Dark Colors Trending in Landscape Design for Silver Spring MD Homes

Dark colors are trending because they bring drama and eye-catching contrast to landscape design in Silver Spring MD.

Painting or staining fences, decks, pergolas, gazebos, lattice screens or home walls dark, neutral colors has an amazing effect on your landscape design. The dark colors

absorb the light, allowing plants in the foreground to reflect and radiate light. Plus, dark colors make anything brightly colored – flowers, plants, bushes, or furniture – “pop” against the darker colors.

If your yard seems like a “sea of green,” darker colors will also enable the eye to better see the differences in the green hues of plants and shrubs. Plumes that might otherwise be missed, along with the textures of leaves, will stand out in sharp contrast to the flat, dark colors.

Those dark colors sound a little scary to you? Dip your toes into this trend by adding black, charcoal gray, or dark brown window or balcony boxes. Add colorful plants to those boxes, and you’ll see the gorgeous contrast we’ve been talking about.

For more information on the latest trends in landscape design for your Silver Spring MD home, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed landscapes in Silver Spring MD that enhance our clients’ lifestyles and the beauty of their homes.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscape design, Silver Spring MD

Plan Your Low Maintenance Maryland Landscape

A lot of people have taken an interest in landscaping, and many have learned that they enjoy working in the yard. Others have also discovered that they hate working in the yard. Just because you don’t like working in the yard does not mean you cannot have a great looking landscape.

Planning the best landscape for your home will take into consideration the amount of maintenance that can be provided. Doing some of the maintenance work yourself may save some money, but there is a time cost involved.

Hiring someone to do all the maintenance on a high maintenance landscape design can be expensive. Finding the perfect balance is what an experienced landscape designer does.

The landscape designer can help you make choices of plants and shrubs that look great and fit the maintenance you want to offer. Maybe you have allergies and want a yard that will require fewer mowings or has less tree pollen. Be sure to discuss this with the landscape designer.

If you need to talk with an experienced landscape designer to see what is possible, be sure to call the Maryland landscape design experts at East Coast Landscape Design.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape design, Maryland, MD

Where To Start When Landscaping Your Maryland Home

If you are just starting with the landscaping at your Maryland home, be sure examine the older trees on your property to ensure they are safe and are not in danger of falling down. If you are unsure of the condition of your trees, you may want to contact us here at East Coast Landscape Design, so that can you ensure the safety of the property.

Once the safety concerns are taken care of the next item to consider is the overall design of the landscape and what use you want out of it. Want grassy areas to entertain guests? You will need a grass that can stand lots of foot traffic. Want an outdoor kitchen, or an area free from the pesky insects? This is what needs to be addressed during the initial planning stages.

If the project seems overwhelming to you, landscaping can be done in stages. The planning of the project is even more important when done in stages. You don’t want to put new grass in, and then need to drive a heavy truck across the new grass to deliver a load of stone for an outdoor kitchen and patio.

If you need help with the planning of your new landscape in Maryland, contact the landscape design experts at East Coast Landscape Design, we can help you get the yard of your dreams.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape design, Maryland

Make A Great First Impression With Your Maryland Landscaping

Many people put most of their landscaping efforts into their front yard. A front yard is noticed by more people, and it gives people their first impression of both the home, and the home’s owners.

A well-designed front yard landscape will not only showcase your home, it can also enhance the physical appearance of your home. Depending on the design and choice of plants, landscaping can be either high or low maintenance.

If you would like lots of color, but want as little maintenance work as possible, consider wildflowers for your yard or garden. You can purchase wildflower seeds at home improvement stores then scatter them over a large area or where planting other items might be difficult. This strategy results in many different colors and types of beautiful flowers. Additionally, you can turn them into delightful bouquets.

Your choice of which grass to use is dependent on the climate. In Maryland, some areas are very shady, some are very sunny. Also, some areas seem to collect water and be damp most of the time, while other areas are quite dry. Be sure to choose the right grass for the conditions at your property.

