Landscaping Evansville IN & Newburgh Indiana
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Six Landscaping Trends to Follow in 2016

We all want our lawns to reflect the best of us, and that’s why the National Association of Landscape Professionals has listed the top landscaping trends of 2016. Vice president of NALP reports that homeowners are attempting to create an indoor look on the outside for this year. She said, “The latest trends reflect the desire to bring the indoors out — to create comfortable landscapes that are both functional and beautiful.”

1. Extending Interior Spaces

To make the most of outdoor entertainment, consider adding furniture and appliances. A growing trend is to add a fully-functioning kitchen complete with living and dining rooms.

2. Tech it Up

With so much technology at our fingertips, there are many ways you can incorporate it into your landscaping techniques. Wi-Fi complete with compatible devices to hook up to televisions can add a unique viewing experience. You can even light up the area with creative lighting and enhancements.

3. Colors Inspired by Nature

If considering painting, the blending of Rose Quartz and Serenity has been announced as the Color of the Year for 2016 by the authority on color, Pantone.

4. Native Gardens

We all want to do what we can to protect the environment. When you plant native flora, you encourage helpful wildlife to flourish in your yard.

5. Storm Water Management

An interesting 2016 landscaping trend is to show off your storm water management techniques. Whether you use rain barrels or a stone retaining wall, they’re sure to be in style.

6. Organic Gardens

Another exciting trend this year is organic, edible gardens. If you have a green thumb and are ready to take your flower bed to the next level, consider including fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables this year to increase appeal and lower your grocery bill.

World’s Top Ten Most Beautiful Flowers

Flowers have long been used to express emotion and show the world how we feel. Whether you’re having a rough day or just need to stop and smell the roses, a flower can turn your day around in an instant. If you’re considering additional flora arrangements to your yard or have an upcoming event you’d like to decorate for, there are ten flowers in particular you should consider.

1. White Lotus

From the Nymphaeaceae family, the white lotus is commonly found in southeast Asia and eastern Africa. This flower is a great addition for ponds and other water features as it prospers well in these conditions. It’s breathtaking white petals are sure to capture the attention of your friends and neighbors.

white-lotus

2. Tulip

Tulips add a simplistic yet popular feature that has long been cultivated throughout the world. Popular in Europe, Africa, and Asia, the tulip is typically grown in pots and makes a popular fresh-cut flower to use for any occasion. While breeding is typically associated with the Dutch, the tulip has original cultivation roots in Iran.

tulips

3. Rose

Roses are a classic staple of scented flowers, and they have long served as one of the most romantic floral gestures available. When you work with this flower stemming from the genus Rosa, you can choose from a number of colorful varieties that symbolize various things. For example, yellow is seen as a sign of friendship while red indicates feeling of true love.

roses

4. Canna

Although not a true lily, canna lily is consists of a total of 19 different species of plant, and they represent a close living relation to a number of other familiar plants including ginger and even bananas. Their colorful varieties make for a great addition to any yard.

canna

5. Bleeding Heart

If you’re looking for the perfect addition to a shady garden area, look no further than bleeding heart. These flowers feature a fairy-like appearance, and they add a magical touch. You can expect them to bud from April to June, and they come in three primary colors:

  • Red
  • Pink
  • White

bleedingheart

6. Dahlia

Native to Mexico and areas of Central America, the dahlia is a perennial plant that is commonly noted for its bushy and tuberous characteristics. With around 30 different species and an impressive 20,000 cultivars, it’s not difficult to find one that suits your taste.

dahlia

7. Cherry Blossom

If you ever visit Japan in the spring, you’re sure to run across the gorgeous cherry blossom. Noted for its soft pink and white hues, this flower is popular both in Japan and the United States. Even when they fall to the ground, they still create a pleasingly aesthetic addition as they carpet the ground.

cherryblossom

8. Parrot Flower

The parrot flower gets its name for an obvious reason as it resembles a parrot in flight. While rare, the plant can be found in Thailand, Burma and parts of India.

parrotflower

9. Dove Orchid

The dove orchid is a pure white flower that can add an aura of innocence to your yard or garden. Within its petals lies a hidden structure which resembles a dove complete with tiny pink dots and a small yellow beak. The overall flower features a peaceful appeal.

doveorchid

10. Lily of the Valley

The inspiration for a number of ancient legends, Lily of the Valley is a popular flower chosen for a number of momentous occasions. The soft white flowers appear fragile and induce a feeling of innocence in the eyes of the appreciative beholder.

lilyofthevalley

evansville indiana lawn installation

Lawns Through the Ages

Your lawn is the first thing people see when they enter your driveway, and homeowners take great measures to ensure theirs are both healthy and aesthetically appealing. However, few know the history of the lawn and how it transformed over time.

Lowdown on Lawn History

Europe is known for its mild climate and open grasslands, so it’s no surprise that this is where it seems the lawn originated. During the Renaissance period, land cultivated with chamomile and thyme signified a high status quo among the French and English elite, and these components still provide an excellent alternative to grass in modern times.

In the 1600’s, the emergence of the closely shorn grass emerged. While much of this work was performed by sheep and other grazing animals, the wealthy began to take more interest in the aesthetics of their lawn and hired people to perform this grueling labor.

The Cultivation of North America

When immigrating to the New World, Europeans brought grass seeds with them. As in Europe, only the upper-class citizens of these early days had the time and resources to manicure their lawns.

Bowling in Canada created popularity in the cultivation of turf once they peacefully gained independence from Britain in the 1860’s, and this required flat stretches of mowed grasses. When Scottish immigration increased to the United States in the 1800’s, this practice followed.

Industrialization and the Modern Lawn

Industrialization in the mid-1800’s brought on the concept of parks in order to beautify urban areas. Frederick Law Olmstead, also known as the American father of landscape architecture, planned Central Park in New York City, and he was credited for designing suburbs where residential homes featured a manicured lawn of their very own. Edwin Budding helped promote this new idea by inventing the first lawnmower in 1830, thus making it possible for even the middle and lower class to manicure their lawns.