Annuals | Phoenix Landscaping Design & Pool Builders, Remodeling

February 11, 2020

A UNIQUE Message About The Western Monarch Butterfly

Once abundant in the southwest, the monarch butterfly is now bordering on extinction due to a severe reduction in its natural habitat.

Due to the mild climate we enjoy in the Valley of the Sun, we share the region with some very UNIQUE creatures such as the western monarch butterfly. But sadly, these beautiful creatures population has dropped substantially in recent years. Once abundant, numbering as many as 300,000 just a few decades ago, it is estimated that the monarch population has dwindled to fewer than 30,000 in late 2019. This severe decline could be the beginning of the end for monarchs in the wild. But as a resident of Phoenix, you can help the monarch population by merely adding a few specific plants to your landscape. To learn more about landscape designs with a purpose and plants that will help save the monarch population, call 480-969-1911 to schedule a free consultation with a UNIQUE landscape design specialist or click here to complete an online request.

Monarchs Depend On Milkweed

The bright flowers on this tropical milkweed make it the perfect addition to your landscape and a haven for migrating monarchs.

Milkweed plants are the lifeblood of the monarch population. Their eggs are attached to the leaves so that the caterpillar has an immediate food source once it escapes the egg case. The caterpillar continues to consume milkweed until it is ready to create its chrysalis in preparation for its transformation into a monarch butterfly.

Unfortunately, many natural areas where milkweed once grew prolifically have been consumed by the cities and towns throughout the southwest. And without any other options for their habitat, the monarch population has dropped to near extinction levels.

How You Can Help Prevent Extinction

The long narrow leaves of the tropical milkweed create a nice contrast to the small foliage of most desert shrubs.

The solution to saving the monarch population is as simple as restoring its natural habitat. And while we cannot remove the sprawl of our cities and towns, we can replace the plants that once grew here naturally. Adding varieties of milkweeds to your landscape will provide the breeding area and food source needed for this species to repopulate the southwest.

Varieties Of Milkweed

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is a favorite of the monarch. And though it is not a native to the area, it has been adapted to thrive in the area as a perennial. The plants range from two feet tall to about four-plus and offer very showy orange and yellow blooms. In most areas of Phoenix, the plants remain green year-round and will reseed, making it great for a green barrier or backdrop in your landscape.

This desert milkweed adds a splash of bright white to your landscape and is the perfect place for monarchs to begin to repopulate the region.

Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia) is a native variety that offers small white flowers from spring to late summer. This variety is more adapted to a dry, rocky area. It will require less water and care than the tropical variety. Desert Milkweed (Asclepias erosa) is native to the region and can be found from California to western Mexico. Most people view this variety as a weed and will pull it or spray it with weed killer. But when allowed to remain in a landscape, the plants grow to about two to three feet tall and have large clusters of small white flowers. This plant will thrive in an arid area and requires little to no supplemental watering. It is an excellent addition to a space where you want a natural desert look. Adding a few plants to a cactus and agave planting will add texture and foliage without requiring irrigation.

This desert landscape is the perfect place to add a few milkweed plants to attract the monarchs. Imagine the added beauty to your landscape when it is painted with these striking orange and black butterflies.

It can be very easy to forget that as our city grows, we are reducing the natural areas that provide a habitat for many creatures of the southwest. But with a little bit of planning and research, you can learn how to help recreate a habitat for the western monarch before it becomes endangered or extinct. To learn more about plants that will enhance your landscape and promote the natural ecosystem in our area, call 480-969-1911 to schedule a free consultation with a UNIQUE landscape design specialist or click here to complete an online request. Not only will the butterflies benefit, but you could discover

January 7, 2020

How To Care For Your Arizona Landscape During The Winter Months

While residents enjoy the cooler temperatures of the Phoenix winter, many plants suffer frost damage when not properly protected.

