Blue Iris Landscapes

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2010-03-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

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When did Earth Day stop being about the Earth?

2010-01-30T07:46:00.001-08:00

At 6am on a Saturday, it started with a single tear falling from the corner of my eye. “I am the Lorax and I speak for the trees!” I thought.

Please don’t misunderstand me. I love the stories about ‘giving back’. I have heard heart-warming stories about how on Earth Day (and other days) people volunteer to help our war veterans and the elderly. I do love these stories. My grandfather, uncle and husband are war vets and luckily came home with few physical scars. My step-father in-law is in an assisted living home for Alzheimer’s patients. I absolutely agree with giving back and helping them. But, when did Earth Day stop being about the Earth?

On our birthdays, we celebrate our birth. We celebrate ourselves. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Veteran’s Day we celebrate mothers, fathers and veterans, right? So, when did we stop celebrating and giving back to the Earth on Earth Day?

Some people refer to me as a tree-hugger. I used to deny it. I was above all of that. After thinking about it, now I wear my Tree-hugger badge proudly. You would never know it by looking at me. I don’t wear the traditional tree-hugger garb. I am cleverly disguised as a yuppie designer chick. As a young adult, (didn't think I was young at the time) I lived in Fort Collins, Colorado. I got my degree from Colorado State University, go Rams! Formerly known as the Aggies, CSU is an agricultural school at heart. In college, in Fort Collins, Earth Day seemed to be all about the Earth. Appropriate. And why not be a tree-hugger? Someone needs to hug them, don’t you think?

I am a landscape designer by trade and I have been working on a large design that is slated to be installed this summer. It is an 8 acre Bird Sanctuary in Parker. How wonderful to have the ground-breaking on Earth Day! You would think that getting volunteers on Earth Day to plant trees would be a no-brainer. I guess despite my age, I can be naïve sometimes, still. I have been turned down more than once. Helping people on Earth Day seems to be the new trend. It’s my own fault really. I must be stressing too much the fact that, at least in my mind and heart, this isn’t for the neighborhood or the outlying community. As the saying goes, it’s for the birds! It’s for the birds, the butterflies, the bees, the deer, the bats, rabbits and foxes. It’s to put oxygen into the air, it’s habitat, it’s food, it’s shelter, it’s what I consider as truly giving back. It’s about giving back to the Earth, to the true natives of the area, the animals.

This year on Earth Day, lets make it about her. Do something for her and/or for all of her creatures.

Plant some trees or even just one tree
make a change in your daily routine that will continue throughout the year like recycling
make a pledge to ride your bike one day a month or week to work or school (as weather permits)
teach your children how to plant something and show them what the soil feels like and smells like

Become a tree-hugger! We come in all shapes and sizes and wear many different uniforms. It just means you care.

Tree-huggers unite! We are the Lorax and we speak for the trees, the butterflies and the bees!!

The Bird Sanctuary at The Pinery

2010-01-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Well, it finally begins! We begin installation this spring and I am so excited! This project has been my baby for a year now. I know the design will morph and change as we go along. Design is a fluid art. But I am staying involved to ensure the heart and soul of the project stays completely in tact.
The Bird Sanctuary started as an idea by The Pinery HOA. They want to use this 8.5 acre piece of land for something big. The plan? To make it a place for not only birds, but also bees, butterflies, other native critters and the residents. This will be a place to reconnect with the area's historical past, a place to educate, and a place for all to enjoy.

The Plan:
Attract native birds - provide habitat, food, water and nesting supplies
Attract native and migratory butterflies - provide habitat, food, water, minerals, and a wind break
Attract native bees - provide habitat, nectar source, mud, education
Attract and house native bats and provide education
Provide trails and shelter for people
Education - provide historical information
Provide meeting places for boy scout and girl scout troops
Bring the community together

So, the first phase, spring-summer 2010, will be Lookout Point, Pinion Peak Meadow, the History Center, and the trails associated with these areas.

