Autumn Inspiration

I'd say Mucha captures the colors of Autumn just right, wouldn't you?

Inspiration is all around this time of year and the weather has been glorious... get outside and enjoy every wonderful moment while it lasts.

Sedum 'Matrona'

Heucherella 'Citronelle'

Witchhazel 'Arnold's Promise'

Ilex 'Sparkleberry'

Here Comes The Snow!

So I'm not sure why Mother Nature decided to wait until March for a big snow storm... we were already in Spring maintenance mode!

Time to switch gears back to winter now and get ready to see this tomorrow morning... stay safe and warm!

Trimming Ornamental Grasses

As January comes to an end it's time to think about cutting back your ornamental grasses.  Just about every variety of grass benefits from an annual shearing and now is a great time to do it!

Usually by now grasses start to look a little tattered and beaten and the new growth has yet to emerge, making February an ideal time to tackle this garden chore.

Depending on the size of the clump and the variety of ornamental grass, you may want to consider using twine or a bungee cord to gather the grass together into a tight bundle. Tie your string about 2' or so above the base of the plant and make sure it is tightly wrapped. This makes the clumps easier to manage, once they've been cut.

Using sharp power hedge sheers or hand tools cut the grasses back to a height of about 18 inches or so, below your twine.   Be sure to use appropriate safety gear, goggles, ear plugs and gloves and avoid cutting grasses on a windy day... you'll end up making more work for yourself with the cleanup!

The cut clumps can be used as mulch on garden beds or composted although some of the larger, thicker varieties can take a while to decompose.

 Smaller ornamental grasses like liriopes can be trimmed using a lawn mower.  Set your mower on its highest setting and with a sharp blade and a bagger you can trim them in no time!  This technique works well for other groundcovers like periwinkle and plumbago as well.  Again, the timing is important, you want to be sure that the new foliage has yet to break dormancy.

If you have any questions about your specific ornamental grass or would rather have someone else do the chore, give us a call!  432.0788

'Tis The Season...

Autumn is Perfect For Tree Planting!

There is a misconception that spring is the only time suitable for planting... not true!

Right now, during the fall is a wonderful time for planting, trees especially!  Take advantage of these wonderful temperatures and great rainfalls to help get your garden established.

Fall plantings, while the trees are losing their leaves and going dormant can be a wonderful way to get a jump on your gardening for next spring.

The tree's energy can go into root production, not into keeping its leaves plump with water and provided you keep your tree well watered, you will be rewarded with a healthy, thriving plant come springtime.

 

Call our offices today if you'd like to come by and see what we've got on hand... we're always happy to help you find the right plant for your garden.      

432.0788

Like a Kid in a Candy Store...

... that's what it's like to be a plant lover and collector, working at a landscaping company in the Spring!  It's fabulous!

We're starting to get our plant orders in from growers all over Virginia and have amassed quite an impressive inventory so far.  Many of them are available for retail sale (by appointment, so give us a call) or, if you are in search of a plant you aren't finding locally let us know.  We can keep our eyes open as we visit nurseries and scour availabilty lists from growers!



                                                                    Silene 'Rolly's Favorite'

 Here's just a few that are in the greenhouse now!












Fothergilla 'Mt. Airy'



Veronica 'Waterperry'

Clematis buds

Dicentra spectabilis

Hosta 'June'

Dianthus 'Raspberry Surprise'

Helleborus flower after blooming

Fastigiata Boxwood in back, 'Justin Brouwer' Boxwood in front

Perhaps We Spoke Too Soon

In the Spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours. ~ Mark Twain

 Mark Twain must have been talking about spring in the Valley...

In Like a Lamb...

It's March 1st and its 65 degrees outside.  Unreal.  Not that we're complaining, but it just feels a little...odd.    Odd in a good way, but still....  it makes me wonder if Mother Nature doesn't have a trick up her sleeve, like this past Halloween's weird snowfall, the only real snowfall we got here in the Shenandoah Valley this winter!

Signs of spring are everywhere though, there's no denying ...

As landscapers we adore days like today.  We work in all sorts of different weather conditions and being outside working on a day like today sure beats doing it when its 38 degrees with a misty, cold rain falling! 

The greenhouse smells like spring and signs of life are abundant.

see the bee??

I hope everyone can take a moment to get outside and enjoy this glorious day...

it makes us happy to be landscapers!

Why The Chickens Cross The Road...

      not exactly the birds I was hoping to attract to my feeders....

still, they are fun to have around.