Want some help deciding which plants or what grass to use at your property? Contact the Maryland Landscaping experts at East Coast Landscape Design, we can help you plan the best landscaping for your home.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape contractor, landscape design, landscaping, Maryland

Maryland Commercial Landscaping: Make A Great First Impression With Your Business Appearance

Landscaping is an art form that requires a balance of artistic flair and technical know-how to do well. The canvas is the area around your business. Knowing what plants complement each other – not only with color but also bloom times and environmental needs. The way your business looks is the first impression you can make on your clients – be sure to make the best impression possible.

Here are some tips for you to consider when planning your businesses’ landscaping

Plant companion plants. These plants naturally work together to help each other repel pests and diseases. This can help you to have a healthier garden without the use of pesticides.

Use balance, not symmetry. A balanced distribution of plants creates a focal point, but the landscaping should never be symmetrical. For example, a large tree to the left of the garden can be balanced by two smaller trees to the right. This creates a much more desirable effect in the garden, whereas a symmetrical look appears completely unnatural.

Using peat moss is an excellent way to ensure your plants survive. This allows you to give nutrients to your plants that they potentially lack. Peat moss, when used as mulch, contrasts beautifully against the foliage of your plants.

Unsure if you want to chance the look of your business? Contact the landscaping experts at East Coast Landscape Design. We know Maryland’s climate, we know the plants that work best here in Maryland, and we are experts in helping you design the perfect look for your Maryland Commercial Landscaping.

Posted on Author adminCategories commercial landscaping, landscape contractor, landscape design, Maryland

Heated Patios in Gaithersburg MD

Heated patios – who wouldn’t want them in Gaithersburg MD?

  • Heated patios are used more often, and some homeowners even use their heated patios year round.  
  • Heated patios are safer than non-heated in Gaithersburg MD; no snow or ice to slip and fall, and no back pain from shoveling. 
  • Heated patios are eco-friendly; they don’t need salt or other de-icers, which hurt the environment (including our Chesapeake Bay).

How are patios heated in Gaithersburg MD? 

  • Electric cables or mats are installed underneath patios to warm up the surface of the patios. These plug into a junction box, and often can be controlled remotely. 

  • Hydronic heating – a much more involved process – uses copper tubing or cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) with a liquid treated with antifreeze to warm the driveway or walkway. A boiler, circulating pump, and manifold are required to run hydronic heating.

Can existing patios be heated?

  • Yes – in some situations, electric cables can be laid in grooves of existing slabs or pavers. 
  • No – homeowners in Gaithersburg MD usually wait until they are installing new patios to include radiant heating systems. 


For more information on heated patios in Gaithersburg MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. The experienced professionals at East Coast Landscape Design work with homeowners to design dream patios that can be used year-round Gaithersburg MD.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories Gaithersburg MD, patios

How To Use Plants That Work With Your Silver Spring MD Landscaping Year-Round

You might have heard that home landscaping can improve your home’s value, and can even be fun, but maybe you have been afraid to try it because you don’t have the skills to do home landscaping. The most crucial part of landscape design is understanding the proper techniques. With some pointers, you could quickly make a Silver Spring MD landscape that you are proud of.

Try to use native plants when landscaping in Silver Spring MD. This involves incorporating flowers, trees, and bushes that are local. Native plants have the best chance of surviving in the toughest of weather conditions.

Before you begin your landscaping work, be sure to plan your goals and assess your budget. This will ensure that you have a solid plan in place so that you do not run out of materials before the job is completed. It will also give you a better idea of your design needs.

Make sure you plan thoroughly before you begin landscaping. It is a great idea to sketch out your landscaping design when it’s still a plan, so you can get a good mental idea of what it is going to look like. Make notes of the plants, flowers, shrubs, etc. that you plan on using to improve your landscape.

A great landscaping tip is to make use of the available spaces that you have. One particular helpful tip is to place bushes in areas where outside noise is a problem as the bushes will help drown out any unwanted sounds. Just make sure that you plan out your spacing carefully.

Now that you’ve learned more about Silver Spring MD home landscaping, hopefully, it doesn’t seem so complicated. If you ever do feel stuck – just give East Coast Landscape Design a call When your neighbors ask who did your landscaping, you’ll be able to proudly tell them that you did yourself (with a little help from East Coast Landscape Design).

Posted on Author adminCategories Uncategorized

Great Rockville MD Landscaping Tips For Your Home!

