The problem with many butterfly gardens is that they tend to be butterfly nightclubs. Basically, these gardens are for adults. Take the ubiquitous butterfly bush (Buddlia davidii) for example. You may find it covered with butterflies, but where are the caterpillars? Not only is butterfly bush now on many invasive species lists, it provides virtually no food value to caterpillars, …

If there is one landscape design request I receive more than any other, it’s, “… and I want it to be low maintenance.” Why not? Most people don’t want to spend their evenings and weekends weeding. So here’s how I respond and how I plan my designs. First, there’s no such thing as a “no maintenance garden”. There will always …

Some insects are simply fascinating.  An example of this is the beautiful Mourning Cloak butterfly.  A brown-red butterfly with cream colored edges and blue spots on the wings, Mourning Cloaks are often the first butterflies to appear in spring. Winter Survival Strategies Insects use several different mechanisms to survive the winter including migration, communal living, and diapause, which is a …

As someone who has been in the landscape industry for many years, I have often heard that good landscaping increases property values 15%. Upon a quick internet search, I found numbers ranging from 8% to 20%. Regardless of actual numbers, in real estate, professionals consistently recommend increasing the curb appeal of your home. So what steps should you take to …

Bluebirds are a symbol of happiness, springtime, and peace. They are also beneficial to our landscapes. Historically, both Native Americans and colonists used nest boxes and gourds to attract bluebirds to nest nearby and help control insect populations. Problems for bluebirds arose however, from the 1920s through the 1970s. Populations declined due to loss of habitat, pesticide use, and competition …

The new year sparks new goals. Start planning for a successful garden now with a little preparation and forethought. Get help with planning by using the professional expertise of GreenWeaver’s landscape design team. Prune trees & shrubs while they are still dormant. An added bonus: its easy to see their silhouettes right now! Take pictures of your property in winter to …

December is a great time to take advantage of the dormancy of the garden and catch up on those tasks you couldn’t get to earlier in the season. Decorate your barren pots with fresh greens, berries, and twigs from your landscape. Find inspiration here. Dormant prune trees and shrubs. Call GreenWeaver for help. Sharpen your tools like pruners, trowels, and shovels. Collect materials to …

With the holidays around the corner, the last thing most of us are thinking about is the landscape. However, there is still much to do in the garden to have a safe and beautiful winter, as well as a productive spring. Protect trees and shrubs from buck rub and deer browse. Learn more about how to protect your plants here. Clear …

We’re officially into fall and our gardens are gradually going to sleep– but they won’t go quietly! Watch over the next couple of weeks for amazing bursts of lemon yellow, shimmery gold, bright orange, and crimson red. Protect sensitive plants from frost when the forecast calls for it. First frost advisory for our area is October 15th. Assess your fall perennials …

Stormwater is making the news! In the September 13, 2019 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Frank Kummer states “On average, Philadelphia gets about 42 inches of rain in a year, according to the National Weather Service. In 2018, it got 62 inches. This year is also proving to be wet, with about 36 inches so far — 8 inches more …