East Grand Rapids Outdoor Living Space Walkthru

This East Grand Rapids, MI landscape was designed to encourage the home owners to live more often in their outdoor living space.  Wood burning fire pit. Unilock paver patio. Stepping stone passes through a crushed stone transition walkway between the main lower paver patio and the upper paver patio.  Future gardens are planned to finish off the landscape and soften the edges and water features to add sound to the newly landscaped back yard.

Call or Text Brent NOW

(616) 328-3258

Your Outdoor Living Space and Intimate Garden Transformation is One Call Away

2017 Outdoor Living in East Grand Rapids

Another  East Grand Rapids, MI Outdoor Living Space and Intimate Garden is completed. The 3D landscape design was created using Sketchup, an open-source design software used by architects, engineers, interior designers and many other in design fields.

3D Sketchup Outdoor Living and Landscape Design For Home in East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Outdoor Living Space and Landscape Design in East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Crushed Stone Walkway with Stepping Stone Path and Raised Paver Patio

When I was approached by the homeowners, they made it clear I would have a challenge on my hands.  The small backyard had, at one time, been transformed into a flagstone patio with a stream and native plantings.  Years of relative neglect and an unruly dog had returned it to an even more natural state: that of chaos. 

Long-Neglected Backyard Landscape Before Transformation

The majority of the yard was dirt or mud, depending on the weather, with slabs of flagstone and various sizes of cobblestone throughout.  Boards were laid down along the side of the house to allow access from the side door to the main backyard.

Another Before Angle of Before Implementing New Landscape Design

The homeowners' goal was to create an outdoor living space that would fit their lifestyle.

Their teenage children needed a place to gather with their friends.  They needed an area to entertain family and friends.  Grilling, Dining, Relaxation.

Unilock Paver Patio with  Black Diamond Paver Frame

Wood Burning Fire Pit

Though they enjoy gardens, their time is limited by career and family. So, the gardens were to be low-maintenance.  No lawn would be easily sustained due to the mature trees surrounding their property: oak, pine, maple. 

Wood Burning Fire Pit in New East Grand Rapids in Paver Patio Outdoor Living Space

3D Landscape Designs Created with You in Mind

This project includes a multi-level paver patio with a stepping stone path between the upper and lower levels.  The wood burning fire pit was built using Unilock Brussels Block Dimensional wall blocks in Mahogany Ash with Piedmonte Onyx Black wall caps by Techo-Bloc. I used Unilock Bavarian Beacon Hill large format pavers for the main body of the patio with Belgard's Black Diamond 3x12" Moduline Pavers for the border. Aberdeen Rock Garden Brown 20x30" Pavers are used as stepping stones to transition between the upper small patio and lower main patio.

Crushed Stone Walkway with Stepping Stone Pavers - Transition Between Large Lower and Small Upper Patios

I can design and/ or install a gorgeous Outdoor Living Space for you as well.  From concept to completion.  3d designs created so you can see your landscape before installation.

If you live outside of West Michigan, I would still be happy to consult on your project and design your intimate gardens and outdoor living space.

Call or Text Brent now to your initial consultation @

(616) 328-3258

2017 Outdoor Living - Boston Road East Grand Rapids

I have wrapped up the patio area of the Boston Road outdoor living space project in East Grand Rapids, MI.   For the paver patio, I used Belgard's new smooth/ crisp Cotswold Mist Moduline series large format pavers with Black Diamond accents.Wellington Wall was used for window well and fire pit with the 48"x14" natural gas American Fire Glass stainless steel pan. The fire pit cap is Techo-Bloc's Piedmonte in Onyx Black to tie patio and fire pit together.

The designed Trex deck with cable rails installed by Bruce Grifforst with Adaptable Homes is Completed as well. New Deck Pics Coming Soon.

I can transform your landscape from ordinary to extraordinary by designing and installing your new Intimate Gardens & Outdoor Living Space.

If you live outside of West Michigan, I would still be happy to consult on your project and design your outdoor living space.

Contact Brent now to learn more. (616) 328-3258

Landscape Design and Installation Services East Grand Rapids, Michigan

Severe Winter Hits Honey Bee Population Hard: Plants to Help Honey Bees

Last month a guest on NPR discussed the severe drop in the Honey Bee population over this winter due to the severe weather.  Record low temperatures and high snowfall in the midwest along with reduced food sources resulted in bees starving and freezing. 

This year's decline, combined with a yearly decrease in the honey bee population of approximately 30%  for the past decade could have a devastating economic affect on the Midwest.  There are multiple contributers to the bee problems Michigan is facing, among which are: seasonal food shortages, Colony Collapse Disorder, changes in weather patterns, and improper use of insecticides.

