Advantages to using permeable paving
Permeable pavers are an effective means to manage surface water on your hardscapes. This paving system allows water to drain through joints between the pavers which are typically filled with fine gravel chips. The water then drains down into a open stone layer below, and is adsorbed by the subsoil or runs off through draintile. They come in a range of shapes, colors and sizes. This is a great way to reduce surface run off from patios and walks. There is a bit of maintenance involved.
Landscape Lighting
Landscape lighting has come a long way in recent years. Propelled by super-efficient LED lamps (for both new and existing systems). The big advantages of LED fixtures is the lights ability to take a variation in voltage cause by length of the line and the longevity of the LED lamp. The first LEDs were blue in color and rather expensive, both of those things have changed. Transformers have become more sophisticated with timers that adjust not only for daylight savings but, also to longer and shorter days. Lights that are build into retaining walls, columns and ...
Winter plant protection tool box
Winter can be hard on plant material particularly if we have used some plants that are on the edge as far as cold hardiness. It is useful to have some tools or techniques to help those plants thrive.
Late fall watering: It is important to water all evergreens, this get them fully hydrated and gives them a reserve. This is important because once the soil is frozen no more water can get to the roots and winter sun and wind pulls moisture out of the plant.
Mulching (Shredded bark) : Keeps the soil around the plant more evenly moist, reduces heat and cold tempera...
Tosa Transformation
Hawks completed this transformation of a tired Wauwatosa yard in 2015. The project included re-doing all plant material, replacing the rear patio and front walk and covering the front stoop in bluestone. The rear yard privacy was retained through the use of a custom wood-slat cedar fence. The arbor in the rear retains the connection to the rear neighbors while still offering privacy and landscape lighting was added to expand the spaces usefulness after hours.
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Plants to attract monarchs
Did you know that the Monarch butterfly is now endangered? Populations have dropped an astonishing 96.5% over the last two decades. Their decline is primarily due to a similar decline in milkweed (plants from the genus Asclepias).They depend on milkweed since it’s the only plant that they eat and they lay their eggs on milkweed leaves during the summer breeding season. One way to help this species is to incorporate Asclepias plants into your landscape and to restore areas on your property utilizing native species. Below is Butterfly weed (ASCLEPIAS tuberosa) a fun ...
Spring bulbs; not just daffs and tulips
Daffodils and tulips are spectacular in spring but, they are only a few notes in the spring bulb symphony. So when planting in fall don’t forget the rest of the music. It can also extend the bloom time, give you variation in form and add different fragrances.
Wood Hyacinth in blue works beautifully with daffs
Winter Aconites the first to show in spring
Hyacinth in pinks and blues
Crocus a fun little plants with lots of colors.
Fritillaries ;deer don't like them but you will
Chinodoxa blooms early
Scillas can over time can create a carpet of blue
Alliums ...
Brookfield New Entry
A tired concrete walk and steps were updated on this property with a combination of brick and lannonstone. Lannon outcropping steps were paired with matching flagstone inlays cut into the rustic brick walk. The round flagstone and brick entry circle is cut into the driveway to emphasize the landing area. The jointing material for the brick and lannonstone is a polymeric sand. This sand binds together like a flexible mortar, keeping insects out and eliminating washout issues.
The value of perennials in the garden
Flowering perennials are plants that die back to or near the ground each winter but, come back each year. One of the main features of flowering perennials is that they make the landscape more dynamic; a landscape with a variety of flowering perennials is always changing. Through the spring and summer, you can look forward to something new from week to week. Because they don’t bloom through most of the growing season as annuals do (2-3 weeks is common), it is very important with perennials to consider what they look like when they’re not in bloom. It is their ...
Elm Grove Renovation
This long overdue renovation of a home in Elm Grove was completed by Hawks in 2015. The project involved the demolition of nearly all cracked and settled concrete as well as stoops and steps in the back, side and front yards. A large rear patio, deck and walkways were installed along with landscape lighting in both the front and back. Deer and shade tolerant plants were used throughout the site and the grades were corrected to properly drain the property.
Concrete pavers
Concrete pavers are an exceptional medium for adding beauty, quality and sophistication to an outdoor patio, walkway or driveway. Their versatility, strength and affordability make them a superior choice for any residential or commercial hardscape project. Available in a multitude of colors, textures, shapes and sizes, pavers are an aesthetic alternative to poured concrete. Unlike concrete, pavers have the ability to expand and contract with seasonal movements and hence have less cracking. They can also withstand de-icing products such as sodium chloride or salt without ...
