Garden Designs Made Easy High Heat Friendly Plants

When thinking about garden design, there are many options out there. As the heat of summer intensifies, plants and flowers can shut down, wilt and escape from the hot summer sun. How can you avoid having a bunch of tumbleweeds for a garden? Try some of these great high heat no-fuss garden landscape plans. These garden plans are guaranteed to resist the heat and keep your garden colorful and full all through the hot summer.Better Home and Garden suggests...

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Landscape Design Tips for Water Efficiency

We are well aware of the need to preserve water these days and what better place to start, than in your own backyard. Below are some tips to help you preserve water while maintaining the landscape of your dreams. 1. Plant Native or Regionally Appropriate Species of PlantsPlants native to your specific region and climate will naturally adapt to the soil and require less watering, are more resistant to bugs and disease and will require less fertilizer...

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Muirhead Tower

The University of Birmingham, where I’m currently studying, has a fine campus with many attractive buildings. But for me, the real star is the recently refurbished, Muirhead Tower.Considering how many concrete towerblocks you see across the country, it’s remarkable how few of them actually get a decent refurb. When I lived in Sheffield, the trend was to clad blocks of Council flats in muted brown plastic – imagine a kind of beige bathroom look. Another...

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More River Access

Just a quick post to highlight an excellent article in todays Times by Griff Rhys Jones, regarding River Access. To anyone interested in the issue, Id recommend you read the full article (see below), but the general gist is highlighting the lack of public access to the rivers of England and Wales.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/outdoors/article6681018.eceThe article begins:"It’s time to reclaim our rivers, says Griff Rhys Jones From secret...

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Indigenous Beauties Helichrysum kraussii

Helichrysum kraussiiStraw EverlastingHelichrysum kraussii is often found growing in colonies in grasslands. It loves a sunny spot, and doesnt need very much water to thrive.It can grow up to 1 metre if left to its own devices, and does become woody at its base. The foliage is a wonderful downy grey, and releases a pungent aroma when touched - especially in warm weather. The flowers dry superb...

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Cool Custom Curved Fire Pit Installation

We just installed a custom curved fire pit with a linear 400K BTU Crossfire Burner up in the town of Genesee, Colorado in the majestic Rocky Mountains. Below are some photos of the fire pit in place prior to covering with black lava rock and concrete fire logs. You can check out the full portfolio selection here. We are in the process, here at Warming Trends, of putting together a step-by-step video of the installation, so stay tuned for that....

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The value of a landscape design

One of my latest creations below...I had a bit of fun with this one as it was an older home (1960s) in the Greater Toronto Area. The clients have done some work on the interior of the house and are now looking to tackle the outside.For the landscape project, they were looking for a deck to entertain on and to add a welcoming front entrance which would add to the beauty of their home.When wondering about your landscaping and what to do... the best...

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Secrets of the Highline Revealed!

Ok, I love the Highline. Youve probably noticed this since Ive mentioned it in almost every blog. The former abandoned, elevated rail line that runs along the southern edge of Manhattan has been transformed into one of the hippest urban parks in the country. After winning the design competition, landscape architect James Corner of Field Operations along with Diller Scofido + Renfro (architecture) and Piet Oudolf (planting designer) produced a cutting...

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Firmiana

FirmianaA genus of 9 trees native to southeast Asia except for one that is native to Africa.They cast dense shade and making excellent shade trees.They not fussy about soil. Some protection from wind is good, especially when young.They are propagated wither from lateral shoots taken in early spring or from seed.Firmiana colorataA large, deciduous tree native from India to Java; reaching a maximum size of 80 x 40 feet with a huge bettressed trunk....

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Winter Wonderland More Snow!

After a mild weekend with temperatures in the upper forties and the grass finally visible we woke up to yet another winters snow.  I have totally lost count of the number of snow falls we have had at this point with two more in the forecast for this week.  Having mixed feelings about the snow, and truthfully having had enough, its beauty never ceases to amaze me.  It looks like such a winter wonderland outside...

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