LAND DESIGNS UNLIMITED LLC

A Patient Craftsman Creating Exceptional Landscapes

Author: John Holden

Saying Goodbye

Yesterday was a melancholy day at Land Designs Unlimited LLC. A client of 5 years is moving and yesterday was my last visit.

There’s a chance the new owners will want my services, I hope they do. Unfortunately, experience has taught me it rarely works that way.

This landscape is special for a couple of reasons. First, the owners are very nice and it’s a pleasure working for nice people. Second, I planted this landscape after the ‘correction’ of 2008 when the economy, and landscaping industry, was shaken to its core.

When I first looked at the landscape I knew it was going to take a lot of work. The masonry investment was going to be equal to, if not more than, planting.

The landscape would never look right with a bandaid. A stone wall and new sidewalk had to be installed.

They were meeting another well-established company that worked with any budget, even if the job required a larger investment. Did I mention this was after the ‘correction’ of 2008?

I suppose the other company was more client-focused for I politely insisted the landscape be done my way. There was no way I was installing a landscape without a retaining wall to hold back the grade.

I explained my design concept and assumed I’d never hear back. I reassured myself that I was polite, I spoke from the heart and I wasn’t going to be responsible for a shoddy landscape.

The project came together superbly with a few hitches. The wire from their lamp post twisted around my tiller, a first, and I used more soil than anticipated which happens often. Also, the redbud planted on the left corner of the house didn’t pull through a bitter winter.

After installation, I visited four to six times a year to maintain the landscape, not too much, but enough to make a difference.

Every spring there would be an edging, weeding and light pruning with fresh mulch every two to three years. I returned in June or July to hand prune and keep up with weeds over the summer.

Some visits took only an hour; just enough time to pull the weeds, prune stray branches and re-edge the gardens with a weedwhacker.

The shrubs in this foundation planting have NEVER been touched by hedge clippers. I’ve only used my Felcos to prune. I hope you can see how natural the shrubs look.

Being a landscape contractor is an endless cycle of finding new clients and losing old to promotions, retirement or being a poor fit.

I look forward to showing you the landscape I’ve been working on the last few weeks where I find a balance between color and low maintenance.

It’s time to say goodbye to great clients and a beautiful landscape. I’ll miss you both.

September 1, 2019
Attract Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars

A couple of months ago I planted a few Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) on a whim. For this reason, within hours, possibly minutes, butterflies started gathering on the plants.

Consequently, this morning, as I topped off the bird baths I found two Monarch Butterfly Caterpillars.

Here’s the secret to attracting butterflies.

Choose plants butterflies like you’ll get butterflies. It’s that simple

Generally speaking, every time I’ve walked out the door and looked at the Swamp Milkweed there have been butterflies flitting around. It makes the yard an even more peaceful place to be.

Below is the grouping of Swamp Milkweed. It’s a spindly plant that grows 3-4 feet tall with small pink clusters of flowers. For this reason, it’s best for the back of the border or, obviously, wetland plantings.

A closeup of Swamp Milkweed flowers past their prime with some seedpods developing.

Here’s the picture from the top of the post. That’s a big, healthy Monarch Caterpillar.

Over the summer I planted a couple of Mandevilla Tropical Breeze ‘Velvet Red’ on a client’s property; moreover, the Mandevilla has bright red trumpet-shaped flowers which hummingbirds love. As a result, within minutes of planting a hummingbird was drinking nectar from the flowers.

Choose plants hummingbirds like you’ll get hummingbirds. It’s that simple.

I’d love to hear about any plants or methods, you’ve used to attract Monarch Butterflies, Monarch Caterpillars or other wildlife.

August 18, 2019
Candyland Calibrachoa Lighting Up the Landscape

Today I planted Candyland Calibrachoa. While I’m no expert at annuals everything I’ve read says, winner.

I visited Hollandia Nursery looking for one Catmint replacement but couldn’t help leaving with a few more plants. If you live near Bethel, CT Hollandia is worth the trip.

Candyland Calibrachoa is a plant combination of 3 different colors of Calibrachoa; yellow, pink and orange. I’ll let the information page explain the rest.

Calibrachoa flowers all summer without deadheading. By the time frost comes those plants will be touching the ground. I’m looking forward to seeing that!

I like the splash of color in the middle of the green landscape.

Click below for a closer look.

Can you name the plant in the foreground?

June 26, 2019
Fall Cleanup Finished Today
Today I finished last year’s fall cleanup! Not a moment too soon either, in a few short months leaves will start falling again.

Let me explain, normally I use a leaf blower to blow the leaves onto the grass then shred them with a lawnmower. However, last year I decided to go Old School and rake the leaves.

