Blog: Southern Landscape Trends & Tips
Welcome! Read our articles that answer FAQ’s about landscape design and offer recommendations on yard care & plants for your Southern home.
Although our branches are located in Georgia & Alabama, we hope our articles provide information & ideas for landscaping in any region. Check back often for new information about the latest landscaping trends, seasonal tips, advice and education to keep your yard looking its best!
Recent blog posts:
Does Landscaping Increase Home Value?
Landscaping can do far more than enhance the look of your property—it can directly influence how buyers perceive your home and what they are willing to pay for it. From front yard curb appeal to functional outdoor living spaces, the right improvements can create both...
Spring Landscape Planning: Top 3 Maintenance Tips for the Alpharetta & Atlanta Areas
As winter begins to recede and warmer weather moves in, spring is the ideal time to prepare your landscape for a healthy, beautiful, and enjoyable season ahead. A thoughtful approach now will ensure your property looks its best as we move into late spring and the...
Using Backyard Plants as Holiday Decorations
Before you make an arrangement with branches and holiday plants, Make sure they are not potentially harmful to pets or people During the holidays, using plants and trees from our backyards in our holiday décor can be fun, easy, and cost-effective. We...
Fall and Winter Backyard Entertainment & Gift Ideas
Wherever you are with your backyard landscape project, small investments can help turn your yard or patio into the best entertainment spot in the neighborhood. These additions to your backyard – or even your front yard - will keep the fun flowing for outdoor...
Fall in the South – tips to keep a front yard beautiful until Spring
Sometimes it takes a little longer to feel the crisp fall air or to see the leaves turn when you live in Southern states, but when it happens, it doesn’t mean your front yard has to “fall” to the wayside. Here are a few of the ways we work with our clients to...
Client Review Confirms a Thoughtful Landscape Design is Key to Success
We have written several articles about why choosing a landscape design/build firm with a landscape architect or the right landscape design company helps to ensure a good outcome for your landscaping project. A recent Google client review prompted us to share the...
Landscape Ideas to Combat Summer Heat in the South
Our Atlanta area clients have asked us how to use landscaping to help cool down as the summer temperatures rise. Our landscape designers have compiled a list of the “beat the heat” landscape ideas, techniques, & strategies they are adding to their client’s...
Should I Hire a Landscape Architect to Design My Pool?
Are ready to take the leap to upgrade your back yard with a pool? If so, you may be wondering if you need to hire a landscape architect for your pool design or if all you need is a pool company. You are not alone in asking this question. As a matter of...
Shrubs we Love for Georgia & Southern Landscapes
After our recent articles, the first covering thebest trees to plant in Georgia, and the second listing our favorite flowers & plants for Atlanta, we were asked to share our choices of the best shrubs and bushes for Georgia and other states in the South. We...
Landscape design for your backyard resort – Should you do it yourself?
Undertaking a backyard landscaping project can be challenging. A full backyard makeover is a big job, made even more complex when planning a resort-style yard with a pool. Be prepared to manage and schedule each contractor - from the landscape architect and pool...
Our Top 8 Plants & Flowers for Spring Planting in the Atlanta Area
A telltale indication Spring planting time has arrived is when you see the parking lots overflowing at Atlanta plant nurseries.... Proof that you don’t have to be a landscape design expert to create an eye-catching garden! To lend a hand, we’ve asked our landscape...
Find the Best Landscape Design Company in Alpharetta / Atlanta areas
Finding a great landscape architect or landscape design company near you can be challenging. In this article, we’ll review 7 key factors to consider to find the best landscape design-build firm in any area, inside or outside the North Atlanta “triangle”. #1...
Which trees are the best to plant in Georgia? Our Top 8 Trees:
Our top trees to plant in Georgia: Hardwoods: “Sangria” Nutall Oaks and “Princeton” Elm. Evergreens: “Green Giant” Arborvitae, “Nellie R. Stevens” Holly, and “Carolina Sapphire” Cypress. Flowering trees: Saucer Magnolia. “Kousa” Dogwood, and Vitex or Chaste Tree.
Is it time to invest in landscape grading or lawn leveling?
Lately we have had several inquiries from Atlanta-area homeowners about landscape grading and drainage solutions. Since the South has had an abundance of rain lately, we decided to focus our latest article on the benefits of landscape grading for your...
How important is curb appeal and landscaping when selling a home?
