Planning to Improve Your Home Landscape? Check Out These Great Books!

              Still thinking of landscaping your yard for that SAWS rebate? When considering your summertime landscaping update, conducting a little research on your own to learn more about your specific design taste as well as landscaping trends is recommended.  Whether you hire a landscape professional or try your hand at landscape “DIY,” becoming familiar with design style is a necessary prerequisite.  In order to help with the research task, please note that the website “Designers & Books” released an article today titled “25 books on Gardens, Landscape, and Design” which provides a brief review of books on garden and space design.  Of the list of 25, several make our list of recommended favorites.

The diverse list released from “Designers & Books” includes contributions featuring garden ideas and designs across the nation.  Of the titles listed, we have outlined those having merit to San Antonio design:

Avant Gardeners by Tim Richardson, Foreword by Martha Schwartz

·         This uniquely informative publication includes a collection from some of the most popular designers today who individually explore the trend toward “Modernism, Postmodernism, Pop Art, and Land Art” (25 Books on Gardens, Landscape, and Design). 

Gardening Vertically by Noemic Vialard

·         This title explores the growing trend moving away from gardening on a trellis to creating green walls and full gardens in a vertical pattern.  (You may have seen a few of these designs featured recently on design shows via the popular HGTV channel.) The book also provides “twenty-four different ideas for vertical garden compositions” (25 Books on Gardens, Landscape, and Design) which help the reader visualize the concept of vertical gardening.

Interior Gardens by Haike Falkenberg

·         This publication is perfect for both residential and commercial clientele wanting to explore the idea of improving environment using indoor green spaces.  The book outlines the design, implementation, and materials.

The New Garden Paradise by Dominique Browning

·         This last title presents 35 breathtaking designs for residential customers created by the most respected designers of today.

Source:

"25 Books on Gardens, Landscape, and Design." Designers & Books. Designers & Books, n.d. Web. 10 July 2014.

Low Water Landscapes at Home

     Although summer is great for shorts and swimming, it is also drought season in San Antonio. While we are handling the landscaping in public spaces, you can install low water landscapes at home (and get some money for it)! SAWS offers a rebate program to encourage residents to help keep the aquifer at optimal level and spruce up their curb appeal. Have no idea how to plant xeriscape? Have no fear, SAWS and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens make it easy!

     SAWS defines "xeriscape" as "using plants that require less water to survive and using objects such as bricks, rocks, benches, gravel and deck areas instead of water-siphoning grass" ("7 Steps to Xeriscaping." SAWS). While some people get a mental image of a bare yard with nothing but cactus and tumble weeds, there are actually many attractive, lush, and colorful ways to xeriscape your yard. You do not necessarily have to give up all  your grass either! Whether you like Cottage Garden, Spanish Courtyard, Wildscape, or Hill Country styles, the Botanical Gardens showcase native water-saving plantings in their "WaterSaver Lane" exhibit to fit your taste (to see a full description of styles and tips, click here: http://www.saws.org/conservation/outdoor/WaterSaverLane/)

Cottage

Hill Country

Spanish Courtyard

     To make sure the plants you are buying meet SAWS's criteria of "xeriscape," you can visit their simple and organized approved plant list here: http://www.saws.org/conservation/outdoor/plants/index.cfm.

Sources:

"SAWS Approved Plant List." SAWS. SAWS, n.d. Web. 8 July 2014.
"7 Steps to Xeriscaping." SAWS. SAWS, n.d. Web. 8 July 2014.
"WaterSaver Lane." SAWS. SAWS, n.d. Web. 8 July 2014.

4th of July and Other Exciting News

      Howdy folks!

      We had an interesting week and are excited to share an experience that we hope you will enjoy.There are some moments that you get to experience as a landscape architect that are quite different than most occupations. As some of you may know, not all the work takes place inside the office!

      On Wednesday, Darrell and I visited a large property near Talley Road that will become a neighborhood development. It currently belongs to a family who has lived there for quite some time, and it is a beautiful piece of land. While the owners still live there, they have many animals on the property that we came in contact with while out tagging and locating trees. We were first greeted by the biggest pig I have ever seen in my entire life. It probably weighed about 400 to 500 pounds, was rather tall, and had long blonde hair (anyone know what kind it is?). While we were nervous about what she thought about us being there, she walked up to the edge of her pen and showed us the orange-sized rock she was chewing on with a big toothy grin while wagging her tail like a dog. What a happy pig! In addition, there were cows, horses, and goats that we walked by while recording information about trees in the area. It was very apparent that they are very loved there, because they were so friendly and curious, and kept trying to "kiss" us in the face! Darrell was trying to record an oak tree that was inside the goat pen, when one of the males popped up out of nowhere and began to eat his notes! Luckily, he pulled it away quick enough before we lost an entire day's worth of work. Finally in our day filled with our new "fur friends," I ventured to the end of the property on my own. I heard a loud twig behind me, and felt a hard thump on my rear end. I turned around to see a Shetland pony standing there! I was shocked that I did not hear her come up on me. She nudged me in the stomach with her nose and then acted like she wanted me to pet her. I petted her nose a while and finished my part to go home.

