by leesonlandsca1 | May 19, 2022
Pavers are the ultimate solution for pathways and patios at many properties. With so many different paver options to choose from, cement pavers, flagstones, and brick pavers, and all the different shapes and textures these offer, will fit the style of every landscaping.
You can further customize your paver path by choosing what goes in between them. Cement is an option for a permanent look. Decomposed granite or another small stone has also long been a popular choice for keeping pavers in place and preventing weeds and other unwanted debris from collecting between them. But if your pavers have a few inches of space in between them, this is also a great opportunity to add more greenery to your landscape.
Plants that Will Grow Well in Paver Walkways
The right plants growing among your paving stones or your paver patio will make the pavers blend more seamlessly into the landscape. The flagstones will start to look like a part of the natural setting rather than something that cuts through it. Like cement or gravel, healthy plants will also prevent weeds from sprouting instead.
But it is important to choose the right types of plants. You still need your walkway to be accessible and should avoid any plants that grow tall and would require people to step over them. Plants also should not grow to cover a paver since this can become a tripping risk. Plants that develop strong root systems could also affect the walkability of your pathway by pushing pavers out of place.
The other consideration is maintenance. Since paver patios and pathways can be expansive, you will likely want plants that require limited upkeep. This leaves many ground cover plans as the perfect options for planting between pavers including:
- Turf Grass – If your pathway runs through your lawn or your patio sits adjacent to grass, an easy and attractive solution is to let the grass grow in the space around the pavers. This will let your pavers seamlessly mesh with your lawn and allows for simple maintenance since you can rely on your existing irrigation system and mowing to keep grass maintained.
- Moss – Moss will give your landscaping a more lush feel and it is generally slow growing so maintenance needs are limited. Year round moisture is a must and moss will struggle in areas of full sun.
- Creeping Thyme – This herb will provide wiry and thick ground cover between pavers. Be sure to choose creeping thyme since it grows outward not up, and watch to be sure that it is not starting to grow over the pavers themselves
- Clover – One of the easier growing plants, clover will give you a soft and grassy texture between pavers with a little more definition than standard turf.
- Blue Star Creeper – For flowers between pavers, blue star creeper is the ideal option, offering delicate, pale blue blossoms with bright green leaves. It is highly resilient and does well in a shady environment.
Paver plants will need at least a few inches between stones in order to establish their roots and have enough room to grow. Some plants may need a little more space than others.
When choosing which to plant, you also need to be sure you have the right conditions in terms of shade, water, and soil type to help your plants become established. As landscaping and garden care experts in Baton Rouge, Leeson Landscape can create the perfect backyard for local homeowners, combining natural elements with your hardscaping. Get more information on our landscaping services when you contact our team.
by leesonlandsca1 | May 15, 2022
During summers in Baton Rouge, evenings are often one of the best times to sit outside when the air gets slightly cooler and the humidity is not so extreme. But sitting outside in the dark is not generally enjoyable. Candles and torches are unreliable and portable lights can detract from an otherwise cohesive landscape.
Landscape lighting is a permanent solution that brings functional lighting to your space for evening and nighttime use, but also perfectly complements your Baton Rouge landscape for a property that is attractive day and night.
Why Use Permanent Lighting in Your Landscaping?
There are multiple multiple places around your yard where you can incorporate landscape lighting. Bollard lights and pathway lights will illuminate walkways. Spotlights, garden lights, up lights, or down lights can highlight features of your landscape. Patio lights are also essential for outdoor living spaces. String lights can provide low light and ambiance.
Using different light styles in your landscaping offers benefits such as:
- More Welcoming – Lighting is one of the key aspects that can make your outdoor space feel as comfortable as an indoor space whether you need an area to entertain or just want to enjoy sitting outside.
- Safety – Step lights are essential for navigating steps in low light, but even pathways can be difficult in the dark. Lighting pathways will reduce any tripping hazards for you or your visitors.
- Highlight Landscaping Elements – With lighting, you are not limited to enjoying your landscape and garden only during daylight hours. Spotlights and uplights can make the different elements of your garden stand out in the evening, such as trees, water features, or art.
