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Author Archives: Richard Schipul
Using Annuals in the Landscape
At Designing Eden llc, the landscapes we design and install tend to have a lot of seasonal interest. We accomplish this by using a mixture of various flowering trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers. For most of our clients, that approach … Continue reading
Posted in 06877, annuals, Connecticut garden design, Connecticut Landscape Architecture, Connecticut Landscape Design, Connecticut landscaping, Fairfield County, Gardening, Ridgefield Landscape Design, Ridgefield landscaping, Ridgefield, CT
Tagged annuals, CT, gardening, Landscape design, landscaping, Plant combinations, Ridgefield, CT
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When My Hollies Get Too Big: Connecticut Landscape Experiment
All too often, landscapers and homeowners rely on hedge trimmers to maintain plant size and height. The problem with this approach is a very dense, unnatural looking shrub where all the foliage is only at the outer most edges of … Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut Landscape Design, garden design, Garden Maintenance, Gardening, Gardening in Litchfield County, Historic Houses, landscape architecture, Landscape design, Landscaper, landscapes, Landscaping, Litchfield County CT
Tagged CT landscape design, CT landscaping, gardening, Landscape design, landscaping, maintaining gardens, trimming hollies
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Moving a Tree in Kent, CT
Today we moved a tree for a client in Kent, CT. This tree was the biggest I’ve moved so far with the new tractor/loader/backhoe. Even with 4000 lbs. of lift, we were right at the upper limit with the machine … Continue reading
Landscaping in Connecticut is Never Easy.
I’ve been landscaping in Connecticut for over 25 years. Even after all these years, I still get nervous whenever I have to dig a trench or I have to get a large tree ball into a landscape. Why? Because I’ve … Continue reading
Pruning Viburnum’s Naturally. Heading Back vs. Trimming.
Nothing drives me more crazy than when I see landscape companies trimming trees and shrubs with hedge trimmers. Yes, Boxwoods have been trimmed for hundreds of years with hedge trimmers. Although it isn’t the most healthy practice for the plant, … Continue reading
Litchfield County Landscape Design
As a landscape design and installation company, our work is always varied. One of our current projects involves working in tandem with an architecture firm to provide solutions for a client with a rather large ‘want’ list. Here are two … Continue reading
Posted in Bridgewater, Connecticut, Connecticut garden design, Connecticut Landscape Architecture, Connecticut Landscape Design, Kent, CT, landscape architecture, Landscape design, Litchfield County CT, Litchfield County Garden Design, New Milford, Roxbury, CT, Sherman, Washington, CT
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A CONNECTICUT LANDSCAPE DESIGNER’S GARDEN
People I meet all the time always say to me “you must have the most beautiful gardens at your house”. Well, I’m sure you’ve heard “the shoe-maker’s wife often goes in ragged shoes”. I can relate! The fact is we … Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut Landscape Architecture, Connecticut Landscape Design, Gardening in Litchfield County, landscape architecture, Landscape design, Landscaper, Litchfield County CT, Litchfield County Garden Design, New Milford, planting design
Tagged CT landscaping, entry garden, gardening, Landscape design
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13 Common Landscape Design Mistakes: 8. A Lack of Bloom Sequencing.
This post came to me today while looking at my own garden. The last thing you want to do when designing a landscape is not provide enough interest throughout the garden season. I’ve seen way too many gardens over my … Continue reading
Moving Towards Computer Landscape Design
If you are a regular follower of this blog, you’re aware of my quest towards designing all of our landscapes with computer aided design. Triumph, tribulation, excitement, frustration, and stress are just some of the emotions I’ve felt in recent … Continue reading
Critter Resistant Gas Plant Won’t Dissapoint As Long As You Have Patience
I’m a horticulture nut. I’ve been to public gardens, private gardens and nurseries all over the world from the United States to Canada some Caribbean Islands, Europe, even Australia. While traveling to nurseries and gardens around the globe, I’m always … Continue reading
A Pleasant Surprise at a Litchfield County Nursery
Today was a plant buying day, getting ready for the upcoming annual planting season. I had heard about a nursery this past winter that I decided to go to and was extremely happy that I did. Brierwood Nursery in Morris … Continue reading
Landscape Design in Kent, CT
My landscape design class at the New York Botanical Garden ended a couple of weeks ago. Now that the class has ended, I’m on my own. Immersed in computer aided design software, with no one to turn to. I have … Continue reading
Getting References from Contractors. Will the Real Landscaper of the Abriola Funeral Home Please Stand Up.
I met with a new landscape client last week in Goshen, CT. After I gave the couple a proposal to upgrade the gardens around their property, they asked for references. At the time, I thought it was odd. In … Continue reading
Landscape Design
This week will be my 5th computer aided design class. As you can see from my original post about my experience with getting back into CAD for landscape design, I have made huge progress. This landscape design is not a … Continue reading
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 6. A Lack of Mass Planting
A lack of mass planting is a common mistake for many who like to dabble in gardening and landscape design. The saying, “less is more” is so true when it comes to designing a landscape that will be pleasing to … Continue reading
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 5. Proper Plant Spacing
Because most plants are not mature at the time of installation into new landscapes, there is a tendency to plant trees and shrubs closer together than they probably should be planted. What happens is, everything looks good for a couple … Continue reading
Brick and Granite Patio Installation in Redding, CT
Here is a brick and granite patio being installed in Redding, CT. A design you don’t see everyday. When discussing materials for patios with our landscape clients, I always suggest using materials that already exist on the property and house … Continue reading
13 Common Landscape Mistakes. 4. Planting Too Deep in Kent, CT
I was called to a property on the Kent, New Milford line in March. The homeowners, weekend New Yorkers, were concerned about their landscape. Their trees in this relatively new landscape are in decline. The first time I went up … Continue reading
Landscape Design
20 years after graduating with a degree in Landscape Architecture, I’ve decided to go back to school. I’m dating myself by saying that I took one of the first computer aided design classes my college offered. It was such a … Continue reading
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 3. Not realizing the growth habit of a plant
Plants are like children, most are very different in how they act and look. Some plants have hundreds of cultivars or varieties that might look similar to the parent plant but each can have a growth habit that is very … Continue reading
Posted in Fairfield County, landscape architecture, Landscape design, Landscaper, Landscaping, Litchfield County CT, Ridgefield, CT, Roxbury, CT
Tagged CT, Landscape Architecture Ridgefield CT, Landscape Architecture Roxbury, landscape design in Ridgefield CT, Landscape Design Roxbury, landscaping Ridgefield CT, Landscaping Roxbury, transplanting a tree
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13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 2. Not working with what you already have.
