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.

A Visitor!

Andre brought a guest into the shop Tuesday morning and I think she's decided to call our new office 'home' ...



"you lookin' at me?"



Thank You, Thank You, Thank You...

What an amazing turnout we had to help us celebrate our new location... it was wonderful to see all of you and have you share in our excitement.  The enthusiasm expressed by everyone here that day was truly heartwarming...

ta-da!



those are some mighty big scissors Chad!





 Thank you all again...

Check Out Our New Location!

Mast Landscapes has moved to our new home on Jesse Bennett Way in historic Linville-Edom.  Our newly renovated offices are open and ready for business!

             

 Our new sidewalk was created as a hardscaping display, showcasing some of our favorite materials...

 

The site sits on several acres of beautiful land with an old mill and stream, creating an inspiring location for creating landscape designs...

We're hard at work finishing up our greenhouse before winter comes, but the new barn that houses our tools and equipment is finished... take a look.

We'd love to have visitors so call us for a visit!  432.0788