A Dallas Landscape Japanese Style

This week we completed the final touches on a contemporary Japanese garden in the Dallas Prestonwood area. The landscape relied heavily on traditional Japanese garden elements but were simple and bold to introduce a modern look that required lower maintenance.

Vertical living elements include Tanyosho Pine, Weeping Bald Cypress, Weeping Yaupon Holly, and 4 varieties of Japanese Maple. I also introduced some Basalt Columns and Slim Vase Fountains for vertical features.

An Oklahoma chop stone border with random Mossy Boulder inserts separate the lawn from the planted spaces. Within these planted spaces include shrubs like Spreading Plum Yew, Variegated Pittosporum, Japanese Spirea, Autumn Rouge Azalea, Cast Iron Plant, Gold Dust Aucuba, Japanese Cleyera, Japanese Holly Fern, and Chinese fringe Loropetalum.

Drip Irrigation was used throughout the project to create a water efficient landscape.

Willow Bend remodel in Plano, Texas

Here we have a home in a Willow Bend neighborhood in Plano, Tx. The homeowner was in the process of remodeling the inside of their home and wanted to update the curb appeal.

The existing landscape was overgrown and tired. We began fresh by removing nearly all of the existing landscape elements. Because the mature Live Oaks were limiting the sunlight, some areas of the lawn were thin and bare. By incorporating the trees into the landscape beds we were able to creatively overcome this challenge.

The landscape sprinkler system was updated with Line Source Drip Irrigation that will save water, and eliminate water damage on the woodwork. Plant materials such as Spreading Plum Yew, Japanese Maple, Gold Dust Aucuba, Carissa and dwarf Yaupon Holly, Variegated Liriope, Moon Bay Nandina, and Pittosporum were selected to thrive in the mixed light conditions. A border of Oklahoma chopstone and Mossy Boulders ties everything together.

Landscape Survival for Stage 3 Water Restrictions

Officials with the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD) have initiated Stage 3 of the NTMWD Water Conservation and Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Response Plan, March 2008, (Plan), which goes into effect November 1. The goal of Stage 3 is a 10% reduction in water use and increased awareness in ongoing water conservation efforts. Member cities include: Allen, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Richardson and Wylie.

Watering is limited to once every other week starting November 1st!

All forms of low flow irrigation including drip irrigation (except soaker hoses) are not restricted; they may be used any day of the week, any time of the day.

I have found the easiest way to convert your restricted landscape shrub sprinklers into a water conserving non-restricted drip system. It requires no digging, no cutting, no gluing, and no permanent modifications to your current shrub spray system. It is inexpensive and simple enough that most any homeowner can do it themselves.

Well, what is it? Its a Twelve Outlet Pressure Compensating drip emitter kit that replaces the conventional shrub spray. Its called the TOP-300 and the kit contains all necessary parts including the tubing and stakes. These can be purchased online, or if you wish, your licensed irrigator can provide these.

Expanded Shale for Texas Clay Soils

I use expanded shale as a soil amendment for all North Texas Blackland clay soils and can attest to its ability to improve our tight, heavy soils. Expanded shale provides a permanent soil solution for aeration and drainage. Unlike compost and other organic amendments, expanded shale will not break down during the normal lifespan of your planted landscape.

Jack Sinclair of TXI Industries explains that the shale is mined and ground to 1" to l/2" range particles and then kiln fired. As it progresses through the kiln for 40 minutes at 2,000 degrees C, certain chemical processes take place in the silica content (60-70%) causing the material to expand. As the material cools, cavities are left after gases escape, leaving a porous lightweight chunk capable of absorbing water and releasing it slowly at a later time. Recommendations for using expanded shale come from Dr. Steve George of the Texas Cooperative Extension. He recommends expanded shale use in containerized pots and soil incorporation for improved water retention and proper drainage. Dr. George also remarked: "Based on a two-year research study and six years of field trials, I feel that expanded shale will open up and aerate heavy, sticky clay soils faster than any material that I have ever tested. Due to its porous nature, it provides aeration from within the shale particles and, in poorly aerated clay soils, resulted in a more extensive and healthier root system than did other treatments being tested. Even though I dearly love finished, plant-based compost, if I were limited to only one application of one soil amendment with which to open up heavy clay soils, I would take expanded shale and never look back!"

Expanded shale can be purchased by the bag or in bulk and is also blended with other organic soil conditioners for potting mixes and bedding mixes.

Happy Earth Day!

Here is what I was doing on the very first Earth Day. Click on the photos to enlarge.

Wake Up your Sprinkler System

Before you fire up your irrigation system for the season, have a licensed irrigator examine it for leaks and other maintenance issues.

To upgrade the performance of your system and to save water, consider some of these changes and modifications:

Convert shrub areas to high performance drip irrigation. Properly installed inline drip tubing can save water and give a higher level of water distribution uniformity.


Install a Rain and Freeze sensor. This will shut down your irrigation system during a rain or freeze event.

Upgrade to an E/T "Smart Controller". These controllers can adjust watering based on current weather conditions and save water.

Rainwater Harvesting

Texas’ water supply planning process has identified that surface and groundwater supplies will not be able to meet future water demand. Water conservation and development of alternative water supplies is necessary to meet our growing demand for fresh water.

Rainwater harvesting is an innovative alternative water supply approach anyone can use. Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use. Captured rainwater is often used in landscaping, because the water is free of salts and other harmful minerals and does not have to be treated. It is also useful in attracting and providing water for wildlife.

Implementing rainwater harvesting techniques directly benefits our state by reducing demand on the water supply, and reducing run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water.

In many communities, 30 to 50 percent of the total water is used for landscape irrigation. Capturing rainwater for use in the landscape makes efficient use of a valuable resource, reducing water bills and reducing demand on water supply.

