F. A. Q.s Page

Landscape Maintenance Questions

How should I select a landscaper?

Is insurance really necessary?

How about a landscape architect? Do I need one?

Do I need a landscape installation firm and an irrigation specialist?

Design Questions

Can't I do the design myself? Do I really need to pay for this?

How do I select a good designer?

I have recently purchase a home but am not crazy about the landscaping? What can I do to make it meet my needs and vision?

Meadows Questions

What to Expect from Seeding Meadows?

Deer Resistant Gardening

Landscape Maintenance Questions

How should I select a landscaper?

Ask your friends, neighbors or associates if they are using someone and are happy with the service. Take note of well maintained properties in your neighborhood. Find out who is doing the work. Interview before hiring.

It is usually NOT a good idea to select a landscaper, based on price only. There are many people who have entered the industry with the slow-down in construction who have little or no experience, are not insured or trained.

Verfiy the firm has insurance (worker's compensation and liability are essential). Ask for references to ensure they have the knowledge, skill and resources to complete your project in a timely manner.

Is insurance really necessary?

If you hire a firm or individual without insurance and there is an accident, you will probably be liable. This include personal injuries, damage to utilities from digging or damage to your home or a neighbor's property.

How about a landscape architect? Do I need one?

If you are building in a high end development, the covenances often require a Landscape Architect sign off on the landscaping plan before a building permit is issues. Many homeowners use landscape designers with great success. A designer may not have the formal schooling but could have better knowledge regarding local plant material best suited for this area.

With renovations, it depends upon where you live and you final goal. Minor renovations may not require anything drawn on paper. It is usually a good idea to have a plan sketched out on paper (at a minimum) for major renovations. This facilitates the process and alleviates confusion regarding what work will be performed.

Do I need a landscape installation firm and an irrigation specialist?

Many landscape installation firms (including Dwyer Greens) have irrigation specialists on staff and include irrigation as part of their service portfolios.

Design Questions

Can't I do the design myself? Do I really need to pay for this?

Many homeowners do their own design and are very happy with the results. The time to call a professional is if you donot have time to do this planning, are not happy with how your landscape looks and don't know where to go, or simply want a professional look. It is important to realize you get what you pay for. Good designers always charge for their time.

How do I select a good designer?

The most common way is to ask friends, neighbors and associates for a referral. If you see a property you really like, find out who did the work. There are also professional associations who will provide a list of companies who are members. The Better Business Bureau maintains records on firms, especially members or those with complaints on file.

You can interview designers before hiring. It is always a good idea to prepare for the interview with a list of questions and some ideas regarding where you want to go. Designers all have their own style. Finding a designer who "fits" with your vision is similar to finding an architect. Obtain references and call to find out how responsive the designer is to clients.

I have recently purchase a home but am not crazy about the landscaping? What can I do to make it meet my needs and vision?

The best way to start is to drive around your neighborhood and look at other properties. If you see a landscape you really like, make a note of the address or take some pictures. When you return home, see if any of the elements you like would work on your property. If you are struggling with this, call a designer to help. Dwyer Greens & Flowers specializes in landscape makeovers. Our team of designers, stonemasons, irrigation specialists and landscapers can transform your property to fit your vision.

Native Meadows Questions

What to Expect from Seeding Meadows?

Native grass seed germinates when average soil temperatures exceed 60 degrees. Depending on soil moisture and temperature, germination takes between 14 and 21 days.

In rototilled or otherwise disturbed areas, weeds will often germinate and grow mush faster and more vigorously than native grasses. It is important to control the weeds so the grasse are not shaded and crowded out.

Newly seeded areas should be mowed when weeds exceed 5" in height. Applying herbicides is a BAD idea. All herbicides will affect young grass seedlings and inhibit their growth.

Once grasses have germinated and begun to develop a root system (usually about 5-6 weeks), selective herbicides may be applied to control weeds. Otherwise, weeds should be hand pulled.

Overseeding with annual rye will result in a much faster green up of meadow areas. Rye will germinate in 3-5 days. There is some danger in the rye competing with the native grasses however, so caution needs to be taken in application rates.

It generally takes at least 2 years for native seed to establish and appear as a natural meadow. Alternatives to seeding include:

Planting grass plugs in the meadow. Using wildflower sod ($7.00 per square foot for material)

Tips for Deer Resistant Gardens

The following list of perennials includes plants we have successfully used in landscapes with high summer pressure from deer. We provided additional information about the flowers, such as color, preferred growing conditions and height.

In some instances, deer eat different plants. For instance we have observed deer eating Oriental poppies at one residence (which is rare) and leaving columbine to flower beautifully. In most instances, columbine are eaten in bud stage. As natives, they will tolerate the browsing and generally survive.

Let's Look at Some of the Best Perennials for Western Colorado:

• Artemesias : Lots of varieties, sun, dry, 12-18"
• Coneflower (Echinacea): lilac; sun; long-blooming; adaptable; 2-3'
• Coreopsis: yellow, orange; sun; long-blooming; 6-24"
• Cranesbill (Native geranium): blues; adaptable; 1-2'
• Dianthus: various; sun to part shade; sheer to re-bloom; 8-12"
• Erigeron: blue; sun; long-blooming; 2-3'
• Foxglove: pink; adaptable; dry; long-blooming; 2-3'
• Hens & Chicks: various; sun; dry; 3-6"
• Heuchera: red, pink; shade; dry; 8-10"
• Jacob's Ladder: blue; shade; adaptable; 1-3'
• Lavender: lilac; shrubby; sun, dry, open area; 2-4'
• Lobelia: scarlet; shade; moist; 3-5'
• Maltese Cross: scarlet; sun; naturalizes; long-blooming; 12-60"
• Monarda (Bee Balm): reds; long-blooming; sun-shade; 2-3'
• Penstemon: blues, pinks, reds; sun, long-blooming; dry, 12-15"
• Perovskia (Russian sage): lilac; sun; drought tolerant; 3-5'
• Rudbeckia: black eyed Susan; sun; long-blooming; adaptable; 3-4'
• Salvias (sages): lilac, blue, red; sun; dry; long blooming, various
• Scabiosa: pink, blue; adaptable; sun; long-blooming; 2-3'
• Sedums: various; sun, dry, spreading; Tall varieties not as resistant