Landscaping Design on the Main Line

August 18, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on Autumn Garden & Arboretum Events for Philadelphia Area Landscape Enthusiasts

Autumn Garden & Arboretum Events for Philadelphia Area Landscape Enthusiasts

It’s so hard to believe we are yet again on the brink of that lovely fall time of year – when the breeze suddenly has such a refreshing crispness and the sky an intense blue that has been strangely absent all summer. And once again, the celebrated Philadelphia Horticultural Society (PHS) has some wonderful events lined up to make your fall Philadelphia landscaping experience even more memorable.

So what is in store for Main Line residents and visitors who want to get out and enjoy the delights of the season?

Private Gardens of Owings Mill – This sight-seeing treat will be an all-day excursion. On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, this PHS jaunt will give spectators a close-up look into the design and development of three private but very different gardens as well as a lunch and tour of the Irvine Nature Center.
Barnes Arboretum, Merion, PA (Wikimedia Commons)
Twilight in the Arboretum – Enjoy something a little out of the ordinary with a glimpse of the Barnes Arboretum After Hours on Wednesday, September 14. Bring a supper picnic, enjoy the musical entertainment on the lawn and bask in the complete sensory experience of magical gardens at twilight. This is bound to be an evening to remember for Main Line residents and visitors as well.

“Bring a supper picnic, enjoy the musical entertainment on the lawn and bask in the complete sensory experience of magical gardens at twilight.” (Barnes Arboretum Event)
Meadowbrook Farm Fall Plant Party – Make September 17 a fun and educational day for the whole family and head to Meadowbrook Farm, where everyone can enjoy an abundance of colorful autumn favorites and other plants for sale. Throughout the Meadowbrook Fall Plant Party, there will be informative talks and demos on topics such as container planting, fall color selection, the best flowers for stunning arrangements and how to grow and propagate African violets. Folks can tour the house and historic gardens of Pennock House as well as enjoy the petting zoo.
Chanticleer Garden – On October 15, this renowned garden will be hosting a workshop entitled Putting the Garden to Bed. This Chanticleer workshop is designed to equip Main Line residents and visitors with essential techniques and tips to make the most of their autumn gardening chores – in anticipation for a spring garden that will be more glorious than ever.

If you live nearby in the Philadelphia and Tri-State region in the Main Line, PA; suburban Philadelphia, southeastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey or northern Delaware areas, be sure to check out these events.

In 2014, 2015, and 2016 Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA received the “Best Of Houzz” award for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz. Aardweg Landscaping also received the exclusive “Recommended” badge for top rated professionals on Houzz in 2015.

Schedule a complimentary on-site consultation to discuss arrangements for landscape design, installation and maintenance with Philadelphia area Aardweg Landscaping by calling 610.355.0703, or sending us an email.

August 15, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on Photographic Imaging for a Beautiful Main Line Landscape

Photographic Imaging for a Beautiful Main Line Landscape

Traditional landscaping design drawings offer a two-dimensional glimpse into the future of your stunning new garden. This can be useful, to be sure, for the creatively-disposed or those with a familiarity in landscaping. However, it may not suffice for Philadelphia or Main Line homeowners in communities such as Valley Forge, Villanova and Wayne who are struggling to conjure up an accurate vision from the basic design on paper. It may be time to consider photographic image design for landscape design.

Here are a few photographic imaging “what-ifs” to consider:

What if you could get a true-to-life glimpse of the anticipated plan, with accurate color and scale to aid in visualizing the proposed finished project?

What if you could have a sense of complete satisfaction and confidence in the financial investment of your new lawn and garden renovation, since you can see it in 3D?

What if your new landscaping design could “audition” in front of you – in living color – so that you could get a realistic feel of what the finished design would actually look like?

So how is all this done? First, real “before” photos are taken of the intended project area. Then the specific features which were discussed during the consultation for the new design — including the actual location, personal tastes and preferences and unique site conditions — are integrated into the photos. This includes properly scaled trees, plants and flowers; as well as hardscapes, focal points, and any water features.

This provides “pictures worth a thousand words” so that you can get a realistic look and feel of the finished result, as well as an opportunity to address and easily alter details or areas of concern at your Philadelphia or Main Line home in communities such as Valley Forge, Villanova and Wayne.

Aardweg Landscaping provides state-of-the-art professional service to give you these and many other positive experiences associated with your new landscaping design. This reputable company recognizes that when you are taking the plunge toward a fresh landscape plan, you trust them to develop a stunning plan, provide excellent and efficient service and deliver a breathtaking result. And what better way to reassure the clients than by letting them see exactly what will happen in their lawn and garden transformation, before any planting starts, with photographic image design for landscaping?

