How's Your Window Appeal?

Magazines, television shows, realtors. They all remind us of the importance of curb appeal, but it's the rare occasion that we are schooled on the importance of window appeal. What is window appeal? It's the view you, the homeowner, get when looking out their windows out into your landscape. And it's just as important as the view people walking onto your property get. After all, this is your home, and you should enjoy it from any and all angles. There are so many ways to add visual interest to your yard. Take some time to assess your views from the windows.

Stand in your kitchen, look out the window...what do you see? Do you have some of your favorites planted nearby so you can see them while you cook or wash dishes? If not, imagine the difference when you do plant some color or fragrance close by.

How about your bedroom window? Wouldn't it be great to wake up in the spring to the blossoms of a favorite tree? Or for year round interest, add an ornamental dwarf evergreen or a holly. You might be surprised by the options available to you.

Window appeal also includes your hardscape. A strategically placed pergola, arbor or water feature can add beauty as well. Rock, stone and retaining walls add interest during all the seasons.

An experienced landscape designer can assist you with the placement that will give you the best overall window appeal. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you can enjoy your outside spaces.

We're at it again!

January! It's a great month for shows, and this weekend you can see us at the MyTime Women's Show in the Hampton Convention Center. This show is geared toward today's woman, and will be full of great vendors, demonstrations, rafle prizes and give-aways. We're excited to be a part of this great show.

Not only will this venue give us another great opportunity to showcase our talents, but it also allows us to work alongside some great community partners. We're proud to be part of an event that includes the following organizations: Alzheimer's Associations, American Legion Auxiliary Post 368, An Achievable Dream, Beyond Boobs (a support group for young women diagnosed with breast cancer), Food Bank, Get the Facts, Go Red for Women, Habitat for Humanity, Helping other Peoples Enrichment, Junior League of Hampton Roads, Lackey Free Clinic, Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen, Transitions FVS, Youth Education & Family Services, and Victory Over Violence.

For a list of events and times, click here. Enjoy the weekend, plan to attend the show, take advantage of the demonstrations, and don't forget to stop by our booth and say hello.

Let the Show Begin!

We are very excited to announce that we'll be a part of the Virginia Flower and Garden Expo. Held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on January 20 thru 22, this event will be full of ideas, displays, fun challenges and activities for the kids.

Arranged by the Virginia Horticultural Foundation, you can be assured this will be an event that will interest anyone who loves gardening or needs the necessary help to create a winning look of their own.

Be sure and stop by Booth 38 and say hello! We would love to talk to you and show you what's new in 2012.

Winter Blooms

Looking for something to add to your winter landscape? Consider planting Winter Variegated Daphne. Daphne Odora or Sweet Daphne is special because it blooms in late February. What's more welcoming than blooms in the winter? A bloom that offers a lovely scent. A bloom that lets you know that spring is about to arrive. With its dark green, glossy leaves with cream-colored edges, and long lasting purplish pink flowers with white throats, Daphne is a perfect choice.

Daphne is ideal for north and east facing beds, against walls and around patio and deck edges, where its scent is enjoyed up close. As a specimen, its variegated leaves are good for lightening shade garden plantings. Try in groups of three at corners and transitions from path to patio. It can even grow in a well-drained container. Daphne is a great accompaniment to go with Azalea, Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple and Astilbe.

Prune Your Myrtles

January is an excellent time to prune many trees and shrubs, including crepe myrtle, because most are in a dormant stage. Some exceptions include dogwood, flowering cherry and peach, redbud and azaleas.

That said, let's get back to that Southern favorite...the crepe myrtle!

The most important thing about crepe myrtle pruning is realizing that crepe myrtles should never be butchered. Don't fall victim to CREPE MURDER! The goal is to maintain the natural form of the crepe myrtle. It's important to do an annual pruning to ensure that branches provide enough strength and are fully capable of holding the flowers in their most spectacular upright display. Proper pruning also requires a thinning out that will reveal the smooth, multi-toned bark on mature trunks and branches.

If you do make the inexcusable mistake of butchering your crepe myrtles, then the above scenario is impossible. What you will end up with is a tall stump with some spindly growth too week to hold up the heavy floral display the crepe myrtle is known for.

Keep in mind that pruning isn't a haphazard application, and it always helps to get the eyes of a professional on your trees. Why take chances when it comes to your curb appeal?

So, it's cold out?

Winter is here, and it's cold outside. But that's not reason enough to forget about your yard. Here in the Hampton Roads region, it's actually been pretty moderate for all of November and December. In fact, you may see some of your perennials already starting to sprout from the ground. Seeing new growth always helps us to see that spring isn't too far away. Yes, we know we still have winter to deal with, but it's never too early to start planning your landscape.

The most important part of a landscape is "The Plan." Too many people make the enormous mistake of planting whatever they find on sale at the Garden Center and planting it wherever there is an open space. Planting sporadically and occassionally can cause you to have the wrong plants in the wrong spot. It can mean that the plants you plant near each other aren't the best selection. The best way to curtail this from happening to your yard is to spend time with a professional, developing a plan and allowing them to design. When your vision is coupled with the expertise of the professional you can put an end to the costly mistakes of haphazard do-it-yourself gardening.

January is the pefect time to beging planning. Start looking at magazines, visiting websites and particularly stopping by our booth the upcoming Virginia Flower and Garden Show at the Virginia Beach Convention Center January 20-22 for ideas and assistance. You'll be glad you did!