News | American Landscape

Top Tips for Planting Fall Bulbs

September 18, 2022/in News/by American Landscape

Fall-planted flower bulbs, such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinths, flower in spring and are a great way to add color to your garden. With these expert tips, planting fall bulbs becomes an easy and enjoyable task for gardeners of every skill level.

Plant Your Bulbs as Soon as the Ground Is Cool

Wisconsin’s cold winters are perfect for these bulbs since it allows them to winter over, which is an essential process for them to grow in the spring. The bulbs should be planted in the fall when the nighttime temperatures are around 40-50° F. It’s important to plant them at least six weeks before the ground freezes for sufficient rooting time. For those of us in Wisconsin, the optimal planting time is normally between mid-September through mid-November.

Choose the Optimal Spot to Plant Your Fall Bulbs

You can plant bulbs just about anywhere in your garden, which allows for a lot of freedom when choosing your garden design. The most important consideration is to choose an area where the soil can drain well and avoid spots where water collects. Bulbs like the sun and each flower can grow to a different height, so take that into consideration as well when choosing your planting spots.

Prepare Your Soil, Then Plant!

Your soil should be loose and workable to a depth of around 8”. If your planting area isn’t an established garden bed, it can be beneficial to add organic matter or compost to add nutrients. Remove any weeds or other debris as well. When you plant your bulbs, unless the label says differently, plant the bigger bulbs 8” deep and the smaller bulbs at 5”. Place the bulb in the hole with the roots facing down. Once planted, cover the hole with soil but don’t pack it. Water it once, and then you’re done!

We would be happy to work with you to design a garden bed full of seasonal color. Contact us today to connect with one of our skilled landscape experts! https://amerlandscape.com/contact-us/ or (262) 252-4260

August Landscaping Guide

July 28, 2022/in News/by American Landscape

Flower Care

Fertilize container plantings.
Deadhead flowers to encourage additional blooming.
Monitor for disease and insect problems and treat as needed.
Divide bearded iris. For healthy plants, these should be divided every 3 to 5 years.
Check rhizomes for iris borer caterpillars.
Do not fertilize shrubs or roses after mid-August to discourage tender new growth before winter.

Lawn Maintenance

Mow as necessary. Raise mowing height to at least 3” as temperatures exceed 85˚F.
Water lawn adequately to keep it from going dormant. Deep (1” per week) and infrequent is preferred over frequent shallow waterings.
Scout for grubs. Peel back sod. More than 8 grubs per square foot can cause wilt or death of turf.
Establish or renovate turf by seed (late summer – early fall, depending on weather conditions). Prepare soil properly and get good seed to soil contact.

Trees & Shrub Care

Water newly planted trees and shrubs. Soak each plant well with the hose; sprinklers do not provide adequate water to encourage deep root growth.
Scout for fall webworm nest building near ends of branches.
Review health of trees and consider fall root feeding if necessary.

Tip! Don’t let weeds go to seed. “A year of seeding equals 7 years weeding.”

If keeping up with your landscaping chores feels overwhelming, reach out to learn more about our maintenance programs. (262) 252-4260

30-Year Dream Backyard Becomes Reality

June 28, 2022/in Landscape Design, News/by American Landscape

This project started off as a dream of the client’s late wife. For years she had wanted to transform their backyard into a retreat. After her passing our client felt a pressing need to bring this 30-year dream to life in memory of her.

The backyard had major drainage and erosion issues. The decaying timbers were becoming dangerous for the grandkids and the client’s dog. There was no safe way to get down to the lower level of the yard and to the shed. The client gave us an open slate as he felt he could not put a price on this memorial for his wife.

The client’s requirements for the project included a water feature to minimize the noise of the freeway, replacing the walls, adding steps to make the lower level accessible, solving the major drainage issues, and bringing in color.

Fieldstone was chosen for the walls to go with the natural design of the house. The walls terrace the landscape to solve the erosion while creating multiple planting areas. Lannon stone steps were installed to make a beautiful and safe transition to the multiple levels of this landscape.

We were challenged by narrow access to the yard because of the privacy fence, so we needed to remove fence panels to get into the yard. The 5 cubic yard drywell was installed to mitigate the drainage issues in the lower level. All drainage in the back yard comes to this area, and it handles it with ease.