     On my way back, I began to think how sad it was that these animals and their owners were leaving. They are all moving on to a new place, and I'm sure it will be beautiful as well, but it is a sad thought to know that so much work and love have gone into something that will now be covered in houses and become part of the suburbs. I began to feel really bad about it until I remembered what it was we were doing there in the first place! While rapid land development is both a sad and inevitable, it is our job as landscape architects to make sure that we protect as many trees as possible, as well as maintain the integrity of the land. Although we must get rid of many of the trees that we tagged, it is comforting to know that we are able to keep many of the over-sized, some even measuring to over 65 cal. inches (which in San Antonio is huge)! We had a lot of fun, and learned a lot from this experience. We hope the homeowners and their furry friends have a great new lives at their new home, and many families enjoy their lives in a place made with love and care!

-Ashton

Patriotic Reflection

As we take time out tomorrow to celebrate the birth of this great nation, let us all take a moment to reflect on the beauty of our national landmarks as well.  Did you know that we have landscape architects to thank for much of what we see when we visit our landmarks?  Think about that if you are able to watch A Capitol 4th and fireworks show from our nation's Capital.

We have Frederick Law Olmsted, known as the father of American landscape architecture, to thank for the beautiful grounds you see surrounding the United States Capitol.  According the the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, in 1874, Congress passed legislation to make Olmsted the Capital's first landscape architect.  In Olmsted's original design, the White House, Capitol, and other government agencies buildings were to be linked together in order to be symbolic of a strong union; however, cost and budget forced him to change the plans to develop just the 50 acres around the Capitol.  Olmsted continued as the Capitol's Landscape Architect for over 18 years where he dedicated himself to making sure "the natural beauty of the grounds would offer comfort and solace to visitors and city-goers," but also not interfere with the views and lines of the wonderful architecture on the Capital." ("Olmsted's Capitol Landscaping Plans.")

If you plan on watching A Capitol 4th, let us know if you took time out to notice the landscaping and if you think Olmsted achieved his goal.  Post your thoughts in the comment section.

Have a safe and meaningful 4th of July holiday!  Enjoy the outdoors!

Source:
 "Olmsted's Capitol Landscaping Plans." U.S. Capitol Historical Society / Capitol History / Featured Historical Articles. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 July 2014.

New Park Designed by XYZ Landscape Architecture & Development

        If you have driven North 281 recently, you may have noticed large construction vehicles near Highway 46.   We are pleased to announce that work has officially begun on XYZ Landscape Architecture & Development's designs for the greater San Antonio area's newest park: Hill Country Trails.

        Although we cannot share the plans yet, we can tell you that the park will include both expansive walking and biking trails, a rest area,  picnic areas, a playground, and a dog park! Hill Country Trails is partnering with the City of Spring Branch,  ABC Civil Engineering, and 123 Architecture & Design to bring the park to you by the beginning of December. The city will host a "Holiday in the Park" celebration to mark its opening to the public.

       We will keep you all updated on the progress!

Hill Country Caverns: Tree Top Trek!

Have you been to Hill Country Caverns lately?  Perhaps the last time you visited was as a chaperone  for your child's school visit?  If so, then you must not know about the Tree Top Trek!

XYZ Landscape Architecture & Design is proud to announce our involvement in the design of the zip line adventure!  In addition, the design team had a hand in planning the Tree Top Trek adventure course. The course is designed to test agility and balance through a series of 60 obstacles!  Likewise, the zip line adventure takes the rider on a tour of the beauty of the Hill Country landscape.

The Tree Top Trek and Zip Lines are open daily, weather permitting, from 10:00 a.m. to the time when the last tour leaves for the day.  Unfortunately, despite our civil engineers best efforts, the Zip Lines have a 300 weight limit and a height restriction of less than 6'8. The Tree Top Trek  has a minimum weight of 60 pounds required. Customers under 48 inches must be accompanied by a chaperone.

The cost of the Tree Top Trek Combo is  $29.99.  Each activity costs $19.99 each separately.

Add the adventure to your list to visit with your family!

New Beginnings...

XYZ Landscape Architecture and Development would like to announce the addition of two new designers! We are very excited about the new additions and look forward to a productive summer season.

Henry Smith comes to us as our summer intern from Texas A&M University in College Station. Henry is a third year Landscape Architecture student and will be completing a joint graduate degree in Property and Land Development.  Henry will one day earn a BLA and a Masters in Property and Land Development on the same day!  Unfortunately, we will only be able to utilize Henry for the rest of the summer, but will keep you posted on his progress!

Henry will assist with corporate projects by completing tree preservation plans and transporting documentation to the permit office.

Additionally, Ming Chang also comes to us from Texas A&M with a Masters of Landscape Architecture. While at Texas A&M, Mr. Chang gained notoriety in the field as a conservation expert. His research on green design won many awards through the American Society of Landscape Architects.We are very excited to have Ming join the organization and know he will be a strong asset to all of our clientele.

Mr. Chang will be in charge of all of the conservation, restoration, and renewal projects. His talent for blending the world of science and beauty in design is uncanny.