East Coast Landscape Design – Page 39

Information About Flagstone Patios in Rockville, MD

You’ve probably heard about flagstone patios if you live in or around Rockville, MD. When done well, flagstone patios are beautiful and last a long time.

What is Flagstone?
Flagstone is a sedimentary rock composed of feldspar and quartz. It is a layered quarried stone, held together by silica. It is harder than sandstone – and that’s important in our climate of heat and hard freezes.

Flagstone comes in many gorgeous colors: blues, browns, tans, grays and reds. Some homeowners choose to mix colors, some go with one color, with slight variations (darker or lighter). Homeowners should choose a color or colors most complementary to their homes.

Things to keep in mind when you are choosing the flagstone for your patio:

Pick a flagstone that comes in as many shapes, sizes and thicknesses as possible.
Glittery flagstone can lose this sparkle under wear and tear.
Brightly colored stone may prove softer than more uniform muted tones.
Stone which is quarried nearest to your site will cost less to ship.

Flagstones can be in their “natural” form, or cut into geometric shapes (i.e., squares or rectangles) to be used in patterns. The shape of the flagstones in dependent on your patio design. Here are some ways flagstone can be quarried or cut:

Ledgestone: Relatively flat strips of stone for stacking.
Milled: Flagstone cut to an edge on one or more sides.
Mosaic: Patterns made up of random pieces.
Pavers: Cut flagstone into square or rectangular units.
Steppers: Flat stones used as pathway step stones.
Sawn Bed Veneer: Stone cut to a certain depth with natural surface on one side.
Slabs: Large flat pieces of stone with irregular outlines.
Snapped Veneer: Stone snapped to provide flat surfaces on both sides.
Thin Veneer: Flagstone cut to lay on concrete slab.
Treads: Stone machined to suit step treads or risers.
Tumbled: Processed to soften edges.

For more information on flagstone patios in Rockville, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of practical and beautiful flagstone patios, walkways, and driveways in Rockville, MD.

July 14, 2016September 1, 2016mdlandscaperflagstone patios, Rockville Md

Landscaping in Rockville MD: Tall Fescue Maintenance and Mowing

You may have heard that Tall Fescue is the best cool-season turf grass for landscaping in Rockville, MD. Cool-season turf grasses have their maximum growth during cool spring and fall weather, and may become semi-dormant during hot and/or dry periods of summer.

What makes Tall Fescue grass the better than other cool-season grasses? In general, Tall Fescue grass requires less maintenance (mowing, fertilizer, and watering) and is more environmentally-friendly than other cool-season grasses used in landscaping in Rockville, MD. (Please note that each fescue grass variety will require it’s own maintenance schedule, according to the variety that is used, and the conditions under which the grass is grown.)

Watering Tall Fescue Grass
During most of the year, Tall Fescue needs 1 to 1 1⁄4 inches of water every week (and it’s better to spread this out, and not provide all of that water at one time.) Using a screwdriver, you’ll want to check that you are watering enough so that the soil is wet to to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.

How you water will depend on your soil type. Sandy soils require more frequent watering (about 1⁄2 inch of water every third day). Clay soils accept water slowly; therefore you just want to water until runoff occurs, wait until the water has been absorbed, and begin watering again. Continue until the desired depth or amount is applied. Proper irrigation may prevent or reduce problems later in the summer. Watering between 2 and 8 a.m. decreases the incidence of certain diseases.

In the summer, either water as needed to prevent drought stress or allow the lawn to go dormant. Dormant lawns must be watered once every 3 weeks during a drought. A dark bluish-gray color and wilted, folded, or curled leaves indicate that it is time to water.

Aeration of Tall Fescue
Tall Fescue should be aerated in the fall, but usually does not require thatch removal. This is especially important if you have clay soil.

Overseeding Tall Fescue
Tall fescue should be overseeded as needed in the fall or spring for thicker sod formation and to repair thinning areas. (If aerating, aerate first, then put down seed.) Heat stress, insect damage, diseases, or other factors play a role in the lawn becoming thinner over the course of the year.

Mowing Tall Fescue
From March – May, you will want to mow to 2 ½ to 3 ½ inches. From June – August, you will need to mow to 3 ½ inches, before the grass gets taller than 5 inches. September – November, mow to 2 ½ – 3 inches, and remove leaves and other debris. December – February, mow to 3 inches, and remove leaves and other debris.

For more information about Tall Fescue for your landscaping in Rockville, MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Rockville, MD, and surrounding communities.

June 25, 2016July 25, 2016adminUncategorized

Water Features in Silver Spring MD: Outdoor Fountains

Homeowners are adding water features to their landscaping in Silver Spring MD, and the most popular water features are fountains.

