7 plants that dazzle, even in the snow!

Flowering quince (Chaenomeles)

If you've got a black thumb, flowering quince is a good choice. Virtually indestructible, flowering quince tolerates climate extremes and neglect. This deciduous thorny shrub can stretch up to 8 feet wide, makes great natural fencing,and puts on a big show of blossoms in winter. Plant in spring or fall.

Snowdrop (Galanthus elwesii)

When most other plants are hiding away from winter’s chill, snowdrop is eager to get going. One of the first blossoms of late winter, snowdrops are still shy, preferring to hide away in rock gardens and under taller shrubs. Plant these bulbs in fall. 

Boxwood (Buxus)

Your winter garden will come alive with shapes and forms that add texture. Evergreen boxwood hedges are easy to grow and shape, and make terrific borders for paths and garden outlines. Along with a quintet of arches and some tall conifers, boxwoods have turned this snowed-in landscaping into a fairy tale.





Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
Winterberry — a deciduous version of holly — loses its leaves in late fall, leaving behind dazzling sprays of lipstick-red berries. Most species of holly are either male or female, so you’ll have to pair them up to get berries. Plant in spring or fall.

Camellia (japonica)
Like an unexpected gift, some varieties of camellia will surprise you with a showy display of rose-like blossoms in the middle of January. Check with your local greenhouse to select types that are winter-blooming. Evergreen camellias have thick green leaves, will easily grow 10 feet tall, and can live 50-100 years.

Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Looking for that special decoration to impress holiday visitors? Try planting Christmas rose in shady spots along your walkways. This winter-loving plant blossoms from late December through early spring on stout stems that rise above modest snowfalls. Plant this perennial in springtime.

Sweet box (Sarcococca hookeriana)
Wishing for some hints of summer in the dead of winter? The thick, evergreen leaves of sweet box cheers up your yard in all seasons. As a bonus, the shrub puts out fragrant, tiny white blossoms in late winter. Plant sweet box near your entry door for aromatic comings and goings

 

The Blue Lagoons

Water Garden Landscaping Ideas

A Sloping Stream

A cacophony of colors and materials decorates the outlines of a stream.

• A variety of visually-interesting materials and plants, including a weeping willow and variously sized boulders, move the eye from the top of the gentle slope downward.
• Large, flat boulders do double duty, edging the pond and providing a wide enough spot for an informal path.
• A few dwarf evergreens add year-round structure among the brightly colored lilies and black-eyed Susans.
• Groundcovers and water plants, including water lilies, soften the otherwise hard edges of the pond's rocky border
• A gentle curve cut out of the walkway mimics the outlines of the pond.

Dressed-Up Fountain

A water feature set into a sloping corner offers traditional style.

• Distinctive hardscape, including stone steps and a geometric paved landing, lend an air of formality to this elegant waterfall.
• Urns overflowing with bright purple lobelia and red double impatiens soften the water's edges.
• While many garden water elements feel natural, this pool was designed to contrast with the lushly planted landscape around it.
• The rich hues of ivy, lacecap hydrangea, ornamental grass, and pigsqueak warm the cool tones of the waterfall's stonework.

Circle 'Round

A series of spheres supplies structure to a minimalist water feature. A gravel path from the house ends at a gently bubbling pond.

• Plants echo the shape of hardscape. Here, liriope encircles the small pond.
• Repetition is a key design element to this water landscape; multiple circles tie everything together.
• The continuation of the path around the pond maintains circulation through the garden.
• In place of a stationary pool of water, a bubbling base in the pool offers water movement.

Focus on the Fountain

A pretty water feature livens up a small slice of yard.

• Intricate trelliswork complements the elegance of the fountain and sculpture.
• Gentle curves at the edge of the fountain soften the hardscape edges.
• A pair of myrtles, grown in topiary form, adds a splash of fun to the garden. Their rounded shapes echo the curves in the lattice and water basin.
• Containers set at the fountain's edge pick up the colors and foliage of the surrounding plantings.
• Shade-loving begonias and caladium in colors that warm the cool gray stonework nestle close to the small-scale fountain.

Pond Perfect

A restful landscape includes an expansive pond.

• A bench, chair, and table offer a quiet alcove overlooking the expansive lily pond.
• An arched bridge takes garden visitors over the water below.
• Lighting can be an unobtrusive element when its shape and materials complement the rest of the landscape; here, a few lanterns light the way across the bridge.
• Large and small boulders tumble and flit in and out of the pond's edges
• Movement in water and elements on the surface offer visual interest to water features. Here, water lilies bloom and a small stream cascades into the larger pond.

Wonderful Waterfall

A dense mix of evergreens and shade-loving plants creates a richly sculpted landscape around a backyard pond.

• A dense planting of reliable arborvitae serves as a year-round softscape fence.
• A garden with several vantage points offers multiple areas for enjoyment; this landscape can be viewed from up on the deck or down closer to the water feature.
• A series of stacked boulders in varying sizes offers a naturalist edging for the waterfall and pond.
• Extending from the lower seating area, a few flagstones jut over the boulders for a third garden outlook spot.
• Paths and water features are easy elements to utilize to conquer slopes, and water features another. This cascading water feature tumbles gently over boulders and a series of flagstone steps before ending in a pond.