The basalt columns water feature was chosen for it’s natural appearance which blends in with the other features of the home and landscape. The pond-less aspect was chosen to be child and dog friendly, as well as being low maintenance. Landscape lighting brings this to life late into the evening and it can be viewed from multiple windows in the home.

A hammock was added to this project so the client could enjoy afternoon naps and catch up on some reading. It is the perfect location to enjoy the entire back yard while listening to the sound of water cascading down the centerpiece of this landscape.

The plantings were chosen to be tough enough to handle the dog traffic and able to thrive with only having filtered sun due to the large overhead trees. The mix of textures and newly installed sod give this lush backyard retreat its finishing touches.

Do you have a dream in mind for your own landscape? Get in touch today to connect with one of our talented landscape designers. 262-252-4260

Paver Patio vs Wood Deck: Which is Best for You?

June 20, 2022/in News, Hardscapes/by American Landscape

Everyone loves an inviting outdoor space for eating, entertaining, and relaxing. Deciding what kind of outdoor space to create calls for evaluating the location of the structure, the topography of your yard, budget, and of course the aesthetic you hope to achieve. One significant choice will be what kind of material you want to use for your outdoor space. Let’s take a look at some things to consider when deciding between wood vs hardscapes.

Will the outdoor space be raised or at ground level?

Wood decking is elevated and can sit a few inches to several feet above grade with supports. This may be ideal for second story decks or to accommodate sloping topography.
Paver patios are typically built at ground level. Since they require less structural support than wood, patios can be built next to your home, or elsewhere on your property to give you an inviting space to enjoy a garden, pool or fire pit.

Do you need to accommodate tricky topography?

Since paving is done at a ground level, sloped landscapes require construction of a raised foundation or small retaining wall. Patios can also be built with multiple layers to account for grade changes. Decking, on the other hand, is elevated. It is a good solution for steeply sloping yards or yards with tricky topography. Consider a deck & paver patio combination for homes with exposed basements.

For a ground-level construction, natural stone, concrete or clay pavers are a better option, providing a durable, long-term solution.

Do you want a low maintenance option?

A paved patio is by far a better option if you’re looking for a low maintenance feature. Once your pavers are installed, there is very little further maintenance required apart from the occasional hose down or quick replacement of an individual faulty paver. On the other hand, wooden decks require regular cleaning, staining, and replacement of rotten or worn deck boards.

Wooden decks have a shorter lifespan than paver patios. If not protected properly, wood is predisposed to rot, fungus and general decay. While regular maintenance can extend a deck’s lifetime, a paver patio definitely has the advantage when it comes to permanence.

Where will the patio be located and what look are you going for?

When choosing between these two materials, take a look at your overall landscape design and home and consider which one will blend in more naturally with the existing look and architecture. You should also consider the location to determine whether wood or stone is the right choice. For example, for poolside settings, the chlorine or salt used in pools can be damaging to wood, as can the high exposure to moisture. Pavers also offer a good choice when constructing a non-flammable area for a fire pit.

Concrete pavers often integrate better with other hardscaped outdoor elements, such as fire pits, steps, grill islands, and water features. If you’re looking to enhance the visual appearance of your landscape by adding these elements, pavers make a good match. Many people like the warmth and character offered by wood, while others prefer the timeless look of a natural stone or a paver product.

Pavers can replicate the look of wood and come in a variety of patterns and colors – giving homeowners flexibility to match the style of the property and integrate complementary colors in the hardscape.

Which is the most cost-effective option?

In the short-term, wood may be cheaper install. However, the following factors make paver patio the winner in the long-term:

Minimal annual upkeep
Easy to maintain
When professionally installed, repairs are typically limited to replacing individual pavers or installing new poly sand.
Long lifespan

Making the decision between the type of outdoor space you want for your home requires careful consideration of all the pros and cons. By thinking through the look you want, the placement of the structure, your short and long-term budget and the durability you seek, you won’t go wrong with whichever material you choose.

Our landscape designers are experts at selecting the right materials to complement your home and landscape. Call us today for help in selecting the right outdoor space for your home. 262-252-6240

Spring Bulb Clean-Up

May 17, 2022/in News, Lawn Care/by American Landscape

As your spring flowers begin to die off and foliage begins to droop and yellow, it’s time to take action! Follow our advice to trim these plants properly so your bulbs will produce gorgeous flowers for you again in the fall.