And there’s a few good reasons why: fountains are soothing, block out noise from neighbors and traffic, and add an interesting element to your yard. They also come in all shapes and sizes, and you are only limited in your selection by your available space and budget.

Here are some outdoor fountains for you to consider:

Wall Fountains
Wall fountains come in a number of natural materials, including copper, slate, and bronze. They can be created with one or more panels, and can be scaled to the size of the space available. When using blocks or bricks, these are called sheet fountains.

Freestanding or Floor Fountains
Floor or freestanding fountains come in a variety of materials, such as stone and glass, are self contained, and require no installation.

Pond Fountains
Fountain jets stand in a pond or water feature and spray streams of water in a variety of patterns and strengths, from bubbles to sprays.

Rock Fountains
The smallest rock fountain (aka rock bubbler) is a boulder with a hole or holes drilled into it, creating a bubbling fountain. This natural looking fountain appeals to many homeowners.

On a larger scale of the rock bubbler, there rock column fountains; these are usually installed in sets of 3 nearby to each other. The water circulates amongst the 3 fountains, and they require a lot more space, planning, and budget to execute.

For more information on fountains and other water features for your Silver Spring MD home, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team utilizes 3 decades of experience along with safety- tested protocols to create create water features in various types of landscapes in Silver Spring Md, and all throughout suburban Maryland.

June 19, 2016June 26, 2016adminlandscape design, Silver Spring MD, water features

Landscaping Design to Preserve Water Pipes in SIlver Spring MD

Proper landscaping design can preserve the water pipes to and from your home in Silver Spring MD.

Tree roots are naturally attracted to water and sewer lines; these pipes are a source of water, nutrients, and oxygen that the trees need. When a root finds a leak in a pipe, it will quickly make its way into the smallest crack, making the crack bigger, and the root will be growing bigger as it goes deeper into the pipe. Eventually, the roots will stop up the pipe, and stop the flow of waste coming from your home.

Ever see those yards around town, with the front yards dug up from the house to the street? You can guess what happened – tree roots broke into and clogged up the pipes. The pipes broke, and thousands of dollars later, the homeowner has root-free pipes.

So what can been done to reduce the likelihood that tree roots will cause that kind of damage to your pipes? The right landscaping design, using slow-growing trees with less aggressive root systems, placed the proper distance away from the pipes at your Silver Spring MD home.

Trees to Avoid If You Want to Protect Your Water Pipes
Certain trees should never be planted near water lines, as they are often fast-growing with particularly aggressive roots.

Many species in the Acer (maple) genus
Populus species
Ashes
Sycamore
Several oaks
Willows, basswood
Tuliptree
Elms
Birches
Mulberry
Figs
Large eucalyptus
Beech

Root Barriers
In addition, some homeowners choose to create root barriers around their pipes to slow down or prevent roots from getting too close to pipes. Slow-release chemicals, such as copper sulfate and potassium hydroxide, spread near the sewer line will discourage growth into the area. Metal or wood barriers buried 6 to 12 inches deeper than the pipe and running vertically next to sewer lines can also stop roots from getting at the pipes.

For more information on landscaping in Silver Spring MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been Silver Spring, MD’s leading licensed landscape contractor. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed, installed, and cared for landscape projects and irrigation systems.

May 30, 2016June 6, 2016mdlandscaperlandscape design, landscaping, Silver Spring MD

Landscaping in Rockville, MD: Small Trees and Shrubs, Less Aggressive Root Systems

If you’re looking to add small trees or shrubs to you landscaping in Rockville, MD – choose those with less aggressive root systems. That’s because aggressive root systems can cause some severe damage to your hardscapes.

The bottom line is that choosing slow-growing small trees or bushes with less aggressive root systems species for your landscaping in Rockville MD – along with properly preparing the planting site – helps to protect your hardscapes.

Site Preparation
You should plant your small trees or shrubs at least 10 feet away from your hardscapes. If you decide that you’d like to install a root barrier around your tree, the barrier should extend at least 2 feet below the soil surface. It should be at least 5 feet away from both the hardscaping and the tree’s planting hole and should extend along the entire length of the hardscaping near the tree.

Slow-Growing Deciduous Trees with Less Aggressive Root Systems
The following can be usually be planted 10 feet away from your hardscaping, without causing problems:

Japanese maple cultivars
Ilex species
Several types of magnolias
Carolina buckthorn
Quince
Wintersweet
Acoma crape myrtle
Certain crabapples
Hoptree
Stewartia
Weeping Higan and Hally Jolivette cherries

Slow-Growing Evergreen Trees with Maximum Height Under 20 Feet
Certain slow-growing trees with a maximum height under 20 feet are unlikely to damage hardscaping and offer year-round foliage.