Lookout Point will have a pergola shelter with benches for residents and visitors to sit and enjoy the view of almost the entire front range. There will be carefully placed trees to shade this area but not block the incredible view. A boulder will sit in the middle of the space with an inscription describing the history of the mountain range and how it was formed. The pergola will in time be covered by a flowering vine that will soften the hard lines and give a bit of color and shade. This Trumpet vine is very aggressive (not invasive) and is loved by hummingbirds and people alike.
Pinion Peak Meadow is an open area behind Lookout point that will have deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, boulders and fallen logs. The fallen logs will act as seating and are also important for the bees. Some bees will drill a hole in a fallen log, insert their young and some food and pack the hole with mud. It is an important part of the ecosystem.
The trails will be crushed granite to keep the natural path look for the area.

Challenges so far:
This property has no electricity currently and the HOA has no plans to include it. So adding the irrigation system is challenging and a solution must be found to otherwise run the system.
Under parts of the property lies some asphalt. It is not known why it is there, who put it there, what it was for, how deep it goes, and what area it covers. We are currently searching the Douglas County archives to see if there was a previous plan submitted for this area that might give us some information.

Phase one is a go and we will be having a ground breaking ceremony on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2010.

We are connected

2010-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:00

We are connected to this earth, our home. Periodically, it is important to reconnect. I am not talking about religion or your beliefs. Many religions, many cultures throughout time have known this. With all of our technology and 'advances', we have forgotten this oh-so-important fact. We are connected to our surroundings because we live here. Here is your neighborhood, your community, your country, but mostly here is planet earth. We will not break her, she will endure. But it is important to us down to the very ancient depths of us. So, reconnect with her.

Did your grandmother grow some of the food she ate? Did your grandfather have an orchard? Did your aunt have a cherished rose garden? What can you do to continue a family tradition?

Reconnect with your surroundings each day, week or month.

Change with the seasons. Eat foods that are in season. Did our ancestors eat bananas in winter? It depends on where they lived.

Pick flowers from your garden and bring them inside each season. In the winter, bring in twigs or pine cones and make an arrangement.

Feed the birds.

Plant roses in honor of that favorite relative.

In the spring, get your hands dirty! Go out to your garden/yard and play in the dirt. Pull weeds, plant something, spread compost on your flower garden.

Share stories that your parents and grandparents told you. Pass on the oral tradition of your family and/or ancestors.

Sit outside and view the beauty of nature, even in a rain storm or a cloudy day. It is nature.

It is important for us to stay connected to all that is around us, to put down the cell phone, turn off the tv and go outside.

Enjoy and may the peace of the land be with you.

For the birds!

2010-01-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

This time of year it's important to remember our little feathered friends. We want them in our yard because they are beautiful, we love to watch them and we love nature. Sometimes when we are locked tightly inside our homes keeping warm, we forget about the critters we enjoy.

Having a bird feeder is great in the summer, but the birds begin to depend on us as a constant source of food - year round. Just like we depend on our grocery stores to stock food for us year round. We go to the same grocery store and rely on it to supply food. The birds feel the same way. So, here are some easy tips on how to feed the birds!

Easy, inexpensive, and fun for the kids!

1. String some Cheerios on a shoelace. Spread honey on the cheerios and pour birdseed on the sticky Cheerios. Tie knots in the ends and string in the trees.

2. Make suet by combining 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup Crisco, birdseed and some flour. Warm in a pan to mix. Scoop mixture into a wire basket or in a hollowed out melon or grapefruit. You can also poke 3 holes in the fruit half and add string or wire to hang from a tree or post.

3. Take a pine cone from your yard. Spread peanut butter or honey on it and roll in birdseed. Use wire or string to hang it from a tree. Make several of these for decoration and the birds will love you for it!

Don't forget the little critters that enhance our lives.

Not having a Landscape Plan can be very costly

2009-12-30T08:48:00.000-08:00

Landscaping is more than digging a hole and planting a tree, shrub or flower. You wouldn't try to build a house without an architectural plan, would you? No one should install a landscape without a plan either.

Planning a landscape is about space planning. It is your outdoor living space. Just like you plan your indoor living space, your outdoor living space should be planned as well. Here are some examples of why:

How would you feel if you spent $5,000-12,000 (average price) on a new patio just to find out that your new patio furniture doesn't fit well? You can barely pull out the chairs and it is a very tight fit if someone wants to walk behind your chair.