Rainwater harvesting can also help to prevent flooding and erosion, turning stormwater problems into water supply assets by slowing runoff and allowing it to soak into the ground. Reducing run-off also helps to reduce the contamination of surface water with sediments, fertilizers, and pesticides in rainfall run-off.

Allen, Tx Swimming Pool Landscape

The owners of this Allen, Texas residence contacted Garrison Gardens to explore some landscape design ideas and develop a plan that could be completed in phases. This property featured some unique challenges being situated on a corner lot with an alley on the east side. The easement to the back of the property limited the depth of the planting beds.

One of the first needs discussed was some shade and screening along the west fence line. We designed a mixed tree line consisting of Red Oak and Crape Myrtle, with a planted bed underneath. The initial phase addressed the trees with the landscape bed designated to a later phase. The plantings around the swimming pool were also assigned to the initial installation. We selected shrubs and ornamental trees that would thrive in the intense west sun. Some of the plant material selected included Knock Out Rose, Silverado Texas Sage, Indian Hawthorn, Vitex, and Salvia.

We also worked on phase one for the front yard and that will be shown in a later post.

Plano, Texas Backyard Patio and Landscape

This Plano, Texas backyard landscape and patio began with the design process by contacting Garrison Gardens earlier this year. The homeowners knew that they wanted a larger patio with a fountain, updated landscape plantings, and a healthy lawn. Sunlight and shade played an important role in this landscape plan.

Most of the remaining lawn was thin fescue or perennial ryegrass, the bermuda grass disappeared long ago. The homeowners wanted a patio that projected out into the backyard but were not sure what type of material to construct the patio. Natural flagstone, stamped or patterned concrete, broom finished concrete, and aggregate were considered, but they ultimately decided on Pavestone pavers.

The overall goal was to create more usable patio space, a pleasant. flowing, low maintenance shade garden, with a St. Augustine lawn. The landscape edging was constructed from the same material used in the patio construction which helped unify the project.

Crape Myrtles

The Crape Myrtle is probably the most identifiable plant in Dallas. A native to southern Asia, it has adapted well to the North Texas landscape. But, as popular is the Crape Myrtle, most people do not know how to selectthe proper variety and maintain a Crape Myrtle for their landscape.

First of all, the mature size and growth habit need to be considered. Mature heights can range between 24 inches to 30 feet or more. So, if your intension is to maintain a height of 8'-10', please do not select a variety that can grow twice that size. Too often, you will see that scenario end up with a butchered pruning job that requires attention each spring.

The varieties that were traditionally grown in the nursery industry has changed. Faurei hybrids ( a cross between the south Asian(Lagerstroemia indica) and Japanese varieties (Lagerstroemia fauriei)) are now more widely grown. Most of these are the largest growing varieties and the nursery growers like these because many are naturally Powdery Mildew resistant and can grow very quickly, as much as 6 feet in a season. This helps them make more money and produce a product that looks better at the retail level. The problem is most yards are getting smaller and they require an ornamental tree that is smaller in scale.

Varieties such as 'Pink Velour' and 'Sioux' grow smaller and tend to be scaled to most suburban home sites better than large varieties like 'Bashams Party Pink', and 'Natchez'.

One of the best internet sites I have found relating to crape myrtle information is produced by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station in Dallas

A McKinney Cul-de-Sac

This McKinney home was purchased by a long time customer. This home's unusual lot sits in a cul-de-sac, with the left side facing into the circle. The existing landscape is overgrown and needs to go.

Garrison Gardens completed this project last fall in late September. The first three photos illustrate a section of the landscape before we started, after completion in the fall, and the same bed six months later in the spring. There is something about a winter's sleep that makes a new landscape just jump.

Of course, our premium bed preparation is key to this phenomenal growth, tilling in Canadian Peat Moss, expanded shale, and a Mycorrhizae fungal inoculate. Most of this plant material has doubled in size since its planting half a year ago.

70's Tract Home Remodel

This residence is a typical mid to late 70's tract home built in north central Plano. The existing landscape consisted of a narrow bed bordered with wood landscape timbers containing some severely butchered Crape Myrtles, a few woody shrubs and some Asian Jasmine ground cover.

We designed a simple flowing design that carries across the front of the house and extends to include the fence facade.

The "Pink Velour" Crape Myrtle is a semi-dwarf variety that fits most residential landscapes with out the need for excessive pruning often referred to as 'Crape Murder'. The shrub groups were selected to provide color and texture while maintaining a low growth habit that is easily maintained.

Front Circular Drive; "To Be or Not to Be"

I was contacted by this homeowner around Christmas time last year, with the idea of removing the front circular drive and redesigning the front landscape. We began with a few different design scenarios with the lead walk and landscape layouts with the associated costs.

After a couple of months the decision was made to keep the driveway, but replace the concrete with a decorative finish. The brick retaining wall was lowered and repaired.

So, the existing landscape needed attention. My idea was to remove all of the grass from behind the wall and plant the space between the house and wall. We also wanted to create a planting area in the space between the drive and the city sidewalk to soften the expanse of concrete.

Starting over

The challenges associated with this project began many years ago when this house was built. Because the home was constructed with a west exposure, there was race to create some shade and block the afternoon sun from entering the house. Once the shade was created, the plants that tolerated the intense sun now suffer from a lack of sunlight.

A few elements from the builders landscape package were able to be utilized. The Nellie R. Stevens Hollies that frame the house were saved along with the Live Oaks that shade the lawn. The balance of the plant material was removed to make way for the new planting areas.

Most of the plant material used in this installation was selected for its natural form, color and texture, and ease of maintenance like Spreading Plum Yew, Bloodgood Japanese Maple, Cast Iron Plant, Moon Bay Nandina, and Clara Indian Hawthorn.