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Today I want to give you some landscape design tips. Landscaping is pretty easy when you love what you do. Some people are scared off by it. So I think if I give you the basics, you should get the hang of it. And may even grow to love it. So let’s go.

Maple

I suggest starting with maple specimens. Usually it’s best to group them in the foreground. It’s not an exact science but try some coral bells in front and over intersperse with 2 or 3 red azalias. It’s best to group them. Place one here and one there. But maybe place 3 or 4 in a spot. There is no set rules. You might have an artificial lawn or real grass. But you might want to place some Japanese maples and gated leafs with new growth. These are beautiful plants. I try to place 4 of these in front and then 2 or 3 at the back.

Junipers

Behind these I place the junipers. Usually 2 on one end and 2 on the other. Up front I like to place coral bells. There’s plenty of variety in these plants. I love them. For landscapers Dublin is a great place. I love how the gardens look. With hosta’s sometimes the weather can affect them, so I intersperse with Japanese maples. They have a lovely gated leaf. It’s a fantastic plant. Place 2 or 3 of these at intervals.

Colours

With the Japanese maple, I place some azaleas in between. It’s really interesting to place them in 2’s and 3’s and use a variety of whites and red to show off the colour. I have these in my own garden. It can bring out the colours nicely. If you have a nice waterfall Japanese maple I think it looks best alongside the azaleas and can look well alongside some carefully chosen garden furniture and well designed patio.

Perennials

Over this I intersperse perennials. Just snip the flowers back and use this to fill in the landscape. The idea is to use 3 or 4 and then they can grow into each other. A lions head Japanese maple and some coral bells with some roses and next to that some flowering azaleas with variegated iris. Next to that I place some red leaf Japanese maples which look great alongside some complementary garden furniture. Frost can damage them so I opt for the hardy versions.

Coral bells look great planted en-masse. By the end of the summer you should see them in full bloom. Harry laughter walking sticks look great next to these. Don’t overlook the use of a tree surgeon.Try some Caroline weeping crabapple trees with this and maybe some roses. They really come to life once they are in bloom.

Colours

Amerias and variegated weeping Japanese maples go hand in hand. Use a variety of colours in the bed. Group them in 3’s and 4’s. Hairy ladders go together nicely with the amerias and look great bunched together.

The variety of different colours means you will never have a dull landscape. Many people think it’s lifeless but in Summer they really come into their own and require little garden maintenance. As I say, I have these in my own garden.

Variegated lazy Japanese maples are ideal for small gardens. Greens and reds are best side by side. Specimen maples take well in low growing sedum bunches and I would suggest an upright azalea interspersed with azaleas.

by James Bullock

Landscaping is tough. It takes up a lot of time and effort. If you are thinking of taking on a big project you will need to plan in advance. While many people consider taking on these jobs themselves, sometimes the services of a landscape gardener are worth considering.

Money can be tight. I get that. And many people get great satisfaction from seeing the fruits of their own labour come to life. Gardening is a passion for some people. If you are one of them. You are lucky. If like me, you live and breath landscape gardening, then you will know where I’m coming from.

Plan

I suggest you have a clear vision of how your garden might look. Best to grab a pencil and paper and sketch out your ideas. Maybe add some features to the mix like garden furniture and get some costings.

Draw

I’ve seen the best plans fall apart without proper planning. This needs to be done from the outset. All the hard work, blood, sweat, muck and tears go to waste, for lack of planning. Not to mention hard earned cash.

Style

Think about what kind of style you are going for. Will it be contemporary, rustic, natural, modernist? Think about the function of your garden. Will it be for simple living. Enjoying the outdoors, planting trees and vegetables.

Focus

Sketch out the basics. It’s a good idea to look at what your largest costs will be. And map these out first. Things like an artificial grass can make or break a budget. It pays to shop around. Labour should also be included. The number of hours it takes to complete a project should be estimated. Trees, plants, decking, soil and waste are all factors to look at.

Design

Garden design is not easy. It can take years of practice to get it right. Employ the services of a landscape gardener for the tougher tasks such as build, design and use a tree surgeon. These are the jobs best left to an expert. Not forgetting the health and safety aspect.

Style

Your home will have an influence on your eventual garden design & build. The style of the landscape should complement your home. Things like water features, outdoor furniture, patio, lawn and bedding should work together with the overall aesthetic.

Formal

Geometrical lines and shapes are the order of the day. Plants are arranged in an orderly fashion rather than a haphazard grouping. Closer arrangements will need more planning. Think about how big plants and trees can grow.

Informal

Natural formations will look more haphazard. Not necessarily thrown together, but less straight lines and random groupings. Again, the style of home will influence how the garden will look. Choice of plants, outdoor playhouse and outdoor furniture should reflect this.

Oriental

Suited to smaller homes and gardens. City living and backyard will benefit from this style. Architecture, brickwork, water features and plants should work in harmony. Angular rows and gravel with hardy plants work best.

Wooded

Rougher terrain with random natural plants. This works best also when time is precious and require little grounds maintenance. Slopes and gulleys can benefit from this look. A particular favourite of mine.