Raking is more work but much more satisfying. Raking leaves is easier in the spring because they are matted, hence, easier to pick up.

I use a five tine manure fork to pick up the heavy leaves then rake them into a pile. Once in a pile, I use the five tine manure fork again. One more pass of the rake, then I use two rakes as a claw for the rest.

Benefits of Mulching Leaves in gardens

I thought my gardens were going to be a mess. They were anything but!

Some benefits after letting leaves sit in the gardens all winter include.
- Fewer weeds.
- Soft and friable soil.
- Tons of earthworm activity.
If you’re a gardener you must be drooling over how nice this soil is and if you’re not a gardener this is what you want your soil to look like.

A New Paradigm for Fall Cleanup

Why do we clean up leaves in the garden, often disposing of them off-site, only to haul in mulch?

What if I run a mulching mower over the beds and let the leaves stay where they are? This will also eliminate cutting back many perennials.

Below is my compost pile. I’ve got about six yards of compost that will become two to three yards of gorgeous soil.

A wheelbarrow of leaves ready for the compost pile.

Less work with more benefits!
June 24, 2019
Bird’s Nest and Winter Burn in Cryptomeria

This spring as I was raking leaves a bird quickly, yet conspicuously, flew away from where I was working. It was a little bird with four eggs in her nest.

If you’re walking and a bird conspicuously flies away and chirps you’re too close to her nest. Indeed, the bird is trying to trick you into chasing her rather than find her nest. Robins are the biggest offenders of this behavior.

Winter Burn in Japanese Cryptomeria

The tree she built her nest on is a Yoshino Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’). The tree suffers from winter burn. I already pruned the damage from the other trees.

Winter burn is when evergreens lose water quicker than they can replace it. In particular, you see winter burn when there’s either a brief winter warm spell or strong winter winds with frozen ground.

If your trees or shrubs have winter burn all you can do is prune out the dead branches and hope they regrow.

I decided not to cut the tip where the bird’s nest was to give her cover and mark where I shouldn’t walk. The nest was at the base of the burnt foliage.

I’m not sure what’s going to become of the Cryptomeria. Every one of them lost a central leader. I guess they’re going to become large shrubs.

Pruning Japanese Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria responds extremely well to pruning. The tree sprouts new growth better than most needle-leaved evergreens after heavy pruning. While I know they’re going to grow, unfortunately, I’m not sure in which direction.

Sadly, the momma bird lost her chicks a week after they were born. One morning all was well. That afternoon the nest was tumbled and the chicks were gone with momma flitting in the tree above.

You can see water droplets on her wings in the pictue below. She’s a great mom!

Let me know the type of bird that is and I’ll update the post. I’m thinking Finch but birds aren’t my specialty.

June 20, 2019
Siberian Carpet | This is What it Does

Siberian Carpet (Microbiota decussata) is underused in Connecticut landscapes.

For one thing, Siberian Carpet looks like a Juniper without the prickliness. As a matter of fact, you can run your hand over the shrub without scratching.

In addition, it likes partial shade and average to dry soils. Most literature doesn’t recommend planting in full sun but the shrub will do great under those conditions.

Siberian Carpet may become leggy after several years. Therefore, use selective pruning to keep it in bounds. Another small issue is trapping leaves in the fall and winter. As a result, it’s going to take a little extra time for cleanup.

Plant in odd-numbered groupings and let it grow together for maximum effect.

Click the image below for a larger version.

June 19, 2019
Compost Pile Potatoes

Last week while bringing a load of debris to the compost pile I spotted something growing in the mass of leaves, sticks, vegetative kitchen scraps and garden debris.

After a few moments, I realized it was a compost pile potato vine. A few weeks ago I tossed potatoes in the pile and I guess they liked it there.

Here’s a picture of the compost pile potatoes from a distance.

A closeup of compost pile potatoes.

If you think those leaves look familiar they should. Indeed potatoes are in the same plant family as tomatoes, Solanaceae. It looks like tomato plants growing but it’s too early in the season for that.

Below is a comparison of the leaves of the two plants.

My plan was to move the compost pile to where my mulch pile is when I finished spreading the mulch. As a result, I’m not sure what to do.

June 18, 2019
Patient Craftsman of Exceptional Landscapes
I don’t want to say it’s been a bad year, it hasn’t.

It’s been typical of what a year as a landscape designer and a contractor has been as long as I can remember. Typical meaning constant change and no guarantees.

You Never Get Every Job

It took me years to realize you’ll never get every job from every person who calls. There are variables in what is a good fit for both clients and customers.

Does the potential client need the job completed in a week or a month? If they have a graduation party next weekend and I’m booked out a month I can’t help.

