Archives for Landscape Design

types of grass

Great Places to Add Artificial Turf

Once considered a substitute for real grass primarily in sports arenas and playing fields, artificial turf has entered the mainstream in a big way. It’s being employed by homeowners and multiple types of businesses. The synthetic material emulates grass and provides a green carpet year-round that that doesn’t require mowing, fertilizing, irrigation or pest control chemicals.

Back Yards

Most family activities take place in the back yard and it’s an ideal area for artificial turf. Children can play on it as much as they want and its equally beneficial for backyard entertaining as its UV resistant and highly durable.

Lawns

Front lawns of artificial turf remain green year-round, provide curb appeal, and add value to homes if owners decide to sell. Artificial turf has great drainage and individuals don’t have to worry about pooling and puddling.

Pet Areas

Artificial turf is an excellent selection for pet play areas. An added benefit is that it’s easy to clean if pets relieve themselves on it. Solid waste can be easily picked up and urine can be hosed down into the soil beneath.

Narrow Spaces

Many individuals find themselves with narrow side yards that are difficult to reach with a mower or don’t support easy landscaping options. It provides the same visual appeal as natural grass.

Entryways

Using artificial turf on entryways to homes prevents dirt, debris and mud from making its way indoors.

Dull Spaces

Artificial turf can provide a splash of color and create a relaxing environment for rooftop gardens and balconies. The material is available in rug-sized pieces for smaller areas and places where it’s not practical to have real grass.

Businesses

Artificial turf is equally appropriate for businesses and an increasing number of enterprises are using it. Hotels and similar businesses can maintain an attractive appearance while reducing the cost of maintenance. It’s also beneficial for use in outdoor break areas for employees.

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

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Attract Butterflies with These Plants

With many butterfly species endangered or on the verge of extinction, home gardeners can help by planting a butterfly garden. The flowering plants are brightly colored, many are fragrant, and provide an essential food source for native and migratory butterfly species.

Butterfly Milkweed

Known in many places as butterfly weed, it’s a member of the milkweed family, has brightly colored orange flowers, and provides copious amounts of nectar. The perennial supports Monarch butterflies, a species that experts estimate could be extinct within 10 years without the help of home gardeners. It grows up to 3 ft. tall, with an average of about 1½ ft. Honey bees and hummingbirds like it, too.

Zinnias

Butterflies like taller varieties of zinnias best. They prefer single rather than double blooms and those with a yellow center. The annuals are available in multiple colors, easily grown from seed, and can grow up to 4 ft. tall with dahlia like blooms.

Lavender

The perennial has purple flowers and an attractive scent. It’s a small bush that grows up to 2 ft. tall – including flower stalks. A prolific bloomer, the foliage is attractive when not in bloom and it grows well in just about any soil.

Phlox

A perennial plant, butterflies prefer the taller varieties. Flowers are available in pink, violet, pale blue, white and red and many are fragrant. They attract butterflies, honey bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Coneflower

Also known as echinacea, the plant is highlighted with daisy-like blossoms from summer through fall and attractive to a wide variety of butterflies, honey bees and hummingbirds. It grows 2-4 ft. tall and is available in colors ranging from purple, pink, yellow, red and orange.

Asters

A fall bloomer, asters produce abundant blossoms and attract a variety of butterflies. They provide nectar for adult butterflies and food for the caterpillar stage. They’re available in purple, pink, blue and white. Depending on the species that’s planted, they can grow 1-4 ft. tall.

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

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What is Xeriscaping?

Climate change, drought and other factors are leading many people to turn to xeriscaping to conserve water. It’s a landscaping style requiring little water beyond what it receives from the natural climate, or at the very least, minimal irrigation. It provides people with up to 75 percent savings on their water bill and its climate-friendly.

There are 7 principles of xeriscaping: water-smart planning and design; low-water plants; limited grassy areas; water harvesting techniques; efficient irrigation systems; mulch; and proper maintenance. Many individuals that aren’t ready to completely transition to a strict xeriscaping model employ a hybrid option.

In residential areas, over 50 percent of water usage is for gardening, lawns and landscaping. Xeriscaping utilizes drought-tolerant trees and plants, along with mulch, rocks and elements such as statuary. That doesn’t mean that people need to go without bright blossoms or shade around their homes. There are plenty of plants that serve the same purpose and xeriscaping is presenting individuals with unique new possibilities.

