02 Jul 2014
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Landscape Design San Diego

July 2, 2014

In San Diego’s urban setting with it’s small lots, makes use of every inch of your property can help to make it function more like a larger space. Making double duty out of your landscape elements is one way to achieve this feeling. Think of all your landscape features that could be reused or redesigned to give you the space and flexibility you need is a great way to go.

One idea is to incorporate storage under built-in seats, or allow for a sandbox to also be a firepit. Growing edible such as lemon or orange trees offer vertical height, screening and the added benefit of homegrown goodness.  Have a small yard but need a pool and a larger entertaining space, consider a rectangular pool with a metal retractable cover to act as dance floor when called for.

This kind of thinking can allow your outdoor space to move and adjust to the needs of the client at any moment. If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design help create a multi-functional space for your property please contact us at 619.917.3644

23 Jun 2014
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Landscape design San Diego

June 23, 2014

Its now mid June and its time to tend your gardens. Most of your plants that are actively growing will benefit from a balanced fertilizer. However don’t feed or even give much water to any Mediterranean or native plants, they have evolved to handle our dry summers. But your lawn, any roses, annuals, perennials will all enjoy a nice boost.  Its also a great time to manage giant white fly, remove infected leaves and blast remain leaves with a strong blast of water to dislodge remain insects. You can also plant summers annuals  such as Gaillardia or Ratibida columnifera. Adding 2-4 inches of mulch will also help to maintain soil temp and conserve water as summer temperatures continue to rise. If you are growing tomatoes, be sure to pick off hornworms and irrigate every 5-7 days. Adding a nice layer of organic mulch around their base will also help. That’s a quick to-do list for June gardeners here is San Diego.

If you would like Cleator Landscape Design to help create a beautiful outdoor space for your property please contacts us at 619.917.3644

16 Jun 2014
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Landscape Designer

June 16, 2014

Recently I came across an article that gave some insight into Landscape Design, Architecture and Design-Build and I wanted to share some of that article with you today.

This article states that, in Britain, home to some of the worlds foremost historic examples of successful Landscape Architecture and Design and the home of The Institute of Landscape Architects. When this body was founded many Garden Designs,( known here as Landscape Designers) joined the Institution only to later leave over disagreements concerning profits derived from plants and materials, which was unfortunate. This separation lead to two very similar professions with at times a very blurred distinction on how they differ which still is evident today.

The article also went on to say that Landscape Design can be included as one of the fine arts, which I thought was a very accurate and complimentary remark.  It also speaks to the profession of Design-Builds and how they enjoy little popularity amongst Designer and Architects. For Design-Builds often are known for cutting standards and saving money, which is a result of a builder lacking both technique and aesthetic judgment. The article also mentioned how Designers and Architects should re-assume the leadership role in the construction industry. Providing clients the right design product in the right place at the right cost.

Just a little food for thought that I felt you might enjoy.

If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design create a piece of art that doubles as on outdoor space please contact us at 619.917.3644

09 Jun 2014
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San Diego fire safety in your garden

June 9, 2014

Here in San Diego we are all very aware of the danger wildfires can pose on our dry chaparral woodlands. With many of us living along the rims and in the valleys of San Diego’s many canyon need to be well prepared and do what we can to reduce the risk of wildfires. One great place to start is in the landscape, with proper defensible space management and plant selection any homeowner can create a strong first line of defense in protection your home.

Keeping trees away from structures, planting only low fuel plants, clearing out gutters, keep plants limbs up of the ground and maintaining proper spacing are all ways one can help to mitigate the risk of wildfires.  Proper plant selection is also very important, seek out plants with low oil and high water content.  Many natives and succulents fit will into this category, plus they are often easy to maintain and beautiful.

By following simple guidelines and selecting plants based on their fire rating you can help reduce the risk that wildfires in your neighborhood.

If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design help create a fire safe outdoor space for your property please contact us at 619.917.3644

19 May 2014
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Sustainable furniture

May 19, 2014

Sustainable furniture is all part of creating an environmentally friendly space indoor or out.

One company that I am very excited about is Environmental Furniture  www.environmentfurniture.com. Their work is really designed for the indoor use but I cant wait to use their products in a open concept floor plan where rooms merge seamlessly with the outdoors. Imagine a bedroom with one of Environmental Furniture beds looking out a set of glass according doors to a landscape full of greenery and a beautiful water feature.

Please take a look at the website and you will quickly see how, not only how beautiful but environmentally friendly their line of products are. For if your looking to redo you lifestyle inside and out to aline with the “green” movement don’t forget the furniture and of course the landscape.

If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design help create an environmentally friendly design for your property please contact us at 619.917.3644

11 May 2014
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Landscape Design with a coastal influence

May 11, 2014

Landscape Design along the coast here in San Diego comes with a few challenges but also some great opportunities as well. Not only does the coastal environment come with a chance to create a strong sense of place with giant clam shell and driftwood turned into succulent planters along with the swaying movement of ornamental grasses. But we can also look to incorporate native plants such as Cleveland Sage, Island Snapdragon, and Sand verbena which have evolved to handle the harsh conditions found along the coast. Non native plants that are not invasive such as Coast rosemary, Echeveria and Aeoniums stand up nicely to the salt, sun and wind often found along the shore.

When planting along the coast its always best to seek out plants that have grown locally to thrive in theses demanding conditions or to find imports that share similar characteristics. As always stay away from invasive plants that will likely escape your property and out compete local native plants communities.

If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design help create a beautiful outdoor space with a coastal theme please contact us at 619.917.3644

09 Apr 2014
Plants Permalink

San Diego Drought

April 9, 2014

As we close the book on the winter season here in San Diego we have to consider not only the short term effects of this drought but also look toward the future and recognize that this is going to be the trend for years to come. In a region like ours when in good years every drop of the 10 or so inches of rainfall counts you can see how precious it all is when we don’t even receive half of that.

Not only is it time to ditch the lawns and water thirsty plants for drought tolerant plants and natives, but we also need to plan for a intense fire season. Clear brush around your home, maintaining the defensible space. Planting vegetation that has a slower burn rate is a start as is using appropriate fire safe materials around your home and cleaning out gutters all will help if the worse was to come.

No one said it had to be ugly, you can create beautiful outdoor spaces that are fire safe and drought tolerant. Please remember that we live in a coastal desert and our landscapes should reflect the limitations that creates.

If you would like to have Cleator Landscape Design create a beautiful outdoor space for you please contact us at 619.917.3644

09 Apr 2014
Plants Permalink

Ornamental grass for San Diego

April 9, 2014

I really feel that ornamental grasses are often the unsung heroes of successful landscape design. Its hard to think of another plant or family of plants that can offer so much diversity and interest to a outdoor space then ornamental grasses.

I know that I have spoken about ornamental grasses before, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites again with you today.

Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ for the steely blue color and low habit.

Festuca mairei for some more height and that meadow look.

Muhlenbergia rigens bigger still, this native is great for habitat gardens.

Chondropetalum tectorum for the clean modern look.

Dianella revoluta tend to look like a cross between phormium and dietes.

Lomandra longifolia for its great color and tidy appearance.

Ornamental grasses bring movement, color, texture and interest to your outdoor space in a way that few others can. With a little know-how they can be paired with almost any style your seeking to create an amazing space you will cherish.

If you would like Cleator Landscape Design to help create a beautiful outdoor space for your property please contact us at 619.917.3644