What type of service is the potential client looking for? I’m sometimes called to spruce up a house before it goes on the market. The level of service I provide is more than most want when listing their house. They want a ‘quick and dirty’ job, not a thorough job.

What is the job? While I’m a landscaper I don’t do everything related to landscaping.

This year a clients neighbor walked up and asked if I rip out Poison Ivy, by hand.
No. I don’t.

A couple of weeks ago a potential customer called three times in an hour demanding I call back immediately with a price to haul brush to the dump. Yes, I do haul brush to the dump when pruning shrubs but I’m not Junkluggers.

Investment Matters

Finally, there is an investment. No two contractors, in any field, will price a job the same way.

However, you can’t base value on price. Just because a price is high doesn’t make it a bad value and just because a price is low doesn’t make it a good value. But that’s a post for another time.

Since I started working in this field I’ve felt like a square peg in a round hole. After over thirty years that feeling has never gone away. I don’t think it ever will.

I strive to make landscapes look as good as they can. Unfortunately, people only invest so much in their landscapes.

Since the stock market crash of 2008, I’ve seen changes in people’s priorities and spending habits.

I’ve also changed since I started in this field.

I’ve often spent my own time, and money, going the extra mile. An extra hour or two here. Perhaps upgrading plants to a larger size out of my own bank account. Spending extra time making sure downspouts drain away from the house.

Patient Craftsman of Exceptional Landscapes

Today I changed my slogan to, “Patient craftsman of exceptional landscapes.” I doubt anyone will notice, especially today.

Why did I do that?

As a sign that I’m not like all landscapers. I work with purpose, and that purpose is creating exceptional landscapes.

What makes me think I’m so special? A few examples.
- Clients often tell me they can’t tell a shrub has been pruned after I complete the job.
- Edges of my landscapes are smooth, flowing and deep.
- Plant selections focus on interest in every season and minimal care.
- I don’t dump three inches of mulch on landscapes every spring.
I’m not special. I know only a small percentage of clients will want my level of service, though I provide a better value.

Losing a Client

After over 15 years, I lost a long term client this spring. I resigned (was let go) because I couldn’t handle servicing the property twice a year. The gardens were constantly in need of major work and it was frustrating.

There are plenty of houses I visit once or twice a year and I’m fine with that. But this house wasn’t a boilerplate landscape by any means and it needed more attention.

One of the reasons I stayed so long was a conversation I had with one of the owners years ago.

They said, “John, I know you’re not going to be the fastest or the cheapest, but when you do the job I know it’s going to be done right.”

That conversation kept me at the property longer than I should have stayed. I also enjoyed watching the landscape grow in.

The Future

When I started Land Designs Unlimited LLC the internet and YouTube weren’t options. I can now electronically share my knowledge in many different ways and the list is expanding daily.

Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor or student you can read, and watch, me explain what I do and why. I sincerely hope you learn something.

Whether my future is creating landscapes or teaching how to create landscapes I will always be a patient craftsman of exceptional landscapes.

Thank you.
June 17, 2019
Bird Baths and Husbands

Yesterday, I started the search for a bird bath for the back yard. I was hoping to find something simple, a flat stone with a bowl carved into it. Indeed I’ve admired a few like that over the years.

I headed off to Swenson Granite.

I spotted what I was looking for. Unfortunately, there was only one in stock and it was chipped. Therefore, I headed to the office to ask if they had more.

The model I was looking for was no longer available. Consequently, I asked about another bird bath I liked. It was a Deer Isle Lo-boy bird bath.

Lo-boy means the bird bath is half the height and Deer Isle is a darker, less showy, granite. The Lo-boy base looks, and may be, hand cut. I like that.

I’m not a fan of flimsy bird baths and sundials. They’re prone to lose their tops in the wind or shifting ground from freeze-thaw cycles.

Gregg lifted the heavy stones and gently placed the bird bath in my pickup. Thank you, Gregg!

Next, I placed the bird bath next to my feeding platform under the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) where it can be viewed from the kitchen.

While the granite looks great it doesn’t match my low budget feeding platform. It’s like having a salt and pepper shaker that doesn’t match. In fact, I need a granite feeding platform too. But not this year.

Did you notice the second bird bath in the picture?

There’s a funny story to that.

Father’s Day Fun

Today was Father’s Day and my wife and daughter spent hours searching for the perfect bird bath yesterday, unbeknownst to me. They decided a lower style would look just right in the spot.

Yesterday, within minutes of arriving home, my wife spotted my new bird bath. Equally important, she couldn’t believe I bought myself something the day before Father’s day.

For this reason I’m a heel.

Consequently, my Father’s Day gift will be going in our Memorial Garden.

I bet more than one reader can relate to the story…

June 16, 2019