Pre-emergent applications for Turf areas

I have seen so much crab grass taking over bermuda lawns recently.  Take note of this now so that when winter is over  a  pre-emergent weed control program for your turf can be put into practice prior to the warm days of spring when crab grass will start to reappear.   There are several liquid weed control chemicals  available.  We always think of pre-emergent weed control in our decomposed granite planting areas in the Phoenix Metro area but seldom do we think about pre-emergent applications for our turfgrasses.  If your lawn is getting crowded out by weeds now then this is definitely something to start thinking about so you are ready for next year!

Desert Plants thriving in our heat!

Hall's Honeysuckle

Lonicera Japonica ‘Halliana’, Hall’s Honeysuckle seen thriving and blooming in the desert in July.  The foliage is lush and green and the blooms give the sweet smell of honeysuckle.  One tough and beautiful plant.

Aptenia Hearts and Flowers

Aptenia cordifolia, Hearts and Flowers named for the heart shaped leaves and the purplish pink flowers.  Shown here in a pot trailing down a column in filtered shade.

PANGLE MILLER DESIGN

Landscape Architecture

Phoenix, AZ

p. 602.404.7500

Water Harvesting & Rain Barrels

Now that I am feeling a little humidity in our desert air, I can’t help but think of the monsoons that will be soon upon us.  I have a

Garden Shed Make-over

Many of us have inherited the old metal garden shed from the previous homeowner.  Mine was beige and lifeless and unfortunately placed in a very visible part of the yard.  I dressed it up by painting faux window panes and banana leaves, and I attached wood shutters painted with a crackle finish, added a palm thatch roof and some bright tropical colors.  There is a hand-painted wood sign over the door that says “Island Lei Shop”.  Adjacent the shed is a raised bed for tomato plants and instead of adding shade fabric to give the tomato plants some relief from the summer sun, I use a colorful beach umbrella stuck into the soil.  I’ve included some pink flamingos and a hot pink motel chair for extra kitsch.  There are also mini twinkling lights that come on every night along the shed roofline.  Maybe some day I will have a real cabana to work with but for now this will do!  Anyone could do this with some paint … remember just have fun and there are no mistakes!

Sharon Miller – PANGLE MILLER DESIGN – Landscape Architecture- PHOENIX, AZ 602.404.7500

Rabbit Proof Plants for the Desert

Most of us know that the agaves, aloes, cacti and creosotes bushes are rabbit proof but what do you use when you want something else?  Our firm is currently working on a large estate in the desert and the client has a desire for a very garden look but we do have to consider the rabbits will be doing some grazing!  Here are just a few of my favorite rabbit proof plants:

Eremophila maculata / Valentine Bush

Euphorbia rigida / Blue Euphorbia

Penstemon parryi / Parry’s Penstemon

Ruellia peninsularis / Baja Ruellia

Salvia clevelandii / Chapparral Sage

Salvia greggii / Autumn Sage

Sophora secundiflora / Texas Mountain Laurel

Tecoma stans / Arizona Bells

Caliandra californica / Baja Fairy Duster

Caesalpinia cacalaco / Cascalote

Ilex vomitoria / Yaupon

Sphagneticola trilobata /Wedelia

Myrtus communis / Myrtle

You can find many more rabbit proof plants by going to the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association plant list and doing a search of their data base.
Sharon Pangle Miller R.L.A.
Pangle Miller Design
Phoenix, AZ
602.404.7500

Create Curb Appeal!

Excerpts from our interview with House & Home Magazine.

These are easy tips for homeowners to implement and will give their homes more welcoming appeal.

 

 – Curb Appeal Questionnaire

 

How important is curb appeal when selling a home?

I know of a current home on the market that has had the kitchen and baths beautifully remodeled.  It is a great house but the seller never cleaned up the outside.  Many potential buyers did drive by with their real estate agents but  never got  out of the car as the curb appeal was non-existent.  The house was fairly priced but the seller couldn’t get people in the front door!

 

In terms of other home improvement projects, do you see people typically spending more time on the inside of their house or the outside?

Many homeowners feel more comfortable improving the interior as they don’t know how to approach our unique desert landscaping.    

Our climate allows plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and it is really part of our lifestyle here. We want to entertain outdoors and we want the amenities that make it an extension of our home.  I know of several properties that have sold quickly because of their professional landscaping.  Buyers can imagine themselves in the outdoor setting with their families and friends. 

 

How does curb appeal affect a home’s value and livability?

We have all driven down residential streets where one home after another has beautiful curb appeal.  They may not have high-end landscaping but just a well maintained front yard.  It says a lot about the neighborhood.  And of course even one or two neglected homes really detract.   

One way to add to the livability of your home/neighborhood  is to provide a simple seating area in the front yard.  It can be used by parents while they keep an eye on younger children or a place to visit with neighbors.  It gives your home a friendly look.

 

Desert Landscaping: Could you offer an example of a low-end, medium- and high-end solution to enhance curb appeal? Please note which projects a homeowner can do themselves and which they should contact a contractor for.

·         Providing a walkway from the street to the front door is much more welcoming than walking up a driveway.  Walkways can be DYI projects such as a crushed granite path with a border meandering to the front door or it can be a professionally installed hardscape such as pavers or flagstone.

·         Use  plant material that offers seasonal interest for year round good looks.

·         Learn proper pruning techniques and don’t over prune your plants in “marshmallow” and “gum-drop” shapes.  This is not attractive and it will end up shortening the life of the plant!

·         Include accent plants like red yucca, agave, and desert spoon mixed in combinations with groundcovers and shrub forms.

  

What are some of the popular trends in the Valley to enhance a home’s curb appeal? 

Front yard patios with fire bowls.

Entry courtyards with cushioned outdoor furniture arrangements that resemble outdoor rooms.

 

What advice do you have for homeowners beginning a home improvement project?

Always start with a plan! 

Remember, it is difficult to furnish and decorate the interior of your entire house all at once, so you may need to break the exterior of your home into a series of projects as well.  Tackle and finish one project at a time!

 

If time is of the essence, what are a couple “quick fixes” homeowners can do to improve the curb appeal of their home (both landscaping and structural)?

Install some very large pots loaded up with blooming plants or even a collection of cacti and succulents out where the driveway and sidewalk meet and more at the front door.  If there is room for seating, add that as well.  These are things you can take to the new house if you choose not to leave them behind.  Make sure the house paint looks fresh and the existing landscaping is maintained.  Clean off the driveway.

 

Sharon Pangle Miller R.L.A.

Pangle Miller Design, Phoenix, Arizona

p.602.404.7500

Agaves & Palms

This painting by Claude Monet shows how well agaves and palms accent a Mediterranean landscape.   It is important to integrate plants with more structural forms such as agaves, yuccas, cactus, and some palms as these plants will accent the softer shrub forms that usually make up the majority of the planting palette.  Sharon Miller R.L.A.  – Pangle Miller Design- Landscape Architecture – Phoenix, AZ  602.404.7500

 

Spring in the Desert

Easy, Low Maintenance & Drought Tolerant Landscaping.  Wildflowers seeds can be sown in late fall directly on to decomposed granite and watered in.  Check out Wild Seed in Tempe for great selection.  Mark your outlook calender now so that you remember to get your seeds sown for a great Spring 2010 bloom. After your intial planting, the flowers will re-seed and re-appear for years to come.   Lupines, Golden fleece daisy, Penstemons, Globe Mallow and Mexican Honeysuckle blooming in my Phoenix garden March 2009.

Sharon Pangle Miller R.L.A.

Pangle Miller Design, Phoenix, Arizona

sharonpanglemiller@msn.com