Landscaping in Lake Orion, Michigan

Another recently completed design and build project in Lake Orion, Michigan.

We designed and built the bed and planted boxwoods – a Magnolia tree, hydrangea, ornamental grasses, astilbe, hostas.

Landscape Project in Royal Oak, Michigan

We recently completed a front yard design and install project in Royal Oak, Michigan– sidewalk, porch, plantings, sod.

We used Unilock Brussels Block brick pavers for the sidewalk and porch. We also built the stone wall around the big Maple tree — Ohio Blue Wall Stone. Plantings included hydrangeas, boxwoods, barberry, astilbe, Stewartia tree that we purchased from Landscape Supply.

Landscape Project in Fenton

We installed Stone Steps and Garden Wall using Huron Highland in Chocolate Limestone at this landscaping project in Fenton Michigan. We installed the brick patio at bottom of wooden stairs, using Unilock’s new Avante Ashler brick pavers. We planted alongside the steps: White Flower Dogwood, Bird’s Nest Spruce, Mountain Laurel, Endless Summer Hydrangea, Lavender, Pink Chintz Thyme, and Pink Carpet Roses.

Koi Pond Expansion in Commerce, Michigan

We orginally built this pond as designed by Jeff White a few years ago. Since then, the clients have had us re-design it and expand it to accomodate their koi. We have added elements of stone and plantings, including stone steps nearby and a stone bridge across the pond.

    

   

Landscaping in Clarkston, Michigan

We recently completed this landscape project in Clarkston, Michigan. We installed Unilock Brussels Block in Sandstone and Mahogany to complete a front porch/patio with seat wall and piers along with a walkway. We also installed a garden wall using Ohio Blue Stone.  We repaired the rear patio circle and walk. Amongst the plantings: Red Bud tree, Dogwoods, Shasta Daisy, Black-eyed Susan, Euonymus,  Hydrangea, Astilbe and Boxwood. We added a couple downspout drains  and did some other work. This project cost the homeowner less than $15,000 and the new hardscapes are warranteed for three years, the plants are warranteed for one year, and the Unilock products are warranteed for life.

         

              

            

Landscaping in Ferndale, Michigan

We recently completed the landscape rennovation of a backyard in Ferndale, Michigan.  We custom built a wood arbor, installed a brick paver patio approx. 120 sq feet using Unilock Brussels Block in Sandstone, and installed a Flagstone Path. 

The plantings included ‘Green Mountain’ Boxwood, Climbing Hydrangea, ‘All Summer Beauty’ Hydrangea, deciduous Azaleas, Myrtle, and assorted perennials. We also planted three ‘Cherokee Chief’ Dogwoods and a 7′ Hemlock. Natural Boulders were placed in the planting areas.

Custom Wood Arbor

      

Our client was so happy, we have just also completed her frontyard!

Landscaping in Clinton Township, Michigan

At this residence in Clinton Township, Michigan we designed and installed stone and flagstone and plantings. The stone is Huron Highland and the paths are of flagstone. It is fall now, so the plantings are not as visible.

Flagstone Paths

 

Huron Highland Stone

   

Flagstone Path

 

 

 

 

Ornamental Grass

I use all types and varieties of ornamental grass in my projects, but am particularly fond of Little Bunny, a wonderful plant. 
This is a small grass growing to around a foot tall with a spread of between one and two feet. The light, airy flower plumes appear between August and October and are whitish green in color. This grass variety requires very little maintenance, has few, if any, pest issues and is highly adaptable, being used in rock gardens, borders and a wide variety of other landscape features.  

Ornamental grass in front of custom stone bench

Acer Palmatum or Japanese Maple

Acer palmatum

Japanese Maples are wonderful ornamental trees, their leaf shape and color, plus their branch structure, adding so much to the landscape. These plants are so valuable to my own landscaping that I can’t say enough good things about them. 
These maples at first look somewhat delicate, but are in fact very hardy, with little susceptibility to insect pests or air pollutants. The Japanese Maple is a deciduous shrub or small tree, which can resemble an upside down pyramid when young, transforming into a more domed shape when mature. It comes in very diverse and striking varieties, the leaves varying from what is seen as a typical Maple, to a more lace-like leaf shape. The foliage can be anywhere from light green to a deep rich burgundy and individual plants can either be the low growing, weeping version or a shaded tree reaching up to twenty feet or more.

Japanese Maple in front of Basalt Fountain

Pieris japonica

I like this plant for its shape, but also for its growth habit. The Pieris japonica is always interesting at a number of different times between fall and summer. The flower buds develop in late fall, covering much of the plant until early spring, when the bell shaped flowers bloom, open hanging down. The beautiful cascading flowers, which can be white, pink or red, are followed by an explosive growth of colorful new red foliage, then as the new evergreen leaves mature, they turn a bright dark green. The pieris japonica can grow as high as ten feet, unless it is pruned regularly.

Pieris japonica