I have a client who wants an edible yard. She wants only plants that have fruit, berries, edible foliage or flowers. These plants like sun. They need the sun's energy to produce fruit. Her yard faces east and her house shades the yard from the afternoon sun. When I showed her the plan with the plants she requested, she realized that most of the plants she wanted wouldn't work. She had to rethink her goals. If she had planted all of this without a plan, she would have spent thousands of dollars and lots of labor to find out that they wouldn't work in her space.

Another client has spent the last 5 years planting plants in their backyard, mostly to screen the neighbors houses. The wife was hesitant about spending money on a plan. When I strolled through their yard with them, I saw how crowded everything was. They had planted things trees and shrubs about 2 feet apart along the fence. These are plants that, at maturity, will be anywhere from 6-30 feet wide. I don't know how much they spent. My recommendation to them was that most of what they had planted would have to be removed. A few things were transplanted to other locations, but they had enough trees and shrubs to landscape at least 2 large backyards. When I explained to them what I could do for them, they hired me to do a plan for them. The husband said that for the cost of having a plan drawn up, they could buy another tree and still put it in the wrong place.

Don't you think we all have enough STUFF?

2009-12-17T13:23:00.000-08:00

Don't you think we all have enough STUFF?? Most of us have so many 'things' that we hardly have room for anything new. This year for Christmas or Hanuka, why not give the gift of memories, experience, and relaxation?!

Give a gift certificate to some one's favorite restaurant (GrannyMa's Restaurant or Abo's Pizza in Centennial are great choices)

Invite a friend to lunch

Pamper someone with a massage (Elements @ County Line/Quebec) or facial, manicure or pedicure

Help someone beautify there space with a gift certificate from Decor and You. Leslie Klinck will do a redesign using their existing furniture, etc.

Give a landscape consultation (BlueIrisLandscapes.com) to someone who just moved into a house or recently had a baby

Give the gift of a serene space with a gift certificate for a Feng Shui consultation (BlueIrisLandscapes.com)

Offer to babysit for someone who doesn't have the money for a babysitter.

Offer the gift of your time to help someone around the house with some maintenance if you are handy

Preserve the memories by taking pictures having them framed (Frame D'art in Centennial)

I'll bet if you think about the people in your life, you can come up with some additional ideas. Make it personal, make it sincere and make someone happy this season. It will bring you joy 4 fold!

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Feng Shui Tips

2009-11-30T16:54:00.000-08:00

Do the holidays drive you crazy? Do your family gatherings and holiday parties result in more stress than harmony? The problem may be your space, not be you or your loved ones.

Feng Shui is the ancient art of enhancing positive energy within an environment. As you prepare your home for the holidays this year, take a few moments to consider some of the following tips based on the principles of Feng Shui. By enhancing this energy flow, known as "chi," within your home, your holiday season is can become a time of peace, relaxation and harmony.

Clear the Clutter
Company is coming! What better time to clear your home of things you no longer need or want?! This is one of the most basic feng shui rules. As holiday decorations come out, put other every day items in the holiday decoration box so you don’t add more clutter with decorations. Don’t overwhelm your environment with stuff, which constricts the flow of positive energy.

Balance Your Color Scheme
While you may love the bright reds, greens and golds of the holiday season, these colors augment existing energy and should be balanced with more calming shades, such as cream, blues and pale hues.

Decorate For Harmony
As mentioned above, too many bright colors can create an overly-stimulating environment and increase the risk of tension. Yet not enough holiday items will result in a dull atmosphere.
Small rooms should contain decorations that have a matte finish, rather than lots of reflective surfaces, to help absorb excess energy. The flowing shapes of ribbons and fabrics also help create a soft, gentle atmosphere.

Bring Nature Indoors
Fresh green foliage such as spruce and pine in your home provides pleasant fragrances. The pine tree is a traditional Chinese symbol of longevity. Research has shown that this wonderful tree generates massive amounts of oxygen into the air, so essential to our good health and wellbeing. Blues, greens, reds, golds, and metallics represent all five elements of feng shui: water, wood, fire, earth and metal, and therefore symbolize balance in your life. Use the various materials as well as their colors.

