Mix 'n Match

Working up a cloud of dust, our stonecutters are molding and trimming a new stone paver walkway on the Lake.

But that was not the most interesting part of this project. Down towards the Lake, there was an existing paver patio that our customers wanted to expand. This presented us with the problem of not only matching the materials, but also the design of the stone pavers, so that the addition would merge seamlessly with the existing patio. 

Our guys were up to the job.

Here is the seam between the old and the new:

Only a slight bit of weathering distinguishes the old patio from the new addition, and that bit of difference will disappear when our crews pressure wash the whole patio.

Step Up

Steps and walkways make our Lake homes friendly and inviting. They can remedy difficult topography and make open and accessible areas that may not be. But steps and walkways are not just useful; they should also add visual interest to your home. This is why design, materials, and workmanship are so important, and also why it is important to hire people with the appropriate expertise.

Ben's Creek Nursery has the expertise. Here are some photos of some current steps and walkways we are working on and/or have completed.

In this first series, our guys used Dublin Fossil Beige pavers to build this walkway down a steep slope to the Lake.

In this next series, we utilized stone, rock, and Lincoln Creek stepping stones
.

Here, we went with elegance personified: Travertine limestone.

Finish Work

Our crews bring a lot of effort and expertise to their work. But what really stands out is the way they finish a job with the same diligence and energy they had at the beginning. Here are some before and after shots of our guys putting on the finishing touches.

Before & After

Before & After

Before & After

Installation Lay Away

There is no time like the Fall to install premium, full-grown plant material. These Nellie R. Stevens Hollies are laying away in anticipation of being picked up and transported to some lucky customer's yard.

But worry not; we still have plenty of Hollies left along with many other varieties of plant material. However, the seasonal conditions that favor transplanting won't last forever, so call us soon with your order!

Stonework

This property already boasts a poolside patio, a small water garden, expansive lawn, and a water view. What more could it need? Decorative rocks, strategic plantings, and in-ground stone steps, of course. And more rocks.

As natural as these rocks look - which is the point - they and the stone slabs were actually selected and individually placed by our crews. Which is not work for the faint of heart.

Herewith pictures of this work in progress.

At The Nursery

Potomac Crape Myrtle

Fall being upon us, it might be time to bid a fond farewell to the crape myrtle blooms. Most crapes reach peak bloom when the summer heat is hottest; which means that this year, they started their work earlier than normal, in June. As a result, it has been a colorful summer at the Nursery.

But to everything a season, and mid-September when these photos were taken presents the waning end of the cycle for crape myrtle blooms. For you crape enthusiasts (and who isn't?), however, a caveat: we have limited availability in some of the crapes we show here, so if you see something you like, call us soon!

Above is a 12-14 foot Potomac crape myrtle, still showing a healthy array of clear pink blooms well into September. Drought tolerant, Potomacs transplant well almost any time of year and will grow up to 20'.

Osage Crape Myrtle

Another clear pink bloom flourishing well into September is that of the Osage crape myrtle. Sadly, we have very few of these left at the moment. Its mottled chestnut brown trunk and strong upright branching structure has been quite popular of late.

Tonto Crape Myrtle

Our Tontos are still flush with color - fuchsia, that is, which is a bright, red-purplish hue. Tontos are shorter varieties, growing to 10 feet or so, but yield a fullish spread of leaves and blooms.

Tuskegee Crape Myrtles

The Tuskegee blooms are sparse at this point, but their dark pink color will be back next season. Tuskegees are a stately tree with a broad spreading head that will grow to 20 feet or more.

But all is not lost with those crapes whose blooms have diminished.

Biloxi Crape Myrtle

What they now lack in color they more than make up with a strong form and structure and striking bark patterns, both of which will embellish any landscape throughout the Fall and Winter months. This large Biloxi is a case in point - in addition to its strong vase shape, take a close up look at its attractively variegated trunk:

So too with this Dynamite crape myrtle - a large upright grower with bright red blooms - and with our Catawba crapes, a shorter variety with a spreading crown. Catawbas will push out a vivid violet purple bloom come next year.

Dynamite Crape Myrtle

Catawba Crape Myrtle

And then there are the Fall colors coming when the leaves turn, ranging from red to purple to orange and yellow.

Catawba Crape Myrtle

Crape Myrtle Fall Colors

To everything a season, but crape myrtles seem to offer something for every season.

Fall Gardens

The first day of Autumn is tomorrow. This is the season that traditionally closes out the garden year, but that doesn't mean it is a mere afterthought. It is also the prelude to the next garden year, when all sorts of cleanup, changes, alterations, and additions can be implemented while the weather is cool and plant growth is slowing in preparation for winter dormancy.

This is where Ben's Creek Nursery's Installation and Design Services can be invaluable. Above is our latest flyer, which reminds of all the Fall services we can help with.

We can provide a professional landscape plan ....

  ... show you a virtual rendition of a proposed slope planting project ...

... or install a patio fireplace to enjoy the cool evenings at the Lake.

And more! Call us today for a FREE evaluation and proposal for your yard and gardens.

A Drones-Eye Video

Courtesy of Austin Harvey, the numero uno son of Keith Harvey, we have this video of our guys in action on a project. Some of you will recognize the property wherein we transplanted some large trees from our Nursery. But Austin hopped on his drone like Harry Potter on a broomstick - figuratively speaking, of course - and got us this birds-eye view of our crews pushing lots of earth around the property, and building porches and walkways and other sundry landscaping amenities.

He also added some appropriate music which nicely captures the mood of the day. Great work, Austin! Hopefully, we can get him to come back and take an 'after' video of the finished product.

Patio Work

Our recent brick paver patio work (here) was so well-received, the neighbors wanted one too. Our crews were happy to oblige.