Because Michigan is among the top five states for commercial beekeeping operations and the state relies on bees to pollinate 50% of its crops, this should concern everyone.  Bee pollinated crops account for over over $1 billion in sales in Michigan alone, in addition to the $7.4 million in honey production in 2009 (http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/using_honey_bees_for_fruit_pollination).  This issue is of both financial and ecological concern to everyone living in Michigan, the Midwest, and anyone relying on crops produced here.

Among the crops pollinated by honey bees in the Grand Rapids, MI area are blueberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin, asparagus, alfalfa, apples, onions.... MSU publication Using honey bees for fruit pollination identifies seventeen crops pollinated by these insects.

In order to bolster the honey bee population, landscape designs should include plants that help tide bees over during the crop "off season".  The following is a list of trees, shrubs, and perennials that can be purchased in Grand Rapids, MI, and grown in your home landscape to encourage establishment and survival of honey bee colonies in your area.  Included are approximate dates during which honey bees forage these plants (information derived from numerous sources including: http://www.ginlc.org/education/bee_friendly_plants.htm and http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/honey-plants.html and http://saginawbees.org/honeyplants.html and http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder).
 

Trees Attractive to Honey Bees

Acer rubrum 'Autumn Blaze' (Red Maple): March-April

Salix melanostachys (Pussywillow): March - April

Cercis canadensis 'Forest Pansy' (Redbud): April

Prunus 'Snofozam' (Snow Fountain Cherry): April

Rhus aromatica 'Gro-Low' (Sumac): April-May

Malus 'Prairifire' (Apple): Late April - Late May

Liriodendron tulipifera (Tulip Tree): May-June

Tilia americana (Linden/Basswood): June

Garden Perennials Attractive to Honey Bees

Crocus: March-April

Phlox subulata (Creeping Phlox): April-May

Alyssum saxatile ‘Compactum’ (Perennial Alyssum): April-May

Aubrieta x cultorum ‘White Wall Gem’(Rock Cress): Late April-May

Ligularia stenocephala 'Little Rocket': late April to Late May

Nepta x faassenii ‘Walker's Low’ (Cat Mint): April-September

Leucanthemum x superbum 'Snowcap' (Shasta Daisy):

Allium 'Globemaster': May through June

Lychnis viscaria ‘Firebird’ (Catchfly): May-June

Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm): May-June

Trifolium (Clover): Late May-Late June

Thymus serpyllum ‘Magic Carpet’ (Mother of Thyme): May-August

Salvia nemerosa ‘May Night’ (Sage): May-August

Lavandula angustifolia (Lavander): June-August

Lupinus 'Gallery' (Dwarf Lupine): June-August

Malva sylvestris ‘Zebrina’ (Malva): June-August

Gaillardia aristata ‘Burgundy’ (Gaillardia): June-September

Echinacea 'Pixie Meadowbrite' (Purple Coneflower): June-October

Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet' (Bee Balm): July-August

Allium senexcens subsp montanum Mountain Garlic: July-August

Achillea millefolium 'Moonshine' (Yarrow): July-September

Agastache foeniculum (Anise – Hyssop): Early July-Mid September

Eupatorium pupureum ‘Joe Pye Weed’: July-September

Rudbeckia hirta ‘Goldsturm’ (Black Eye Susan): July-October

Pervoskia atriplicifolia 'Little Spire' (Russian Sage): August-September

Echinops ritro (Blue Globe Thistle): July-August

Sedum 'Autumn Joy' (Stone Crop): August-October

Anemone tomentosa 'Robustissima' (Robust Windflower): Sept-Oct

Aster oblongifolius 'October Skies' (Aromatic Aster): Early September-October

 

 

Annuals Attractive to Honey Bees

Snap Dragon
Nasturtium

 

Natives Attractive to Honey Bees

Zizia aurea (Golden Alexanders): April-July

Physocarpus opulifolius (Common Ninebark): May-July

Veronicastrum virginicum (Culver's Root): May-August

Monarda punctata (Horsemint/Spotted Beebalm): June-July

Ratibida pinnata (Yellow Coneflower): June-August

Allium cernuum (Nodding Wild Onion): June-August
Spiraea alba (Meadowsweet): June-August
Vernonia missurica (Missouri ironweed): July-August
Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed): July-August

Scrophularia marilandica (Late Figwort): July-September

Cacalia atriplicifolia (Pale Indian plantain): July-August

Silphium perfoliatum (Cup Plant): July-September

Agastache nepetoides (Yellow Giant Hyssop): July-September
Eupatorium perfoliatum (Boneset): July-September
Lobelia siphilitica (Blue Lobelia): July-September
Helianthus strumosus (Pale-leaved Sunflower): July-September
Aster novae-angliae (New England aster): August-September
Solidago riddellii (Riddell's goldenrod): September-October
Aster laevis (Smooth Aster): September-October

Sambucus canadensis (American elder): June-July

Prunus spp. (Wild Cherry): March

Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokecherry): May

Cornus amomum (Silky Dogwood): May-June

Pictures of these plants will be added as they are taken. All pictures are originals by Brent Langley.

