Desert Willow

You have probably heard the X-word thrown around a bit given the dry conditions that have taken over Texas lately. Xeriscaping is just a fancy way of saying landscaping with plants and irrigation practices that minimize water usage.

A lot of people see Xeriscaping as being limited to strictly planting cacti with some rocks strewn about. This is just not the case! Xeriscaping does not need to mean a grassless lawn. Here are the seven principles of Xeriscaping according to Sustainable Sources to help give you a better idea of this new trend in landscaping:

1. Planning and design - Before installing your Xeriscape landscape, you need to take into consideration the regional climate, existing vegetation and topographical conditions, the intended use of the area and where your plants will be placed according to their watering needs.
2. Soil Improvement - Another primary focus of Xeriscaping is to limit the amount of fertilizer used on your landscape. You should have your soil analyzed to determine what plants would work best given your soil's makeup and to see if any soil amendments are needed.
3. Appropriate Native Plant Selection - Obviously, you'll want to place an emphasis on selecting plants that require the minimum amount of water. You should also choose a diversity of native plants to help guard against pest or insect problems wiping out your entire landscape.
4. Practical Turf Areas - When using turf in Xeriscaping, make sure that the areas are flat to avoid run off, rounded and compact so it's easier to water and mow, and keep your turf areas separate from other landscape plants as your turf will require more water than your other native plants. Buffalo and Bermuda grasses are great turf options for our area.
5. Efficient Irrigation - Make sure to use a low water irrigation system such as those made by Rain Bird. Also, make sure to have your irrigation system checked regularly by a team of Certified Irrigation Specialists, such as those at Complete Landsculpture.
6. Use of Mulches - Use a deep layer of mulch in flower beds to limit weed growth (weeds steal precious water from your desirable plants) while also trapping moisture in the soil.
7. Appropriate Maintenance - Although Xeriscape landscapes require less maintenance due to the use of hardier plants, you still want to make sure that you don't mow your lawn too short. Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can help to return nutrients to the soil, however take care not to leave large clumps of grass clippings out as those can leave dead spots on your lawn. Complete Landsculpture's talented maintenance teams can make this step a breeze!

A rose bush stem infected with the Rose rosette disease.

Rose rosette is a disease which affects nearly every type of cultivated rose, even the highly disease-resistant Knock Out roses. The disease is actually a virus spread by tiny, microscopic mites known as Phyllacoptes fructiphylus, also called the rose leaf curl mite. These mites aren't actually able to fly on their own, but they can be carried by the wind or crawl from one rose bush to another.

The only known cure for infected plants is to remove the shrub entirely, roots and all. It's best to bag the plant before removing it to ensure that no mites are knocked free and onto unaffected bushes. Failure to remove your infected shrubs entirely only results in spreading the disease throughout your garden and possibly your neighbors'! Neil Sperry recently wrote a fantastic article for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram detailing the spread of this disease.

But what does an infected rose bush look like? Here is a list of symptoms:

Another look at an infected rose stem

• An unhealthy red coloration of the leaves and shoots
• Increased growth and elongation of shoots
• A "Witch's Broom" appearance, or large clustering of shoots
• A shorter length of stem between leaves
• Distorted leaves
• An overabundance of thorns
• Strange flower coloration with spots or smears of color
• Deformed buds or flowers
• A lack of winter hardiness

If you suspect your roses may be infected with the Rose rosette disease, contact Complete Landsculpture and let our landscape consultants inspect and remove the shrub to ensure the infection doesn't spread!

So what is exactly a Complete Outdoor Oasis? It's simply a gorgeous space to relax, hang out with friends, make a nice meal in beautiful weather and enjoy a dip in the swimming pool, all from the comfort of your backyard!

Gene Freeman, Vice President of Complete Landsculpture, does a great job of explaining this outdoor living philosophy in the above video, but here are some extra considerations to include in your outdoor living space:

• Outdoor Kitchen - An outdoor kitchen is a vital part of any Complete Outdoor Oasis. Whether you're just looking for a built-in grill with some beautiful stonework, or an entire kitchen experience complete with a refrigerator, pizza oven, television and a fire pit, Complete Landsculpture can design and build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
• Water Features - Water features are the perfect way to add the relaxing sights and sounds of flowing water anywhere on your property. Artificial streams babbling into a small pond or simple bubbling pots can add a great deal to add to the ambience of your landscape.
• Swimming Pool - A beautiful free-form or formal swimming pool can be the perfect centerpiece for your Complete Outdoor Oasis! Just imagine relaxing in your backyard, poolside, while grilling some steaks in your new outdoor kitchen. It doesn't get much better than that!
• Outdoor Lighting and Illumination - Why cut your evening of grilling and swimming short just because the sun goes down? With some strategically placed outdoor lights, your nighttime landscape can be totally transformed, extending your outdoor activities long into the night.
• Traditional Landscaping - The installation of some seasonal color as well as some year-round landscaping can help to tie the entire outdoor experience together by softening any hard lines created by concrete areas. Complete Landsculpture's professional and experienced landscape installation teams can make sure that your Complete Outdoor Oasis is one cohesive outdoor living space!