It’s true, homebuyers are calling their real estate agents as 2024 is off to a great start for home sales. According to industry experts, so far this January mortgage rates are dropping and mortgage applications are rising. This means, if you are thinking of selling...
Hardscaping Ideas & Trends for Elevated Southern Landscape Design
In the South, we are lucky to be able to work on our landscape projects year-round, especially when the design is centered around key hardscape elements. Since there are very few days when weather prohibits hardscape installation here in Georgia & Alabama,...
I live in Atlanta, Georgia. What can I do to improve the appearance of my front yard landscaping during the winter when my grass is brown and dormant?
In Georgia and other Southern states where warm-season grasses like Bermuda and Zoysia are common, it's normal for the grass to go dormant and turn brown during the winter months. Even if your lawn isn’t the centerpiece of your front yard landscape design, there are...
Can I give someone a landscape gift for the holidays? You bet!
To us, the perfect outdoor holiday landscape gift is a fire pit. When the weather gets chilly, being able to bundle up and sit around a firepit making smores or having a glass of wine is truly a treat. If a fire pit doesn’t light you up, maybe a putting green,...
Do I need a Design Build Landscape Company? And..
What is the difference Between a Landscape Design Build Firm and a Landscape Maintenance Company? In this article, we are discussing the different types of landscape companies and when to choose a "design build" firm instead of a maintenance company and vice...
Living in the South, are there plants that will flower in the winter?
If you live in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and other Southern states where temperatures may dip below freezing in the winter months, it doesn’t mean you have to give up including flowering plants in your gardens. These states are mostly USDA zones 7b, 8a,...
Fall & Winter Landscaping Ideas for the Atlanta Area
Don't let the dormant front yards you see during the fall and winter months of Georgia fool you! Even though many types of grass used in and around Atlanta go dormant when it starts to get cold, it doesn’t mean you can't work on your outdoor living space! If you’re...
When & how should daffodil and tulip bulbs be planted in Georgia?
Part of our Homeowner Landscape Question Series: As a landscape company with over 20 years experience landscaping Atlanta, Alpharetta, and now Lake Martin, area homes, our clients often reach out us when they have questions about planting, maintenance, and more. ...
10 Reasons to Hire a Landscape Design Company
Are you wondering if you need a professional landscape design company to complete your backyard project? In many cases, the answer is yes. Keep reading learn why hiring a professional is usually the best choice! 1. With an Expert, You...
Fall is for Entertaining… Is it Time for a Fire Pit in your Back Yard?
The fall & winter months are the PERFECT time of year to sit near a cozy fire and just relax. Wouldn’t you love to do that in your OWN backyard? Now you can create a perfect oasis when you hire Outside Landscape Group for your fire pit installation! We serve...
Outdoor Kitchens don’t have to break the bank!
Outdoor Kitchens have become incredibly popular and currently more financially approachable than ever before. Building custom outdoor kitchens with stone or brick buildouts, granite counter tops and built in appliances is not inexpensive and often limits some of...
Are you searching for a landscape company?
Here are the top 5 things to look for when choosing a landscaping company. 1. Experience: Time-tested skills in Design and Installation When considering a landscaper’s experience, also ensure their knowledge about the local climate. For example, if you live in the...
3 Essentials for Front Yard Landscape Design Success
Continuing from our last post, let's highlight 3 key design concepts for your Front Yard Landscape. 1…Create an inviting approach to lead or the draw the eye to the main entrance. Use framing trees to guide the eye, seasonal color and/or a focal point such as a unique...
Fall is Perfect for a Front Yard Landscape Project in Atlanta
As the blazing heat of summer begins to wane in our Atlanta region, landscape installations with new trees, plants, bushes, or grass, enjoy easier transitions. This is why the fall season offers a unique window of opportunity for landscape projects, and if you're...
Design Tips & Considerations for your Pool Landscape Project
In our third, and final, installation of blogs centered on Pool Design & Landscaping, we put together a short list of questions to answer before picking up the phone to call a pool company or landscape architect. As you get into the process, you will find...
5 Creative Swimming Pool Landscaping Ideas
As we continue to explore pool design with our blog, we are looking at how pool landscaping can elevate your design. Whether a simple plunge pool or a resort-level backyard oasis, creating the perfect fit for your lifestyle can mean adding design elements to bring the...
The Art of Pruning Summer Annuals
Summer in the Atlanta area brings a delightful burst of colors and blooms to landscapes across the entire Georgia region. However, to maintain the beauty and health of the vibrant and dazzling display of annual flowers, it's essential to understand the art...