on the tastes and preferences of the owners. Herewith some photos of islands, some simple, some ornate, but all of them interesting - at least for landscape wonks like us!

So, grab an umbrella drink and come to the islands!

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Ferraris Sold Separately!

Here is a customer that we love to work with! We handle the maintenance of this beautiful property. Recently, they hosted a meeting of the national Ferrari Club, and the guests-to-be were people of very discriminating taste.  So it was important that the grounds be in impeccable shape for the gathering.

We were glad to help, and equally glad to receive some photos of the event from our customer.

Crape Myrtles!

An admission: I have a thing for tall, stately Crape Myrtles, either as singles or in small groups.

Crape Myrtles are well known, of course, for their brightly colored flowers. But for me it's the synergy between the trunks and the canopy that is most striking.

The strong, multiple trunks of a large Crape usually have their own distinctive coloration and patterns, which are attractive enough by themselves. But it is the way the trunks rise and separate, in a kind of prequel to the spreading of the larger canopy, that provides the real benefit. Rightly placed, Crape Myrtles seem to draw the eye upwards, and then out into a larger view over the whole landscape.

Herewith some recent landscapes that show a wise use of Crape Myrtles.

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A Week in the Life of Ben's Creek Nursery

The last week has been a busy one at Ben's Creek Nursery. Herewith a random selection of photos of the variety of yards and landscapes our crews worked on these past few days - some completed, some near completed, and others just beginning.

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Irrigation Tips from a Pro!

Spring being Spring, the local Lake Gaston Gazette-Observer recently published its annual Spring Home & Garden supplement, featuring extensive advice from our own Robert Neville regarding irrigation systems.  Herewith a few of his tips:

Water supply: "For obvious reasons, [homeowners] will want to pump water from the lake, but unless they have an existing pump, they will need a permit from Dominion Power."  These permits are not hard to obtain and most homeowners can do this work themselves.  Dominion Power has some very helpful people to assist, and so beware any irrigation contractor who insists on excessive charges for obtaining permits.

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Spring!

You have seen this property before, here.  How is this customer doing, close to one year later?  Herewith some recent photos.

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