Japanese Gardens Offer Many Benefits

The benefits of a Japanese garden or landscape are many.  They include:

• Providing a place for peace & serenity;
• Helping one connect with nature;
• Health benefits by helping to relieve stress. Many gardens include a koi pond and watching koi is known to help relieve stress, as well as provide many other benefits;
• Added exercise with maintaining the garden;
• Inspiring new thoughts;
• Encouraging reflective time and meditation which helps to improve focus;
• Conserving water through reduced plantings and use of natural elements.  Japanese garden and landscape designs can also be done as Xeriscapes  or even Zeroscapes; 
• Some designs require less maintenance than other garden/landscape styles;
• A design style that works well with native grasses and trees; and 
• Koi are used in aquaponic systems, so a koi pond that is part of a Japanese garden can be leveraged to help grow food.

To reap these rewards and include a Japanese garden in your landscape, visit www.JapaneseLandscapes.com.

Japanese Garden at the Manito Gardens
in Spokane, Washington

Is Your Plant Receiving The Right Water?

When a treasured plant in your garden or landscape dies, it feels bad.  It can lead some to believe that they do not have a green thumb.  I know, because I have often felt this way.  However, I later realized the challenge was more an issue of not having the necessary plant knowledge to care for particular plants.

Plant health is often an issue of location and watering.

According to Island Landscape, a licensed and insured landscape contractor in California and Hawaii, yellowing, drying, burning, bug infested or dying plants may not be getting enough water or too much.  

Find out or ask your professional gardener or landscape maintenance company if problem plants are appropriate for the zone they are in and getting the right amount of water.  Adjust the the watering schedule for each as necessary.  

If you need further help, a landscape maintenance professional will be able to discuss and make plant recommendations based on the plant type, weather patterns for the area, sun exposure and soil conditions.

Knowledge is key, so get the knowledge you need to appropriately water your plants.

Benefits of Creating Gardens & Landscape

Beautiful gardens and landscaping transforms properties into works of art and produces outdoor areas that welcome guests, inspire, nurture, aid relaxation, and provide exciting living and entertaining spaces year round.  While these benefits are widely known and regularly thought about, landscaping also offers other significant economic, environmental and social benefits, including:  

Energy Savings

By reducing sunlight and heat build-up, landscaping can keep homes and buildings cooler and bring down energy bills. The American Public Power Association found that landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 50% by shading a home's walls and windows.  The U.S. Department of Energy reports that appropriately placed trees can cut as much as 25% of a household’s energy consumption for heating and cooling.  

Improved Living Conditions

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, trees can reduce bothersome noise by up to 50% and mask unwanted noises with more pleasant sounds.  They can also reduce temperatures by as much as nine degrees Fahrenheit per a report by American Forests.

Living Space ExtensionWell designed gardens and landscapes can dramatically add to the usable size of a yard and the square footage of a living space through functional open-air rooms.  They can extend indoor activities to the outdoors and make a smaller property feel more sizable.

Enhanced Aesthetic Value & Curb Appeal

It is all about a first impression and captivating gardens or landscapes draw immediate attention.  They set the tone for and can be the determining factor in whether a prospective buyer elects to explore the property or not.

Increased Property Resale ValuesBuyers are willing to pay more when they can see how the garden or landscape will add to their enjoyment of the property.  Inviting decks, relaxed seating areas, and outdoor barbeques offer wonderful visions of entertaining.  Japanese gardens, waterfalls, and koi ponds can conjure up a sense of tranquility.  Rock and stone entryways and features deliver sophistication and elegance, while connecting people with nature. Lush tropical landscapes bring the essence of the islands to mind.  According to the American Nursery and Landscape Association, a striking landscape can add between 7 and 15 percent to a home's value and accelerate the sale of a home by five to six weeks.  Landscaping achieves a high recovery value of 100-200% at selling time according to Money Magazine, as compared to a kitchen remodel at 75-125%, a bathroom remodel at 20-120%, and a swimming pool addition at 20-50%.

Smart Money Magazine, March 2003, noted that by spending 5% of the value of your home on the installation of a quality low-maintenance landscape, you could boost the resale by 15%, earning back 150% or more of your landscape investment.  In fact, a Society of Real Estate Appraisers Study, 2003 indicates that 955 of the members of the Society of Real Estate Appraisers say that landscaping adds to property value, while 99% agree that landscaping increases speed of home sales.

Gardens and landscaping raises one’s property satisfaction, provides savings, delivers a significant return on investment, and contributes to the bottom line.  