Make Holiday Meals Memorable

Add excitement to holiday mealtimes with a table set hard, shiny items such as silver serving pieces, sparkling crystal and brightly-colored holiday china. Red napkins will also create a festive mood, while green napkins and cream-colored linens will tone down the table.

For more info on this topic, join our class on Alleviating Holiday Stress, From the Inside Out. December 5th and 12th, $25. Contact Michelle Michelle@BlueIrisLandscapes.com

Got Squirrel?

2009-11-07T09:26:00.000-08:00

Maybe you think they're cute, maybe you think they're vermin. Either way, how do you deal with them?

Got squirrel?

If the answer is 'yes', what can you do?

The best way is to discourage them. Don't make it easy for them.

Cut back: Squirrels climb tree limbs, so a good rule of thumb is to cut branches until they’re six feet away from the roof line of your house — too far for most (non daredevil) squirrels to leap.
Fix that feeder: If the home’s birdfeeder is the attraction, put an end to that by buying one of several varieties of squirrel-proof feeders. Or, give the squirrels something else to eat. Leave a pile of nuts or nail up a corncob away from the feeder.
Block ’em out: Areas of concern should be covered with metal flashing, or quarter-inch mesh or even half-inch mesh. Extend the patch several inches beyond the hole in all directions to stop the squirrel from chewing around it.
Collar that tree: Stop squirrels from climbing trees and power poles by wrapping them with a 2-foot-wide collar of metal, six feet off the ground, says the University of California: “Attach metal using encircling wires held together with springs to allow for tree growth.”

Caution: One should always make sure that the squirrels are not present before sealing a hole.

Repellents
There is no 'magic bullet'. Repellents are temporary, but they can still help.

Hot sauce: There are products on the market that use capsaicin, the “hot” ingredient in pepper, to discourage squirrels from gnawing, for example. But the experts are skeptical about the effectiveness.
Sticky stuff: Products that contain polybutenes, or sticky materials that can be applied to buildings, railings, downspouts and other areas to prevent squirrels from climbing, may also be effective because animals don’t like to walk on them. But it’s not exactly desirable to have strips all around your house like a sticky moat.

Source: Christopher Solomon

Why rake fall leaves?

2009-11-05T07:12:00.000-08:00

It's that time again when the pretty fall foliage will soon begin to tumble to the ground and cover up the turf. Instead of breaking your back raking, consider mowing the leaves back into the turf. So, if you're thinking about giving mowing a try here's what you need to know to be successful.

1. Make sure your mower has a sharp blade, after a long season of mowing, the blades may be dull at this time of year and trying to chop up leaves will be more challenging with a dull blade.

2. Raise the mower as high as it will go and mow at your normal speed, don't "rev" the throttle to the high jackrabbit setting and blaze around the yard. Try to mow the leaves when they are moist from the morning dew, but don't mow them when they're really wet. This will prevent the leaves from blowing all over the place and will help with your allergies.

3. Finally, don't let the leaves pile up too high before you mow. Too high would probably be greater than 3 to 4 inches of leaf depth on the turf. Good luck and give it a try; you may find that mulching leaves helps the turf by returning nutrients and organic matter, besides, it saves your aching back!

Source: Michigan State University Extension

4 Keys to Fall Garden Splendor

2009-10-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

CONTRAST

Combine light colored leaves with dark colored leaves; coarse textures with fine, lacy textures for a dramatic and interesting look.

USE GRASSES

Use ornamental grasses like Miscanthus (Maiden Grass), Pennisetum (Fountain Grass), or Calamagrostis (Feather Reed Grass) to add texture, movement, height (in some cases), and color to your fall landscape.

FALL COLOR

Choose shrubs like Viburnum, Burning Bush, Dogwoods, and Maples to add some red color to your fall landscape.

EVERGREENS

Evergreen trees such as Spruce or Pine and evergreen shrubs such as Spruce, Pine, Juniper, and Euonymus act as a backdrop to summer flowers and as an anchor in a winter landscape.