Many Arizona residents will tell you that they long for the pleasant and typically mild climate that we enjoy during the winter months. While the area is known for extreme temperatures and dry heat in the summertime, pleasant winter temps are very much a welcome change for anyone who lives here year-round. But along with those winter months of sunny, snow-free days, we do experience some nights that dip down to freezing or below. And on those few nights, your plants can suffer. Knowing how to protect and maintain your landscape during the winter months correctly will ensure their beauty for the coming year.

We Do Have A Frost Season In Phoenix!

This open landscape will be more susceptible to frost damage than a more protected suburban location. Proper plant selection is critical to avoiding the frustration of frost damage each winter.

In general, you can expect to see some frost at your home between late November and the first week of April. Many factors can influence when and how often your landscape must endure an evening frost. Your specific location in the valley, the elevation of your property, how open the area is, the amount of pavement near your yard, and even the population density will all have an impact on how often you will experience frost in your yard. When a frost warning is issued for your neighborhood, it is vital that you take action to protect your plants from excessive heat loss and frost damage.

Tips To Know About Cold Weather

These more delicate plants enjoy a protected location and residual heat from the pavers and masonry planters. This plant location decreases the risk of frost damage and the loss of plants in the winter months.

The coldest part of every day is just before daybreak
During the day, it is essential to uncover plants to allow the sun to warm the soil and plants naturally
Cloudy nights provide insulation from the cold
Clear nights hold the highest potential for lower temperatures and frost damage to plants
Wind often contributes to heat loss and frost damage to your landscape
Most yards experience temperatures about 5 degrees colder than the temperature predictions provided by the media
Cold air flows downward, so plants in lower areas of your yard are at higher risk for frost damage

Good Planning Can Help To Limit Frost Damage

Properly covering plants all the way to the ground will provide the best results. Heat will rise from the ground to warm the plant overnight.

During the design phase of your landscape is when you really need to begin thinking about the prevention of frost damage. Choosing hardy plants is the best way to avoid frost damage. This is also an excellent way to prevent spending an hour each evening covering delicate plants and then another hour the next morning uncovering them. And if you are fond of some of the more delicate flora, try to locate these more delicate specimens with southern or western exposure to allow for more natural warming from sunlight. Also, remember that patios, rocks, and block walls all absorb and radiate heat, which will help to warm your less frost tolerant plant selections.

The Proper Way To Tuck Your Plants In To Avoid Frost Damage

Covering just the top of a plant will not provide enough insulation to prevent frost damage. The cover needs to allow heat from the surrounding ground to warm the plant continually.

The first critical step in protecting your landscape from frost damage is to select the correct covering. Frost cloth is sold at many local nurseries and big box stores and is rates to protect plants down to about 30 degrees on average. Some of the more expensive brands will provide added insulation down to about 20 degrees. Many residents also use old sheets or blankets to cover plants.

What is most important to understand is that plants do not produce any heat on their own. You are covering your plants to trap the residual heat and humidity, which will insulate and protect them. So drape the coverings down to the ground for the best results. The rock in your yard absorbs heat all day and is the best source of warmth for your plants as night falls.

Once the daytime temperature reaches about 50 degrees, it is crucial to remove the coverings to allow your plants to be warmed naturally by the sunlight. Leaving plants covered for days is never a good idea and can even cause some damage to them.

Finally, never cover your plants with plastic of any kind. This material does not breath and will freeze, increasing the frost damage that you were trying to prevent.

Other Important Information

While a small amount of frost damage usually is not fatal for most plants, it can become unsightly. However, it would be best if you avoided the temptation to trim off any frost damage immediately. This damage portion of the plant will help to insulate undamaged areas in the event of additional cold temperatures.

Also, be sure to keep your plants well-watered to allow them to remain as healthy and robust as possible during the cold period. This also helps to keep plants warm at night because moist soil will absorb and retain more warmth than dry soil. This allows for more radiant heat to rise from the ground during the night and keep your plants warm and healthy.