Landscaping a home has become one of the biggest desires that people have in today’s world. With all of the new techniques and progression over the past decade, some homes need a new look. If you are one of those people who feels like they could use some help landscaping their home, then you’re in luck. This article has a lot of advice that you can apply towards changing your Rockville MD landscaping.

Landscaping is more than just planting grasses and trees. To add texture and substance, look for opportunities to include wood, cement or iron structures. Elements like pergolas, retaining walls, fountains, and trellises are an easy way to add instant dimension to your Rockville MD landscaping. You can purchase these in many different price ranges to accommodate your budget.

You can save money by timing your purchases. Wait until winter to buy lumber and wait until later in the season to buy shrubs, mulch, or trees if possible. As new plants become available, wait a couple of years before purchasing them, so the prices will be lower.

Landscape according to how much time you can commit. While an elaborate landscape might look good on paper, remember that it requires constant upkeep. When designing your Rockville MD landscape think about your available time, your physical condition, and your budget. Only take on the responsibilities of a landscape that you can easily cope with.

Find alternative ways to get your materials. You can simply pick up stones on natural sites or purchase bricks from demolition sites. Some cities give out free mulch or lumber.

Now that you have a good idea of where to begin with your Rockville MD landscape or where you can improve on it, you should start writing what changes you want to make down. You want to have a clear understanding of what you want to change and then, gradually change your home’s landscape, until you’re pleased with your home’s appearance.

For more information on landscaping in Rockville MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed landscape projects.

Posted on Author adminCategories landscape contractor, landscape design, landscaping, Rockville Md

Get Irrigation Systems in Silver Spring MD Ready for Winter

Homeowners with irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD need to get them ready for winter.

You may think that the irrigation system pipes are immune from freezing because they are underground. The truth is that pipes within irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD can freeze and crack or burst when water is left in them.

Every year, we hear about pipes bursting due to a hard freeze. Those homeowners who fail to winterize their irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD are in for hefty water bills, replacement costs – and in some cases, a yard that is dug up to replace an irrigation system.

So what’s involved with winterizing irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD?

— An inspection of your irrigation system

— A sprinkler blow out, where water is blown out of your sprinkler piping and heads, using commercial equipment

— Parts are replaced where necessary

Please note: antifreeze should never be used to winterize irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD. Antifreeze won’t do the job, and it is unsafe for use around animals.

For more information on winterizing irrigation systems in Silver Spring MD, please contact East Coast Landscape Design. For over 30 years, East Coast Landscape Design has designed and installed irrigation systems and other landscape projects.

 

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories irrigation systems, Silver Spring MD

Fall Lawn Care Recommendations from Your Landscape Contractor in Silver Spring MD

When most people think about fall lawn care, they usually just think about ranking leaves. However, your landscape contractor, East Coast Landscape Design, knows that there is so much more to fall lawn care in Silver Spring MD.  Here are 5 recommended lawn care activities that should be done, in addition to raking leaves:

Aerating: aerating your lawn allows air, water, and fertilizer to reach the roots of your grass. Unless you own or can rent an aerating machine, best to leave this to your landscape contractor in Silver Spring MD.

Filling in the bare spots: if the know the type of grass you have, you can easily buy an all-in-one lawn repair mixture. Follow the directions, and come spring time, you will see that those bare areas have filled in.

Fertilizing: while your grass grows more slowly during the fall, grass roots and rhizomes continue to grow quickly, and they need to be fed. Mid-to-late fall is the optimum time to fertilize.

Removing weeds: like most plants, weeds are in energy absorbing mode in the fall. Early-to-mid fall is usually the time to put down some weed killers, when daytime temperatures are consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. (Read and carefully follow the directions that come with the weed killer.)

Mowing: your lawn may be growing slower, but it still needs to be tended to. Water and mow as needed. For the last two cuttings of the fall, drop the mower’s blade to its lowest setting. That will allow more sunlight to reach the crown of the grass, and there will be less leaf to turn brown during the winter.

For information from your landscape contractor about fall lawn care in Silver Spring MD, please contact the experts at East Coast Landscape Design. We understand that a professionally designed, properly installed and maintained landscape adds beauty, value, and curb appeal to your Silver Spring MD home.

Posted on Author mdlandscaperCategories landscape contractor, Silver Spring MD