Boxwood tree
Dr. Hurd manzanita
Tea-oil
Yennan camelia
Mediterranean fan palm
Akapuka, variegatum Japanese privet
Evergreen magnolias
Some omanthus and photinia species or varieties
Cabbage palm
Awabuki sweet viburnum
Weeping blue atlas cedar
Chinese and Japanese plum yews
Fernspray cypress
Slender hinoki cypress.

For more information on landscaping in Rockville MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has been Rockville, MD’s leading licensed landscape contractor. Located in Montgomery County, Maryland since 1979, the company has designed, installed, and cared for landscape projects and irrigation systems.

May 15, 2016June 6, 2016mdlandscaperlandscaping, Rockville Md

Patio Design Trends for Gaithersburg MD

Time to think beyond the plain concrete slab – here are some great patio design trends for Gaithersburg MD.

Planning Your Patio
Patios have come a long way from a plain white concrete square or rectangle shaped slab.
Patios can be designed for any shape, size, color, pattern, or type of flooring you might want at your Gaithersburg MD home. Think about your wants and needs; then budget accordingly.

Patio Flooring
Concrete – While concrete is still the most popular type of patio flooring, how it looks and is used has changed. It’s now treated a flooring option that can be stamped into any pattern you can imagine, and there is a huge variety of stain colors to choose from.

Paver Stones – interlocking paver stones have grown in popularity over the years. Pavers are four times stronger than concrete, come in a variety of colors, and can be installed to create patterns. Unlike cement, if there is a problem with a paver or pavers, there’s no need to tear up the patio – the pavers can be easily replaced. If you have issues with flooding around your patio area, water permeable pavers may be your best bet. Made of porous materials, water drains down through the pavers when it rains.

Other Materials – There are other patio flooring materials that you may also want to consider. These materials include classic wood, natural slate, sandstone, granite, brick, a wood composite and even porcelain.

Patio Edging
Patios need edging – they just don’t look “finished” without edging. Edging also keeps weeds and grass from growing over the patio flooring. Edging can be made of cement, bricks, pavers, gravel, or other stone. You have so many choices, really – so just say “no” to black rubber edging. You’ll be glad you did.

Looking for information about a new patio design in Gaithersburg MD? Please contact the experts East Coast Landscape Design. The East Coast Landscape Design team has over a quarter century of experience in the design, installation, and care of beautiful patios in Gaithersburg, MD, as well we the rest of suburban Maryland.

April 30, 2016May 4, 2016mdlandscaperGaithersburg MD, patio design

Hardy Herb Perennials for your Landscape Design in Bethesda MD

Looking to add perennial herbs to your landscape design in Bethesda MD? The following herbs can serve one or more purposes; they can be an aromatic, used for food presentation or cooking (culinary), and/or useful in landscaping.

Aromatic
Lavender, English (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, Grosso (Lavandula ‘Grosso’)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Mint (multiple)
Sage, Clary (Salvia sclarea)
Thyme (multiple)

Culinary
Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Lavender, English (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, Grosso (Lavandula ‘Grosso’)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)
Mint (multiple)
Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Parsley (Petroselinum)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Tarragon – French (Artemisia dracunculus)
Thyme (multiple)

Landscape
Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
Rue (Ruta graveolens)
Thyme (multiple)

Need help with incorporating herbs into your landscape design in Bethesda MD? You’ll want to contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda MD and surrounding communities for over 30 years.

April 11, 2016May 11, 2016mdlandscaperBethesda MD, landscape design

Recommended by Landscapers in Silver Spring MD: Groundcovers for Dry Shady Areas

Your landscapers in SIlver Spring MD, East Coast Landscape Design, have some recommendations for groundcovers for those dry shady areas of your yard.

Snow on the Mountain or Bishop’s Weed: mall white flowers appear late May-June above the low variegated foliage. Variegated Aegopodium spreads rapidly through the summer under high limbed trees, in the rock garden, and in a range of difficult areas.
Barrenwort: semi-evergreen heart-shaped leaves that are tinged red-bronze on the edges. It is the best groundcover for dry shade needing a good loamy soil. Great for planting among trees in a woodland setting.
‘Sulphureum’ Barrenwort: lots of small deep yellow star-shaped flowers in April; heart-shaped leaves on wiry stems are bronze when young, then mature to green. Massed in the foreground of a shady bed or as edging, this drought tolerant perennial can’t be beat.
‘Monroe White’ Lilyturf Liriope grows best in acid soil in partial to full shade, which protects it from sun damage in both summer and winter. It is both heat tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases, handles dry shade, and is evergreen in quality.

