It is finally our favorite time of the year. The weather is warming up, which means that we begin planting flower beds and gardens all over the mid-south at Rich-Way Landscape. At Rich-Way Landscape, we thrive on creating beautiful outdoor spaces for residential and commercial properties. However, we know that many people love to get their hands dirty and plant their own gardens and flower beds.
Spring is in the air in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s an exciting time of year as all the nurseries are starting to put out flowers and plants, and we are starting to see some trees blooming. We love our trees in Memphis, and they love us back by cleaning the air, providing shade in the heat, and helping our lawns look nice. Some of these trees even provide color during dreary winter months. But did you know certain trees thrive in the southeast, specifically Tennessee? According to the USDA Plant Hardiness Map. There are a variety of trees that grow well in Tennessee. Here is a list of trees and evergreens that thrive in our Memphis climate.
At Rich-Way Landscape, we are proud to be one of Memphis’ only landscape service companies to have someone with a PhD in Horticulture on staff. We also have many employees who have earned the title Certified Landscape Professional by the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, now known as PLANET. We are very proud of every member of our staff. However, on occasion, we have had clients curious to understand how our horticulturist helps with our design process. Our horticulturist’s knowledge combined with our landscape professional’s knowledge has been of great use to us as we design some of the most beautiful landscapes in the city, even winning awards for our designs. Yet, for those interested, here is more information on what our horticulturist does for the team.
Typically, when we think of beautiful landscapes, we picture various floral or foliage-lined pathways or lush green grass with patches of floral arrangements. We also usually imagine feeling warm with the sun shining bright. It isn’t often you imagine gorgeous landscapes in the winter. Yet many states in the US only have a few months where they receive optimal sunshine to produce a colorful garden of flowers. What do these states do instead to bring their landscape to life?
Have you ever wondered or even worried about what is happening to your beautiful trees during the winter months? Especially if you have just planted new trees, it can be exceptionally worrisome that they cannot make it through winter. Do you worry your trees could freeze up, similar to unprotected water pipes? Or what if it gets below freezing? Does this cause our trees to die automatically? According to a study by Purdue University, if you have laid mulch around your trees in the shape of a volcano, the below-ground parts of the tree will be insulated. Also, soil and even snow keep the root systems insulated. The part of the tree you need to worry about during winter is the above-ground parts.
The best way to keep freezing temperatures from killing your trees, plants, and shrubs this winter is by using mulch. The mulch will even help them bloom better during spring. Many landscape experts, such as Rich-Way Landscape, already know the benefits of mulch for regulating soil temperature and moisture.
There is a joke in Memphis that we rarely get to experience a fall season, just a second summer, and then it’s winter. Still, the season officially changed to fall on September 1st, and luckily, we do get to see the beautiful fall colors even if the cool weather of fall sometimes takes a minute to catch up.
Believe it or not, some people do not realize the importance of planting their new flowers, plants, shrubs, or even trees in the correct place in their yard. Recently, a friend of Rich-Way Landscape talked about how when she was young and had just purchased her first house, she was so excited to start working on her flowerbed. She admitted that she was a bit naïve when she shopped, putting out tons of mulch and picking out an assortment of beautiful flowers and plants, never checking the tag to see if they should be planted in direct sunlight or shade.
Although summer is the peak time for outdoor activities, such as barbecues and bonfires, southern temperatures can reach upwards of 100 degrees. When it’s that hot outside, staying indoors seems like a far better idea. However, especially if you’ve been waiting desperately for the summer months, staying inside to avoid the heat can seem like a bit of a waste. Waste no longer! With effective landscaping, your yard can become the perfect summer paradise, even when the temperatures get high. There are plenty of ways to keep your green space cool in the heat, but one of the most natural ways is with the help of shade trees. Take a few tips from Rich-Way Landscape to better utilize your summer space!
With the summer months right around the corner, there are plenty of opportunities to get outside and be with friends and family. Whether you are hosting a birthday party for family or having a few friends over for the 4th of July, you want your space to be ready for company. Unless you are a landscape professional, knowing where to start with your outdoor space can seem a bit daunting, especially if you have not used it in a while. But that’s where Rich-Way Landscape comes in! Whether you want a quaint garden or a functional extension of your home, we’ll give you a few tips on landscape design elements for entertaining, and help you get the outdoor space of your dreams!