Landscape Renewal
A perennial garden with low stone wall and rustic gate features Angelonia and Pentas.
WEATHER EXTREMES FROM EXTENDED FREEZES TO THAT DASTARDLY DROUGHT HAVE REDEFINED LANDSCAPE STRATEGIES IN THE HOUSTON AREA S TO RY B Y S A N D R A C O O K • P H O TO S B Y H O M E & H A B I TAT
It seems Mother Nature has been trying to tell us something. Perhaps that message is “mother knows best.” For decades, many traditional lawns and landscapes in this area were designed to be watered frequently, and historically, rainfall averages have provided much of that irrigation. For decades we have consistently received enough rainfall to support a rainbow of tropical plants and acres of St. Augustine. According to the National Climatic Data Center, from 1970 to 2000 our average annual rainfall was almost 50 inches per year, with anywhere from 3 to 5 inches of rain each and every month. But 2011’s rainfall was less than half of what our landscapes are used to. Preliminary estimates reveal the total annual rainfall was around just 21 inches, with at least four months recording less than one inch of rain. BEYOND THE DROUGHT
With the worst summer on record burned into our memories, it’s almost difficult to recall the past two winters’ deep freezes. Consecutive days and nights below freezing also brought unfamiliar landscape catastrophes to our neighborhoods. Vincas and Angelonia add lush texture to a back porch. 22
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
Layered perennial plantings replace lawn with lush habitat. 23
ABOVE: River birch trees and native Virginia Sweetspire provide a natural sense of serenity. LEFT: A shrub and perennial garden provides resilient beauty.
So what’s a garden-loving Houstonian to do? How do homeowners prepare their yards and choose plants that can endure these weather extremes? “The last two years have been ungodly,” says Tim Turner of Windswept Landscape Studios. “Between the extended freezes and the brutal drought, the weather conditions have significantly changed what we can expect to survive.” “Our recent weather extremes have redefined what makes a plant Houston hardy,” says Janet Ireland, the longtime creative force behind Home & Habitat, a landscaping company that specializes in Houston hardy landscapes. “Even after determining what plants made it through the drought and the freezes (perhaps dying back, then returning), we still have a wide plant palette to work with.” Turner says he has reassessed the once-reliable list of perennials he has relied on for years. “Basically, we’ve been looking at what survived 2011’s exceptional drought,” says Turner. “Even some natives did not make it through, because of variables, such as surrounding shade, soil type and mulch coverage. We are now using a plant palette that can take extreme heat, little water and hard freezes.”
24
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
Dwarf mondo grass defines a brick walkway, while pentas, plumbago and foxtail fern provide a lush foundation for jasmine lattice. 25
A stone patio surrounded by evergreens—lovely and low maintenance. FROM PRETTY PICTURE TO BIG PICTURE
IMPORTANCE OF IRRIGATION
Ireland named her business Home & Habitat, because she was motivated to create landscapes that bring natural habitat to urban wildlife. “Our design team focuses more on the plants than the hardscape.” She also says clients are often looking to provide a diverse array of plants for wildlife habitat. Ireland points out that fruit trees, vegetables and herbs make wonderful additions to a residential landscape. “Those are especially great for families,” says Ireland. “It’s so great for kids to learn how their food grows and the role that nature plays.” Turner insists that designing a landscape that is appropriate to your home’s architecture and surrounding neighborhood is essential. “Even with our revised palette of plants, we can still create residential landscapes that are functional, aesthetic and regionally expressive down to the neighborhood,” says Turner.
Installing a sprinkler system or drip irrigation system ups the potential for a resilient landscape, but watering systems must be monitored to work efficiently and avoid waste. Ireland says making this investment greatly increases the variety of plant material than can thrive in your landscape. “If you have an existing sprinkler system and are reworking your beds, then you will need to modify the water supply to those beds, really analyzing what the plants need,” says Ireland. “The drought of 2011 was a water supply reality check,” warns Turner. “We are re-thinking sprinkler systems to minimize waste and runoff.” If your home has a roof, then your yard can benefit from a rain barrel or two. There are numerous attractive options and many barrels can be camouflaged. It’s a great option to work into your landscape, considering a rain barrel
26
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
Whether it’s an Island or Retreat... ...we can Design and Build it for You! Touching up a room or giving it a whole new look, we have everything you need to remodel your bathroom & kitchen. It’s our job, but we never forget it’s your home.
Bella Custom Cabinetry Call today and we’ll make your remodeling dreams come true... 281-242-2112
www.dreammakerhouston.com • 3768 Greenbriar Drive • Stafford, Texas 27
Snapdragons provide a punch of color to this front yard garden.
under a downspout can capture up to 55 gallons of water during a good rain. Barrels and barrel kits can be purchased online or at local stores. Many plant nurseries and nature centers offer workshops where you can make your rain barrel. DIG IN
Ireland stresses that soil is the foundation that plants grow from. “When you put organic matter, such as compost and organic fertilizer, into the soil it helps plants retain water,” says Ireland. “Investing in the soil can give plants a big advantage. It’s important to do this before planting, but you can add compost and mulch to existing trees and beds.” LANDSCAPER ’ S WISDOM
A low maintenance fountain is pretty and provides water to wildlife.
28
Winter is a great time to plant new beds and trees. “We are planting in fall and winter to help plants establish roots before the spring and summer heat and dry conditions set in,” says Turner. He also recommends more conservative pruning during drought conditions to avoid additional, unnecessary stress on trees and large shrubs. Ireland and her team use their expertise to steer clients towards successful choices. “Homeowners can rely on an experienced landscaper—who offers a warranty—to determine and properly implement a thriving landscape,” says Ireland. “The Internet is good for ideas, but the Internet can be very confusing, because the information you find there is not always related to the Houston climate.”