What is your favorite fall garden element?

Pansies for fall abundance

2009-10-14T15:14:00.000-07:00

Now is the time! Plant cold hardy pansies to brighten up your perennial garden or dress up the entry to your home. They will last throughout the winter into spring.

Plant for abundance
Plant burgundy pansies along the path to your front door to encourage abundance to flow to your home. Plant the purple or 'blue' variety in the far left hand corner of your back yard.

Types of Pansies
Pansies are a descendant of the viola family. The hardy but delicate viola was cultivated by the Greeks for herbal medicinal use and much later inspired William Shakespeare to write of romance.
Two types of pansies: clear-faced and monkey-faced
The monkey-faced varieties have a dark blotch in the middle of the face. Pansies are available in blue, yellow, brown, white, maroon, and orange. A raised bed is the best place to grow pansies. Native soil works if you enrich it with 2 inches of compost incorporated to 6 inches deep. Plant pansies about six inches apart in the garden. They should be watered every day for five days and ever other day for a week. After that, water twice a week or whenever the soil dries to a depth of 1 inch deep. Two inches of mulch helps conserve water and improves pansy performance.Deer love pansies so don't plant them where the deer can reach them. Your pansies will bloom all winter long, and often last until the weather turns hot.

Edible garden flowers
Both the leaves and flowers of pansies and violas are edible and high in vitamins A and C. The flowers impart a strong flavor and have been used to make syrup, flavored honey and salads. Both the leaves and flowers can be used as a garnish, such as on cold fruit or cream soups. So add them to your vegetable garden!

Pansy plant care
Pansies seldom have problems with insects and disease. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.
If pansies fail to thrive it is often because neither nature nor the gardener provided enough water. Mulching around the pansies with 2 inches of organic material will help conserve moisture, and reduce weed growth.
Water the soil (not the plant leaves) deeply.

Plant them in your veggie garden, plant them for abundance, plant them in pots, just plant them, plant them, plant them! Enjoy!

Pumpkin Decorating Tips

2009-10-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of the same old pumpkin carving? You've been doing the same faces since you were a kid, isn't there any other way to decorate a pumpkin? Of course! You just have to get out of the same old carving mind set. Here are some other ideas:

Try paint- wash and dry the outside of the pumpkin well and use acrylic paint to create your design. You can still outline your shape using a stencil. Pin leaves, real or silk, to your pumpkin and spray paint around them. This works well with pumpkins that still have some green on them. For a contemporary twist, select a white pumpkin and use black paint. Uncarved pumpkins last longer as well. You could even use this same technique for Thanksgiving using different designs.

Scrape the flesh of the pumpkin but don't carve all the way through. Leave some areas just scraped for a glowing appearance. The light inside will glow out those areas and create a beautiful effect.

Use your pumpkin as a vase for a flower arrangement. Carve your pumpkin (or not), cut a lid from the top and hollow out or partially hollow out your pumpkin. Drop a small container to hold water and place flowers inside. A beautiful display for any fall occasion!

Instead of cutting the top off to insert a candle or light, leave the top in tact and cut off the bottom. This can help stabilize a lop-sided pumpkin, and you can slide the pumpkin over the candle or light.

If you like carving pumpkins and maybe creating goofy or scary faces, try adding other gourds and vegetables for a new look. For example, cut small holes in the 'ear' area and insert red chili peppers to make horns. Or, cut a hole for the nose and slip in a gourd to create a bulbous nose.

Use ribbon, metal wire and other household items to create something new.

Look at your hardware store and produce section in a new creative way to add new life to your creations! If you have other unique ideas, please share.

Making Fall Pumpkin Arrangements— Michelle Cobb, instructor

2009-10-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

I will be sharing ideas on different ways to decorate your pumpkins and how to decorate with them.(glitter, ribbon, paint, leaves, etc.!) We will make a beautiful fall pumpkin arrangement! Decide on the right shape for your table and the fall colors to enjoy indoors as well as outdoors. Bring a small pumpkin and pumpkin carving kit. Flowers will be provided by instructor.

