Articles
Landscape Design
- Container Gardens Enhance Even the Smallest of Outdoor Spaces
- Rock Gardens Add Low-Maintenance Beauty to Your Northern Virginia Landscape
- How to Augment Your Centreville, Potomac, or Woodbridge Landscape with Stone Walls
- Create Usable Space with a Multi-Level Landscape
- Ten Mistakes to Avoid in Designing Your Landscape
- Extending Spring Cleanup to Your Northern Virginia Property
- Importance of Erosion Landscaping and Drainage In Residential Northern Virginia
- Retaining Walls Both an Aesthetic and Functional Landscape Feature
- Different Elements in Your Landscape Add Interest
Maintenance
Ponds and Water Features
- What is a Formal Water Feature and How Can One Complement Your Landscape?
- Types of Water Plants for Your Northern Virginia Pond
- Adding a Pond or Water Feature To Your Northern Virginia Property
- Bring Life To Your Northern Virginia Pond or Water Feature
- Issues Surrounding Your Northern Virginia Pond or Water Feature
Lighting, Ornaments and Materials
- Choosing the Right Material for Your Outdoor Planters
- Shedding Some Light on Outdoor Lighting
- Incorporating Garden Ornaments in Your Landscape
- The Benefits of Using River Rock in Your Northern Virginia Landscape
Livestock and Wildlife
All About Plants
- Topiary for Beginners
- Adding Color to Your Landscape
- Choosing the Right Plants for Pool-Side Landscaping
- Starting Your First Northern Virginia Vegetable Garden
- The Benefits of “Greenscaping” Your Northern Virginia or Maryland Yard
- What Are Native Plants and Why Are They Important?
Tips
Decks and Patios
Associations & Directories
DC · MD · VA Chapter Association of Professional Landscape Designers
www.dcmdva-apld.org/
Garden Scout
www.gardenscout.com
Better Business Bureau – Washington, DC Chapter
www.dc.bbb.org/
South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
www.southfairfaxchamber.org/
Suppliers and Partners
McLean Electric
McLean, VA
www.mcleanelectricco.com/
Halco Fence
Bristow, VA
www.halcofence.com
Fisher Group
Design Build Construction
Annandale, VA
www.designbuildrenovate.com
Absolute Kitchens
Kitchen Remodeling
Tyson’s Corner, VA
www.absolute-kitchens.com/
Commonwealth Home Remodelers
Vienna, VA
www.commonwealthhome.com
Wilcoxin Pool Construction
Rockville, MD
www.wilcoxonconst.com/
Nicolock Patio Pavers
www.nicolock.com/
The Care of Trees
Alexandria, VA
www.thecareoftrees.com/
Outdoor Lighting Solutions
Herndon, VA
www.outdoorlightingsolutions.com
Pruning 101
As most homeowners in Northern Virginia know, pruning is essential to the health, productivity and appearance of your trees and shrubs. But improper pruning can destroy the shape of your plants and also cause more harm than good. Following a few simple guidelines can help make the right decisions when deciding what to prune out of your trees and shrubs.
First, remove the three D's, dead, diseased or damaged branches. Also prune out branches that cross each other. Trees do best with only one leader, which is the main upright trunk of the tree. If there is a branch competing to be the leader it should be pruned.
Understand your plant's shape. Is it natural creeping, mounding or upright? Visualize what shape the mature plant will be and prune out branches that interfere with the natural shape.
Remove suckers. Some plants, such as glossy black chokeberries tend to send up suckers which are new shoots from where the stem meets the root. Carefully cut out the suckers which interfere with the shape of the plant.
Timing. Generally it is best to prune plants in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. However, for spring and early summer blooming shrubs and trees, such as lilacs, wait until after the bloom and then trim. This will help you to avoid cutting off the current buds.
In pruning it is best to recognize your limitations. For tall trees or high branches you may need to call a professional arborist. Also, if you have any questions on what or when to prune make sure you do more research before getting out those clippers.