David's Landscaping Blog

Are there any high-risk trees on your property? A tree with structural defects can result in damage to vehicles, passersby or homes. Preventive tree care is the answer to this ... Read More

Marie Iannotti remarks that purple coneflowers initially became popular because "they grew so easily and bloomed so long." But now you're not limited to purple coneflowers: as these pictures of ... Read More

Wildfires are frequently in the news, increasing public awareness of the damage they can cause. Are there any measures homeowners can take for preventing fires during hot, dry summers? You ... Read More

If you live near a sawmill, it might appear to be a no-brainer to bypass more typical mulches and make use of free sawdust mulch. But Steve Jones issues one ... Read More

What's not to like about canna plants? Marie Iannotti informs us of several reasons for growing these tropical beauties, including gorgeous foliage and flowers. And don't be scared off by ... Read More

"Hydrangeas are generally grown for their dazzling flowers and spectacular foliage," remark the experts at Bluegrass Gardens Plant Nursery. See which types make their list of popular hydrangeas to grow ... Read More

Some may wonder why bird control is ever necessary. After all, says Marie Iannotti, "Gardeners love the company of birds in the garden... most of the time." But, warns About's ... Read More

When should you apply tree fertilizers, and how? Steve Nix, About's Guide to Forestry, has the answers to those questions, opening the article by noting, "Ideally, growing trees should be ... Read More

"There are few tools we rely on more than our hand pruners, but most of us don't really take very good care of them," observes Marie Iannotti. Ready to turn ... Read More

When people talk about "laurel," they're usually referring to bay laurel. Bay laurel is much celebrated in european history and literature. But there is another laurel -- mountain laurel. Native ... Read More

Do you strive to attract well-behaved wildlife to your landscape? Blue Hill salvia flowers attract fluttering butterflies and buzzing bumblebees, providing hours of tranquil wildlife viewing (unless, of course, you ... Read More

Many new homeowners plant iris flowers, those old-time perennials, remembering the fragrant plants from their childhoods. But alas, not all iris flowers are created equally fragrant! That's why it is ... Read More

Stella de Oro daylily is a dream for landscapers but a nightmare for linguistic purists. Instances of the renegade spelling, "Stella d'Oro" are numerous, even in the catalogs of wholesalers ... Read More

"Hostas are shade plants, right?" asks Marie Iannotti. But the answer provided by About's Gardening Guide may surprise some novices: "Well, yes and no. We think of hostas as shade ... Read More

Today, Project EverGreen "is preparing to deliver a giant care package to the families of thousands of American servicemen and women." The program is called, "GreenCare for Troops," and its ... Read More

Of redbud trees in spring, Steve Nix writes, "Leafless branches are loaded with aromatic pink flowers that grow right off the trunk and limbs. Quickly following the flowers come new ... Read More

Is your property susceptible to an invasion of black rats, also called "roof" rats? "If you have the following items around your home, you may be more prone to attracting" ... Read More

How do you get the most out of your perennial flowers? Well, you've heard the expression, "Divide and conquer!" Strange as it may sound, the answer lies in dividing perennial ... Read More

Swimming pool landscaping is full of unique challenges and opportunities. Considerations when landscaping around swimming pools include privacy, safety, beauty and convenience. This piece on swimming pool landscaping briefly discusses ... Read More

"I've noticed areas in the lawn with standing water after a big rain," writes this week's featured poster in the Landscaping Forum. It's a common question, especially in the spring: ... Read More

Like the entrance to your house, the entrance to your property, via the driveway, is often treated as a landscaping focal point. Driveway landscaping can consist of such elements as ... Read More

Running out of Mother's Day ideas? "Your mom will appreciate something hand-made whether you are four, fourteen or forty, so grab whatever colors you have and try some of these ... Read More

Need to create a sturdy, attractive path from point A to point B? Then learn how to build stone walkways. This article will show you how, injecting reminders along the ... Read More

You can accomplish weed control without chemicals. These resources show readers how to practice effective weed control and still have organic yards. But rest assured: my focus is not on ... Read More

You could plant whatever you want in your landscaping, then try to keep the deer away from it. Homeowners in deer-control country often erect deer fences or apply deer repellents ... Read More

You've recently bought some boxwood or other shrubs, and you're wondering how to trim them into hedges? Trimming hedges is fairly easy, if you start when they're young and set ... Read More

Although some people think of rose of sharon as a "tree" (because it gets tall and can be pruned so as to have a single trunk), rose of sharon is ... Read More

Not to be confused with "phrenology," (a controversial psychological theory from the past), "phenology" is defined as "the science dealing with the influence of climate on the recurrence of such ... Read More

If you lay flagstone patios in sand, as opposed to mortar or concrete, the project is considered "dry construction." Dry construction is easier for do-it-yourselfers than wet consruction. Not having ... Read More

Building small garden arbors is an easy do-it-yourself project -- cheap, too, if you're willing to shop around a bit for your pressure-treated lumber. Follow the step-by-step instructions, supplemented by ... Read More

"Saucer" magnolia trees have one of those common plant names whose significance may be somewhat mysterious to the uninitiated, but which makes perfect sense to those who have experienced them. ... Read More