Unique Environmental Blog

Seasonal Color

Do you know what the common name is for the pink and yellow lantana?  See answer below.  

    Vinca and Creeping Verbena Tolerate Extreme Georgia Temperatures. Our steamy summer has allowed all our seasonal color plantings to flourish this year. We have incorporated some of the new varieties of Vinca and pink creeping Verbena into our plantings, they can adapt to our extreme summer temperatures well. Both of these new varieties of plants are very tolerant of dry conditions and we have used them more frequently in our displays over the last two years to reduce water consumption while still displaying a full color arrangement.    

    Unique Environmental Seasonal color plans to avoid those boring green blobs! Blending texture, color and frequency of blooming is the key to a long lasting summer display. Lantana is very colorful and hardy summer plant but it goes in and out of blooming sequences which leaves some color arrangements looking like green blobs. So when Unique plans out fall or spring color, we always try to incorporate 2 to 3 different varieties of plant material to create a balanced color display.                             Answer:  Ham ‘n eggs.     

        It is not too soon to think about ordering tulips for the spring!  The picture below is the hot hot hot variety. 

 

Summer tips for keeping your lawn healthy

Everyone enjoys a nice residential lawn, it’s not hard to have a beautiful lawn, just follow a few simple landscape maintenance guidelines. This is the first of a series of ‘landscape tips’ to be provided on Unique’s blog, please check back often:

•        Your lawn is a garden of grass plants, not a rug, and it needs nutrients to grow. Grass clippings that are properly mulched and left on the lawn will eventually decompose and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Mulching the grass clippings and letting them naturally decompose on the lawn for a whole year is equal to about one annual fertilizer application. In addition, leaving the grass clippings on the lawn also helps shade the soil, keeping the roots cooler and reducing moisture loss.

 

•         Mowing heights are different for Fescue and your warm season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia. Keep mowing height high-3 inches or more, especially in hot, dry weather is important on your fescue lawns. Bermuda and Zoysia can be slowly brought up in mowing height when we get to the hot time of year. Low mowing heights stresses out grass and requires more water for it to properly grow and survive in temperatures at or above 95°.

 

 Tips on watering properly:  

•          Lawns need a total of one inch of water per week- this includes rainfall. Set out an empty tuna fish or cat food can to gauge. When the can is full, this is one inch of rain water.   If temperatures stay in the 90° F for more than three days, lawns need 2 inches of water per week. Apply a half inch every other day.

•        For best results, water early in the morning- before 9 a.m., watering in the midday may cause up to a 30% loss due to evaporation.

•       Follow drought-watering guidelines if restrictions are in effect.

•         http://www.georgiaepd.org/Documents/outdoorwater.html

Tips for the landscape and the hot dry weather:

Mulching is critically important for plant health in the summer season. It is recommended using two to 4 inches of mulch to reduce soil temperature and improve water retention.

Black Residence

 

Recent design, sales and install testimonial from clients we met at the 2010 Southeastern Flower Show.

      "During the past forty years, my husband and I have hired four companies to landscape our property. Each company was professional and carried out a plan that pleased us and enhanced our home. One company, however, stands out above the rest, and that company is Unique Environmental Landscapes.

      Because of the recent drought and the subsequent floods, our grass had disappeared and a sink hole had developed in a low spot.  The plant islands were no longer attractive. Unique Environmental Landscapes sent Matt Cofer, Project Manager, and Jesse Edmondson, Landscape Designer, to work with us on a suitable plan to repair the damage. They suggested possibilities that were inspirational, and once we approved the final job summary, they carried out each step promptly and on schedule. The installers, too, arrived each day when they were promised and worked beyond our expectations.  After installing the sod and planting the trees and shrubs, they pressure-washed the driveway, and they returned unexpectedly after the work was completed to water the entire yard again.

    We are very pleased with the entire experience. Thank you, Unique Environmental Landscapes, and thank you,  Matt [Cofer] and Jesse [Edmondson]."

-Mr. & Mrs. Black

-Atlanta, Ga.