Requirements for establishing and keeping the groundcovers we’ve listed above healthy:

Plant your groundcovers in the appropriate soil.
Leave room for growth when placing groundcovers
Divide plants and move to another location when they are near to over-growing their space.
Keep planting areas at an even level, or else plants in the lower-lying areas will get too much moisture.
Ensure good drainage, since the shade-loving ground covers we’ve listed above either really love dry soil, or are drought tolerant.

Want to learn more about making the most of dry shady areas of your yard from expert landscapers in Silver Spring, MD? Please contact the award-winning landscapers serving Silver Spring MD, East Coast Landscape Design.

March 30, 2016April 19, 2016mdlandscaperlandscapers, Silver Spring MD

How Important is Mulch to Your Landscaping in Bethesda MD?

Mulch is much more that just something that’s used on your yard for “looks.” Putting down the right mulch is important to the overall health of your landscaping.

Here are 5 ways mulch is beneficial to your landscaping in Bethesda MD:Mulch slows weed growth.

Mulch slows water evaporation, reducing water loss from the soil.
Mulch protects plant roots from temperature extremes and sudden temperature fluctuations.
Organic types of mulch improve the soil quality as they decompose.
Mulch ads color and texture to your landscape design.

So which mulch is the right mulch for your landscaping?
The answer depends on the needs of your landscaping, and can change based on those needs. For instance, what you mulch you use in one area of your yard, may not be the best choice for other areas of your yard.

For instance, areas in your landscaping that need soil improvement could do with an aged (partially decomposed) organic mulch. If you don’t need soil improvement, and just want to control weeds, then a fresh organic mulch will do.

Rocks, stones or gravel mulch can shore up low-lying areas in your landscaping that can get washed out during hard rain. Landscapers will also use stones or gravel to create French drains to help prevent flooding in your yard. (Note: rocks, stones, or gravel can get and keep heat easily, so don’t use them around tender plants or those with shallow roots.)

For more information about the most appropriate mulches for your landscaping in Bethesda MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. East Coast Landscape Design is head and shoulders above other landscaping companies in Bethesda MD. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed beautiful landscape and hardscape projects around Bethesda MD and surrounding communities.

March 14, 2016April 19, 2016mdlandscaperBethesda MD, landscaping

Hardy Shrubs Important to Landscape Design in Rockville MD

Hardy shrubs are an important addition to landscape design for your Rockville MD home.

There are at least 3 things you will want some hardy shrubs to do for your landscaping: provide visual depth, seasonal interest, and increased visits from wildlife (butterflies, birds, and other small animals)

You’ll want to stay away from high maintenance shrubs, and look for shrubs which are low maintenance, hardy for our zone, and can provide color and interest for 3- 4 seasons of the year.

Two Spring Starters
The Red Chokeberry is an easy to grow gorgeous shrub that attracts early butterflies and pollinators to the nectar of the white to light pink flower clusters that appear along the branches. The flowers are followed in late summer by abundant clusters of red berries that last through the fall and well into winter (these berries can be made into jams and jellies.) The glossy dark green leaves turn a brilliant red in fall.

The ‘Midwinter Fire’ Dogwood also has fragrant tiny white flowers appear in late spring that will attract butterflies. These flowers transform into clusters of dark purple berries in summer that are very attractive to birds. By the fall, there’s a golden foliage followed by branches and stems that start out yellow at the base of the plant and gradually turn bright orange, then to crimson red towards the tip of the plant.

An Early to Mid-Summer Starter
The Bottlebrush Buckeye is a great shade area shrub, and it blooms from early to mid-summer. This shrub white flowers with pink filaments that attract the attention of hummingbirds and butterflies. The leaves change from bronze to dark green to shades of yellow in fall.

A Midsummer Starter
The Smooth Hydrangea thrives in shady areas, and produces large pom-poms (up to 12 inches across). Blooming from midsummer to early fall, the pom-poms start out lime-green, change to cream, then to a brilliant white for weeks, then back to pale green in late summer before switching to a tan shade in fall. The pom-poms look great in dried flower arrangements.

For more information on including these and other gorgeous shrubs in the landscape design for your Rockville MD home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed landscapes in Rockville MD and the rest of suburban Maryland that enhance our clients’ lifestyles and the beauty of their homes.

February 28, 2016April 19, 2016mdlandscaperlandscape design, Rockville Md