Landscaping is a value adding amenity to any luxury log home. In our last article we looked at the advantages of paving the driveway and sidewalks before moving into the landscaping phase. Now that the large trucks, machines, and even paving equipment– and of course the moving van that transported all of your possessions to the doorstep of your new abode, have finished their waltz through your future lawn, it is time to explore choices of plants and locating them.
While we are not professional landscapers, here are a few steps we follow with our own log homes.
1) Install any automatic irrigation system under the top soil first. If you live out west an irrigation system means the difference in having a lawn live in the summer time, not having to drag miles of garden hose along, and not having to rotate sprinklers all the time.
2) Choose the trees next. If you want some specific trees– we love Aspen, Weeping Willows, Russian Olive, and Colorado Blue Spruce trees, be sure to research how large each one grows at maturity. Plant the trees at intervals where they are perhaps in a line or semi circle. Plan to keep the branches from interlacing with one another. Trees planted at random all over the yard becomes a nightmare to mow and weed whack around.
A nice arrangement is a line of trees and bushes, especially pines, away from the house. They add privacy. At a distance from the house the views are not as impacted as if the trees were close to the home. And if planted on the west and north sides of the home the tall vegetation acts as a wind break.
If choosing willows or trees that seek great amounts of water it may be best to only plant them along the sides of a pond. Be very careful not to plant trees like willows or cottonwoods near septic lines or water lines. The tree roots damage the lines and can clog whole systems beyond repair.
2) Looking for special colors and features. I miss the deep reds and rich golds of the Maples from my home state of Pennsylvania. So when I always like to put a few in the mix of the home. One caution is some of the trees don’t thrive at high altitudes. A Mountain Ash didn’t live very long at 5,000 feet elevation. I’m not sure why, but it could have had something do to with the lower elevation. Oaks are another color baring tree of the fall. Oaks grow slowly but become majestic corner stones of a yard.
Shade trees are wonderful to plant at select places were you want future shade. Shade is not abundant in Big Sky Country, unless your home is up in the mountains or close to a river. One tree that I never considered for shade is the Russian Olive. But in fact the one next to our home has grow and spread out over the years and provides ample shade for us. It also has the unique color of leaves and truck texture.
3) Choose bushes next. Again look for how tall and wide the bush will become. Lilacs, China Rose Trees, Bridal Wreath, and Mock Orange are all attractive bushes of various colors that have thrived around our Rocky Mountain log home. Adding a rock edge, stepping stones, etc also add lots to the home.
One bush that is a hot red color in fall is the Burning Bush. Mine has thrived in our yard year after year. Another bush that I hate it the Caragana bush. It is full of thrones, not a pretty shape, and takes over the yard over time.
4) Layout flower beds that are designated for specific planting. If you love marigolds, Johnny Jump Ups, Pansies, Begonias, or Mums think about the height and time each blooms. I love to see something blooming all year long.
5) And lastly, choose a grass seed to broadcast on your lawn that is native to your area. Sometimes a Contractor’s Mix bag has a hardy group of seeds that works well.
Landscaping increases a luxury log homes value. It extends the finished felling of the new cabin to the rest of the property. And also it makes it all feel more inviting.