Landscape lighting and knowing your angles

One often under-utilized tool in the landscaper’s toolbox that we love to install is landscape lighting. Even though projects of all sizes can accomplish a lot with some professionally installed high grade landscape lighting, this is something we often only see come out in higher end projects.

I think we can all agree that the strategy can temper the look of any landscape, and adding lights into the landscaping imparts much more than just a mood to the project.These lights are functional! Adding more area lighting to this project literally showcases the details and assets of the install and illuminates their function. This combination of aesthetic appeal and function is what great landscaping is all about.

The sitting wall and step areas are both more functional and more appealing with the addition of this lighting. Many people would be surprised to learn the variety of lighting options that exist– we have so many styles and install strategies for lighting. High quality, long lasting landscape lighting is most commonly used to illuminate bed areas, but can be utilized to great effect to add dimension to tree installs, on or around sitting walls and outdoor living spaces, or even just near a bubbling water feature to bring some drama and contribute to the night-time enjoyment of an area.

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/landscape-lighting-and-knowing-your-angles/

Welcome to our blog!

We wanted a good place to share great projects and some of our expertise with our clients and the world at large, so when we put this new site together, it was important to us to include an awesome blog.

I hope you’ll take a moment to check out some of our posts. We can always be reached through the contact info at the bottom of the page, feel free to give us a call with any questions.

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/welcome-to-our-blog/

From a blank slate to something simple and clean

We frequently get calls from clients all over the Portland and Vancouver area who are excited about their new home– but working with bare dirt in their backyard! Many builders will install a pretty average or basic front yard space, leaving the choice of what to do with the backyard area to you. We’ve shown you some different ways we can spice up those front yard basic areas. Well, today it’s all about the backyard!

Just because we want to bring in some of our low maintenance landscaping strategies doesn’t mean you can’t have a pleasant and very functional space.

Before

After

This client wanted something that would be clean and clear of clutter so her dogs could have some space to safely play, while not also signing up to spend every weekend out in the yard pulling weeds and patching torn up grass. We were able to bring in a mix of rock and artificial turf to make this a dog-friendly area that wouldn’t require the constant attention of a grass lawn. We were even able to build in some simple planting areas for a future garden. Now that’s a puppy pleaser!

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/from-a-blank-slate-to-something-simple-and-clean/

What’s the best way to pick up a pile of leaves? A vacuum of course!

Here’s a video of some of our maintenance guys in action! Follow us on Facebook for all the pictures, videos, and other interesting things we see working in the industry.

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/whats-the-best-way-to-pick-up-a-pile-of-leaves-a-vaccuum-of-course/

Going beyond builder-basic

There are a lot of “builder basic” landscapes in Vancouver, and landscaping is often one item that gets pushed further down the priority list, or even forgotten about entirely when building a new home.

Luckily, with our help, your new dream home can look like it from the outside, too.

This customer in Vancouver contacted us when they wanted to create a visually appealing entrance to their home. The placement of their home and long driveway made all that empty space look all the more barren.

 

Before

After

 

For this project, we kept it simple and clean, which really brings out the beautiful property and the nice clean lines of the existing hardscape. A great plant selection via some of our local nurseries, and interesting rockwork come together in concert with the elegant light fixtures to make this entrance area a real point of interest. We think it’s a lot more inviting, as well.

 

Stuck with that perfect square of grass in the backyard? Sick of that washed out bark dust or those tired lava rocks? Give us a call and we can take that basic landscaping and turn it into something beautiful.

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/going-beyond-builder-basic/

Sunbathing on the patio

Here’s an awesome example of how a landscaper can take a fine yard and turn it into something incredible. The first image here is the yard we started with.

beforeshot

patiovancouverjscustom

As you can see, the redesign of this backyard not only made it a more practical space to entertain and relax in, but the clean lines of the patio make the area feel easily twice as large.

We were able to help the homeowner keep their personal style in the look of the space, and now this backyard can be shared even better with friends and family.

If you want to get a lot more out of your yard, or are just sick of that cookie cutter builder basic landscaping, give us a call and we can give you something you’ll love.

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/832-2/

Beautiful crocosmia for color

Tired of your yard looking drab in the heat of summer? Wishing your garden had more than browns and (hopefully) a few different green tones when the rains finally clear up and we can finally enjoy the sunshine?

Well, look no further than our good friend Crocosmia!

This colorful family of plants brings a wide variety of summer blooming, warm toned flowers with nice sharp lines. They’re pretty easygoing and can be utilized in a number of great spots in a planter bed or garden, whether they’re the star of the show or part of a supporting cast.

Once they are established, they are fairly drought resistant, and they even attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which is why you’ve probably seen multiple varieties of them all over town. 

If you’ve been convinced to try out the versatile and diverse family of beautiful flowers, give us a call and we can provide some locally sourced crocosmia to brighten up your summer!

source http://jscustomlandscaping.com/beautiful-crocosmia-for-color/