                            ahhhh, now that's more like it....



Winter Gardening and Hellebores....

So it's always a mixed bag for me for the month of January.  After the rush of a busy fall landscaping season its rather nice to enjoy the slower pace of the new year, thinking ahead to my spring gardens, planning ahead for the warmer April- May weather to come.  I love looking through all the plant catalogues now, perusing the new introductions and thinking of spots in the garden where I can cram in just one or two more perennials. (there's always room for more, right?)

right???

It's been so relatively mild though this winter, with so little snow on the ground that I've found myself actually out in the garden more... usually in winters' past I've just admired it from the warmth of my living room window, cup of coffee in hand...

I tend to be a rather lazy gardener in the fall.  I tell myself that I leave the seed heads on the echinacea and black-eyed susans for the birds, but really... by October and November with the shorter days and cooler temps, I'm entering my 'winter-hibernation-mode'. 

January gets me thinking again though...



Cinnamon Snow Helleborus

 Being a landscaper avails me to all sorts of fun new plant introductions and three that are already on my order list are some of the newest Hellebores.  If you haven't paid attention to them lately the world of Hellebores is exploding with new cultivars, many of them intended to start blooming in December and continue on through February!  It would be so much more fun to stroll through the gardens on these recent mild days and see some of these looking back at me!



Pink Frost Helleborus

  

Josef  Lemper Helleborus

 

Hellebores are fabulous plants, relatively carefree once established and do well with partial sun to dappled shade.  Their foliage is evergreen and the flowers bloom in large, long lasting clusters once the plants are a year or two old... I've already grown several others under the shade of my dogwood tree, and they really are low maintenance with a great showing of flowers year after year.

I'm hoping that, by thinking ahead for next winter now (assuming I'll be just as lazy next fall!)  I'll be able to have some of these beauties in my own garden, blooming until the first bulbs start to pop their heads up in spring.... when I'm ready to get out there and join them.

Give me a call 432.0788 or drop us an email if you'd like a few of these for your own garden... I'd be happy to share the hellebore love!

... and the Winner is....

Jan Kauffman!  Jan is the lucky recipient of a brand new pair of No. 2 Felcos!

Thanks to all of you who left such wonderful, kind words for us... its always so nice to hear.

We're looking forward to a fantastic New Year of garden design and landscaping so we'll see you all in 2012!

Happy Holidays from Mast Landscapes!

To celebrate the season and our new location, leave a comment and your name to be entered in our drawing to win a new pair of our #2 Felcos!

Simply click on the COMMENTS button, leave your glowing remarks, then select "Name/Url" from the drop down "Select Profile" list to be entered.  (no URL necessary ;)

We will hold the drawing on Wednesday December 21st and announce the winner on our blog that day so check back in...

Good luck and happy commenting!

Winter Morning Commute

What a lovely way to start the day...

Green Gifts For Gardeners

Is there a garden lover on your Holiday gift giving list?  Tired of hunting for just the right sweater or knick-knack?  Why not give a gift that will continue to grow for generations to come?

Mast Landscapes is offering 10% off all in stock trees now through Dec. 22nd!  Purchase your tree now and we'll hold it for you until early spring or we can plant it now, you choose!

If you're still unsure we've got Gift Certificates available, good for any amount or service... perfect for every gardener!

If you've got a hands-on, do-it-yourselfer on your list we're now offering The Original Felco's!  By far the gold standard in hand pruners, Felcos are built to last... every gardener who's ever struggled with cheap, dull hand pruners will appreciate their precision cutting and comfortable grip.  $49.99

If you really want to impress your favorite gardener, the holster!  $14.99

Rounding out the collection, another quality tool no serious gardener should be without, The Felco Folding Saw!  $38.99

We're only a phone call or email away... soooo much easier than finding a parking spot at the mall!

432.0788

mastlandscapes@mastgroup.net

Outdoor Living Spaces

We are proud to offer the newest addition to our hardscape lineup. Harmony Outdoor Living has teamed up with Belgard to provide a unique and custom touch to the wide range of hardscape possibilities. With a new fireplace/pit, bar, brick oven or full functioning kitchen, you can take your outdoor living space to the next level. These quality constructed modular elements can be installed much quicker than traditional construction. Therefore, they are more cost effective and far less likely to disrupt your daily routine due to their minimal installation time. With four models to choose from and endless configurations, not to forget the several color choices, these new additions are certain to compliment your new or current hardscape. To take your outdoor entertainment to the next level call us at 540.432.0788.