The Perfect Home Guide: Summer 2008: "Summertime Green"
Add color to your hedges all summer long by
planting a low perennial such as blue daze, lantana,
pentas or bush-daisies for a colorful look.
Grafted Gardenias, T-Olives and other
fragrance plants near doors and walkways add a
refreshing fragrance to the summer air.
Turn simple home items like mail boxes or lamp
posts into visually appealing centerpieces with
vibrant colored flowers or climbing mandevillas.
An idea for marking a transition between an entry
path and the driveway is by use of a flowering arch.
Use a coated – steel or cedar structure and train a
bright blooming rose or clematis to climb it
Consider using a hedge in place of a traditional
fence. Viburnum work great. Hedges can be used
for privacy, to screen out bad views or to frame and accent
key areas throughout your yard. Hedges can also serve as
great backdrops for flowers.
Use annuals to help spruce up walkways or paths. Select
specimens that will spill over the path and define a solid line.
Stone, rocks and boulders make a great feature accent for flower
beds. Create a theme by incorporating a little rock throughout
your entire yard.
Replace or modernize your driveway with beautiful cement
pavers. Many paver colors and patterns are available. It is
important to get an experienced contractor to help with
installation. Check with your local landscape professional for recommendations.
Mulch, Mulch, Mulch! Mulch helps plants to hold moisture in the ground. This provides insulation against
both sun and cold nights. As well as add nutrients to the soil.
Check irrigation equipment to ensure all is in working order. Run each zone, check for proper disbursement of
water, check timer settings and remember to periodically check for broken heads to avoid dry spots.