LandXscapes- Landscaping 

Koi & Fish Pond

Koi Pond Design TipsA koi pond must be properly designed in order for the fish to thrive. Most professionals recommend that a pond intended for koi meet a certain set of requirements in order to provide the best habitat for the fish. Generally, koi ponds are larger than fishless ponds.

Koi pond size requirements:

• 3+ feet deep
• 25 sq. ft. of pond per koi
• No less than 1,000 gallons of water

It's important to realize that fish need shade. If your pond location is in direct sunlight consider growing floating plants like water lilies. Half of the ponds surface should be shaded to provide koi with a comfortable place where they can escape the sunlight. Another benefit of floating plants is that they provide a place for the fish to hide from predators.

Water plants are an essential element of a koi pond. Aquatic plants help balance the ecosystem, creating a more natural home for the fish. Some plants are oxygenators, meaning they will release oxygen into the water, which the fish can then breathe. Additionally, koi eat many types of water plants. Fish do not have to be fed provided you do not overstock your pond. They will live off of algae, insects and other miscellaneous food that the environment provides. Certain water plants can be included in this source of food.

FiltrationA good pond filter will help keep your pond clear and clean. Koi produce a significant amount of waste, making a filter a necessity. There are two types of filtration: mechanical and biological.

Mechanical filtration traps debris and fish waste. Pump baskets, bottom drains and skimmers are all good for mechanical filtration. Biological filtration utilizes beneficial bacteria to convert toxins into harmless substances.

AerationFish need oxygen to survive. Depending on the size of your pond, the amount of plants growing and the number of fish you may need to consider aeration. Aeration is a process in which oxygen is circulated through pond water.

Waterfalls and fountains are two pleasing ways to aerate a pond. The motion of the water will allow oxygen to circulate naturally. However, you may also want to consider installing equipment that will help aerate your pond. Aeration pumps or jets are especially beneficial if you live in a hot climate or have large fish.

Water QualityThe quality of your pond water will have an impact on the health of your fish. You'll want to keep a close eye on water temperatures and pH levels. Ideal water temperature for koi is 39° to 68° F. The deeper your pond is the easier it will be to regulate the temperature. The best pH level for a koi pond is between 7.0 and 7.8.

Be aware that chlorine is harmful to koi, it will burn your fishes gills and possibly lead to death. For this reason you must wait at least a week after filling your pond for the chlorine to dissipate before stocking it with fish. If you don't want to wait you may purchase a dechlorinator from a local pet store.

 Great  thing about ponds are, as time goes by they just get more beautiful as  foliage grows in and even seeing your fish grow and become  pets of the family!

LandXscapes offers Koi Pond build & weekly Pond service in the Dallas area!

How To Build A Flower Bed

How to Create a Flower Bed

So you want to build a flower bed. Where do you begin? Before starting a flower bed, you need to plan ahead. Take a stroll around your property and choose a suitable location. Take note of available light and nearby structures. Determine the whereabouts of any underground utility lines and the nearest water source.

Before you plant a flower bed, you should make a sketch. This is important, as it allows you to play around with ideas, like the size and shape of the flower bed. It will also make it easier when choosing plants, as these should always be compatible to the area. Use a hose, spray paint or flour to mark out and shape the bed. If building a raised bed, determine the type and amount of edging material as well.

How to Start a Flower Bed

Once you know how to create a flower bed, you’re ready to build it. Depending on its location, size and whether or not containers are used, starting a flower bed often begins with the removal of grass. There are several ways to accomplish this – dig it out, apply herbicide or smother it with cardboard or newspaper.

If you choose to dig out the grass, it will be easier to use a flat shovel. Dig down about four or five inches around the bed’s perimeter. Include sections inside the bed as well, especially for larger ones. Then carefully lift out or peel back the sod. Clear out any debris and loosen the soil, working in organic matter. Add some plants, water thoroughly and mulch generously to keep out weeds. Don’t forget to add an attractive border to define the edges.

Most people prefer the no-dig approach. It starts with eliminating the grass as we did in the dig method. While using herbicides can effectively kill grass, it may not be suitable for planting until much later, as herbicides are not environmentally friendly. However, you can easily smother grass quickly and effectively without the use of harmful chemicals simply by using cardboard or newspaper.

You can start the no-dig bed in early spring for summer planting or build a flower bed in fall, as grass begins to go dormant. Fill the area with cardboard or several layers of newspaper and saturate with water. Add about six inches of compost or rich soil on top with another layer of organic mulch (like straw) on top of this. You can plant a flower bed right away if the grass was dug out or within the next season using the no-dig method.

Knowing how to start a flower bed, along with careful planning beforehand, makes building one as easy as that!

Happy planting! 

Vist LandXscapes

10 Plants To Grow in The Winter

     Whether they're blooming through a crust of snow, or showing off their vivid colors­ while dropping temperatures force us indoors, hardy winter plants are doing more than just surviving when the winter rolls in; they're thriving. These garden inhabitants create interest, texture and a touch of the unexpected in the landscape when our springtime favorites are taking a long winter's nap -- and they do it with style.


Let's take a look at 10 plants, trees and shrubs that can transform a barren, chilly landscape into a winter wonderland.

10 Yard Landscaping Mistakes You Shouldn't Make This Fall/Winter

Leaves have already started shedding as cooler winds swirl around and make room for a colder season. Here are 10 winter landscaping preparation mistakes every homeowner should avoid this Fall/Winter.