Update - Fall Showcase

Check out what we have been working on this fall by Checking out our 2014 Fall Showcase animation!!!

 2014 Fall Showcase

We can create dynamic, fly through animation and rich still images of your project. Why not contact us today to see how we can bring ideas to life!!  Hear are a few images that we have created!!

 

We can make the 3D model, or If you have a 3D model already - we can bring it to life.

Residential, commercial, exterior elevations, interior elevations and much, much more!!!
Contact us today, to see how we can bring your project to life!!!

Project Spotlight - Bridge Tower Residence

Project Spotlight: Bridge Tower Residence

Existing Conditions: Located in a neighborhood in Meridian, Idaho this design focusing on a backyard enhancement. The backyard had some existing landscaping - Nice mature trees, water feature (that did not work), lawn and a large concrete patio -- but it made no statement....

Conceptual Design: The design is created into 3-D format for ease of visualization for the client. The 3-D format really helps to describe the design and the form it will take, as well as the relationship to the existing house.

Here is the Animation for the project!

Design: To enhance the livability of this backyard, key elements were added to supplement the existing character and transform the large open space into several outdoor living spaces.

When our client was ready to bring the design to life, we contacted Lavon Webb, with Sterling Landscape.  Lavon and everyone at Sterling, did a spectacular job and our client was extremely happy with the end result!!  Here are a few photo during the construction process...

Getting ready for Demo day - you can see the future patio lines painted on the ground.

 The guys from Sterling working hard!!

Here is the lowest patio - the project is starting to take shape!

AFTER........

The turf area, which was a large component of the existing design, was made smaller to accommodate the construction of a multi-tiered patio area, each featuring distinct uses- - dining, water and fire. 

 

In the dining portion of the patio an additional shade structure is introduced.

 Under the shade structure an outdoor bar and small kitchen area are located. 

As you descend the stairs to the lower tier of the patio, you enter the fire pit area. This patio has a permanent fire pit centrally located, and surrounded by seat walls. This gives the opportunity for additional seating during a large gathering event.

The third patio section has a tiered water feature. The water feature ends at the ground floor of the patio.

The water feature attracts wildlife, by supplementing habitat and provides tranquil sound effects. At the edge of the patio the turf begins.

The turf area allows a sufficient space for the children to play while decreasing the amount of water use that is necessary.

The existing play structure stays in place and an in ground trampoline is introduced nearby.

New Concrete sports court with Basketball hoop

A special thanks to Sterling Landscape, for making this project look so good!!

Contractor Spotlight - Boden Haus Landscape

Contractor Spotlight: Boden Haus Landscape

Boden Haus Landscape is a residential and commercial landscape design and construction company that focusing on custom design, craftsmanship and quality.

With projects located all over throughout the Treasure Valley and extending up toward McCall, Boden Haus has experience with all exterior landscape site elements, including but not limited to, brick paver patios/driveways, water features, retaining walls, water features, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, pergolas, irrigation, swimming pools, plantings and much, much more!

 

If you have something specific in mind, or are just looking for ideas browse their online photo galleries of installed projects and check out their reviews of satisfied clients on their testimonial link, found at www.bodenhaus.net Call today at 208.898.4232 or email Aaron@bodenhaus.net.

Focus on Plants - Flame Amur Maple

Botanical Name: Acer ginnala ‘Flame’

Flowers: Dainty white/pale yellow flowers - fragrant

Leaves: 3” Leaves with 3 lobes, bright green color in summer turning scarlet in autumn

Sun: Sun or partial shade

Water: Average water needs

Size: 15-20’ tall, 15-28’ spread

Fragrance: Spring scent

Attracts: Bees, butterflies and birds

Tolerant of: Deer, rabbits, drought, shade, salt

Issues: Susceptible to iron chlorosis

Appearance.