Hyacinth

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stalk as close to the base as you can and remove.

Tulip

When flowers are spent, holding the flower stem firm, cut the stem as close to the second leaf as you can.

For both tulips and hyacinth, be sure to leave the remaining foliage up until it yellows. That is how the bulb makes nutrients for next year’s flowers. After foliage yellows, you can pull, rake, or cut it off and dispose.

Daffodills

Daffodils are a little different than tulips and hyacinth. There are many late blooming varieties, they often grow in large clumps, and sometimes the foliage will stay green well into June. As the flowers die and the foliage starts to flop or interfere with spring planting, you can cut the foliage back to make it more attractive, while still leaving enough for the plant to store nutrients in its bulbs to flower next year.

Gather the leaves in your hands and cut straight across leaving 6”-8” of the foliage still standing. Your clumps will look nice and tidy and you can plant around them without interference.

Just like with your tulips and hyacinths, wait until leaves have yellowed before fully removing them.

Pro Tip! Consider interplanting your bulbs with perennials. As the bulbs fade, the perennials grow and hide the dying foliage, leaving you with less work!

Dividing & Transplanting

If you want to relocate your spring flowering bulbs or if you notice they are not blooming well, you can divide and transplant them. It is best to wait until the foliage starts to die back so that the bulbs have time to store nutrients from the plant.

When you transplant the bulbs, add a little bone meal or bulb fertilizer to give them a boost as they root in and prepare for next year. Be sure to give them a good watering and then wait for some gorgeous flowers in fall!

Note: Tulips do not typically have the longevity in Wisconsin that the daffodils do, so over time it might just be best to replant with new ones.

It’s always a great idea to get expert help with your landscaping. Get in touch today to schedule an appointment for new design/construction or to inquire about our maintenance programs.

Creating a Rustic and Serene Commercial Landscape

February 22, 2022/in News, Hardscapes/by American Landscape

This WLCA award-winning project called for hardscaping and landscaping around a new addition to the client’s existing historical building. We designed and installed extensive new walkways, steps, outcrop walls, planting beds, patio spaces, fire pit area, and additions to an existing creek bed area. The client has an eclectic and creative design aesthetic, which allowed us the freedom to design a rustic and serene landscape with interesting features throughout.

Landscaping to Complement Historic Building

Needing more space for their growing business, Gentian Financial added an interesting and fitting addition on to Holstein School, built in 1920, which has been a staple historic building in Mequon. The addition has brick, stone, and reclaimed timbers on both the interior and exterior, so mimicking that in the landscaping design made sense. The client’s love of all things pavers and stone allowed for sweeping walkways, patios, and landscape features.

Multiple Hardscapes for Visual Interest

We used a variety of hardscape features to visually lead clients in and out of the facility and to the outdoor meeting spaces. Stroll through the property and you will see Belgard Mega Dublin, Holland, and Mirage porcelain pavers, Chilton outcropping, granite boulders and fieldstone, and lannon rock faced steps. The Mega Dublin pavers in the front of the facility work in tandem with Warmquest heating elements to minimize snow and ice during the winter.

Enchanting Outdoor Gathering Spaces

Gentian hosts many events for clients, friends, and family so careful consideration was given to creating welcoming and unique gathering spots. We used Belgard Mirage porcelain plank raised pavers to bridge the gap between the historic school building and new addition. The planks mimic the oiled wooden floor on the inside of the addition.

Among the outdoor gathering spaces is a raised gas and wood-burning fire pit. It is fitted with a custom-made laser cut ring, which showcases the company name and is visible at night from the road. Pillars and steps define the entrances to the large and shaded “back yard feel.”

As we designed this creative and eclectic landscape, we navigated the challenges of elevation changes and a wish for sightlines to the landscape features from various offices. We preserved the beautiful, mature trees during all facets of construction to allow for excellent shading, as well as a cozy feel for each of the outdoor meeting spaces.

Gentian Financial is constantly adding items to the landscape to create chatter in Mequon. They are truly visionary! We would love to help you realize your own vision for your landscape. Contact us today to set up a design consultation or call (262) 252-4260.