Crepe Myrtle, Corner Pocket

Corner Pocket - After

This customer contacted me saying she needed much work done with her property, and she did. It, I, won't stop here.

She is a lover of plants and landscape, and for reasons beyond her control, things had gotten out of control.

We visited her and her property. There is a variety of interesting plant life here, much out of control or overwhelmed by other plants obscuring the specimen plants they once were.

Corner Pocket - After

The one thing she repeated throughout this process was, "Are you going to show up?" I always address any property and find what I can do and, if need be, refer the customer to those who have the skills and resources to do what I can't. But, I can't imagine any situation I have not addressed. Obviously she contacted several so-called landscapers (mowers, trimmers and blowers) whom (plenty, to go around) choose not to address true plant and restoration issues - the tough stuff. Many (most), simply don't know how the plant world works.

By scale, this was a minor portion of the property, but a major beginning of change (restoration). This follows with our Every Little Step We Take philosophy we apply to many properties, whereas we address the priorities or necessities of the customer, one step at a time.

Soon, we hope to be addressing the area just rear of this project, along the foundation of the home - it is much more of a mess, but, perhaps, not for long.

Corner Pocket - Before

This project involved removing as much plant life as possible, by root; salvaging some plants the customer wanted to transplant. We also re-established the borders to better retain mulch and for ease-of-maintenance.

I spent much time pruning the crepe myrtle for health reasons and aesthetics, as well. She truly has an interesting branch structure which will be even more stunning as I made some critical cuts on the awkward wax myrtle shading and encroaching her back side. Further pruning of the ailing wax myrtle is next.

Ugly, neglected and mismanaged elements of a landscape can become very attractive and appealing with some well-focused attention.

Corner Pocket - Before

This wasn't a restoration and planting project for us this time as the customer loves playing in the dirt. We were simply held to the restoration. That's quite okay. Within a week the customer had already begun replanting a few plants we withheld and planting a few she had found on her own. It will be beautiful in no time.

We will be back for round two and those rounds thereafter should she choose us to do so. We are an odd sort, but we love to see those little tragedies become wonderful vignettes and overall landscapes become the owner's pride, and appreciation.

In many ways, this property may be what it once was, or more so, over time and with some well-thought effort.

Minor well-thought changes make a huge difference.