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity & Unique Environmental Landscapes

Unique Environmental Landscapes and MALTA are coordinating efforts with Habitat for Humanity for their third year in a row next Saturday March 13th.

Unique Environmental Landscapes will have staff volunteers helping to assign tasks for the event and working with the materials available to create new living spaces for families on Pryor Road and Bagwell Drive.

If you are interested in volunteering please contact Habitat for Humanity. You can also show up at 2488 Lakewood Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. at 7am. The event lasts until 1pm, so come out and help when you can!

Unique Environmental Landscapes and MALTA enjoy giving back to the community! We hope you can help!

Unique Environmental Displays Excellence At 2010 Flower Show

 

     The 2010 Southeastern Flower Show has come and gone and we hope you were one of the attendees, because it was definitely worth the trip to the Cobb Galleria.  Unique Environmental built a beautiful 900 square foot garden with the theme “Come on over!!” calling out to all who strolled our way.

      There were a number of fine gardens on display, each with its own flavor and style.  Unique’s was designed to offer a feeling of comfort and casual elegance, with lushly planted backdrops framing a lower terrace, with boulder accents and specimen Japanese Black Pines.  Stone steps led to an upper seating area, which showcased a truly unique water feature, fire pit, and, of course, more lush, yet subtle plantings.  A privacy fence protected the rear of the garden and was adorned with window boxes overflowing with trailing nasturtiums, variegated ginger lilies, fleabane, Princess plant and glacier ivy.  This garden was a great example of the style of landscaping for which we are known- comfortable, colorful and, well, unique!

      Aside from inquiries about the garden itself, the most frequently asked question was “how long did it take you to put this together?”  Well, here are some figures on that:  actual production time at the show took approximately 400 hours, which accounts for set-up and break down.  Add to that the design process, the pre-construction time building stone columns, the privacy fence and so on, collecting the various components and plant materials, transportation, time in the garden during the show and finally, relocating the plants and materials back to our facilities and you can add another 200 hours or so.  Whew!!!  Quite an undertaking!

      Was it worth the time and effort?  Along with meeting thousands of very nice folks during the show, Unique also won a number of awards for their efforts, including the MALTA (Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association) Trophy, the Ann Lyon Crammond Trophy, the Georgia Lighting Company Trophy, the “Best Maintenance” award, and perhaps the most gratifying, The People’s Choice Award which was determined by the votes of the shows’ attendees.  Yes, a ton of time and effort but many fine memories and most importantly, a feeling of satisfaction knowing that we were able to showcase our style and flair and capability to produce a truly Unique landscape.

Unique Receives Distinguished MALTA Awards for 2009

 
At the MALTA Awards banquet on January 19th 2010, Unique Environmental received three awards for Installation and Green Innovation. The Design Team of Todd Guilmette, Matt Cofer and Erik Rieffel lead the Koushel and Howell Projects.

MALTA is metro Atlanta and Georgia's premier landscape organization for professionals involved in the landscape design, construction, and maintenance industry.

Every year entries are submitted in early November for projects completed that year, Unique Environmental has been grateful to receive an award every year thus far.

This year however, Unique Environmental received the highest honor of Judges Choice Award for Landscape Installation Under $75,000. The project, led by Matt Cofer, was for the Koushel Family and turned out magnificent. 

The Unique Environmental Team will carry this momentum into the Southeastern Flower Show in two weeks!

Koushel Residence (photo taken by Laura Guilmette)

Unique Environmental used the ideas of Mr. Koushel and added our blend of plant texture, and color, as well as hard scape design and installation to create this picturesque and functional landscape.

-Jesse Edmondson

Unique Environmental Ad

Rich's Winter Recommendations

What will this toe numbing, water pipe-busting, shiver-inducing weather do to our vulnerable southern plants?

The weather is anything but predictable as we all know, but the last few years have really been doozies when it comes to extremes!  Drought followed by ridiculously heavy rainfall and now freezing weather hanging around for over a week.  What is a landscape to do?

Let’s deal with the latest extreme, the arctic express of January 2010.  It’s not that the temps have been disastrously low; they’ve certainly been lower and more disastrous in past years.  That they are staying below freezing for an extended period of time, however, is cause for some concern. 