The Flame Amur Maple is a versatile, ornamental plant. It is classified as both a small tree and a large shrub and can be found both as a multi stemmed or single leader tree.  The Flame Amur Maple is a round tree, reaching 15- 20 feet tall and 15-28 feet in spread, it can thrive in an urban setting due to its petite size and can be grown as a bonsai. The Flame Maple has 3 inch leaves, consisting of 3 lobes that are toothed. The bark is a thin, dull gray brown and smooth. In the summer, the tree is a bright green color and by autumn transforms into a bright scarlet hue. The samara, which is the maple seed, also changes color from a light tan to a red.

Growing.

The Flame Amur Maple is the most cold tolerant of all the Maple varieties and can be grown in zones 2 to 8. The tree does well in urban settings and can handle some salt and drought. The tree can be grown both in the shady and sunny conditions, yet its fall color is best when grown in full sun. The tree prefers moist, well drained soils, yet is moderately drought tolerant and is considered suitable to xeriscape conditions. For steady growth of 3- 4 feet per year, supplement the tree with average water needs, especially during establishment.

Use.

The Flame Maple originates in Asia, specifically Korea, Japan, Mongolia and Siberia. The tree’s original use was as a substitute for tea leaves. It was also used for its pigment extraction of black, blue and brown dyes. In 2014, the tree’s most noteworthy use is its medicinal use in cancer research. In the tree’s natural setting, it works well in tree strips and windbreaks, and does well in urban settings. It helps in controlling soil erosion and provides a colorful privacy buffer when used as a hedge or screen. The Flame Amur Maple it’s a major attractor of wildlife. It is browsed by deer and rabbits and the seeds are eaten by squirrels. It specifically attracts bees, butterflies and songbirds.

Care.

The Flame Amur Maple is generally free of pests yet occasionally is infested with aphids, scales, borers and spider mites. It is also prone to yellow bellied sapsucker. The tree is also subject to iron chlorosis. Iron chlorosis is the yellowing of plant leaves due to iron deficiency, frequently occurring in soils that are alkaline and/or poorly drained soils. Also, be aware that the tree is highly sensitive to phenoxy herbicides.

Landscape Design Tips - Planting in Layers

Landscape Design Tips: Planting in Layers

To keep your garden full of color, texture and plant variety, try a new approach to gardening, planting in layers.  Planting in layers is an idea that drove the gardens of the 20^th century. Traditionally the English Garden consisted of three layers, specifically three layers of perennials.

Today the theory of layering focuses on the idea that plants grow in clusters and drifts and overlap and interlock as they merge. This adds a greater level of interest to the garden.

 Planting in layers allows for trees and shrubs to be located in the back, intermediate plants in the middle and shorter plantings in the foreground. Not only does this type of planning avoid monoculture design, but it provides greater habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies and birds but it staggers blooming, making your garden color last all summer.  

Vertical layering is the staggering of plantings in height, while horizontal layering adds variety on the ground plane. By grouping your plantings in clusters of 3 to 5 plants, each layer provides greater interest. Overlap the plantings for a flow, but remember to give the plants enough room for their size at maturity. By grouping the planting, a pattern can be created of texture and form. Use a zig-zag pattern to draw the eye into the design.  While playing with the idea of layering in your yard, try substituting a large hedge or tree for a trellis in the third layer. Pick a trellis with an artistic design or a simple trellis for use as a growing medium. It can be used as a focal point and add more variety to the design.

Are you an apartment dweller and want to try these layering techniques but don’t have a yard? Try layering in a container. Introduced by the Dutch, bulb lasagna is a way to bring the garden to your apartment window or balcony. 

Bulb lasagna is the layering of bulbs in containers. When using this method, choose bulbs with less foliage so the bulbs are not competing for space. Using a large pot, or garden container, put a layer of compost or soil rich in organic matter and the base of the pot. Layer daffodil bulbs at the base, and then add a layer of compost. In the second layer add tulips and again cover with compost. Finally add dwarf bulbs and cover with another layer of compost or soil. Then follow a once a week watering schedule and wait for buds, then blooms. This process works both in traditional gardens and container gardens and extends the period of blooming.

 Leave comments to let us know if you have ever tried this method or if you will attempt this method of layering and bulb lasagna this fall!