Trees to Stew on

Trees to Stew On

If you missed yesterday’s post, Frosty Wishes, it was a friendly reminder not to procrastinate in the months ahead, at least as it pertains to your landscape design and plans. And when it comes to your planting plan, here are a few specimen trees to stew on and consider for that special place in your landscape. Top on our list is the Stewartia. It’s one we recently added to our own landscape. It’s been on my wish list for years. 

One of the best features of the Stewartia - its stunning exfoliating bark, which offers four-season interest.

Stewartia: The Stewartia is an ideal small to medium-sized flowering ornamental tree. One of its best features is its stunning exfoliating bark, which offers four-season interest. Searching for summertime flowers and fall color to boot? Try the Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia). This sought after specimen is the caviar of the ornamentals. If you have moist, acidic soil with full sun conditions, give this one a go.

Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zelkova): Wondering what might be a good replacement for the diseased-ridden Elm tree? Take a look at the Japanese Zelkova. Related to the Elm, this deciduous shade tree has a similar structure. The Japanese Zelkova can handle some pretty tough conditions and provides fall color without too much leaf clean-up. It makes for a great street tree.

Ginkgo – Ginkgo biloba, another deciduous favorite, is a unique pest-free tree dating back to pre-historic times. Not particularly fussy, this tree can handle extreme conditions (Zone 3 to 9) as well as drought, wind and various soil types. A word of caution with this unique slow grower - don’t get stuck with a female, which you may not know until it is too late! It seldom occurs in the industry but the wretched smelling fruit can be a real show-stopper and not in a good way. A tree of sacred symbolism to the East, this may be one for the meditative spot within your garden.

Fagus sylvatica (European Beech): Majestic in its own right but a bit slow to mature, this long-lived tree requires plenty of elbow room. It can grow as wide as it can grow tall. These big boys may get the standard, run-of-the mill diseases but if you are looking for massive with long-term impact, this is a primo choice. You can also consider the Fagus grandifolia (American Beech), which is equally bold and beautiful. It’s a tough, native nut trees.

So as we think about making a soup or stew on these cold November days, there’s plenty to stew on when it comes to trees for your planting plan. Send your thoughts, questions, comments as we dive into the dormant months. 

 © Images of our recent addition - Stewartia pseudocamellia (Japanese Stewartia) by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

The #November Design Challenge

An example of a Bilowz Associates Inc. Landscape Lighting Plan

The month of November can bring its challenges when it comes to the outdoors and our landscape, at least if you live in a region where the most beautiful season of color and foliage is now at its passing point. So rather than simply tuck away the outdoor furniture and call it garden and design quits, here are a couple ways to consider challenging yourself 'design-wise' in the month of November.

Natural light is the number one element that diminishes during the late fall and winter months. If you're in the planning stages of construction and design, consider incorporating a well-thought out lighting plan into your overall landscape budget. As has been mentioned in a past blog post, ‘Falling for the Landscape’ , lighting, which often comes last, well, you guessed it. It can end up cheapened or axed in an overall design. But it’s the backlash that ends up being more expensive down the road. Lighting is best done during the construction phase of the project versus when it's buttoned up and complete.  And if you live in a high-impact zone, choose fixtures that can withstand those types of harsh elements. Retain a portion of your overall design budget for lighting, which often comes at the tail end. It makes for better planning plus an ambient, safer landscape for all seasons, especially months like November.

And one last challenge as we edge into the winter slumber. Water conservation should be an all-year topic, not just summer banter. November is the perfect month to review your overall landscape. Consider additional places to conserve and address your water usage. This can be one of the unsung heroes of a well-thought out landscape master plan. 

Do not let November be the month of goodbyes. Let this be the month of bringing light and conserving water while launching your landscape design. 

© Copyright note: this image & design have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. 

 If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

Friday Flash

Another Coastal Design Project in Progress by Bilowz Associates Inc.

It’s a quick look at one of Bilowz Associates Inc.’s coastal design projects in progress plus a recap from this past Wednesday’s post, ‘Mastering the Plan.’ It’s just a Friday flash reminder that the latter part of fall and winter serve as the perfect time for your design and approval process with coastal, riverfront or wetland properties. Keep an eye on our Houzz profile where more images and descriptions of this coastal project should be posted soon. As Gerard Way states, “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.”

© Copyright note: this image & design have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc.

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

Thursday's Design Point

"Out of clutter, find simplicity." ~ Albert Einstein

When you rid yourself of clutter, there’s a sense of space opening up. Think of a room that’s being remodeled, emptied of all its contents. Peering into that empty space gives you some room for fresh thought. Removing the cluttered contents often opens the door for a brand new look. 

The same can be said for our outdoor spaces. Whether it’s a terrace, a perennial bed, or even a naturalized stand of trees, what accumulates in those spaces might need more than just a few adjustments. Sometimes it’s clearing an area to allow yourself some creative room to rethink your space. Things get overgrown, outdated. But that clean sweep of those cherished areas can offer a fresh start; an open slate. 

Are you ready to rethink your outdoor space? Maybe you're hoping for a new look, an open view. A trim and a fluff might be refreshing but noticeable and wow factor often come from clearing some excess out. Even in our outdoor rooms, over time, clutter can build up. 

