July 2018

July 2018                                       EDITION 113

817-488-2718  Phone | http://www.highlandlandscapingLLC.com

 

Since December of 2016, we have presented numerous articles on issues that have affected the strength of business in the DFW area.  As one travels the North Texas roads, the amount of new construction, both residential and commercial, is reflective of the strength of commerce in North Texas. Our Texas Legislature, along with national measures implemented in the last 18 months, have dramatically improved the outlook for a robust economy.  We have also discussed the employment issues common in many disciplines. These issues include . . . Not enough available employees. Because of all the commercial development, including large corporate campuses, many businesses are seeing their commercial accounts grow substantially.  Highland Landscaping has been involved in a number of these large commercial endeavors.

With commercial properties, the actual landscape design may be one of our creations, or the product of a landscape architect retained by the building project team.  In either case, Highland Landscaping has been honored to install some of the most stunning designs in the area.  These projects have ranged in size from small installations to large corporate campuses.  Our own installed designs have been rewarded with numerous awards in several cities.

Our commercial maintenance program is an innovative and holistic approach to landscape maintenance.

The most basic component of the commercial maintenance program is the required frequency of mowing the lawn areas and weeding the landscape beds. The schedule also includes the regular trimming of shrubs, ornamentals and groundcovers;  the maintenance of perennials;  the fertilization of the grass and beds;  pre- and post-emergent weed control;  and specialized treatments required for seasonal flowers, perennials and shrubs.  Additional periodic visits are included to “tidy up” seasonal issues (such as falling leaves), which allows our teams to “put eyes” on the property in between maintenance visits. Our own accountability system requires the team to inspect a property on each visit and report anything on the property that needs attention. Our management and sales team also do periodic inspections. All-in-all, our teams visit a property on average 65 times during the year.

An important element in any North Texas landscape maintenance program is a comprehensive, custom designed irrigation system.  Highland Landscaping remains on the leading edge of new technology that incorporates the newest, most efficient practices in the industry. These newer programs not only lower the amount of water used for the lawn and landscape, but also give the consumer and/or their maintenance company more energy efficient, time saving means to monitor the system and make necessary adjustments. Many clients have elected to update their systems with water saving technology.

Our maintenance program includes regular inspections of the irrigation system to check for broken or malfunctioning components; and, programming the working system to water efficiently each season. In addition, attention is given to any changes that may need to be made as the landscape grows and matures.

Proper care and maintenance of a unique landscape design continue to enhance the character of a business setting as the living organic elements age with the structure it frames.

Be sure to read our article next month when we provide a more detailed break down of a good, comprehensive commercial maintenance program.

 

     “Each moment of the year

has its own beauty,

a picture which was

never seen before,

 and which shall never be seen again.”

             -Ralph Waldo Emerson

          1803-1882

 

Plant trivia

Which plant on our seasonal color list is used in traditional herbal medicine for treating diabetes and digestive issues?(look for the answer at the end of our blog)

 

Featured project

 

Brian Stebbins Memorial Park is a beautiful creation Highland Landscaping designed, installed, and maintains. Even though the project was completed all at once, we still add a few improvements and enhancements to make sure this park stands out in Southlake Town Square. The most recent enhancement we made was adding a few plants like Frog Fruit, Damianita, Candellila, and Mist Flower, to add gorgeous color and foliage to Central Avenue. This park is a great place to visit and study if you are looking to change your landscape to native, low maintenance, and drought tolerant.

Brooke Sugden Photography : 817-948-6428 brookesugdenphoto@gmail.com

 

 Seasonal color this month…

Bougainvillea, Cannas, Desert Willow,Esperanza, Ixora, Purple Heart,Mexican Bush Sage, Purslane, Ruellia,Silver Lace Vine, Texas Sage

July landscape Tasks:

 

• Mulch landscape beds to 3”
• Increase irrigation run times for heat
• Hand-water plants and trees as needed
• Inspect for cinch bugs in lawn
• Watch for bag worms and web worms (May, 2018 edition)
• Remove roses infected by Rose Rosette Disease (March, 2018 edition)
• Enjoy Summer!

Trivia Answer

Esperanza

 

Featured plant—DELOSPERMA

Delosperma, also known as “Ice Plant”,  is a cactus/succulent commonly found in southern and eastern Africa.  The name “Ice Plant” is descriptive of the plants appearance in sunlight.  The flowers and leaves seem to shimmer as if covered in frost or ice crystals.

The name Delosperma, translated to English, is “delos” = evident,  “sperma” = seed.   The seed capsules of this very unique plant open  in response to rain allowing it to absorb and retain enough water to sustain it until the next rainfall.   The seed capsules are exposed and triangular valves open outward when wet.  Wings on either side of the valves assist in allowing more water to enter the foliage.  Delosperma is highly desirable in firescape designs;  those plants possessing properties that provide minimal fuel for a fire.

The foliage of the sun-loving Delosperma is evergreen, and hardy to USDA zones 5-9.  The attractive succulent foliage can actually reduce heat and glare.   Daisy –like flowers bloom from late spring to the first frost in the fall.  The foliage has a low-growing habit that creates a “mat” .  The 2” blooms stand 3-6” in height; and, open and close with the sun.   Originally, Delosperma was planted along roadways for erosion control and soil stabilization.  It has become naturalized throughout the Southwest;   and, has found additional installations as;  a groundcover, on retaining walls, in rock gardens, in desert gardens, in containers, as a border front, in xeriscape designs and virtually anywhere a drought tolerant, sun-loving plant is required.   It is especially effective  growing in small pockets of stonework (see picture below).  Numerous species are attractive to pollinators.

The genus Delosperma includes more than 100 species.   Many brilliant colors are found in the genus.  The English gardener, Thomas Cooper (1815-1913), traveled to South Africa in 1859 to collect plants to bring back to England.   The species Delosperma Cooperi honors him.

Panayoti Kelaidis (b. 1950) is a world-renowned gardener, lecturer and plant collector.  He has been an employee of the Denver Botanic Garden for decades.  On his first trip to South Africa, more than 20 years ago, Kelaidis brought Delosperma to North America for the first time.  The “spontaneous” hybrid known as “Mesa Verde” was named after him.  The cultivar #PP13876 Kelaidis was introduced formally in 2002.  It is a naturally occurring mutation of Delosperma Cooperi with coral-salmon-pink flowers that first appeared in the Denver Botanic Garden in 1993.

Historically, extracts from the Delosperma have been used to treat pneumonia, liver and kidney diseases;  and for itching, pain and swelling of the skin.