Flowers that are drought resistant include daffodils, coneflowers, lavender and California poppy, along with lantana, Russian sage, moss roses, yarrow and cacti. There are also trees that can withstand low-water conditions and produce shade encompassing evergreens, burr oak, Northern catalpa, hackberry, London planetree, and Kentucky coffeetree.

Instead of water-dependent grass, the landscape will include grasses that survive on a fraction of the water needed for a traditional lawn. Xeriscaping encompasses mulching to save moisture, decorative rocks, and companion planting of species that have similar moisture needs. Xeriscaping requires far less maintenance, with weeding and pruning being the primary tasks.

The native plants used in xeriscaping are typically more resilient to pests and don’t necessarily require fertilizer. It eliminates the need for chemicals to control pests and weeds, saves water, provides natural habitats, and preserves native species. It also saves space in landfills and decreases air pollution and noise pollution, with no mowing needed.

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

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Flowering Annuals Will Last All Summer

An exploration of any nursery will yield an abundance of colorfully blooming annual plants. The problem with choosing annuals is that they’re typically offered during spring when they’re blooming profusely, but that may not last. There are a number of annuals that will bloom all summer long to add beauty and interest to your garden.

Ageratum

They make great container plants and can be grown in beds. Offered in blue, violet, pink and white, they grow well in full sun or light shade.

Geraniums

Annual geraniums will tolerate partial shade, but prefer full sun. They’re available in solid and bi-colors in shades of red, orange, white, lavender, pink and salmon.

Fan Flower

The annuals from Australia are pest resistant and drought tolerant. They’re excellent for growing in baskets, containers, and can be used as a bedding plant. They come in colors of blue, purple, white and pink, don’t need to be deadheaded, and do best in full sun to part shade.

Impatiens

Offered in red, purple, violet, yellow, white and pink, they perform best in partial shade where they get 4 hours of filtered sun.

Marigolds

The cheery blooms of red, yellow, orange and bi-colors in single and double blossoms are a welcome addition to any garden. Easy to grow, they bloom profusely all summer.

Moss Rose

The succulents readily self-sow, bloom profusely, do best in full sun, and tolerate dry conditions. Available with single and double blooms, colors encompass pink, yellow, white, orange, salmon, red, peach and lavender.

Tuberous Begonias

The plants are known for their long bloom season, but they require protection from the hot summer sun. They do best with partial shade where they receive 4 to 6 hours of morning sun. They’re available in single and double blooms in colors of red, yellow, orange, pink and salmon.

Zinnia

The tall, profuse bloomers like full sun. Their colors include red, purple, white, lavender, yellow, pink and orange, along with bi-colors. Hybridization has also created a pure green variety.

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

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lawn pest control

Rid Your Garden of Unwanted Pests

A great many pests can take up residence in your garden. Some are relatively harmless, while others will devastate plantings. Signs to look for include holes in foliage, speckled leaves, and leaves that have a lace-like appearance when insects are the problem. In potted plants outdoors, grubs may have taken up residence around roots. Animals may also be feeding on the roots, leaves, stems, seeds and fruit of your plants.

Insecticides

The formulas are available in solid and liquid forms. They’re effective in addressing multiple types of insects, but they can also result in the death of birds that eat insects that have ingested plants treated with the poison. Insecticides kill indiscriminately and can be the death of pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Insect Traps

Using Insect traps is a much better solution than insecticides and they’re highly effective. They use pheromones to attract a specific type of insect, where they’re drawn into a device and trapped. The traps can then be tossed in the trash. Another option is to plant varieties that been engineered to be resistant to the predations of insects and diseases.

Animals

A wide variety of animals take advantage of a smorgasbord of garden plants. They include deer and rabbits, and voles and mice, along with squirrels, chipmunks and woodchucks. The best solution is to erect a physical barrier to keep them out or employ live traps. New growth may be nibbled, fruit damaged or missing, or plants eaten completely to the ground. Underground pests are particularly fond of seeds and will abscond with newly planted seeds.

Clean Gardening

Make sure any soil that’s amended into the garden is clean and free of potential insect eggs. It’s also important to leave sufficient space between plants. Crowded plants are more susceptible to insect predation and have weaker growth. Be sure to remove leaves and other types of debris from the area that can attract insects.

Weed Control

Weeds can harbor a great number of insect pests and weeds compete for nutrients that make desirable plants weaker. Mulch is a good way to minimize weed growth.

Beneficial Insects

Attracting lady bugs and similar beneficial insects feed on mites and aphids, along with their eggs and larvae.