To reap these benefits and make your garden or landscape dreams a reality in Hawaii, visit Island Landscape's website at IslandLandscapeHawaii.com.

(Mahalo [thank you] to the American Nursery & Landscape Association for publishing the statistical information which was obtained from their website.)

Outdoor Furniture for a Variety of Garden Styles

Inspired garden design enhances garden living and a big part of the design includes suitable furniture. Find outdoor furniture you love that speaks to your interests and style.  For examples of furniture and decor that catches our eye, visit http://pinterest.com/thealohagarden/outdoor-furniture/

Mailbox Renovation Makes A Statement

From ordinary to extraordinary, this mailbox renovation was part of an front yard landscape renovation that completely changed the look of the front yard.  The mailbox alone makes quite a statement and contributes greatly to one's first impression of the home.  A newspaper slot was also included to prevent the paper from being thrown on the lawn. It was done by Island Landscape in Maui, Hawaii. For more information on their work, visit www.IslandLandscapeHawaii.com.

This mailbox went from drab to fab.
Picture courtesy of Island Landscape.

Use Colorful Lanterns to Make Your Garden Party Pop

Summer is here; let the garden parties begin! Make your party shine with bright, colorful hanging lanterns.  They are inexpensive, easy to put up, and have a tremendous impact. They come a variety of styles, with many different to colors and designs, to compliment almost every garden party theme.  As guests arrive and see the lanterns they instantly know that fun is happening here. And, should your daytime party continue on into the evening, the lighting has already been taken care of.  So, add colorful lanterns to make your garden party more memorable.

Lanterns line path to garden party.

Decorate Your Garden Table with Items From The Garden

This delightful garden table design is simple and beautiful. The decor comes from items found around the garden -  a small planter with flowers, a watering can, a lantern, and a tea light pail. With the addition of cut flowers and a wooden heart, you have a charming and romantic table with available lighting an intimate evening.

Lovely garden table vignette.

Top Ten Benefits of Plant Stands In Your Home or Garden

Plant stands have so many uses that we thought we would share our Top 10.  Here they are.

1. Beautifully displays multiple plants
2. Brings the outdoors indoors when placed in your home
3. Creates a positive impact in a small space
4. Makes decorative or seasonal updating easy by simply changing the plants and/or pots
5. Adds a comfy, natural feel where placed
6. Welcomes guests at entry ways
7. Brightens up dull corners when placed there
8. Ideal for apartment or condominium living
9. Great for small balcony, deck or yard spaces
10. Groups plants for efficient watering

Plant stands come in a variety of materials, styles, heights and colors.

Quaint Wheel Barrow Flower Pot Display

This wooden wheel barrow plant display adds an element of old world charm to your garden. It creates a wonderful focal point in a garden in and of itself and can also be combined with other rustic or country pieces for nostalgic look or western or country feel.

This wheel barrow is a charming garden accent.

Enchanting Fairy Solar Fountain Saves Energy

The adorable and inexpensive fairy design garden fountain (under $200) brings garden fantasy and fairy tales of days gone by to mind and inspires magical moments and story telling in children. Enjoyed by young and old, it is a delightful garden addition. It offers peace, serenity and soothing sounds, with the added benefit of knowing that you are saving energy because this fountain is solar powered, making it easy on ear, the environment, and your pocketbook.

Tuck in a Garden Lizard for a Fun Surprise

I love walking through a garden a discovering something unexpected. It's like finding a hidden treasure and I enjoy the element of surprise.  One of the best parts about gardens for me is that there always seems to be perfect little spaces to put things in - under plants, beside or in a tree, in rock wall crevices, around a corner, popping out of a plant - the possibilities are endless. Here this colorful and whimsical lizard peeks from underneath a plant to find you.

Garden lizard crawls out to say "Hi."

Cute Wire Plant Stand Is Great Indoors and Out In The Garden

This adorable wire plant stand holds two planters, takes up little room, makes an area more cheery by incorporating plants and color, and lets the plants shine. It's perfect for your home or garden and the design works with many different decors.  Plants and/or pot colors can be periodically swapped out to stay current with changing seasons.  

Elegant wire plant stand to feature your plants.

Colorful Boxes Make Your Garden Wall Pop

Create a colorful garden wall display this summer by painting wooden boxes in different colors to showcase your plants, bird houses, small garden statues, other garden accents, tools and more.  This bright arrangement draws your attention to the many items placed on the shelves and gives each its own space and special attention.  It is also a great way to organize and house cherished items.

