Real-Rock Water Features
One of Garden View's specialties is constructing water features using real boulders and rock. We have 1.5 acres of boulders at our nursery so we can choose exactly the right boulder for the right location. We can break and carve boulders and Mark Meahl has developed a 26 point formula for our masons on how to use rock and make it look natural. Real boulders won't fade or need painting in the future. We actually install real rock for less than most artificial boulder contractors charge for their fake rock.

RHAPHIOLEPIS (left):
Do not trim until after their spring blooms. Most varieties of these low water need, disease and pest resistant plants are compact growers needing little pruning.

JERUSALEM SAGE -Phlomis fruticosa (right):
about half in fall to keep them compact. This plant will produce waves of color in spring and summer if cut back lightly after each flowering.

CUT BACK CHRYSANTHEMUMS (left):
When plants have finished blooming, cut them back to within 6 or 8 inches of the ground. If plants are overcrowded, this would be a good time to divide them. Lift clumps, cut roots into pieces, and discard old or woody centers. Replant remaining pieces.

FERTILIZING ANNUAL COLOR (right):
The best time to fertilize your annual flowers is when planting them. Garden View Crews sprinkle some fertilizer underneath the plant when planting. The reason is that Phosphorus and Potassium which contribute most to flower production do not leach through the soil so putting the fertilizer on the top of the soil doesn't feed the plant near as well as putting the fertilizer in the hole next to the roots. Click Here to Read Our Article on Fertilizer!

TRIM GRASSES LIKE PENISETUM SETACEUM 'RUBRUM' (left) when they are starting to go brown. Cut down the whole plant (which is all leaves). Garden View crews cut to approximately 4" above the soil. If you do no do this the plant will be extremely unattractive all winter and will be much too large next spring and summer.

NIGHT BLOOMING JESSAMINE -Cestrum nocturnum (right):
This fast growing, arching plant responds well to frequent pruning and a severe pruning in fall. This plants summer flowers are powerfully fragrant at night--too much for some people.

DO NOT PRUNE CALIFORNIA LIVE OAK TREES until next summer; the tip mildew or "witches broom" disease of the California Live Oak trees is increased by early spring pruning and fertilization.

PINE TREES (left):
Prune Pine trees and other conifers now through February.

DON'T PANIC IF EVERGREENS (Pine trees and other conifers) continue to show some browning or yellowing of needles this month and next. The oldest, innermost ones typically shed after a few years on the tree.

Pine needles can be used as mulch for acid loving plants like Azalea, Camellia, and Blueberries or to cover informal woodland or vegetable garden paths.

SUCCULENTS (right):
stop watering once rain arrives; many varieties need protection from frost.

BERRIES (left):
Prune cane berries other than low-chill raspberries.

Give one last deep watering to grapevines and deciduous trees but discontinue feeding. This will begin hardening them off for cold weather. You want to discourage new growth that will be tender and susceptible to damage.

PRUNE ACACIAS:
Cut back top heavy shrubs open up small trees. This is a fast growing, low water need plant. Most varieties have origins in Australia and southern Africa and most have yellow to gold flowers which bloom in late winter or early spring. These plants that are often listed as brittle and short lived (15 years) may have there life extended considerably by not overwatering and proper pruning.

ACACIA REDOLENS (right):
is a great dry hillside ground cover. It grows fast, so space each plant at least 4 feet apart from each other and away from v-ditch drainage swales. The dwarf varieties need a little less trimming. Garden View Landscape crews will often plant this shrub on the upper side of the slope and Rosemary prostrada on the downhill side. This makes a nice contrast between the plants and the Rosemary tolerates more of the percolated water.

ACACIA BALILEYANA (left)
has abundant flowers and a ferny leaf. As it matures and with proper pruning it can be a very mystic looking tree with interesting form.

DO NOT PRUNE HYDRANGEAS (right):
Contrary to some references or your own temptations do not prune hydrangeas this late in the year. Hydrangeas bloom on one-year-old stems Pruning now will eliminate most of next year's flowers. To try to get blue or lavender flowers on an otherwise pink plant start applying Aluminum Sulfate to the soil now. White flowered varieties will not change color and not all pinks will be effected the same.

Algerian and English Ivy respond well to a severe pruning during the cooler months. This will keep the plant contained and considerably more attractive.

Click Here to Read the Rest of the Article!

Blake's Landscape Maintenance Blog

Well, we are just about to winter with only one storm under our belts and feeling a little pessimistic about this big, bad El Niņo we are all hoping for. I was brainstorming about things I could do to help and naturally struck goldmines. For the next couple of weeks I have instructed all of our crews to perform a very special ceremony when they arrive at each job. Please do not be alarmed when you see 4-5 Hispanic men dancing naked on your lawn. Hey, it is all in the name of the drought and we are doing what we can to help. Besides, I know you dig it.

Normally right now we make sure that all the crews go through and clean out the landscape storm swales, V ditches and drains (have your handyman check the garage sump pumps and rain gutters!!) of dirt and debris so that we can avoid any flooding. Then it hit me, we shouldn't! Obviously, if we get prepared for the rain it will never happen. I realized that all of you out there that have the gardening companies who neglect these kinds of procedures are doing the world a major service and should be greatly rewarded. Of course, you are likely to spend your reward dealing with water damage, but you don't care because you are so environmentally minded! We strive to be more like you, but unfortunately, we just can't help but provide that superior landscape maintenance service. Damn! Back to the drawing board...

(Blake Meahl is the Operations Manager for Garden View's Maintenance Division.)