Monday, July 27, 2009

A Rich Landscape

How often don’t we wonder what it would be like to live in the shoes of the rich and famous? While we have to admit that not everything about their lives may be admirable, there are some things we might wish we could have. The fancy cars, the clothes, the houses with their beautiful landscaping - these are things we could live with.

For example, you can expect wealthy homeowners to have a crew of landscapers that take care of their lawn, design their flowerbeds, and weed their gardens. And while many of us won’t ever be living in a multi-million dollar home, we can incorporate some of the wealthy styles of the rich and famous to our homes. Travertine pavers are a very rich-looking material to build patios with, and coral rocks are just as beautiful and can easily be used to build a fireplace or border around a bed.

Many people are now incorporating things like glass mulch to create a touch of color and flair to their yard, and things like sculptures and topiaries can beautify any landscape. With a little bit of planning and the right resources, any landscape can begin to look like it belongs on the cover of a magazine!

Monday, July 20, 2009

Glass Mulch Application

Glass mulch is a great way to beautify a landscape. Many people now use it to mulch planting beds, line walkways, and create a bit of color in their landscape. For some, it is used as a touch of whimsy, for others, glass mulch becomes practical in a rock garden or pathway.

Whatever the type of application for glass mulch, one should be careful about how they place it. First of all, glass mulch should be installed deep enough that there is no weed or grass growth allowed to penetrate through. It might also be helpful to lay a weed barrier down.

Secondly, decide on the colors and designs you want - and don’t overdo it. Glass mulch is beautiful on its own, and a lot of colorful plants in and around it can make it look cluttered. Simple textures with single colors work best with glass mulch. The mulch itself comes in various colors, and you will need to decide if you want to use a single color, or mix a few of them up.

Finally, plan to spend a small amount of time on upkeep of the area. Glass mulch looks the best when it can be blown free of leaves or debris regularly, but when placed properly it will save the homeowner time on maintenance in the long run.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Coral Rocks Bring a Feel of the Ocean

If you’ve ever been to the ocean, particularly the warm areas of the ocean, perhaps you’ve seen the extensive coral formations that occur there. Coral is formed by tiny organisms that build colonies with calcified rock. The result is a rocklike substance that has many different textures and patterns made up of holes and ridges. Associated with the warm ocean climates, coral is one of the most natural beauties in the world.

Coral rocks are mined in Florida and they definitely create a tropical flair when added to any landscape. Just like the coral of the ocean, coral rocks are full of natural holes and textures, and often contain fossils. This stone is used extensively in warm climates for patios, walkways, and for building structures like walls and fireplaces. It is a beautiful stone that many have found is easy to work with and perfect to include in landscapes in warm climates. Because of its natural ocean feel, coral stone is ideal for any landscape that incorporates a tropical flair, or one that is near the ocean.