Archives for May 2022

Hardscapes and Rock Gardens

Rock gardens come in all shapes and sizes. The simplicity of a rock garden doesn’t require big open spaces to enjoy the beauty and eco-friendly benefits. The beds encompass small, raised beds to those built on the ground. The style depends on how much space is available, the amount or rock an individual has with which to work, and personal preference.

Clear the Space

For those that are building their rock garden on the ground, clear the area of grass and vegetation, digging down far enough to get the roots.

Build a Perimeter

Use larger rocks to build a perimeter around the outside of the area that will be the rock garden. The dimensions of the rocks don’t need to be more than 12 inches.

Add Some Sand

The base layer is going to be sand to provide drainage. For those that have a clay-based soil, some compost can be added. Then tamp the soil down by walking on it to create a firm base.

More Rocks

Lay another perimeter of stones within the first layer, leaving enough room between the two perimeters to enter some plants later on. The second “layer” of rocks can be made of more attractive rocks, since they’re the ones that will be most visible within the bed itself. Use smaller rocks on this layer than the outer perimeter.

Pick the Plants

Some individuals choose a specific color scheme for the plants they select, while others prefer to use a mix of colors. The color of the plants is typically chosen to complement the rock color. There are plants of red, green, yellow and silver that can be combined in various ways.

Be sure that the selected plants have similar moisture and sun requirements. Plants that are drought-resistant work well. Add interest by varying plant heights and textures. It can help to first place the plants in their positions while still in the pot to see what the effect will be. Don’t be afraid to rearrange them.

When the layout is pleasing, remove the plants from the pots and enter them in the ground. Add soil as needed. It can be helpful, and attractive, to add a layer of mulch using small stones. It will also help retain moisture.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more

Colorful Plants for the Summer Heat

One of the biggest problems that gardeners encounter is identifying plants that provide color and can withstand the intense summer heat of South Florida. There’s no need to despair. There are a number of plants that can take the heat while providing waves of color from spring through autumn.

Canna

The lilies are available in standard and dwarf varieties in shades of red, yellow, orange, pink, apricot and salmon. Standard size cannas grow 4 to 5 ft. and dwarf varieties are 3 to 4 ft. They do need shelter from high winds, don’t like to become too dry, and are heavy feeders.

Coneflowers

Echinacea blooms all summer long and grows up to 36 in. tall. They’re drought-resistant and available in colors of red, yellow, orange, purple, pink and white. Some bi-color hybrids are also available. They’re highly attractive to bees and butterflies, blooming summer through autumn. The plants self-sow easily.

Cosmos

A native of Mexico, these are annuals that won’t wilt in the heat. Cosmos come in colors of red, orange, lavender, pink and white. They begin blooming in late summer and species are available ranging from 1 to 6 ft. in height.

Gerbera

The plants bloom summer through autumn in shades of red, yellow, orange, lavender, pink and white. They grow 6 to 12 inches tall and the blossoms can be cut for use in bouquets. They are equally at home in flowerbeds or containers. Gerberas are typically treated as perennials in South Florida. They like morning sun and afternoon shade.

Marigolds

The red, orange and yellows of marigolds provide color from spring to fall. The annuals can be grown in flowerbeds or as a potted plant and are attractive to butterflies. They’re available in species ranging from 6 in. tall to those that can reach 3 to 4 ft. in height.

Shooting Stars

Available in pink, purple and white varieties, shooting stars bloom May through June with uniquely shaped blossoms. A perennial and native wildflower found throughout the U.S. in wetlands and woodlands to semi-arid prairies, they grow to about 2 ft. high.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
koi pond

Adding a Koi Pond to your Landscape

A symbol of good luck in Japan, fish fanciers in Florida are installing backyard ponds to house their fish, even if they only have room for one. The descendants of the common carp have much to recommend them and are extremely popular. They’re colorful, very hardy, can live happily outdoors year-round, and thrive in the Florida climate.

The record-holding koi in the UK was one called Big Girl that weighed in at 90 lbs. in 2007 and came from Japan. A koi named Hanako lived for an amazing 226 years before her death in 1977. The scarlet beauty was born in Japan in 1751 and carefully kept records verified her longevity.

Koi enthusiasts need to know that a little 5-inch koi can attain lengths of 2 to 4 ft., weigh 12 to 20 lbs., and live up to 35 years under the proper conditions. Outdoor ponds will need to be at least 3 ft. deep to prevent incursions by fish-eating birds and raccoons. The pond will need to be placed out of direct sunlight, be sufficiently oxygenated, and have appropriate plants provided.

Aquatic veterinarians recommend a minimum of 250 gallons of water for a single adult koi. A young koi won’t need 250 gallons, but a full-grown koi will and they grow fairly quickly. Anything less will stunt their growth. Every koi won’t attain 24-inches in length, but genetics are tricky. Individuals need to be prepared for the possibility if they want their fish to flourish and live a long and happy life.

Koi is available in patterns of red, blue, yellow, cream, white and black, along with those that have a metallic sheen. There are approximately 100 named varieties of koi. They’re fairly intelligent and can be trained to eat from a person’s hand. There are even koi shows. Highly graceful, they impart a sense of peace and tranquility. As living creatures, koi shouldn’t be viewed simply as a design element in landscapes, but as treasured friends.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
backyard waterfall

Create a Backyard Waterfall

The sound of water is soothing and relaxing, and many people are constructing backyard waterfalls to rest and recharge. The design includes a small pond. The array of premade pond liners makes it easy to create an aquatic retreat, even for those that have little space.

The Pond

Choose a pre-made pond size to accommodate the space available. The pond is where the water will fall into. Individuals will also need a pump to circulate the water when the cascading wall is complete. Choose where the pond will go.

If there’s a small slope in the yard, it can be utilized to attain more height for the water to fall. A small slope can be created if desired. Dig a hole, place the pond, and fill in around it with the dirt that was removed. A slight incline is needed for the water to run down and back into the pool.

A channel will need to be established between the waterfall and the pond. There are premade channels that can be purchased where the pond was bought. Individuals can also use a flexible liner laid on the ground between the falls and the pond. Rocks can be placed on the liner to hold it down and hide it.

The Waterfall

There are a number of premade waterfalls that can be purchased and easily incorporated into the design. Some are made of precast plastic or concrete. For those that have access to approximately 30 rocks, a waterfall can be constructed, but the rocks will need to be fairly flat with squarish, sharp edges to facilitate water moving over them.

Plastic tubing will need to be run between the pond and the falls. A clay flowerpot works well to anchor and hide the pump, and hold the tubing in place while other work is performed. The tubing will run from the pump to the top of the rocks, where it will cascade over the rocks, down the channel and back into the pool.

Power

A pump is critical to move the water and that will necessitate access to electricity. Individuals will need to have a certified electrician install a line of power to the pond. It’s important to turn off the power whenever individuals are gone or the backyard waterfall isn’t in use.

RCH Landscaping is a full-service landscape company based in Boca Raton, Florida. We design, install and maintain Commercial and Residential landscapes all around Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and The Palm Beach areas. Our team of highly skilled landscape technicians has an undisputed track record of creating and maintaining beautiful commercial and residential landscapes all over South Florida.

Contact RCH Landscaping Today for a Free Estimate

561-779-9760

Read more
Skip to content