Albert Einstein once quipped about the subject, “Out of clutter, find simplicity.” But simplifying things often takes some serious perspective. To sum up this thought process, Victoria Moran states something similar with a few more words. “When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar.” Or in those outdoor spaces, sometimes it’s clearing an area to allow yourself some creative room to rethink your space. 

© Copyright note: this image and design have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. 

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/serving Massachusetts and New England.)

Elegance

Elegance should captivate your audience.

There is one word that describes the application of excellence – 'Elegance'. When applying this principle to landscape architecture and design, this one word, ‘Elegance,’ should captivate your audience.

© Copyright note: this image & design have been developed by and is the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc.

If you like this blog, check in for your daily share's worth of garden inspiration, landscape architecture and design tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architects/Landscape Design/ serving Massachusetts & New England.)

#InTheMoment –Tuesday’s Landscape Focal Point

A garden focal point for the late summer, early fall -

© Image of a Franklinia Alatamaha blossom (Franklin Tree) by Ann Bilowz

When looking for focal points in your landscape, we often turn to a specimen tree. So here’s the Tuesday’s #InTheMoment landscape focal point. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the Franklinia Alatamaha, commonly known as the Franklin tree is not a typical choice for many landscape plantings. Yet with so many wonderful features and attributes, including its blossom alone, it’s deserving of the spotlight today. 

This Fletcher Steele favorite blooms in late summer, early fall; the perfect filler when much of your flowering landscape might appear tired. But this is more than fill and fluff. This specimen tree also becomes the focal point of your garden with its amazing fall foliage. Coupled with its delicate late blooming flower,  is there more you could want in a garden focal point?   

As Benjamin Franklin once pointed out, “If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.” So when everyone’s landscape looks typical and similar, it’s time to think out of the landscape box. Think Franklin, late blossoms and amazing fall foliage. That’s it for your #InTheMoment – Tuesday’s Landscape Focal Point.  And if you missed yesterday’s post, ‘Fallingfor the Landscape’  there is plenty of incentive for an outdoor facelift this fall.

© Image of a Franklinia Alatamaha blossom (Franklin Tree) by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios for inspiration. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architecture/Design/ Massachusetts.)

Falling for the Landscape

What draws you into a beautiful home? A well-thought out design inside and out. 

Making your landscape stylish and welcoming is a selling feature for your home.

What draws you into a beautiful home, especially when you haven’t seen its interior, its inner structure and bones? It's a Monday morning, fall wake-up call for anyone putting a home on the market. There's a lot of planning involved in successfully selling a home.

What's first on your agenda? The landscape should reflect the wonderful features waiting to be discovered inside the home. Your potential buyer might envision certain rooms before entering but it’s the architectural lines and the well-designed landscape that define a home's welcome. And while beautiful, pristine locations can be an easy sell, this recent article from Ball Publishing’s newsletter Buzz spells out why it is that perception, that first impression of what you see on the outside first, that setting, the landscape that can often sell your home.
 
If you live in New England, fall is an optimum time to market your home. Think foliage, pumpkins and apple pie as helpful selling features but if certain outdoor curb appeal is lacking, there could be lots of potential buyers taking that infamous U-turn before one even sets foot inside your home.

Take a few tips from this Ball Publishing article – fall for the landscape and then the home. And one big P.S. - never underestimate the value of a well-thought out landscape lighting plan. Light is a welcoming element and it should not get the axe or cheapened out when lighting your home. 

© Copyright note: this image and design have been developed by and are the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. 

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios for inspiration. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architecture/Design/ Massachusetts.)

Stepping Out

Bilowz Associates Inc. Landscape Design - 'Stepping out'

It's a known fact that a walk outdoors or spending time in a garden aids in our breathing. Another plus - creativity often flows better in places where it's easy to unwind. But these days, finding that OFF button means we must literally 'unplug'. One of the best ways to leave behind the tedium - create a green space where it's easy and available for 'stepping out'.

Not ready for a landscape challenge? Lace up your sneaks. Make a date with nature to enjoy on any given day. 

What sets the tone for creativity is experiencing nature firsthand.

© Top Image –‘Stepping out’ Copyright note: this image and design have been developed by and are the property of Bilowz Associates Inc. and should not be reproduced in any manner nor are they to be assigned to any third party without the expressed written permission and consent of Bilowz Associates Inc. 

© Sneaker and Sunrise Image by Ann Bilowz

If you like this blog, hope you check in for your daily share's worth of inspiration, design, and garden tips; always original, not cookie cutter and copied. Just like our design work, we strive for unique! We invite you to contact Bilowz Associates, Inc., or to browse our portfolios for inspiration. Like our Facebook follow on Twitter or subscribe to the blog to receive posts daily via email or a feed. Either way, we hope you follow the postings somewhere in cyberspace and share it with your gardening friends. You can follow with visuals on Pinterest and find us on LinkedIn and Houzz, too.  And you can also find us back on our Google+ Business Page. (Landscape architecture/Design/ Massachusetts.)