Backyard Landscaping Ideas - A Guide To Evergreen Trees And Shrubs

Evergreen trees and shrubs are generally more expensive than their counterparts, although many feel that they are well worth the extra expense not only for their year-round beauty, but also their reliability and longevity. Evergreens can range all the way from broadleaved shrubs like rhododendron to the tall pines and spruces that many people think of as simply "evergreens".

Perhaps the most common of evergreen trees is the pine. It's noted for its long, soft needles and its rapid growth. In fact, they often attain 60 to 80 ft. maturity very quickly.Red pine is popular as well and useful for creating textured backgrounds and windbreaks. The Ponderosa pine is a more compact tree that is often used for wind protection and ornamental purposes. The Austrian or black pine, with its spreading branches is very commonly used in the Midwest.

Perhaps the most widely planted evergreen that is used for a windbreak is the Norway spruce tree. It grows very fast, it's very hardy, has short dark green needles, and is shaped like a pyramid. The Black Hills spruce tree is also very tough and resistant to drought. It grows much slower than the Norway spruce but can still achieve a height of 40 ft. in time.

White spruce on the other hand, can mature close to 60 to 70 ft. in height and is often used in landscaping landscaping designs. Colorado blue spruce is generally hardy, however it does suffer some in extreme heat and drought conditions.

Red Cedar is perhaps the most popular of the evergreen Cedar trees. It's often used as an ornamental tree for both hedges and windbreaks. It tends to be very tough and hardy, and takes winter very well.

Perhaps the best overall Evergreen tree for windbreaks and screening is the Douglas fir tree. It's hardy and drought resistant, grows fast, has a pyramid shape, and looks great in most landscape designs. The Balsam fir, which is also known as the Christmas tree, is well-known for its fragrance and unique appearance. On the other hand, the white fir tree has an attractive silver color instead.

 

The Juniper family of Evergreen trees is often used in planting, with the tall types such as the upright Juniper being used as a textured background, and the spreading types like the Pfitzer juniper being used for groundcover and edgings.

Yew, has thick glossy needles and upward reaching branches, and can be used as both a shrub and a tree. In fact, they can even grow well in sun and shade, making it one of the most versatile evergreens.

Evergreens as a whole can be adversely affected by hot, dry weather conditions and need to be watered every couple of weeks or so at this time. Be sure to water it enough so that the moisture will reach deep into the ground at least 6 in. or so. Applying a layer of mulch in dry weather can also help protect against moisture loss during this period.

It's a good idea to prune evergreens in the late spring just before the new buds appear. And in the late fall give them a good deep watering to help prevent the branches drying out and cracking under the weight of snow or the force of wind during the winter.

As you can see, there are a lot of varieties of evergreen trees that accomplish many different tasks in a home landscaping design. Hopefully this article will help you choose the one that will work best for your home and help you care for it properly too.

Backyard Landscape Design Ideas And Advice

I am a backyard landscape do it yourself hobbyist. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons that I first bought a house was because I wanted to be able to play with backyard landscape design. I have had so many backyard landscaping ideas since I was very small, but I have never gone on to do any of them. You see, when I was a kid I used to love to imagine what my dream house would be like. Of course back then, my backyard landscape ideas were not that well developed. Basically, most of my backyard landscape designs were pretty over the top. I wanted to have a giant backyard fountain that you could swim in, a backyard basketball court - you get the idea. When I was a kid, my backyard landscape design scheme centered around making the biggest, best playground that a child had ever had.

Since then, my backyard landscape designs have changed, but my passion for it has not. Nowadays, I am into backyard gardening above all. I love to read, to write, and to enjoy the outdoors. backyard landscape design allows me to create a space where I can do all three. I have downloaded some backyard landscaping software that helps me to plan out the spacing of the various components of my backyard garden. Although I do not have very much space, if I use it cleverly it is enough to create several secluded spots to enjoy my books.

Although I have yet to build most of my backyard landscape design plans, I am starting to. I have already laid the flagstones for my garden path, and next week I will start planting the plants. At one point, I considered hiring nursery contractors to some of the more difficult backyard landscape design work, but eventually I thought better of it. backyard landscape design is a hobby. Of course I could make it easier by getting professionals to do the work, but that is hardly the point. If I give in, I will never learn how to be a backyard landscaper.

If you have ever thought about getting into backyard landscape design, I encourage you to do it. Do not be put off by how difficult it is to build things when you have never had any experience. Once you get the hang of it, it can really be quite easy. You will have fun, get some exercise, and have a gorgeous backyard as a reward for your efforts. What could be better than that?

Backyard Landscape Designs

If you are thinking of remodelling your garden, there are certain things you need to know about it before you start with the process. When it comes to backyard landscape designs, you need to choose the right person too who will help you with your landscaping needs. Choosing the right grass is also an important thing since it will be the foundation of your outdoor space. In choosing the best grass for your yard, you need to consider lots of things too like getting the one that can be easily maintained, pet and child friendly. You can try buffalo grass. Here are some known reasons why it is child friendly and chosen by most gardeners these days:

1. Buffalo grass can be a perfect backyard landscape because it requires you to maintain it easily. It doesn't grow high, it seldom gets fungus, it requires little trimming and fertilizing. It can survive drought. In fact, over managing it can harm it instead of doing well.

2. What's good about it is that, it remains green even during winter time. Although it is considered as a warm season plant, this buffalo grass will remain alive even when not watered during winter time.

3. Buffalo grass can fill in your backyard landscaping ideas because it's weed- resistant too.

4. It is considered an eco friendly grass because it doesn't need much water to live. You can save water through this grass on your yard.

5. This backyard landscape grass is also child friendly. It is insect and disease resistant so it's perfect for families with small children. It is also soft so you can it there during warm days.

You shouldn't always look at the appearance of backyard landscaping ideas because there are others that look really appealing but they are not really suitable for your kids and for your home. There are times when you need to check on the quality of certain product before you them installed on your yard. Having this type of grass on your yard will truly drive you closer to your yard all the time. This is perfect for family activities especially during night time and summer time. You can bond with your kids, play with them and just share quality time with them while sitting or lying down on the grass.

You can also add some other accessories to enhance your yard without spending a lot. But if you wish to have special designs and ornaments, you need to contact a landscape artist to help you out with your landscaping concern. There are so many backyard landscape designs that allow you to have a great yard you will surely enjoy.
Gardening and designing your own yard is really exciting according to expert landscape artists and gardeners. It gives different kind of fulfilment and it also takes away worries and stress. You will be relaxed, as you start gardening and dealing with plants and in going back to natural things. This will truly provide you with a different experience you cannot find in spas and in theatres. The fulfilment of seeing plants grow will surly makes you enjoy this wonderful experience.