Say goodbye to the rainy days and to the cold winter nights. Hello spring, how we’ve missed you! If you’re like most people, your home and garden are looking pretty dull right now.
Now is the perfect time to put the color back in your garden and do the pruning and fertilizing that your yard needs at this crucial time of year. Performing this maintenance now will insure a beautiful garden in the summer.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The principal designer of Solena Landscape, Mitch Kalamian, is not only a talented designer of outdoor spaces; he is also an author having penned a guide to smooth the progress of creating the ultimate outdoor paradise.
The guide, entitled “How to Create Your Ultimate Outdoor Paradise: 8 Insider Secrets Every Homeowner Considering Investing in a Major Landscape Project Must Know!”, walks consumers step-by-step through the sometimes-intimidating process of planning a landscaping project. This is a “must-read” for homeowners BEFORE they start the process.
Some of the topics addressed in the guide include:
Budget: what should it be and what affects it?
How to get a top designer to design your project for “free”.
Contracts: what makes a “win-win” contract? 6 important tips you need to know.
The one thing you never want to say to a landscape designer.
The 4 important steps to creating your outdoor paradise…what options you need to consider.
Landscape “architect” vs. “designer”…are design/build firms a better choice?
Choosing the right landscape designer/contractor…what do you need to consider? Does your contractor need to be licensed?
Homeowners are encouraged to complete a series of worksheets at the back of the guide that address: the planning process, budget, how to choose a new service provider and contracts. Completion of these worksheets will arm homeowners with the information they need to interview designers/contractors with confidence and make the right choices for their project.
The beginning of the year is a great time to start the design process of your landscape project for you to be able to enjoy it by summertime.
If interested in obtaining a copy, please fill out the form in the Bookstore section of our website or click here to go directly to the site. You may also contact us at 714.960.8955 to request a copy.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
With the rain season coming up, thought it prudent to take some time to inform you of the benefits of collecting rainwater for reuse.
While it is easy to turn on the faucet and have clean water to use, by collecting water from nature you will find that your water bill is lowered and your plants healthier. You can easily harvest rainwater by installing a rain chain, a rain barrel or cistern to collect the rainwater. Rain chains are attached to the down spout of the rain gutter and guide the water that gets collected in the rain gutter to a container that has the end of it placed in it. Rain barrels can be as utilitarian as a large garbage can placed in place to catch rain water or as decorative as a faux rock looking barrel. If using a large garbage can, you can attach some sort of spout to the bottom of it to access the water. Cisterns are the most complex of the bunch and may need a handyman/contractor to set one up.
Examples of rain chain, rain barrel and cistern
Harvesting rainwater allows you to not be dependent upon the water provided to you. Rainwater, when collected directly from the sky into a barrel, does not have added chemicals or pollutants, which plants and crops respond better to. Watering your indoor and outdoor plants with soft rainwater promotes growth and health. Also, soil erosion and flooding is reduced as the water is collected in barrels rather than dispersed into the ground that cannot handle the concentration of water.
All in all, this is a simply way to be green without having to expend much effort. If you are interested in having a rain collecting system installed or for more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
This past week Solena broke ground on the landscaping for the Armenian Church of the Desert in Rancho Mirage. Given my heritage, I am very proud to be a part of this project and am one step closer to seeing the ‘Olive Garden Amphitheater’ that I designed come to fruition. This space would serve as a garden setting for weddings and the annual Kebab Picnic and feature a grape arbor, fruiting Olive trees and a gazebo.
I designed this “Asian Contemporary” themed pool & spa to compliment the updates of this mid-century style house in Huntington Harbor.
The ledgestone wall at the end of the pool serves two purposes; hiding the pool equipment and giving the patio a focal point. The trickling water down it’s face provides the space a serene sound and Zen feel.
Although I didn’t adhere to all of the principles of Feng Shui, the use of fire and water (and stone and wood) in the landscape allow the Chi to flow freely and make this small yard feel open and energized.
-Mitch
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
The Truth About Shortcuts and Price Cuts in Landscape Projects.
You met with your landscape designer and went over your ‘wish list’, the theme of the landscape has been decided and the colors and materials of the project have been chosen. The designer comes up with a design that you love but upon reviewing the proposal you realize that the project is over the budget you had allotted…Where can you cut corners in your landscape project? Two places you definitely DO NOT want to cut corners is the quality of the materials and the quality of the workmanship.
While your choice of materials can affect your budget drastically, be sure that your contractor is purchasing the materials from reputable sources that carry only quality products. You can lower the overall cost of materials if needed with the help of a smart designer who can insure that you have all the elements you want while staying within your budget. While your budget is certainly a concern, you do not want to choose a landscape construction company that purchases its materials from big-box stores, but instead relies upon various supply houses, specializing in each product category, i.e., lighting, sprinklers, masonry, etc.
You can have a beautiful custom outdoor fireplace built and the material used to finish the fireplace will greatly affect the overall cost of that feature. For example, depending on what your budget is you can use either colored stucco or natural stone to finish the fireplace. That is what your designer should bring to the project – the knowledge and experience to recommend less expensive options on your choice of quality materials to make you happy yet remain within your budget and stay faithful to the theme and design of your landscape.