In 2014, 2015, and 2016 Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA received the “Best Of Houzz” award for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz. Aardweg Landscaping also received the exclusive “Recommended” badge for top rated professionals on Houzz in 2015.

Schedule a complimentary on-site consultation to discuss photographic imaging for residential properties in Philadelphia and Main Line communities such as Valley Forge, Villanova and Wayne.

You may also consider engaging Philadelphia area Aardweg Landscaping for landscape design, installation and maintenance, by calling 610.355.0703, or by sending an email.

August 6, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on 5 Tips for Stunning Small Philadelphia Landscapes

5 Tips for Stunning Small Philadelphia Landscapes

Having a small yard does not mean that having a beautiful landscape is out of the question. It just means that more planning and detail need to be 5 tips for stunning landscaped gardens in Philadelphia’s Main Line Southern New Jersey and Northern Delaware communities employed in the venture in order to achieve a rich palette of texture and color. So check out a few stunning design ideas to implement in your small Philadelphia landscape.

Design vertically – Many people think so one-dimensionally in the garden landscaping realm, but by integrating beautiful vertical aids such as trellises, arbors, raised flower beds, as well as plants of varying heights, you can utilize every inch of your small space while delivering big on impact.
Choose colors wisely – A small Philadelphia landscape might actually be made to feel more constricting by the use of big, bold colors. Incorporating cool colors such as blues, violets and whites can make the garden feel more spacious and less confining. The inclusion of dwarf trees also keeps the plants in scale with the limited area.
Try container gardening – There are literally so many possibilities. From the myriad of colors, styles, shapes and sizes of planters and containers there are to choose from, you can design a vivid focal point or an entire garden theme that reflects your own unique personality.
Add water – Water brings a mesmerizing element to the garden area, and there are water features to fit in the smallest of landscape designs. Wall-mounted fountains, birdbaths, tiny rock gardens, decorative water urns – there is something for literally every taste and size.
Consider a rock garden – For those who are interested in a lovely retreat with minimal to no maintenance, this may be just the thing for your small Philadelphia landscape. Oriental gardens emphasize simplicity and harmony, using water, rocks, sand and a few plants to create a wonderful, restful sanctuary.

Perennial Gardens we created in suburban Philadelphia

Design and installation by Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA

July 30, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on Outdoor Kitchens Add Value to Main Line Residential Landscapes

Outdoor Kitchens Add Value to Main Line Residential Landscapes

Having an outdoor kitchen and seating area certainly adds more personal value to your home and landscape. It provides a relaxed, picturesque natural setting in which to “wine and dine” family and friends. But, supposing you have been contemplating the staging of your home in order to put it on the market — an outdoor kitchen adds to the potential dollar value as well.

Outdoor kitchen and living area with landscaping and hardscaping by Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Sq., Pennsylvania

Increasing numbers of real estate experts believe that this is indeed the case, since prospective buyers tend to gravitate toward homes that have an outdoor living space as opposed to those that do not. This is especially true when that space includes al fresco kitchen facilities and a fireplace, which can significantly extend the multi-seasonal savoring of nature. Is this a renovation you should consider as part of an overall landscape design plan? Here are a couple of tips to bear in mind.

1. The challenge – This is a complicated process, by far one of the most difficult landscaping feats, as the outdoor kitchen and fireplace features need to integrate with and make efficient use of your existing space. A trusted landscaping professional is very helpful in assessing the aesthetic and practical concerns associated with this process.

2. The cost – It is so easy for the budget to be cast to the side in lieu of all the possibilities for your outdoor living space. If you are intent on putting your house on the market, determine whether the initial investment will indeed offer enough of a return to be worth the effort. If you are rather thinking of that as a possibility more in the future, then you can plan the design based on your immediate needs, desires and allotted expense.

Whether you desire to create an outdoor living space for your own use for years to come, or you are staging your home for sale, installing an outdoor kitchen and/or fireplace will only add value to your residential landscape. It will also provide another beautiful dimension for the daily experience and enjoyment of the great outdoors right at home.

The final project featured a hardscaped patio and walls covered with Travertine pavers on all surfaces including the pool surround and a custom built pergola. (Image via aardweglandscaping.com – Main Line Philadelphia PA)

July 27, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on Perfect Main Line Landscape Retaining Walls – Strong & Attractive

Perfect Main Line Landscape Retaining Walls – Strong & Attractive

Retaining walls often feature prominently in residential landscape design, offering both aesthetic beauty and functionality. They not only hold back the earth effectively, but graced with the softening influences of plants and flowers, retaining walls provide an imposing character that is classically simple yet attractive.

