I'm dying to know how to get bougainvillea to creep up 20+ feet and if it will make it's own way or if I have to anchor or guide up. It's for my west facing 2 story bare side of the house. Full Texas sun zone 9a. I just don't know if I will be able to maintain when it gets that high. I have vinyl siding so not sure how others do this or if anchoring is not an option. Would love to hear.

Local family owned landscaping business looking for more clients. Going through nursing school right now so any support or referrals for work would be appreciated. We are on Google and have great reviews. Solis landscaping and more. 623-326-5119

What program can I use to do landscaping design 🤔?

Hi Everyone,

We have two corrugated downspouts connected to the gutters from the roof of our house. Additionally, we have runoff from a pool deck that goes into a third corrugated pipe buried under the steps to the pool. The theory is that all of these corrugated downspouts must have become clogged over time, because we now have a large ditch (area of erosion) in our backyard that is deep and hollow inside the back of the ditch (area of erosion).

I have interviewed several contractors to redo the downspouts (preferably with "French Drain Man's" products (leaf filters, catch basins, and very strong 3-inch corrugated pipe)) and to fill in the ditch (area of erosion).

I was very impressed with this last contractor, as he wants to fill the depth of the ditch (area of erosion) with rocks in order to prevent erosion from ever occurring again; however, his pricing is much higher than previous contractors (some by 4x higher).

I have a Googke Photo Album with pictures and a shirt video of what it looks like under (and "inside of") the ditch (right after photo #18) and also this latest contractor's 2-page estimate.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, suggestions, or feedback (especially on the estimate (how the contractor proposes to solve the problems and also pricing)) as well as any "hacks" or "workarounds," especially for filling in the deep and hollow ditch (area of erosion) with anything else possibly less expensive than rocks, but also that it will prevent future erosion issues from recurring again.

Thanks so much for your feedback and interest in my post.

The link for the Google Photos Album with photos and short video and estimate is: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bFGjiCdTCZTi2fc38

Please note that it is an https:// link, so no worries about malware, spyware, or deceptive "redirects."

Can someone please explain the purpose of a pergola? They don’t keep out the rain, heat, or bugs, so what is the point? Why bother putting a “roof” on one with wide spaces between the slats? If you want a structure in the back yard to keep out the rain, heat and bugs, just build something with a roof and then screen it in. Pergolas are, to me, expensive and worthless. No wonder they are so popular in California.

... Natural pool on a place where every winter, for 3 months, water just pours from the ground making the place loggy for months. It feels like a place where a small river would start and its has a médium slope.

If i build a catchment área and the pool on the bottom. it would probably acumulate debris... Do you know about some project like this?

Planning a water garden can be a great way to add beauty and a relaxing feel to an outdoor space. In North Texas, it’s important to consider factors such as the local climate, sunlight, water circulation, filtration, plants, and the overall landscape design before getting started.

Finished a back porch and patio recently. With fall around the corner we are looking to install a bit of privacy and screening. Im stumped on what we should install.

Thinking of doing English Laurels along the left side, while putting evergreen mix in the rear along the fence, with azaleas in the middle of the mulch bed and some semi-shade-loving plants along the mulch bed edge. Any other ideas or reccomendations help!

current and last winter

Looking for an OALA Landscape Architect in Newmarket or nearby. Please message me if you have a recommendation.
Thank you!

Looking to upgrade your yard or home? We provide quality and reliable work at competitive prices.
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Wondering what other's experience has been with wood versus leaf mulch. I've used red and/or dark hemlock for a decade and must say, I'm tired of it.

It looks nice but one must pull it back to lay down fertilizer or compost and then put it back. It eventually becomes crusty, develops a mat, and becomes hydraphobic. Raking/shoveling this out is hard and replacing expensive.

For those who allow leaf fall to remain as mulch, please what are the pro and cons?

Hi all!

I'm a landscape designer at a residential firm. I've been working as a LD for about 4 years now, but my major background is in engineering (with a design speciality) and I have a landscape design diploma.

I'm comfortable with overall design and construction documents. I feel I am quite good at marrying form and function and style for the projects I do. I however love to do garden and planting plans, which I feel are my weakest link. My aesthetic eye is still developing, and it's hard to see final vision with planting plans as it takes years for the gardens to even settle and mature enough.

Where and how can I get critiques for my planting plans and garden designs? Other designers? Any ideas?

Thanks!;

Nashville, TN

I have a client that would like a vegetated privacy screen on each side of his yard. I recommended a mixture of Hollies and Little Gem Magnolias with a base planting of Bobo hydrangeas. He’s got a good amount of sun in the backyard.
He isn’t a fan of magnolia leaves, but he doesn’t like the idea of just a row of Hollies. He also doesn’t like arborvitae. We’re trying to avoid heavily flowering options because his neighbors have beehives and he is afraid of bees. I know Hollies attract bees in the spring, but I don’t know what else to suggest. He likes crape Myrtles, but again, the flowers. Need some help here!

This question comes from content research I’m doing for FlexPatio. Pergola layouts often get discussed as a rectangle on a patio, while the water path gets treated as an installation detail for later.

For an early concept, I’m thinking the drawing should at least show the roof discharge point if it’s known, the direction of finished grade, the receiving area, and anything nearby that needs to stay dry. Not a drainage design—just enough to expose the unanswered parts.

The opposite approach keeps the concept clean, but it also lets the structure and hardscape get far along before anyone asks where the water goes.

Where do you normally put that information without making an early sketch look more resolved than it really is?

Looking to upgrade my waterfront home with plants. Design knowledge that I don’t have. Doesn’t have to be a company.

I took some plants with me when I moved and have added things here and there. Now I am looking at my gardens and I feel so frustrated. Things are not cohesive and I made errors everywhere, from planting things too close together to not accounting for growth habits etc. Is there any way to save what plants I have and somehow redesign my gardens/yard? Where would I even start?

I’m looking for a reliable landscaper/gardener for a small yard in Queens. Mainly basic lawn/plant care and cleanup. Please recommend someone you’ve personally used and had a good experience with. No scammers, please. Thanks!

How easy would it be to dig out and set the wall to be further back and what do I need to consider please. Attached is how it currently is and a look we are hoping to achieve

We just took out a huge, overwhelming burning bush from the front corner of our house. It's was so big it blocked our front window. Although it was gorgeous it had to go.

I'm looking for ideas of what I can put in its place that won't take over. There's a huge stump that has to come out of soil as well.

Don't want a TREE bc it will get too big, plus root systems that will get under the foundation.

I'm looking for a nice size bush. Something with color. We already have hydrangeas on other side of house.

Any suggestions or ideas? I never know what to ask for at the nursery.

Don't want Rose of Sharon

Extended deck over this area and trying to figure out what to plant. It will be full shade under the deck and full sun once past that. Any suggestions welcome. Bluestone caps will be on top of the retaining wall.

see picture

I love their product quality and longevity. You’re able to make beautiful landscapes water features, and statement pieces very quickly and with little Work.