The most successful landscape lighting brings all these lighting elements together, creating a landscape in Baton Rouge that is as attractive during the evening as it is in the day.
Leeson Landscape uses a range of landscape lighting in our remodels to create a cohesive look and entirely functional landscape. If you are ready to upgrade your backyard or your commercial property, contact Leeson Landscape to start creating a beautiful and customized evening paradise.
by leesonlandsca1 | May 11, 2022
A patio is the perfect setting for an outdoor gathering place. It can be the foundation for your dining area or space for outdoor lounging, making a patio often a center point of your backyard. These patios are often a concrete slab or a deck made from wood or composite decking, but the other option is a paver patio.
Constructed by placing multiple pavers together, this patio solution can be a valuable addition to your landscaping and offers some advantages over concrete patios or wood decks.
Why Add a Paver Patio to Your Landscape
Pavers come in a variety of different styles that make it possible to plan a patio that perfectly matches your outdoor landscaping. Many pavers are precast concrete, which often offers the most cost-effective choice while still providing a range of options in terms of sizing, shape, and texture. Other paver materials include brick and natural stone such as travertine, flagstone, and slate.
Making a paver patio out of any of these pavers offers benefits that include:
- Range of Looks – With all the paver options, you can create a more unique patio than is possible with a concrete slab. Stone pavers can provide a rustic aesthetic or a natural feeling that blends in well with the landscape. Architectural cement pavers with clean edges will give your yard a sleek and modern look.
- Incorporate Greenery – One popular option for a paver patio is to leave a small gap between pavers and fill it with grass or a ground cover plant. This creates a patio that is part of your landscape rather than separate from it.
- Simple Maintenance – Brick, stone, and concrete all stand up well to the elements, foot traffic, and any outdoor furniture you have. They are easy to clean if dust starts to accumulate and many non slip options are available.
- Easy Repairs – Damage to a concrete slab may necessitate refinishing or even replacing the entire patio. With a paver patio, you can simply pull up the damaged paver and insert a new one.
Pavers are also a great way to tie an entire yard together by incorporating the same style of pavers into other locations in your landscape such as pathways, secondary patios, and gardens.
At Leeson Landscape, we plan a unique landscape for your home, installing pavers and other elements that will transform patios and natural spaces into your perfect outdoor retreat. Contact our team to discuss your landscape goals and get started with the process.
by leesonlandsca1 | May 7, 2022
Whether you are redoing your entire yard or changing a small area, keeping the different principles of landscaping in mind during the initial planning process will help you create a setting that is attractive and functional.
There are many details to consider when coordinating a landscape, but deciding these 4 big ideas can make planning the rest of your landscape more straightforward.
What to Consider for Landscape Planning
Landscaping is an opportunity to create an outdoor space customized to your needs and preferences. But understanding those preferences and any limitations is an important first step. As you begin to plan your landscape, you will want to think about the following:
- Who is Using the Space and How – Your plan to use your yard as an outdoor garden will lead to a much different design from a home where children and pets will regularly be running around. A space dedicated to entertaining will also need different options. Think about what you want from your yard and how you envision using it. Those throwing parties may want well defined spaces with room for furniture. Gardeners will need room for plants in the right growing conditions.
- Know the Climate – The hardiness zone, average rainfall, and summer temperatures will all impact which plants and trees will grow, as well as your comfort outdoors. Matching your plants to the climate will give you a far more resilient and easy to maintain landscape, and you will understand any needs for irrigation and drainage. It is also a good reason to consider shade, sunlight, and rain protection.
- Theme – A good landscape will have a theme that ties everything together and generally matches the look of your home. This is also the area where you can bring your own personal touch to your yard, whether you are looking for a rustic cottage garden, refined and modern, or serene retreat. The theme you choose will help you determine layouts, plant choices, lighting features paver types, water features, and any other elements that will bring the overall landscape together.
With these basics decided, you can often make all of your future choices in line with these options. Another solution is to work with a Baton Rouge landscape company. At Leeson Landscape, we will use these ideas, taking into account your preference for theme and how you want to use your landscape, and turn that into a customized landscape. Contact our team to share your landscaping ideas and get started with the process today.