In fact, “…more than problem-solvers, retaining walls also have a sculptural quality that adds definition to the landscape, and they can be made from various materials to evoke different styles,” according to thisoldhouse.com. If your landscape plan requires the addition of a retaining wall, consider structural integrity, material selection and scale before adding a retaining wall to your Philadelphia / Main Line area landscape.

The purpose and size of the retaining wall largely determine the alternative designs that can be considered in its construction. A shorter structure designed for raised beds or multi-level gardens may be safely self-supporting, but anything over three feet high needs to be reinforced for backfill loads, internal weaknesses or future damage due to storm water flow.

Courtyard and flagstone capped knee wall, Penn Valley, PA (By Aardweg Landscaping)

There are a number of good options for retaining wall materials that will complement your Philadelphia / Main Line landscape. For an aura of authenticity and natural beauty, Pennsylvania bluestone is an excellent choice. Brick is also sturdy and durable, although matching bricks to existing architecture can be a bit tricky. “Stacked timbers or mortared stone, for instance, can impart a rustic look, while poured concrete is sleekly modern,” says thisoldhouse.com. Concrete is affordable and structurally efficient, but not nearly as aesthetically pleasing.

Appropriate scaling of the wall, landscaping and graded areas is critical. Errors of scale can easily overwhelm the landscape, which can be detrimental to the desired look and feel of your garden. You can adjust these features ultimately by selecting plants that complement the scale of the retaining wall itself, but nothing will replace professional advance planning. Let the statuesque beauty of tastefully designed retaining walls add further depth, richness and value to your Philadelphia / Main Line area landscaped property.

Garden and patio with brick knee wall (By Aardweg Landscaping)

Consider Newtown Square Aardweg Landscaping as your go-to professional for a retaining wall and landscape design plan that will provide the structural integrity, appropriate materials and the right scale for your retaining wall design. In 2014, 2015, and 2016 Aardweg Landscaping of Newtown Square, PA received the “Best Of Houzz” award for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz. Aardweg Landscaping also received the exclusive “Recommended” badge for top rated professionals on Houzz in 2015.

July 25, 2016
by aardweglandscaping
Comments Off on Philadelphia Landscaping with Decorative Garden Paths and Walkways

Philadelphia Landscaping with Decorative Garden Paths and Walkways

The only thing better than having lush and gorgeous gardens in your Main Line landscape is having attractive walkways to make moving about the premises an easy and utter pleasure. So what are some ideas that can turn a mere pathway into a complementary accent in your whole design – and a work of art in its own right?

Perennial Garden designed by Aardweg Landscaping, Main Line, PA

Perennials next to curving slate pathway designed by Aardweg Landscaping, Main Line, PA

Use repetition of geometric shapes – For a more modern twist on the traditional formal style; consider interspersing crushed rock with brick pavers. This gives a grounded feel to the garden scheme while offering varied textural interest.

Add a little freestyle – Perfect for your Main Line landscape, Pennsylvania bluestone slabs bring a touch of authenticity and a strong structural presence. Each slab is irregularly shaped, bluestone is perfect for the informal garden, and completely enchanting softened on the edges by bright perennials and delicate ground covers.

Bring in a touch of Old World – An intricately laid path of flagstone enhances the established garden feel with a hint of European charm. Soften the edges with flowery perennials to brighten the path.

Classic Landscape Design for Formal Philadelphia Gardens by Aardweg Landscaping

Perfect for your Main Line landscape, Pennsylvania Bluestone slabs bring a touch of authenticity and a strong structural presence.

Go for the minimalist look – For a chic, non-cluttered feel, use basic stepping stones surrounded by Bluestone chips to give smooth access to any part of your lawn and garden.

Try a little whimsical – Steppingstones sunken into lovely grass and framed by layered plantings are visually appealing and add character to the garden. Add a circular stone patio with cozy seating at the end of your fanciful path.

Finally, for an even richer sensory experience, have your chosen pathway cross a flowing stream of water designed to recirculate within one stock.xchng_pathtothegreen2_rolve garden zone, or let the pathway travel across raised stepping stones in a pond. Your Main Line landscape is your haven, your own little retreat from the world.

Here’s one important tip to remember about walkways from thisoldhouse.com, “…to give the path structure and stability, it must have a compact base. In zones with hard clay, that can be the soil itself. But in most areas, especially where the soil is sandy, you’ll need to create a base of tamped-down stone pack, which is a mix of ¾-inch stones and stone dust.”

Create a wonderfully artistic and original Philadelphia residential landscape with decorative garden paths and walkways for enjoyable outdoor living for years to come.

Lovely slate pathway designed by Aardweg Landscaping, Main Line, PA