Landscaping Boulders at Rosemead Gardens

Rosemead Gardens landscaping boulders are unique masterpieces imported from remote mountain quarries. These giant stones become an artwork by complementing a garden scene or as the centerpiece(s) itself. Landscape Architect Richard Liu at Rosemead Gardens likes to use these in his designs to create ponds and waterfalls that truly inspire and amaze. As natural as the earth, these boulders allow the architect, builder, or designer, to create a harmonious, natural setting within any client's home. Truly a wonder not to be missed, stop by today to learn why these landscaping boulders are becoming so popular with homeowner's today. We are conveniently located at: 600 S. San Gabriel Blvd. San Gabriel, CA 91776 P 626-285-6767 F 626-285-6733 E rosemeadgardens@sbcglobal.net Hours: 10am - 5pm Wednesday - Monday Closed Tuesdays & Holidays www.rosemeadgardens.com



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Landscaping Design Using Evergreens

Because of their all-year loveliness, vigorousness and longevity, evergreen plants rightfully dictate a slight increased amount over deciduous trees which drop their leaves in winter.

Evergreens have a wide scope from broad-leaved shrubs, such as laurel and rhododendrons to coniferous pines and majestic spruces.

Highly effective as windscreens, the giant spruces and firs are widely used not just for their beauty, but also because of their shape. In addition, such species do well in the shade, which causes them to be excellent choices for foundation planting.

Following are some highly conventional evergreens to select from (in alphabetical order):

Cedar

The decorative Arbor Vitae, such as cedar, yields the flat evergreen branch frequently found in floral arrangements during the Christmas season. It is best in moist, protected spaces. Although it can be cut to any size or shape, left alone it forms a broad 35 to 50 feet high pyramid.

Fir

Strong, durable, and drought-resistant, the Douglas fir grows rapidly and compactly. The best fir choice for wind breaks and screening, its tall pyramid makes a good yard element. White fir has an attractive silvery color, while balsam fir, AKA the Christmas tree, is noted for its special fragrance and lustrous foliage.

Hemlock

The hemlock tree/shrub, with feathery foliage, is most effective when planted in a grove with others. The Canadian hemlock can be easily sheared for symmetrical effect.

Juniper

The large species of juniper, for example the formal columnar juniper and the upright juniper, are quite useful in planting. As a spreading evergreen, the Pfitzer juniper is best used for banks, edgings and ground cover. Its green feathery foliage grows fast, can withstand crowding and at maturity stands 8 feet tall, and up to 12 feet across. Ground-covering junipers include creeping, prostrate, Sargent, and Waukegan.

Pine

The most generally known evergreen is the pine. Renowned for its long, soft, light silvery-green needles, the white pine can reach 80 feet when mature. In addition to the white pine, the red pine is great for backgrounds and wind breaks. A broad, compact tree, the ponderosa pine is used for protection and ornamental screens.

The Austrian pine (black pine), popular in the Midwest, has a rich, green color and spreading branches.

Spruce

Short and thick, with light blue-green needles, the white spruce reaches 70 feet and is good for general landscaping and privacy screens. Although it does poorly in drought and heat, the Colorado blue spruce is a hardy tree. Red cedar, on the other hand, is a fine decorative evergreen for hedges and wind breaks because it withstands dry weather, and the thick green foliage has a bronze color in winter.

Probably the most widely planted windbreaks evergreen, the Norway spruce is hardy. A slow grower, it has short needles of dark green and is compact and pyramidal shaped. The Black Hills variety grows to 40 feet in time, and is hardy and drought-resistant.

Yew

With its thick, glossy needles and dense, upward-reaching branches, the yew is useful as both a shrub and tree. Although it grows well in sun and shade, it's best used as a single feature against a wall of the garden rather than as foundation planting. The low-spreading bushy dwarf yew can be clipped, while other varieties such as the upright yew and Japanese yew are tapering or conical plants best used for hedges.

Protection

Since evergreens tend to be adversely affected by dry, hot summer weather, they should be watered every 10 - 14 days during that season. Make sure the water reaches at least 6 inches deep.

An excellent way to protect the tree from loss of water in dry weather is with a mulch of grass clippings or peat moss.

To help an evergreen thrive, pruning in the late spring is recommended, making sure that the inner branches will develop.

Choose Miscanthus If You Are Looking For a Bold Landscaping Statement

When you are looking for large bold plants, suited to mass plantings, then the Miscanthus family of ornamental grasses could easily fit the bill. These low maintenance plants will integrate well in a mixed or perennial border as well. Miscanthus easily tolerates heat and humidity, so is an extremely good choice for warmer regions. It is hardy in zones 4 or 5 through 9, so can be used extensively.

These bold ornamental grasses are clump-forming, so will not be invasive. The flowers of all species and varieties are fan shaped panicles that add an airy graceful touch to the fall borders. Use the flowers to add to your cut bouquets as well. The tall stalks which hold the flowers remain upright over winter, giving your garden and border some interesting highlights in an otherwise barren season.

The three main species of Miscanthus are:

Miscanthus floridulus. Known as giant Chinese silver grass, this has tall clumps of green leaves with gracefully arching tips. The tall stalks support reddish-pink flower spikes that open to silvery plumes as they mature. Tolerating poor soil and even shade, this 3 foot tall specimen can even be used as a screen or living fence.

Miscanthus sacchariflorus. Giant silver grass (Robustus) quickly forms a patch of tall corn-stalk like stems, with graceful arching foliage resembling bamboo. The silvery plumes turn reddish as they mature, and the foliage also turns an interesting red-orange in the fall. The roots of this variety do tend to run, so be careful where you locate it. It is suited to a waterside location as it prefers a rich and moist to wet soil.

Miscanthus sinensis.The Japanese silver grass is probably the most common Miscanthus, with a superb group of specimens, most ranging 5 - 6 feet tall. All of them bloom in fall, holding their shape well into winter. The foliage fades into tan and cream shades, so is a nice contrast to winter evergreens. Some of the most popular sinensis varieties are:


Zebrinus: Bright green leaves with horizontal bands of yellow. Tiny copper tassel like flowers open to silvery white plumes in the fall. Zebra grass grows to 5 - 7 feet and may need staking.

Variegatus: Variegated silver grass has distinct striped green and white leaves in an arching clump. It has creamy plumes in September, and with a height of 5 - 6 feet, makes a bold statement.

Silberfeder: Silver feather grass is an older selection with shimmery white plumes held high above the foliage on tall stems.

Purpurascens: Known as flame grass, this ornamental grass has upright clumps of green leaves that turn flame-orange and red in fall. Spikes of rose flowers show in August.

Gracillimus: Maiden grass has long arching and narrow green leaves that curl towards the tips. Not a reliable flowering type in cooler areas.

Morning Light: This variegated maiden grass is similar to gracillimus, but has a narrow band of white on the leaf margins, giving a silvery shimmering effect. Its late showing flowers are bronze-red spikes.
Many other varieties of this ornamental grass are available. If you are looking for a taller clumping grass to add a striking and bold accent to your gardens, then look no farther than the Miscanthus species.