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL Custom Landscaping and Full Service Lawn Care •• NO FREE ESTIMATES
SPRING SPECIAL
2 FREE Cubic Yards of Mulch Askfor details Ends 3/15/12
• Custom Landscaping • Flower Bed Mulching • Lawn Service • Full Maintenance Care • Lawn Fertilizing
• Hedge Trimming & Sculpture • Weed Control • Fence Installation & Repair • Re-Sod Lawns
• Irrigation Systems • Tree Trimming • Rock Landscapes • Flagstone Pathways • Landscape Lighting
www.MLSlandscapingtx.com l mlslandscaping@yahoo.com l 713.306.0094
Make a Bright Investment
Home Show
SALE!
W h e t h e r y o u a r e r emodeling or just updating a single r oom, let the ALA pr o f e s s i o n a l s at T h e L i g h t i n g G a l l e r y h e l p y o u c r e a t e a l o o k t h a t c o m p l i m e n t s y o u r s t y l e . The best pricing, selection, style and value since 1974. • Interior & Exterior Fixtures • Mirrors, Pictures & Accessories
• Lampshades • Crystal Chandeliers
• Lamps • Ceiling Fans
Visit our convenient location in the Champions ar ea.
6265 FM 1960 West Houston, Texas 77069 281-444-9299 www.lightinghouston.com Lighting Your Way® Since 1974
29
PLANTS THAT CAN HANDLE A TYPICAL HOUSTON DRY SPELL TREES
Live oaks Red buds Red oaks Texas Mountain Laurel See also “Tree Care”, p. 64. PLANTS
Carissa holly with Rudbeckia
(Australian) Bottle Brush American fringe tree – alt. to red bud or Japanese Magnolia, has interesting leaves American ligustrum – does well for a small ornamental tree, but can be short-lived Azaleas – reliable evergreen shrub, does need regular watering/irrigation Burgundy loropetalum – attractive shrurb with purple-green leaves, blooms bright magenta fringe-like flowers spring and fall Dwarf palmetto Ginger – typically does well. Dies back after freeze, but recovers nicely Holly Eagleston (e. palaca) Lantana Nandina (keep pruned) Palms – dwarf sabal palm can take low teens to high heat Pendo Palm – feathery fronds Sabal Texana Viburnum Sadankwa – a Japanese native, tough, durable hedge, good background plant Virginia Sweetspire – large drought tolerant, blooming shrub that also tolerates moist conditions Yaupon – can be formal or informal, great alternative to ligustrum or crape myrtle GRASSES
Bermuda – more native & natural, requires frequent mowing Muhly grass Stipa GROUND COVERS
Angelonia – can take heat and sun, purple flower spikes give it the nickname “Summer Snapdragon” Dwarf mondo – reliable ground cover with drip irrigation in place Lantana Portulaca – can take heat and sun Regular mondo grass in shade Rosemary – extremely hardy through heat and cold, lavender flowers Sandi-leaf fig (ficus sp.) – seen at Bayou Bend, sun to part shade, will bounce back after freeze Tiny dwarf palmettos Sedum Drought-tolerant Aloe Vera in bloom. 30
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
WROUGHT IRON FURNITURE
Excellence in Iron
281-446-4244 • 2803 FM 1960 E • www.ironplus.com 3 miles East of Hwy 59
31
Mature live oak tree with native Viburnum and Virginia Sweetspire.
Resources LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS WINDSWEPT LANDSCAPE STUDIOS 713.263.7771 CRENSHAW LANDSCAPES 281.903.7719 Color-shifting Mutabalis Rose
HOME & HABITAT 713.647.9000 GAIL HARTZ & ASSOC. INC. 713.661.4278 KABLOOM LANDSCAPING 713.256.0398 PREMIER EVERYDAY OUTDOORS 713.462.2525
PLANTS AND GARDEN SUPPLIES THE GARDEN GATE 713.528.2654 FRAZIER’S ORNAMENTAL & ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE 979.921.2906 GREEN LINKS (synthetic turf lawns) 713.932.9997 ARBOR GATE 281.351.8851 JOSHUA'S NATIVE PLANTS 713.862.7444 Tough, long-blooming blue Plumbago. 32
house& home | F e b r u a r y 2 0 1 2 | h o u s e a n d h o m e o n l i n e . com
Now accepting Credit Cards-
CONCRETE COATINGS Resurface Your Concrete
# # # # Invitation # # # #
Join us as we invite you into a world of new and impressive techniques as we transform plain concrete into an array of colorful, textured surfaces. By using creative energy we have mastered the art of resurfacing and decorative concrete including overlays and stains. By formulating color, texture, and character, we have come up with an elegant, affordable and durable product with the strength of concrete. HOUSTON DIVISION
# # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Spray Texture Stamped Overlay Concrete Stain Epoxy Flooring Mastic Joints Masonry Effects Custom Designs Pool Decks Patios Driveways Walkways Garages Entryways Old & New Concrete
15 Years Experience 832.607.2998 Phone 281.897.8576 Phone 281.955.1971 Fax Accepted
www.istexas.net
Clearly Different • Clearly Superior Since 1983 New showroom displays featuring the latest trends & technology
™
Bay Area Kitchens (281) 338-2737 • www.BayAreaKitchens.com 17306 Hwy 3 @ Medical Center Blvd. - Webster To the Trade to the Public - Since 1983 • Appointments Recommended
33