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Instead of the same old straight line of evergreens (usually arborvitae), which is so overdone and boring, why not use a more interesting variety of native shrubs and trees? Whether you are here in White Plains or Croton-on-the Hudson, you can make your landscape so much more attractive and highly eco-functional. I recently planted a hedge of clethra which is flowering and fragrant. It also attracts bees and humming birds.

Other plant suggestions are river birch, shrub dogwoods and viburnum.

Some great resources are; Armitage’s Native Plants for North American Gardens, William Cullina’s Native Trees, Shrubs & Vines and Donald Leopolds ’s Native Plants of the Northeast. Another good one is The Xerces Society Guide, Attracting Native Pollinators by Dr. Marla Spivak.

There are many good web sites including ELA (Ecological Landscape Association) ecolandscaping.org, Wild Ones, wildones.org, and The Native Plant Center, sunywcc.edu/about/npc/, or https://nycgovpark.org or wetchestergov.com.

Why not make landscaping artistic, fun and functional. Increase your ecological, aesthetic and economic value by Going Green!

Design Concept/Scope of Work

We propose to construct a beautiful garden terrace outdoor room. This naturally wonderful outdoor space will feature the three sisters (10-12ft River Birch trees) as your dominant and dramatic focal element. These trees will serve as an expression of nature in your garden terrace. Their stunning shape and verticality will act as a powerful backdrop to your elegantly furnished outdoor room by creating a fabulous accent, energizing and empowering your youthful lifestyle. The trees will be under planted (within the containers) in combination with purple heliopsis as a flowering ground cover.

The horizontal/rectilinear container boxes will be utilized for a successional perennial planting consisting of purple geranium, yellow Black-Eyed-Susan and white and yellow daisies. Ornamental grasses (pennisetum rubrum, red fountain grass) will informally line and soften the fence line (see Lea’s conceptual sketch). This one of a kind landscape planting is something you might see in a Greenwich gold cost perennial border garden. Plants were selected for long lasting flowering, texture, shape, height, layering and durability.

One of the most important aspects of executing this exquisite design successfully is selection and installation of the highest quality plants and plant containers raided for urban rooftop gardens. The cost of the containers will be charged to you at net pricing (see receipt). The cost for installation is based upon net cost of containers plus plant material, soil and labor. The oversize containers, which are essential for sustainable growth (especially over wintering), will serve an even greater function from a design perspective in creating an attractive balance of scale (height and width) with your outdoor furniture selection.

The ultimate effect we intend to produce will be a finished mature landscape garden and outdoor living space that will last and endure throughout your time at the Trump Plaza. We wish you long life and happiness.

It doesn’t seem to matter if you are in Mid-Westchester from White Plains and Armonk, Scarsdale or Greenburgh or up county in Katonah, Goldens Bridge, North Salem or Somers, animal damage to our gardens and landscapes is universal.

You think we should know that by now ! I have installed 7-8 foot fences, cattle guards (those large cement grates), all kinds of sound and electric devices as well as deer repellent.

I find there are two things that work well. Selecting as many deer/rabbit resistant plants including fragrant herbs and perennials and applying repellents, mixed at a higher than recommended rate frequently. Alternating natural source organic products is advisable. I particularly like Liquid Fence and Metro Milorganite.

Plant it and they will come!

Remember the squirrels, raccoons, groundhogs, opossums, chipmunks and deer all need to eat too (don’t forget the birds).

All landscapes require maintenance! Start from day one when you plant your new salad bar!

Feel free to call us for suggestions or advise. Or even just to commiserate! We definitely understand your pain! Do not despair! I live on the edge of a large, wild, wetland yet I am able to grow just about anything as a result of diligent Best Management Practices.

You can live with wildlife as long as you are aware and prepare.

We come across water management issues daily in our work as landscape designers and design/build contractors.

It seems there is either too much water or too little. Aside from our 20 point property checklist, we continuously look for signs and indicators of flow paths, wet areas or stress in the landscape environment. Sometimes these are simple and easy to improve. Obvious low lying areas that are connected to culverts, inverts or other piping should be monitored so they do not get clogged with debris. In some cases screens are recommended to exclude animals from piping. On the other hand if debris regularly clogs piping they must be cleaned more often. Larger diameter pipe is less likely to clog.

Mowing is a consideration. We recommend leaving a buffer strip between the stream bed and mowed lawn. This provides both a natural physical and biological filter which significantly aides water quality.

There is much more valuable info in the two courses I developed for The Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, Gardening with Storm Water and Establishing a Riparian Buffer.

If you are looking to improve the appearance or function of your landscape, call today for a consultation.

Every morning I see the beauty of our natural landscapes. Even at the gym! Lifetime Fitness in West Harrison is a great example of contemporary ecological landscape design incorporating native plants into a landscape composition.

The pink flowering dogwood with the flowering black choke cherries is so pretty and attractive not just to us human casual observers but to our native bees and insects. There is a great combination of native and non native perennials, grasses, ground covers, trees and shrubs living in beautiful harmony with the outstanding architecture on a grand scale. The Lifetime news letter is pretty interesting and informative as well.

We should notice and value these progressive resource managing landscapes.

Everything is possible in our brand new world of Green Design!

Using native plants makes managing landscapes sustainably organic so much easier!

Call us or email us for a free design consultation today!

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