Look Around You for Ideas in Your Own Yard ~ 101

Burroughs Landscaping reminds us to take a look around our beautiful countryside!

If you haven't taken time to stop and look around outside lately, do it now! We tend to get caught up in everyday life and take for granted the beauty that surrounds us everyday. One of my favorite places is under an umbrella at the ocean watching the waves roll in and baby seagulls make their way through the sand. But, I've often wondered if I lived there, would I get caught up in everyday life, working and running errands and miss the beauty after awhile. Would it just become background?? I would hope not, but I've asked people who live on the coast and their response is...regretfully, yes.  

With that being said, look around at the landscape that surrounds us everyday. Watch as you drive to work, or take the kids to the ballpark. Here in Texas Hill Country, we have some of the most beautiful, peaceful views there are. While you hear words that may sound negative to describe our landscapes like "drought", or "deer resistant", living in our gorgeous area of the country is definitely a far cry from negative! Take a weekend drive through some of our countryside and admire the flowering bushes, the interesting cacti, and yes, even the amazing formation of rocks. Take pictures to reflect and gain ideas. Take a picnic, or even overnight bag and enjoy the scenery. Notice the passes cut through in your daily commute and continue to be amazed how the earth is formed and how beautiful the layers of rock are.

Begin your adventure and work your way through our gorgeous region. Boerne offers hiking trails and back roads. On the way to Bandera, you will be in awe as you see rugged limestone hills and paths along river valleys. Arrive in Kerrville, there will be no disappointment in the natural scenic beauty. With parks and outdoor festivals, there is plenty to do, but be sure and remember to see as well! You may just spot the perfect new flower you've been searching for to add to your garden. Continue your scenic drive to Ingram, watching for natural plants and flowers nestled along the back roads. Ready for more panoramic views? Carry on to Hunt, TX. Observe the architecture from German immigrant stone influence to old style southern architecture. Take pictures to mimic in your own garden at home. Don't miss Fredericksburg in your exploration, as it boasts Enchanted Rock. The amazing blue Texas sky is quite a site. If you climb to the top, explore local plants, trees and flowers. Remember these when you return home, create a natural retreat right in your own backyard!

Burroughs Landscaping loves sharing their knowledge and years of experience with you to create the yard and gardens you dream about, creating lovely scenery in your own backyard!

Burroughs Landscaping offers outstanding service and innovative ideas with landscaping tailored to Xeriscaping in Hill Country Texas. The experienced team enjoys landscaping in Kerrville, Hunt, Ingram, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Bandera, Comfort, San Antonio and Mountain Home. Burroughs works with home owners, builders and general contractors and considers the location, topography, aesthetics and aspirations of each client.

Texas Roses...

February is the month to prune rose bushes. Pruning during the month of February encourages healthier roses, producing more blooms in summer. In Hill Country, Texas, antique roses are the perfect colorful beauty for your yard and gardens in the summer. Unlike finicky roses you may purchase online or at a big box store that demand constant attention, antique roses are drought-resistant and beautiful. There are many choices ranging from small bushes to climbing vines and even plants small enough for container gardening. Old roses have not been as popular in recent years, but are returning to our gardens. Especially in the San Antonio area, these hearty lovelies are making a comeback. With muted colors and rich fragrance, antique roses are sure to be a hit in your garden. Brighten your landscape this summer with colorful antique roses.

Burroughs Landscaping is ready to combine their knowledge and expertise with your ideas to make a difference in your outdoor living space, preparing for spring and summer. 

Colorful Autumn...

The heat of summer may have caused some plants to go into hiding as the temperatures rose. With fall quickly approaching, you may find your gardens and yard coming to life again. If your landscape appeals to birds, your autumn view will be that much more colorful.

Landscape in Hill Country Texas that contains a natural garden or trees and lively shrubs containing seeds, berries and blooms will draw birds for the fall and winter months. Providing a water source and shelter encourages American goldfinches, robins, orioles and ruby-crowned kinglets. Golden-cheeked warbler nests in Ashe junipers.

Don't forget to look up! This month you can see V-shaped lines of geese and cranes on their way to brush country. Hawks and kestrels will also be looking back at you.

Burroughs Landscaping is happy to share ideal plants and trees so you can enjoy a breathtaking view for many falls to come.

An End to Summer

The end of summer is just about here. Now is great time to see just how well your landscape did during the hottest parts of the year.

If you watered your landscape it likely survived most of the heat. The right plant selection, placement and good maintenance may have actually thrived during these hot days of summer and drought.