Another top priority is quality workmanship. Sure, you can go to your local big box store and find manual labor anxious to make a quick buck, but is that who you really want creating your backyard masterpiece? With nothing to measure it against, you as a homeowner wouldn’t know the difference between a skilled landscape craftsman and someone off the street corner who is there to simply earn a wage. If you want experienced, skilled labor…be ready to pay a premium…in the end you will be glad you did. This is one instance where you really do “get what you pay for”.
So how does a client tell apart a good or decent contractor from a bad one or an exceptional one? Keep in mind that quality of work and ethics is not always established by price nor is it determined by how they portray themselves. The best thing to do, as a client, is always complete your due diligence. Do your homework and see the projects, talk to clients and ask specific questions.
There are many places that a contractor can cut corners and a qualified and competent craftsman will be able to do this without sacrificing too much of the design. It could be in the type of stone that they used or any other materials used for the project. It could be in the size of the grout joints or having radius cuts. It could be in something that has a radius, it could be miter cuts in the corners. It could be in the plant material they used; the plant material could have terrible shape or not be up to size. All of these things, as minimal as they seem, can cause the garden to look second-rate and isn’t your goal to have a landscape that just shines??
While at times price will (and should) dictate your choices, you have to keep in mind what the long-term effects of your decisions are. There really are no “deals” when it comes to landscaping projects…as time goes on and your landscape ages, how will your choices hold up? With your sprinklers coming on each and every day, do you really want to go with a cheaper, inferior product, or one that will stand the test of time? Do you want to purchase inexpensive plants that will perish after a short period of time or hearty, healthy plants that will flourish year after year? You would want your grandchildren to be able to enjoy that tree you are planting right now, wouldn’t you?
Just try to remember that the end goal is to create a space that makes you happy and gives you years of enjoyment. Your landscape is an extension of your home. Invest in it wisely and you will enjoy the rewards while you live there and when it is time to sell.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
With spring right around the corner there’s no better time to think about what plants would work best in your yard. Take a look at your yard and take stock of the areas you want to plant. What is the function of the area? Is it to provide shade, act as a border or solely decorative? Also, pay attention to the growing requirements of the plants and group the ones that have similar growing needs together. This will help to make your water use more efficient.
When choosing plants, select plants that are suited to our local ecosystem.
Some to consider:
California Poppy – cup shaped yellow, orange or white flowers. Blooms from February through summer. Great for grassy slopes, along drives or in naturalized gardens.
California Redbud- shrub with magenta flowers on leafless stems in summer. Turns into crimson seedpods with heart-shaped leaves in the fall.
Valentine Bush – tubular red flowers. Blooms in early February through March. Likes full sun.
Cassia – shrub with bright yellow blooms that appear from January through March.
Rosemary – wonderfully fragrant herb with evergreen needle-like leaves.
Spanish lavender – has blue spikes of color in spring and fall.
Cleveland Sage – the most fragrant sage with pale lavender to violet blue flowers. Autumn Sage is also a great.
Sweet Acacia – puffy yellowish-orange flowers in bloom from February through April.
Concha Lilac – shrub with a dense mass of dark green leaves and dark blue clusters of flowers.
Palo Verde – low branching tree with golden-yellow flowers beginning in March.
Desert Willow – clusters of fragrant orchid-like blossoms, ranging from white to deep purple. Loved by hummingbirds and bees.
Texas Mountain Laurel – tree with large purple clusters of wisteria-like flowers.
Chaste Tree – long, narrow spikes of purple flowers cover this shrub-like tree.
Western Sycamore – tree with smooth, twisted branches, multiple or leaning trunks with patchy brown, gray and white bark.
Monterey Cypress – tree is an excellent choice for seaside plantings. where it becomes wind swept and develops a handsome irregular shape.
Best Regards,
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Coming into the new year, nurturing your landscape is the last thing on your mind; however, maintaining your landscape during the winter months should not be overlooked. A few simple steps can ensure that they return healthy and vibrant in the springtime.
Prepare Your Lawn – Now is the best time to fertilize and reseed your lawn and get all the bare spots filled.
Prune Shrubs, Hedges and Trees – Pruning is very important to encourage healthy growth in spring. Most pruning should be done after the leaves turn, indicating that the plant is dormant.
Clean out Flower beds – Now is a great time to clean out the flower beds, remove fallen leaves and blossoms to avoid potential fungus and molds from growing.
Plant and Transplant – Plant bare root trees and roses before spring arrives. Finish transplanting flowers.
One great way of getting all this completed is by calling us out to perform our Perfect Garden Program. Carried out by our trained crews, the Perfect Garden Program is designed to keep your yard looking as beautiful and manicured as the day it was finished. We stay on top of its’ ever-changing needs and keep it in tip-top shape. Read more about it here.
Many Thanks,
SOLENA LANDSCAPE CO.
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Follow along in this continuing series of video blogs as Mitch details how one of his swimming pool and landscape designs comes to life.
In this episode you’ll get some insight into the technical aspect of landscape construction from application of polymeric joint sand between high end Belgard pavers and preparation of the base material before we pour our concrete.
Best Regards,
SOLENA LANDSCAPE CO.
Distinctive Landscapes for the Finest Homes
438 Main Street, Suite #210 | Huntington Beach, CA 92648