If you have questions about how to care for your Arizona plants during the winter or would like to learn more about selecting cold-tolerant plants for your landscape, call the pros at UNIQUE Landscape at 480-969-1911 or click here to set up a free consultation. You can also click here to learn more about caring for your spa and swimming pool this winter

October 30, 2019

Critical Landscape Rules To Remember When Creating Your UNIQUE Outdoor Living Space

Functional outdoor living space is a must in Phoenix. With careful planning, your outdoor oasis will function as well as the rooms in your home to meet your needs for additional living space.

Living in the Phoenix area, it is essential for homeowners to see their outdoor space as an extension of their home and not just wasted space. The climate is perfect to put outdoor space to use as a very functional bonus living space, entertaining space, and a great place for exercise and fun activities. However, to make the most of your UNIQUE outdoor living space, some careful planning and thoughtful design work are required. And there are a few general rules that should always be followed when creating a functional outdoor living space. For professional design assistance, contact the UNIQUE design team at 480-969-1911 to schedule a free consultation.

Even when homeowners hire the UNIQUE design team to help plan, design, and build their outdoor oasis, there are many choices that only the homeowner can make. Before your free design consultation with a UNIQUE designer, it is crucial that you consider your expectations for your outdoor living space. And this includes the entire yard, not just a single feature or area. Professional planning and a proper layout for even the first phase of your landscape plan will impact how other areas can be developed and used in the future. Consider spaces for:

Outdoor cooking
Outdoor dining
Covered outdoor seating and relaxation
Sport courts, putting greens, and play equipment
Swimming pool and spa
Splash pad

All of these spaces need to create smooth traffic flow and complement one another, even if not all of them will be built immediately. Also, consider the access required for future construction of new outdoor features. This planning process can save you time and a great deal of money in the future.

Consider The Future Of Your UNIQUE Outdoor Living Space

The design of this outdoor living space provides easy access throughout the yard. Each area functions perfectly within the entire design.

While it is essential to plan the layout of all of the features in your outdoor living space, it is also necessary to consider the plants that you are selecting. While we all know that the plants will grow and mature over the next few years, be sure to discuss the mature size of the plants with your UNIQUE designer. What might appear as a sparse landscape right after installation, will grow into a more lush and complete backdrop for your outdoor living space. And the biggest surprise for most homeowners is that their plants proliferate in this climate. Over planting a new landscape will lead to a great deal more maintenance and even a look that is very crowded and visually unappealing. Enjoy the first year of your landscape, and know that the plants will flourish and grow very quickly to create your UNIQUE dream outdoor space.

Choose The Right Plants For Each Space

As this landscape matured, it created a natural and visually pleasing backdrop for this outdoor living space. Plants were selected based on their mature size and shape to create this very natural oasis.

In addition to plants, many features of your outdoor living space are going to require regular care and maintenance. If you are not fond of yard work, then selecting low maintenance vegetation is a good idea. Or ask your neighbors or UNIQUE designer to recommend a reputable landscape maintenance professional in your area. Hardscape features such as paver or stone patios, fire pits, fireplaces, and BBQ islands also need regular care to remain safe and functional for a lifetime. Your designer will be able to provide you with the recommended care and maintenance for each feature that you select for your outdoor living space. The item that will need the most attention and maintenance is also the item that you have made the most significant investment in, your pool and spa. Properly maintaining the water chemistry is essential for extending the life expectancy of the pool and for the safety of your loved ones who are in the water. Once your pool is completed, the UNIQUE team offers weekly professional pool service. Sign up for this service and you never need to worry about water chemistry, brushing, or cleaning leaf filters. Call 480-969-1911 to schedule your pool service.

Creating your UNIQUE outdoor living space will require the investment of both time and patience. The assistance of a professional designer from UNIQUE is sure to make the process much more enjoyable and less stressful for you. And the result is sure to be nothing short of amazing.