English

Roses abound with evergreen and natural plants. Azalias, random groupings and haphazard colours work best.

Let your imagination run wild. Use whatever colours are in your house as a pallet. It will pay dividends. If in doubt, do it anyway. You will thank yourself in years to come.

by Oakleaf Landscaping

Is your lawn looking pale and tired but you don’t want to spend time and money on it? Not to worry. It can be rejuvenated easily. Simply apply a dressing of high nitrogen lawn fertiliser. Make sure you do this on damp ground and when rain is imminent (not a problem for our current summer so far!).

Oakleaf Landscaping have been caring for gardens for over 15 years. We have grown to become one of the premier landscape gardeners in Dublin & Meath. For more information on tree surgeon, garden landscaping and garden maintenance contact us on 087 677 0480 or email info@oakleaflandscaping.ie

by Oakleaf Landscaping

It’s that time of the year when we start to see lots of colour in the garden in rockeries, pots and hanging baskets.

Don’t forget to do these three things to getting flowers started on the right track.

1. Water flowers as soon as you plant them, if it’s not raining.

2. Use some liquid feed to encourage rapid growth.

3. Watch for slug damage and use a good quality slug repellent.

Then sit back and enjoy the blooms.

by Oakleaf Landscaping

We’re well into Spring now and lawn care is top of the agenda. If you’d like the best looking lawn in the neighbourhood then take on board some tips.

1. Mow regularly. A freshly mowed lawn will always look (and smell) good.

2. Unsightly moss will ruin the look so get rid with a good quality moss killer.

3. Feed lawns with high quality lawn fertiliser to increase vigour.

4. Where grass is scarce, sow seeds to fill in the gaps.

5. Trim around the edges for a clean, neat look.

by Oakleaf Landscaping

With daffodils blooming and cherry blossoms on the way, it’s time to think about the coming months when sitting out in the garden might be possible. So where will you sit? Inviting garden furniture can turn your garden into an outdoor room. There’s nothing as sociable as having a few friends over for a barbecue or just a drink and chat ‘out the back’. But choosing the right furniture can be a little confusing. We can often just rush out at the first sign of the sun and buy the first thing available. Better to be more prepared.

Ask yourself these questions and base your choice on the answers:

1. How much space do you want to give over to furniture?

2. What will you need the furniture for? (Barbecues, dinner parties, just sitting for a while, outdoor reading?)

3. How much do you want to spend? (Remember cheap isn’t always the best option since garden furniture needs to be durable and weather strong.)

4. Will the furniture be in your garden all year, or do you have storage space? (If outside all the time go for durable and weather resistance materials.)

5. Will you be moving the furniture regularly? (If so, keep it lightweight.)

6. How many accessories will you need? (This drives up the cost a surprising amount when you add in cushions, covers etc.)

If you are looking for landscapers Dublin and Meath contact us today on 087 6770480

by Oakleaf Landscaping

It’s time to get roses on track for Spring and Summer flowering by pruning them to maximise and encourage new growth. You can do this in two ways:

1. Light pruning or deadheading.

This involves simply removing withering blooms. You can do this every few months.

2. Heavy pruning

Here you will remove old and dead stems. This keeps the rose plant in prime condition and should be done once a year.

For landscapers Dublin and Meath contact us today on 087 6770480

by Oakleaf Landscaping

It’s been a stormy week so there’s bound to be a lot of damage and debris in the garden. Clean up can be troublesome and at times, dangerous. So follow some simple steps.

1. Do a check for damage to trees and shrubs. See what you can fix yourself and where you might need expert help.

2. Clear drains and gutters of debris.

3. Remove debris from lawn and paths.

4. Stay safe by watching for fallen power lines and wearing protective gear if you choose to cut branches etc.

5. Call in help. For major damage to trees make sure you call a tree surgeon.

by Oakleaf Landscaping

Having a back garden and having an outdoor space you can enjoy and relax in are two very different things. A concrete area with a barbecue; a patio for garden furniture; decking with a swing seat; a flagstone area with a waterfall; or almost anything you can think of, can give you an outdoors room you’ll love. Oakleaf Landscaping offers free consultation and will design and build your dream space from beginning to end.

by Oakleaf Landscaping

16 years of experience in landscaping with a wide range of expertise.
Trusted landscaping service to both domestic and commercial customers.
We can take your gardening job from initial idea to finished outdoor space.
We offer free initial consultation.
Catelogue of services from design and build to tree surgery, and from mowing to garden construction.

Call us now to plan your Spring garden.

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Landscaping Design Tips

Maple

Junipers

Colours

Perennials

Colours

The Garden Mastered

Plan

Draw

Style

Focus

Design

Style

Formal

Informal

Oriental

Wooded

English

How to Spruce up a Tired Lawn

Three Tips for Planting Pots and Hanging Baskets

Top Five April Lawn Care Tips

6 Questions to Ask When Buying Garden Furniture

How to get Roses Spring Ready

Five Tips for Cleaning up After a Storm

Changing Your Garden into an Outdoor Living Space

Five Reasons to Hire Oakleaf Landscaping

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