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

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mulch

Best Time of Year to Lay Mulch

There’s a wealth of advantages to mulching the plants in any yard. The best time of year to mulch is spring when the soil begins to warm, but before the hot days of summer come rolling in. Doing so provides a variety of advantages for the plants and is easier on gardeners.

Supplements Soil

Mulch is an easy way to supplement the soil around trees, bushes, vines and flower beds. Organic mulch breaks down and enriches soil. It’s especially important in landscapes that are built on poor soil. There are many types of mulch from which to choose, with cypress, pine, eucalyptus and cedar being the favorites.

Reduces Evaporation

Mulch reduces the rate at which moisture leaves the soil. It’s an excellent way to conserve water, reduce watering, and save on water bills. A byproduct of reducing evaporation is that it encourages the proliferation of earthworms that are essential for healthier soil.

Reduces Weeds

One of the great things about mulch is that it works to minimize weed growth, which means less work for gardeners. For DIY fans, it’s a good idea to remove as many weeds as possible before laying the mulch.

Beautiful Landscapes

Mulch is available in a variety of colors that enhance the beauty and value of properties. Undyed mulch can begin to turn gray over time and may need to be replaced to maintain the aesthetic value.

Replenishment

Mulch will need to be replenished periodically as it decomposes or becomes discolored. It will typically need to be removed and replaced every 5 years or so, but much will depend on the amount of rainfall, the type of mulch, exposure to sun, and high winds. Mulch of wood bark will typically last longer than mulch composed of wood chips and shredded mulch will need to be replaced most often.

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

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Residential Landscaping Boca

Pool Friendly Plants and Trees

Swimming pools present specific challenges for nearby plantings. They should provide a level of shade, but not too much. They shouldn’t overhang the pool or drop leaves and blossoms in the water. They must be low maintenance and care, while being able to withstand occasionally being splashed by pool water, and have root systems that aren’t detrimental to the pool.

Areca Palm

A palm with a clumping growth habit, it adds interest to the poolscape with golden yellow trunks and feathery fronds. It typically grows about 20 ft. tall and the canopy will be about 10 ft. wide. They need well-drained soil and grow in full sun to partial shade. It’s a relatively slow grower.

Bamboo Palm

Flowing, feathery fronds provide a truly tropical feel around any pool environment. The drawback to bamboo is that it can be invasive, making this a perfect pool plant for growing in containers. It grows from 4 to 12 ft. tall, depending on the size of the container, and about 3 ft. across. It prefers partial shade and makes a good privacy screen.

Bird of Paradise

Nothing says a tropical environment like bird of paradise. Choose the orange variety with blue and orange blossoms or the white variety that sports blue and white blooms. The white variety is best planted in larger yards as it can grow 30 ft. tall, 10 ft. wide, and have leaves up to 18 in. long. The orange variety grows 3 to 5 ft. tall and can be planted in a container if desired. They need full sun to partial shade.

Croton

The croton brings striking foliage to the pool environment with a mix of red, green, yellow, orange and burgundy. They also sport a variety of leaf shapes, depending on the variety. They grow 3 to 8 ft. tall and have a similar spread. A fairly slow grower, they prefer full sun and the amount of light received will dictate the vibrancy of the colors.

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

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Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Landscape Designer

Planning a new landscape or updating an existing one is a fun and exciting time. Unfortunately, many landscapes suffer from overcrowding as individuals try to get all their favorite flowers, bushes, trees and vines in the ground, only to discover their landscape isn’t at all what they envisioned. The following are the top five reasons to hire a landscape designer.

Expert Planning

Landscape designers do more than choose plants. They offer sustainable solutions. They know where to plant trees that will help reduce cooling costs and the type of plants to install that address areas where water collects. The professionals can utilize materials such as permeable pavers to add beauty and return water to the earth instead of puddling. A designer can incorporate irrigation systems and hard features such as swimming pools.

Works Within the Space

It doesn’t matter whether individuals have a small backyard landscape or acres of land to fill, a landscape designer works within the available space to generate ideas from which people can choose.

Site Exam

The type of plantings will depend largely on the soil and surrounding ecosystem. Landscape designers can determine if the soil needs to be amended or if there are any special features in the environment that need to be considered such as drainage issues. The expert will know if a particular bush, flower, tree or vine will thrive in any environment. He/she will also know which plants are best suited for the growing conditions in South Florida.