So what can you do?  The harsh reality is that in many cases the answer is nothing.  People tend to use plants that are borderline hardy, (and some that just shouldn’t be considered at all) and harsh conditions such as these remind us that perhaps we should choose plants more discriminately while planning a landscape, or when we replace them, as will be the case with many this year I’m afraid.  In most instances it just isn’t practical to try to cover all those tender plants for extended periods.  Tent cities of plastic and multi-colored blankets over those poor plants look ridiculous on so many levels, and frankly, they’re still going to be damaged.

What then can you do?  You can plan ahead and contract with qualified, experienced landscape professionals like those at Unique Environmental who will design landscape areas using plants that will survive these extremes.  You can make sure your plants are well mulched before the cold weather arrives.  Once the weather warms, make sure that your plants are hydrated, especially in planters or raised beds, as these cold, windy dry days will desiccate a plant in no time flat.  Deadhead your pansies and give them a drink (straight up, NOT on the rocks!) and perhaps remulch those perennials, hostas and other more shallow rooted plants that are exposed to these decidedly northern conditions.  Should you notice damaged leaves on your evergreens, refrain from cutting them back until it is apparent they have died back, later this spring.

Beyond that, know that this is but a passing event and we’ll soon be warming again.  Join us at the Southeastern Flower Show at the Cobb Galleria Centre, February 4^th through the 6^th, enjoy our garden and those of others, and dream of sunny days and sultry nights.

-
Rich

Southeastern Flower Show 2010 presented by Southeastern Horticulture Society

We are weeks away from participating in our 12th Southeastern Flower Show at the Cobb Galleria . The show is celebrating its 23rd annual event put on by the Southeastern Horticultural Society. Come out and see creative landscape gardens , educational displays and floral designs that bring spring to life in the middle of winter .

 

 Make  your arrangements to step out of the cold and visit with Unique Environmental staff at this year's show. Our garden theme is, “Come on Over” and we have created a place for your neighbors and friends to come visit with you and enjoy all the pleasures of your backyard living space.

-Todd G.

 

For more information about the show please visit www.sehort.org

Or Check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/#/event.php?eid=236753473615&ref=mf>

 

Unique Really 'Digs' Irrigation - Small to Large Leaks

As shown in this photo, Unique really ‘digs’ into irrigation repairs - large and small. This ongoing leak was detected when the system was reactivated this summer after an extended shut down due to the drought restrictions of the last two summers. Extended dormancy of irrigation systems create a higher frequency for repairs and it’s be best to get an audit before irrigation ‘start-up .'

Irrigation audits will:

1.   Ensure that you are getting proper coverage and there is no mainline or value box leaking. Undetected leaks on larger properties can become costly when you're paying for all this extra water.

2.   Examine how much water each zone is using and allows for  proper recommendations of changing heads to give each more effective application of water to the turf or shrub areas.

3.   Balance the irrigation needs of the landscape between the turf and shrub areas. This can be done by using the more efficient irrigation heads and integrating drip irrigation as well as updating the irrigation clock . Quite honestly, turf takes the largest amount of water but at different periods of the year, while annual beds may require a higher frequency over a short period of time. An updated irrigation clock allows the technician to set different runtimes and different frequency times to balance out the efficient use of water in your landscape.

After your audit is complete, follow the recommendations made by the irrigation tech and maintenance manager. It may be best to water twice a week for the recommended period of time than small frequencies every other day. Deep roots keep plants thriving in drought conditions. Monitoring during the irrigation season is recommended. We suggest at lease once per year on residential homes and HOA properties and 2 to 3 times per year on commercial properties depending on size. Click here to learn more about the irrigation services we offer in the metro Atlanta area.

What should an irrigation audit provide:

1.   A complete mapping of your system that indicates boxes, mainline and clock locations.

2.   Gallon consumption per zone to inform you of water consumption on your property when the system is running.

3.   An itemized list of recommended essential repairs and alternativ solutions to making your system more effective.