Within five to seven years after your landscape design is fully planted, you have a maturing garden. The mugho pine planted at 12” is now over 3 feet tall and wide. Plants have grown together or a plant died over a harsh summer or winter leaving a gap. Large plants in full sun create significant shade that creates an opportunity your design did not have when every plant was small in full sun. The irrigation system can be tweaked for conservation and focused moisture over here with less water for maturing specimens over there which are now well established.
You can see the changes but your designer sees them as opportunities to make the plantings dramatic, more useful (as privacy or a sound barrier), as waves of different colors in every season.
Often plantings need special pruning to avoid overgrowth, trigger rejuvenation, remove dead wood, or special soil amendments to correct chlorosis or shift soil alkalinity. Some species that thrived in full sun now languish in too much shade. Your designer knows which to replace with shade lovers you couldn’t risk originally in full sun under the original design.
You may especially like certain plantings and others you barely notice. Now is the time to restore the “Oh, WOW.” Subtle changes and new plants will delight you right away. You’ll see the design mature and take on a unique character. The Atlas cedar pruned high and flowing remains an eye-catcher more striking every year. The white birch above 20’ becomes stately. The maples never disappoint with color around the year.
It may be time to modify the hardscape you’ve lived with and come to appreciate. Do you need more shade? Is the summer ventilation working? Are the tall trees now blocking wind that was a problem? Does turf need a soil intensive or replacement? Is drainage working well? Would a pergola add to the patio? Should the water feature be expanded?
Surprisingly, few designers return to their work periodically to refresh the design. But the professional will know just what’s needed to build momentum for the next phase of your design. All that’s needed is a consultation and recommendations. You now have a microhabitat surrounding an outdoor venue for years more of enjoyment.
Our Reno/Sparks/Nevada Nevada area landscaping experts are here to help. Contract Us Today to Learn More.