From plain while to garden inspired and bright.

Use White Lanterns To Light Your Garden This Summer

Summer nears and it's time to brighten things up by day and night with striking white lanterns.  Lanterns are decorative and functional and therefore widely used in gardens, landscapes, entryways, and homes. They can be placed along a path to light the pathway or direct guests to an entry. Hung from tress, they light the area below, as well as provide uplighting for the tree for a sensational effect. They adorn tables during the day, while providing light for conversation or reading at night.  Lanterns are ideal decorations and lighting for outdoor or garden parties and weddings.  Place them throughout the garden and/or hang them from a gazebo, pergola, or tent to WOW your guests.  Bright white lanterns are perfect for summer, but can be used year-round. They easily fit in any decor with coordinating color placed nearby or around their base.  In addition, they are a fantastic decorative accent indoors and make wonderful table centerpieces. They are one of those "must have" garden accents given their many different uses. And, if you are ever not using them, I'm sure your friends or family would love to borrow them because they are always a hit!

Large White Metal Garden Lantern.

Landscape Ideas - A Winning Combination

This landscaped planter incorporates a number of design techniques to arrive at a winning combination that is representative of the area. Whether it is your personal style or not, it is great to see how various elements were blended together for a wonderful and dramatic effect. The design includes use of drought tolerant native plants, natural materials (mulch and rock which give a natural feel, while also reducing the number of plants needed and watering), pops of color to brighten the landscape, and a significant piece of garden art. The end result is stunning.

Planter in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 

Birdbaths Are Great Amusement And Garden Accents

Summer is coming and the birds are going to need a place to cool off too as the weather heats up.  Incorporate a birdbath, like this beautiful antique iron birdbath, for a great garden accent and endless amusement. Watching birds frolicking in the water is both relaxing and enjoyable. Once the birds know it is there, they will come back time and again and by keeping the birdbath cleaned and filled both you and the birds will have hours of fun all summer long. However, since standing water can attract mosquitoes, place it in a spot in your garden where that won’t be a problem and refresh it every couple of days.

Make Your Garden Stand Out with Art

Big, bold art adds interest and intrigue to your garden.  It can be abstract and thought provoking or themed to match the style of a particular garden, such as Asian (as seen in the picture of the horse statue below).  In this example, the horse statue alone has an Asian feel for those familiar with the style, but it could merely reflect that the owner likes this particular piece or horses. Combined with the Japanese lantern, however, it is clear that it is part of an Asian garden.  What is your garden style? Would a large statue or piece of art make your garden more impressive?

Art, it does a garden good!

Honor Service & Show Your Pride with a Garden Flag This Memorial Day

In the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day to honor and remember the men and women who died while serving our county in the Armed Forces.  It began after our Civil War to respect both Union and Confederate soldiers and was later expanded to pay tribute to all Americans who died during their military service.  It is officially celebrated on the last Monday in May.

At many locations across our great nation, the United States flag is swiftly raised to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position in reverence for our soldiers until noon.  It is then raised to the full-staff position again for the remainder of the day to signify our resolve that we will not let their sacrifice be in vein and will continue to stand up and fight for liberty and justice for all.

We also proudly display the American flag at our homes, placing it in our yards and gardens, as well as at grave sites, to our honor these men and women for their service to our country and in support of the United States of America.  

So, pull out or purchase an American flag this week in preparation for Memorial Day next Monday, May 27, 2013.

American Flag Garden Flags with Different Holders.

A Fountain Can Turn An Unusual Space From Plain to Magnifiscent

This delightful European, angel topped, fountain helped fill an unusual corner off a deck, creating an alluring and soulful element in the garden that adds energy and life to the surrounding landscape.  It can be viewed and enjoyed at a distance from a garden path and can be heard from the deck, where the trickling water sounds help to sooth and relax people as the sit on the deck and enjoy the tropical landscape.

Angel Fountain Adds Interest & Appeal

Have A Garden Picnic to Kick-Off Summer

Summer nears and the weather is becoming more and more perfect for spending time outdoors. Take advantage of this a have a spur of the moment garden picnic. Dust off the garden furniture and throw a bright cloth on a table or throw the cloth or a blanket on the lawn and eat outside. Whether you have a whole meal or just dessert, eating outdoors is one of those simple pleasures that makes life so enjoyable.  It is quick, easy, and so much fun.

A garden picnic - pure fun!