LandscapExperts Tip of the Week December 26

Cold Weather Tips for Landscape Plants 


So far this year metro-Atlanta has been experiencing a mild 'El Niño' winter, with warmer temperatures and increased moisture. But if Old Man Winter does whistle up some severe weather, Crabapple LandscapExperts advise covering certain plants that are not thoroughly hardy in this area with a canvas tarp or bed sheet (but not with black plastic). The idea is to keep heavy frost from settling on the plants' leaves. Pull off that cover early the next morning, before the sun's rays hit the cover. If plastic was used to cover the plants and left on too late, the sun would steam-cook the plants underneath, so plastic is not advised. 


In addition to covering plants, the LandscapExperts advise watering them well to get through a patch of severe cold. Hasn't been a problem this rainy December! 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Dec. 19

Evaluating Existing Landscape Plants: Plants in Poor Condition

Rely on Crabapple LandscapExperts to let you know, as the HOA Rep or Property Manager, if some of the plants on your properties are in poor condition. Deciding to replace them involves evaluation of what made them decline, as well as suggesting suitable replacements.

Some considerations and their solutions include: Pest Problems Environmental Factors Design Challenges

Let the LandscapExperts at Crabapple guide you through some of the more complex environmental interactions involved in landscape renovation. For example, if a boxwood is dying in a location that is too wet, we can repair the drainage problem else we can replace the boxwood with a Korean box holly that looks the same but is tolerant to wet soils Removing a tree that shades the west side of a building may increase the impact of summer heat on the air conditioning unit. Additionally, understory plants that are now in bright sun may be impacted, and we can suggest temporary shading (awning or vines) as well as installing a replacement shade tree If an insect or disease attacked one plant, we can replace it with a carefully selected substitute that is not vulnerable to the pest.

Each landscape is a complex living environment, and the impact of changing one aspect will impact the other plants. In renovation, Crabapple LandscapExperts will reuse the best aspects and plants in your original landscape. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, December 12

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Keep Marginal Plants or Not

When plants are on the borderline of health, the decision of whether or not to keep them is more difficult than if they are doing either well or poorly. CrabappleLandscapExperts 

• Weigh the cost of labor and supplies involved in rejuvenating the plant over time (fertilizing, pruning) 
• Compare removal costs 
• Consider replacement costs 
• Evaluate the time of year 
• Decide if the plant is rare or commonplace

If the plant will need a lot of work to bring it up to thriving, and if it will need to be removed in a couple of years anyway, we will let you know the remedial work is not justified and give you plenty of options.

CrabappleLandscapExperts never assume that just because a plant was removed from a location, it needs an immediate replacement. Unless the plant was located specifically to modify the environment around a home or property (e.g. solar shading, windbreak) or to contribute to the design (balance, symmetry) there may be no need to replace it. 

Once the decision is made, we will offer suggestions to Property Managers and Homeowner Association Reps to help them replace the marginal plant with a newer or dwarf cultivar that will do well in the location. 

LandscapExperts Tip of the Week, Dec. 5

Evaluating Existing Plant Material: Plants in Marginal Condition


Some of the plants in the landscapes you  manage may be borderline in terms of health and beauty. Crabapple LandscapExperts can advise you on remedial measures to get them back looking great. 

• Older plants may need selective rejuvenation pruning
• Plants with fewer flowers than before may need more light or a more balanced fertilizer
• When lower foliage has died out, plants can be reshaped for an improved look
• Plants fighting diseases or insect pests can be helped with the proper Rx
• Another example is if the original design wedged a plant into a spot too small for it 

The LandscapExperts at Crabapple can trouble shoot and repair the marginal plants in landscapes you maintain.