REGISTER BEFORE OCTOBER 19TH

For information or to register by phone, call 303.797.5722 or 303.797.5608.E-mail community.ed@arapahoe.edu.
Thu, Oct 22, 6-9 p.m. HRTC 1011F01-66269 — $39, $10 material fee to instructor

Landscaping ranks top out of and home improvements

2009-09-10T10:24:00.000-07:00

Most people landscape their homes for their own enjoyment. You probably want your home to have attractive front yard landscaping for both yourself and visitors. The backyard is the area gets used more, and so you want to design it for both beauty and function. Another reason for landscaping your home is for seasonal color and interest.
However, some are concerned as to the relationship between the amount of money they spend on landscaping and their home's value. What if you want to sell your home? Will you actually recoup the money you have spent on landscaping your property?
In recent years, there have been quite a few studies done on just this subject.
Money Magazine determined that landscaping offers an excellent return on investment. Actually it ranks top out of any home improvements. In addition, there was a study done by the American Society of Landscape Architects in conjunction with Money Magazine. A recovery value of 100% to 200% of landscaping costs can be gained when you sell you home.
Clemson University stated that homes with excellent landscaping will sell for 6 to 7% more than comparable homes with just good landscaping. Research by Michigan State University found something similar, but gives good landscaping even more value. They state that the perceived value of a home which is landscaped nicely is improved by 12%.
The Society of Real Estate Appraisers also feels a landscaped home adds value, 99% agreeing that it actually causes these homes to sell more quickly.
And what about trees? A study done by the U.S. Forest Service found that just trees alone can add 3 to 7% to the value of a home.
If you put all of this information together, it is easy to see that adding nice landscaping can definitely provide a positive financial impact on your home's value.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Schlenger

Fall Planting- Why?

2009-09-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Most of us that think of planting in the fall, only think of planting spring flowering bulbs. But the truth is, it is a great time to plant perennials, trees, shrubs and
Why?
Fall is an ideal time for planting for the following reasons:
In cooler temperatures, plants don’t need as much water and have less stress from transplanting. (Cooler temps are also easier on the gardener!)
In the fall, soils tend to be just the right temperature which makes the roots more comfortable.
In the fall, plants begin to go dormant. It’s during the fall that roots get a chance to absorb all of the nutrients without needing to distribute them to the leaves and blooms.
You can plant most plants through mid-October. This will allow roots another two months to get established before winter. Established plants also have a better chance of making it through the heat of the next summer.

Spring Flowering Bulbs

2009-08-30T15:42:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to start thinking about next spring. Yes, spring. How did your landscape look last February, March and April? Did you have a blast of color every few weeks or was your yard a colorless blend of shades of brown? You can easily extend your colorful landscape by adding spring flowering bulbs. Plan now, plant soon, enjoy later!

Planting time in the Denver Metro Area is between Halloween and Thanksgiving. You will hear that the ideal time to plant is September, but I strongly disagree. Bulbs need 8-10 weeks of cold in the ground before sprouting. In the Denver area, our September soil is still quite warm. You can plant as late as mid December as long as the ground isn't frozen.

Planning/planting tips:

1. Dig a large hole and plant many bulbs together. DON'T plant them individually. Think bouquet. You can plant different species in the same hole. Just pay attention to the planting depth of each species.

2. Use bulb food. You can purchase this where you purchase your bulbs. This will give your bulbs a good boost of energy!

3. Plant different species that bloom at different times for an extended display of color. i.e. Daffodils, mid spring Tulips, late spring Tulips, etc.

4. Plant them where you can see them. (Not on the side of the garage.) Plant them where you can see them outside a window you look out several times a day or at least every day. This will seem to extend their bloom time.

5. Plant bulb species that multiply or 'naturalize'. This means each year you have more blooms instead of having to plant more bulbs.

6. Plant perennials like Daylilies in front of the bulbs. The bulbs will come up first and won't be obstructed by the perennials and when the bulbs are dying back, the perennials will block the view of the yellowing foliage.

If you are interested in a customized bulb plan for your yard, contact Blue Iris.

Michelle@BlueIrisLandscapes.com
303.346.8115