Tropical Landscaping

It sure seems like folks in tropical climates like to landscape. Maybe it’s the beautiful weather of these tropical places, or maybe it’s the pride that homeowners in these areas have for their vast array of foliage, but it almost seems effortless to maintain a landscape in the tropics. It is fun to plant big, tropical plants that burst with beautiful flowers, and lawns can look so green and beautiful in this kind of climate.  

Some features that many tropical landscapes incorporate may be palm trees, lots of greenery, and big, bright flowers. But other things really help give that tropical feel, such as a big coral rocks waterfall, or a cap rock fountain. Fish can be used in ponds, as well as water plants. Hardscaping around these structures is important, and a professional look can be created by using pebbles or travertine pavers to finish off the area. Water features like these add both sound and smell to the sight of the landscape, and give a definite tropic feel.

Potted plants can also add a tropical feel to a backyard or patio. By using native plants that are lush and green, all areas of the yard can be brought to life. A bamboo fence can also add a great deal of aesthetics to the area.

With a little research and planning, it is possible to create a beautiful landscape that celebrates the tropics.
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Coral Rocks Add Texture to Landscape

Coral rocks are made up of ancient rock that is found throughout the world.  This type of building material is oolitic limestone, or “egg stone”, which is known for its texture.  Oolite is a sedimentary rock that consists of many small holes.  This type of rock was formed over time when particles floating in the ocean became coated with calcium carbonate and fell to the ocean floor.  After many years, the area that was once covered with water became land; leaving the coral rock compacted under the soil.

Coral rocks are mined in the southern tip of Florida, using environmentally safe practices.  After the rock is removed, the land is reclaimed and is used for farming.  Once the rocks are mined, they are cut to different sizes for building materials and landscape supplies.

The coral rocks are known for their use in Floridian architecture.  Often called “old Florida” style, many structures can be built with coral rocks including houses, garden walls, patios, and walkways.  The texture in this type of building material makes it very popular among designers.  Each piece is unique, with different pores, colors, and sometimes fossils found in different sections.

Another advantage to using coral rocks is the variety of sizes it comes in.  It can be found in boulders, rocks, and different size flagging and tile.  For any landscape project, coral rock can be the material that adds interest and texture to the construction

Go Green with Glass Mulch

Every year, over 40 billion glass bottles are made and sold.  Most of them get used once and then end up in landfills, taking up valuable space.  Glass can now be broken down, tumbled until the pieces are smooth, and then reused as mulch.  This industry has shown great strides in the recycling of old materials to make new ones, and the idea has really caught on in our country.  Many people today are looking to buy glass mulch for a variety of landscape projects.

Glass mulch comes in many different colors, and can be used to make beautiful walkways, coverings for flowerbeds, and bases for fish ponds or fountains.  It can be mixed into concrete to form garden paths or patio tiles.  Another new way to use glass mulch is to place it in the bottom of a fire pit, and then use natural gas fuel to burn a flame above the glass.  This can be customized to fit the landscape, and can be a great focal point for outdoor living. 

The sky is the limit when it comes to designing with glass mulch.  It can be used also for craft projects such as picture frame borders and to add some color and texture to plastic or glass projects.  Around the house projects include covering the floor of aquariums or terrariums, and filling the base of vases with a combination of mulch colors. 

All it takes is a little imagination to beautify a house and yard with glass mulch.

How to Create a Backyard Pond

There are many backyard projects that homeowners can do on their own.  One of the more challenging do-it-yourself projects is creating a pond with a stream.  Some things are best left for the experts, such as designing and placing cap rock waterfalls, but an ambitious homeowner should be able to create a basic stream and pond by themselves.

The first step to this project is to dig the area for the pond, and the size will vary based on the desired size and shape of the pond.  Once this is done, the plumbing will need to be placed for the filter and pump, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

The next step is to excavate the stream and install the waterfall tank and skimmer, if they are being used.  The pond underlayment and liner can then be positioned.  In order to hide the liner and create a more natural landscape, it is necessary to fill the area around the edges with rock or pebbles.  One good way to do this is to place larger stones first around the edge of the pond and directly on the liner, and then add pebbles to the cracks and around the stones.  This will also hold the liner in place and prevent soil from falling into the pond.  Shallow water plants also work well to fill the area and create a natural look.

The last step is deciding what kinds of water plants and fish will go well in your pond, and then enjoying your finished project.