Budget-Friendly

A landscape designer is able to work with multiple size budgets to create design plans that are functional and aesthetically pleasing. Landscaping can be performed all at once or even spread over several years to accommodate specific budgets.

Management

Landscape designers will oversee every detail of the project. They’ll either have their own contractors or will have established relationships with reputable companies to perform the work. They’ll take care of all the details involved, from excavations to planting. If an unforeseen issue arises, they’ll be there to provide solutions.

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

6 Beautiful Trees That Also Make a Mess!

Many trees have interesting foliage and make beautiful specimens in the landscape. They also create a significant mess either through dropped blossoms or fruit, peeling or shedding bark, or insect pests. It’s important to perform sufficient research before selecting a tree.

Bradford Pear

Stately and beautiful when it’s in bloom, spent flower petals will litter the ground and the blossoms are smelly. It’s a prolific self-sower that easily overwhelms wooded areas and chokes out native species. Many states have enacted bans due to its highly invasive nature. When it crosses with a regular pear, it develops thorns that can puncture tires. The trees have weak branches.

Weeping Willow

Many people like the graceful growth habit of weeping willows, but the trees bring a lot of drama to the landscape. The roots are aggressive growers that seek out water sources – including underground water and sewer lines. The roots can destroy the lines, crack foundations and break sidewalks. Branches become weaker as the tree ages and prone to breakage. They attract a variety of insect pests that leave their own messy mark on the environment.

Mimosa

Puffy pink flowers and frilly leaves make the mimosa a charming tree. However, it’s short lived, weak wooded, has invasive roots, and is prone to multiple diseases and insects. They’re also prolific self-seeders.

Ginkgo Biloba

One of the oldest living species in the world, they make beautiful shade trees with golden fall foliage – as long as it’s a male ginkgo. The female ginkgo tree develops seeds with a distinctly unpleasant odor. The cherry-sized fruit is messy and malodorous. It’s the only descendant of a species that lived before the dinosaurs and there are six known ginkgo trees known to have survived the bombing of Hiroshima.

Red Oak

A red oak tree can live up to 300 years. They have invasive roots, shed a large number of leaves, and produce acorns that litter the ground in autumn and are capable of denting car roofs when they fall. That have a large number of pollen-bearing catkins that fall to the ground and exacerbate allergies.

Sycamore

The trees shed strips of bark and twigs, drop an enormous number of very large leaves in the autumn, and have hard, spiky seed balls that fall to the ground. The seed pods are moderately allergenic and contain a toxic agent. It has an aggressive root system able to damage sidewalks and home foundations, and can develop large surface roots that impede mowing. It’s prone to heartwood rot and the anthracnose disease that can cause massive leaf drops.

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

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landscape design company boca raton florida

Simple Landscape Design for Small Yard

Having a small yard doesn’t mean that people have to forgo landscaping. Even small spaces can be turned into an oasis of beauty and calm. People typically think of landscaping as a sprawling endeavor, but there are creative ways to landscape a small yard to bring a touch of color, peace and tranquility into anyone’s life.

Go Vertical

There are many plants that can grow vertically, such as vines, along with trees with a columnar growth pattern that includes columnar oaks, poplars, cypress and arborvitae. Just make sure it’s the columnar varieties and not standard sized species.

Seating

Plants are an essential design element, but creating a seating space where individuals can gather to lounge and relax is equally important. The surrounding plantings can include non-flowering varieties for a rainforest feel. Plants with multi-colored foliage adds depth and interest, or plant a few brightly colored flowers for a cheery burst of color.

Containers

There’s always room for container gardening, even in the smallest of yards. Containers come in a wide range of sizes, styles and materials. If height is desired, a large container can be turned upside down to act as a stand for a smaller pot. Containers act as a focal point and either annuals or perennials can be potted for a splash of color and texture.

Ponds

Pre-made ponds are available in all sizes and shapes, along with the pump and necessary equipment for circulation to ensure the water doesn’t become stagnant or turn into a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The sound of water is especially soothing.

Falls and Fountains

Small, premade fountains and waterfalls add a relaxing water feature to small spaces. They’re easy to install, provide the soothing sound of running water, and are available in multiple sizes to accommodate any space. Multi-tiered fountains offer the best of both features. Many models are equipped with colored LED lights that provide additional interest and are inexpensive to operate.

Flowerboxes for Fences

For those with a fenced in yard, small flowerboxes can be attached to almost any type of fencing. Hanging flower pouches can be hung from fence posts and hangers can be affixed to fence posts to support hanging flower baskets.

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
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