plant and landscape ideas that are safe for your pets

With National Dog Day last week, now’s a good time to think about how to keep our four-legged friends safe while maintaining our landscapes. Avoid potentially dangerous plantsMany dogs dig up or chew bulbs and plants. If your dog is a curious type who likes to dig or taste what’s growing, keep dangerous plants in an area that pups can’t access or avoid them altogether. Some plants that could make your dog sick: Spring flowering bulbs like daffodils or tubers…

2022 year of the gladiolus national garden bureau

Each year, the National Garden Bureau (NGB) chooses its plants of the year in several categories: annuals, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, and edible plants. This year they also added a houseplant to the roster. Below are their picks for 2022. Take some time to learn more about these trendy plants and plan to add them to your own landscape in the new year: Gladiolus (bulb) – Dramatic flowers grow from these bulbs (corms, to be exact) each summer. Fun fact: Gladiolus is the official…

The hottest days of the summer are over, and things should be cooling down soon. It’s a good time to add plants to our landscapes. Since irrigation systems will still be running for a couple more months, there’s time to water new plants and help them get established before winter. Planting now gives new plants a head-start on next growing season. When spring comes around, they’ll be established and ready to take off and grow. Choose the right plants. Look for plants that…

It’s often said that the key to successful, sustainable plants is putting the right plant in the right place. But first, you need to know your place. That begins by learning your hardiness zone while you plan your landscape. This USDA system divides the US into 13 plant hardiness zones—including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico—based on the average annual extreme minimum temperature of a region. It’s a rough guide to helping gardeners and landscape professionals choose plants that will grow…

Mother’s Day ‘living’ gifts A living gift is a great idea for Mother’s Day. Whether she lives in an apartment or in a house with a big yard, there is plant for every mom. We’ve got a few ideas for celebrating Mom with plants. Hanging baskets can brighten up a porch, balcony, or sunny window. Many garden centers offer a variety of sizes and color combinations, so you’re sure to find something that fits Mom’s style. They can be moved…

When planning your landscape, keep home safety in mind. Most burglars are not the slick, sophisticated type seen in films; many break-ins are hastily planned. A few strategic design decisions could provide the deterrent needed to make a potential burglar rethink their actions. Security professionals and law enforcement often recommend the following environmental safety measures for homes: Reduce hiding spots. Avoid big hedges around the front of your property. Don’t plant large shrubs near windows or entryways, where potential intruders…

High quality landscapes can increase the value of a home by as much as 10% Your landscape offers health benefits, environmental benefits, and enhances your community when it is properly planned. It can also increase your property value. Some experts claim that landscaping can yield the highest return on investment (ROI) of any home upgrade if you are looking to sell. A 2017 study at Colorado State University (see link below) found that for every dollar invested in a residential…

Discover fresh trends, ideas, and design elements for your landscape in this fun and enlightening new class by Carole Kastler of Camelot Design. When: Sunday, February 16, 2020 Time: 1pm – 2pm Location: Tagawa Gardens, 7711 S. Parker Road, Aurora CO 80016 This class is FREE. EXTRA! EXTRA!Garden Designs with Carole – an exclusive Tagawa Gardens offer. Schedule a specially-priced one-hour landscape consultation at Tagawa Gardens with Carole of Camelot Design, and receive a plan for one specific area of…

Did you make any “new year, new you” plans this month? While you’re making lists and setting goals for 2020, why not make some outdoor plans as well? It’s a good time to think ahead about your outdoor spaces and what you want to get out of them when warm weather returns. Is there a garden you want to see, an outdoor space you want to create, or a dreary corner you want to invigorate? What did you resolve at…

During the winter months, indoor plants can help you get your nature fix until spring returns. January 10 is Houseplant Appreciation Day, so let’s take a moment to recall some benefits of the plants you keep inside your home or that you’ve brought indoors for the season. They look great. Indoor plants make great décor. Whether they are flowering plants like poinsettia or cyclamen, hardy succulents, or leafy green trees, plants can make your house look stylish. They help you…