Walk around your landscape and observe anything that may need some attention. If you spot some brown areas it could mean not enough soil for moisture retention, wrong plant selection or wrong site, etc. More importantly, it is an easy way to identify areas that may need change. You may only need to replace grass with more drought-tolerant plants or even attractive patioscape. But always remember brown does not equal dead. Native species go dormant with dying.

Embrace the opportunity, fall is a great time to make changes that will help you create an attractive resilient and water-saving landscape for next season.

If you have questions or concerns about your landscape, or need some good advice before you start, Burroughs Landscaping, Kerrville, TX can help you with all your needs.

By Peggy Cunningham

Beautiful Hill Country Landscape

Living in Hill Country Texas can be difficult in the summer. With the heat and lack of rain it can be hard to stay cool and keep your yard shaded and green. Trees play an important role in this. Planting trees that will stay green for as long as possible.

Evergreen plants and trees stay green all year long, hundreds of species thriving in climates around the world. Flowering evergreen plants, trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines bring color to gardens and landscapes. Evergreens attract birds and other wildlife to feed on nuts or seeds and take shelter under thick-growing foliage.

Trees define the landscape, creating the bones of your yard. Evergreens do not lose their leaves and remain green year round, creating wonderful shade for those hot summer days. Burroughs Landscaping has done all of the research for you, saving you both time and money later on down the road. In addition, Burroughs knows which plants and trees have a long blooming period, lasting from mid-summer to fall.

By Peggy Cunningham

Watering in Summer...

With summer upon us, there will be less rain and hotter days. Some things to consider when watering the gardens and yards the next few months, according to Mike Burroughs Landscaping in Kerrville, TX.

• When planting flowers, plants and grass, consider watering needs for each, as well as sunny and shaded areas. Group similar plants together, avoiding wasteful watering. This is known as hydrozoning.
• Have sprinkler heads checked periodically to confirm they are functioning to full capacity with no leaks and still pointing the right direction.  
• Do not water the pavement, and make sure the water is not hitting a bush blocking the grass. 
• Only water when needed. If the landscape is mostly native plants and flowers, there may be no need to water often. 
• Watering between dusk and dawn prevents the water from evaporating in the heat and wind. This allows the water to soak into the ground reaching the roots.
• Installing a rain sensor to turn the system off during a rainstorm will avoid waste and save money.
• Compost will keep the water in the soil longer and avoid runoff.
• Replacing mulch once or twice each year will hold moisture in the ground. One to two inches will allow water in, and keep it there longer. 
• Allow grass to grow slightly taller. This allows it to protect it's own roots, shading them from the heat of the sun. 
• Change the watering schedule with the seasons. In cooler weather, native plants and flowers will not need as much water as in hot summer months.

"IMG_9605" by Fabrice Florin is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

A Texas Hill Country Natural Garden

That corner in your backyard ~ you know, the one you keep meaning to clean out and landscape. A good suggestion may be to have a natural garden.

If you already have plants that are native to the area, they can provide food, water and shelter for butterflies, bees and birds. Plants and flowers can provide nectar, seeds and berries. Texas Hill Country native plants attract wildlife to your yard easier than exotic plants may.

The following trees and plants will encourage birds as they produce seeds and grasses:

• Little Bluestem
• Pigeonberry
• American Beautyberry
• Texas Barberry

To invite lovely butterflies, their favorite flowers include:

• Salvia
• Sages
• Trumpet Honeysuckle
• Cross Vine
• Verbenas
• Cosmos
• Zinnias

It will be necessary to appeal to pollinators including moths, bees and black-chinned hummingbirds. They are all attracted to:

• Kidneybush
• Cherry Laurel
• Mexican Buckeye
• Yucca
• Flame Acanthus

Interesting birds, butterflies, moths, etc will need adequate shelter. Butterflies need protection from winds. They, along with insects and lizards will make their homes in stacked, dry stone. High trees and thick cedar brush provide shelter for cardinals, blue jays and mockingbirds. Wax myrtle and holly produce berries for food. A brush pile or even a log or dead tree is idea for small birds such as wrens. Owls and woodpeckers will find a tree with cavities appealing.

As we are limited on water during the hot summer months, a permanent pond or fountain is ideal, but not necessary. Simply installing a bird bath with a dripper will quickly attract birds. If you enjoy hummingbirds, they love a mister. This is a fun addition to any yard.

Broken flower pots work well for toad houses. Place them near the bird bath with a dripper to encourage guests. Adding birdhouses or nesting ledges, protected from the elements entice young families to live in your garden. 

Prepare to be entertained in your little bit of paradise as you begin seeing God's creatures mingling in your garden.