Landscape design for a cold spring

Landscape design

I have found that people react to their environment much like the creatures that live outside. When the first warm day comes, the early birds think about planting trees, shrubs and flowers in their Long Island landscapes. If plant material has been grown outside in Nassau or Suffolk Counties, they can be planted at any time in the year assuming that a hole can be dug.  Be careful when shopping at big box stores or at nurseries that bring in trees and shrubs from other parts of the country. These plants most likely are further along in the growth cycle than local trees and shrubs and are susceptible to frost and freeze damage that can damage or kill them.  The calendar says that spring is here, but since the thermometer reads 22 degrees, I am not so sure.

It may not be the ultimate time to plant, but it is the ultimate time to plan out your garden or landscape design. If seasonal change is important to you, contact a landscape designer or landscape architect. They can help you with foliage variety, flower timing, winter interest and hardscape options to give your garden or foundation planting life in all seasons. Resist the temptation to buy what is in flower at the time of purchase. A good landscape layout and landscape plan knows what will develop next week, next year and should account for changes far in the future.

Computer imaging is a fantastic tool that I use to portray changes in the landscape.  A client can see flower diversity as well as seeing how plant size will change as time goes on.

Just because the calendar says spring, do not rush and make mistakes that you will regret. Create a landscape design and landscape plan for the long term.