If you are interested in adding some of these plants to your landscape or garden, and would like some help with design and/or procurement,  feel free to call Brent Langley at (616) 328-3258.

 

 

 

Foliage: Form, Color and Texture

When shopping for new garden plants, it is easy to hyper-focus on flowers.  Big box stores create dramatic displays of heavily flowering perennials grouped together on shelves, right where they will catch your attention.  The beauty of those massed flowers really draws the eye and entices the senses.  What could be more beautiful in your yard than to mimic that stunning display.  Oceans of purple flowering Salvia or Veronica bringing color to your drab gardens.  Splashes of orange and red Poppy.  Swaths of yellow Daylillies and Black-eyed Susan bursting with color.

The plants you see flowering on the shelves now, most likely will not be flowering two weeks from now. You are seeing plants at their flowering peak.  For retail garden centers, timing is everything. The stores and nurseries work together to ensure stocked plants are in their seasonal prime.  So, plants that flower in early spring, will be sold in late winter and early Spring, when they are showing off their colors to the best of their ability.  Summer flowering plants are stocked in late Spring or early Summer.  Fall flowering plants are displayed in late Summer or early Fall.

Stores are not attempting to rip you off.  But don't be fooled by wishful thinking.  These plants will not flower forever.  Most plants bloom for three to six weeks.  Then you are left with leaves and stems. 

So, when purchasing your plants, consider the form, color and texture of a plant's foliage.  Between periods of flowering, foliage holds a garden together.  Consider using plants for the sake of their foliage and count the flowers as a bonus.

The challenge: planning your garden to ensure interest throughout the growing season.  You can plant swaths of perennials, grasses and shrubs to create dramatic displays of your own.  But keep in mind the limited flowering period of each plant.  Plan for flowering lulls.

Ornamental Grass and Grass-like plants:
The variety of available grass and grass-like plants on the market today is astounding.   There are ornamental grasses ranging in size from six inches to ten feet tall.  Some clump, some spread, some weep, some stand upright.  Grasses can be found in red, white, blue, silver, purple, black, variegated, striped, spotted and solid, broad of leaf or narrow. These plants flower in Spring, Summer, and Fall in plumes of red, pink, white, silver, brown, purple....  My point is this: grass offers a wide range of options that can bring interest in form, texture, and color. 
Consider some of the ornamental grasses and grass-like plants below to bring beauty to your gardens.

Calamagrostis brachytricha  - Korean Feather Reed Grass

Korean Feather Reed Grass matures at approximately 24" tall and 30" wide.  This plant tends to be fairly loose in habit, especially when young.  This grass does well in partial shade.  I would use Korean Feather Reed Grass in the foreground of large flowering perennials such as Black-eyed Susan and Cone flower.  The foliage color contrast with these particular perennials



 

 Blue Spire Oat Grass

Festuca glauca'Elijah Blue' - Elijah Blue Fescue 

This Fecue is a well controlled mounding/weeping grass that tends to be a deep steel blue and grows approximately 1' tall and 9" wide. 

 

 Stipa (Nasella) tenuissima - Ponytail Grass

 

Calamagrostis acutiflora 'Overdam' - Overdam Feather Reed Grass

 

Ornamental Grasses can be left standing through Fall and Winter to add form, texture and color to what could otherwise be a bleak or drab garden.

Astilbe

Coral Bell

For more tips and tricks to creating a lush and beautiful garden, continue reading my blog.

For help designing, installing or maintaining your landscape, feel free to give Brent Langley a call at (616) 328-3258.  Thank you



Flowers of London In July



Horse Chestnut - Aesculus hippocastanum

Larkspur - 'Magic Fountains Sky Blue' Delphinium

Onopordum acanthium - Scotch Thistle

Echinops ritro 'Veitchs Blue' - Globe Thistle

The contrasting flower color and form of
Ligularia 'The Rocket'  & Bee Balm
seen here in the foreground create a lively combination through which to view the Sunken Garden further away.

Monarda didyma- Bee Balm In the Foreground

Lavandula in the foreground; Ligularia, Monarda, and black Snakeroot? behind.
Pale yellow Allium in front of the Lavender offers another soft color and textural contrast.  



Dahlia -

Grand Rapids Landscape Architects & Designers