Check out these before and after photos from the Bakker residence.

The Smoke Tree is a small tree/shrub that is available with green or dark purple foliage. The ‘smoke’ name comes from the plumes of flower clusters that can be seen from the distance. The tree offers a range of colors throughout the year, can tolerate most soils, and is easy to care for.

Smoke Tree

Russian Sage silver foliage stands out against greens in the garden due to the light color and haze of purplish blue flowers that bloom in mid to late summer.  As a bonus, Russian Sage is low-maintenance and hardy.

Russian Sage

The Black Mondo Grass is a great border plant offering a color change from all of the other green, blue, and yellow grasses. Groundcover can be a little intimidating because of the reputation for taking over your garden, however the Black Mondo Grass spreads by underground stems to form clumps and is not invasive. This offers a nice contrast to your other perennial flowers.

Black Mondo Grass

 - Eric

Lupine

Feather Reed Grass

Quaking Aspen

Plant Quaking Aspen trees in an open area, and fill the ground cover in with Lupine that will spread to make a northwest meadow of native flowers. By mixing in Feather Reed Grass there will be great contrast and height.

photo: ASLA

Create a modern look by planting Aspen trees & Reed Grass in rows, soften edges or mix in Lupine for more color.

photo: ASLA

All plants will grow well in full sun, Aspen trees produce rustling noise from ‘quaking’ or shaking leaves. Lupine come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, or yellow and Feather Reed is a great vertical ornamental grass that can grow up to 3 to 5 feet tall. Prune Feather Reed Grass to the ground every winter for easy maintenance.

-Eric

Here is what our flower team is planting now, thanks to our friends at Bel-R Greenhouse and North Coast Gardening for the photos.

1. Winter Primroses.

photo: Bel-R Greenhouse

 

photo: Bel-R Greenhouse

2. Pansies.

photo: Bel-R Greenhouse

 

photo: Bel-R Greenhouse

 3. Hellebores. 

photo: North Coast Gardening

Ready to add some color to your garden? These plants are hardy and will last through the rest of winter into early spring.

Let us know if you have any questions.

-h

1. LeMay- America’s Car Museum and Showfield – located in the Tacoma Dome parking lot, the LeMay Car Museum has been one of the most talked about construction projects in Tacoma for the past few years. Blue Sky was subcontracted by JTM Construction to install landscape pavers in the showfield area, where the museum will host car shows. We also planted trees and completed hydroseeding that will provide protection from erosion. The museum is slated to open June 2, 2012 and features a 9 acre campus dedicated to the history of the world’s automotive collection.

2. Lakes High School, Clover Park School District – Blue Sky was subcontracted by FieldTurf to install underground irrigation, plant trees and small shrubs, and lay soil and bark. It was necessary to stay within the school district’s tight budget, which we were able to accomplish by efficiently planning time, labor, and materials.

3. Hampton Inn, Puyallup – located near Good Samaritan Hospital on Meridian, we installed trees, soil, and shrubs to complement the finished product of the brand new hotel. Hampton, part of the Hilton family is an excellent addition to the lodging options in Puyallup and is within close proximety to downtown and South Hill Puyallup as well as easy freeway access to Tacoma, Mount Rainier, and the Seattle area.

4. 520 Plaza, Bellevue – Blue Sky’s main role was to replace old, tired landscaping with new trees, shrubs, and perennial plants that refresh and clean up the look of the beds surrounding business, sidewalks, and signs. We also provide weekly maintenance that includes litter and debris clean up, weeding, and occasional pruning.

5. Hawthorne Lane Apartments, Graham – We were subcontracted by Dawson Construction, Inc. to complete the landscaping portion of this project including planting shrubs and trees and laying sod. Additionally we did the design and installation of an efficient irrigation system.

Thanks for a fantastic 2011 and we look forward to what 2012 will bring.

photo: hh

Can’t wait for spring to see your bulbs bloom? Paperwhites can be planted in pots or vases right now for a great Christmas time centerpiece. They are very fast growing, and their blossoms are very fragrant.

photo: Design*Sponge