As a landscape designer, nothing drives me more crazy than homeowners and professionals who disregard the site analysis and history of a property. Follow this simple approach for a successful and unified landscape. If you have a lot of shade, … Continue reading
13 Common Landscape Mistakes: 1. No Landscape Design
Most homeowners and quite a few professionals start a landscape project without a landscape design. They wake up, go to the nursery and start buying plants. The plants come home or to the job site, get unloaded into a pile … Continue reading
Landscape Renovation in Bridgewater, CT
I lot of people can put plants in the ground and a lot of people call themselves landscape designers but that doesn’t mean they are good at what they do. I had an opportunity to redesign this landscape in Bridgewater, … Continue reading
Posted in Bridgewater, Connecticut garden design, Connecticut Landscape Architecture, Connecticut landscaping, Gardening in Litchfield County, Landscape design, Landscaping, Litchfield County CT, Litchfield County Garden Design
Tagged Bridgewater, Connecticut landscape design, CT, landscaping Bridgewater
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Are Succulents are the next big thing?
First, I have to apologize for not having any pictures to post. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that my posts typically have a couple of pictures in them. I brought a camera with two … Continue reading
Posted in Landscape design, landscapes, Landscaping, New Milford, planting design
Tagged landscaping
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A Successful First Season Landscape in Ridgefield, CT
This is an update, from a previous blog post, of a landscape design and installation project Designing Eden installed in the fall of 2010, in Ridgefield, CT. Watching and maintaining this garden’s growth through its first full growing season … Continue reading
A day in the life of a New Milford Landscaper
I’ve been a landscaper a long time, over 30 years to be exact. I started my business when I was 12 years old. Along the way, I received a degree in Horticulture and another in Landscape Architecture. I still love … Continue reading
Landscape for the Thanksgiving Table
Did I ever tell you my wife has a thing for shoes? Oh yeah, all shoes but especially flip flops. For years, I have been asking my wife to clean out the shoe closet in our mudroom. I regularly throw … Continue reading
Posted in Landscape design, Landscaping, Uncategorized
Tagged CT landscape design, CT landscaping
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Don’t buy an Hewlett Packard computer because they suck!
If you’re thinking of purchasing an HP computer consider this. I have two HP computers, a laptop and a desktop. The desktop is 9 months old and the laptop is less than two years old. The left click on the … Continue reading
Posted in Hewlett Packard, HP computers
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New Landscape in Roxbury, CT
I’m always wondering how we’re doing through the eyes of our clients in regards to their landscapes. Sure, every once in a while we’ll get a handwritten note, voice mail or email thanking us for a job well done. It … Continue reading
Using Contrasting Foliage in the Garden
We weren’t in Canada this summer for gardens so it was a pleasant surprise to come across this ribbon park. I love the use of not only shape but the contrasting foliage as well.
Transplanting a Tree in Sherman, CT
Why are trees transplanted? I’ve asked this question to myself many times over the years. The thought usually comes to me in the middle of moving a large tree at a client’s property. As you can imagine, it’s a huge … Continue reading
Final Day
Today we started the day in Manitou Springs, CO. It’s off to Pikes Peak for a ride on the highest cog railway in the world. When we reached the top, we were so high, the temperature was 50 degrees colder … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscape Heads West. Day 9
The plan today is to make it back to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado to see Ridge Trail Drive, the section we missed earlier in the week due to snow. Along the way we saw a herd of elk, … Continue reading
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Landscaper Heads West
Walked the town of Jackson today. I was there once before in the winter of 1994. What a great western town! It was nice to see it again outside of the snow season. We had a picnic lunch on the … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper Heads West. Day 7
This morning we moved out of our Grant Village room. In the entry road to the hotel, we came face to face with a large, male elk walking in the street. It was our first up close sighting in Yellowstone. … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper Heads West Day 6.
Today was our first full day in Yellowstone. We started the day making a wrong turn. Not that big of a deal though since we had to see that side of the park sooner or later. We traveled up the … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper Heads West. Day 5
Woke up at the crack of dawn with all the professional and amateur photographers to see what this magic light was all about. I was taking pictures by 6:30 a.m. with the hopes of better animal sightings, like they can … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper Heads West. Day 4
Grand Teton’s didn’t disappoint today. 149 pictures were taken and after looking at them, it will be extremely difficult to whittle that number down. I’m starting to think I’m becoming a professional photographer. It’s too easy when you’re surrounded by … Continue reading
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Day 3
Day 3 was a travel day. The one thing we learned today is state road signs are much smaller in Wyoming then most other places. We found that out after we ended up in Casper (eastern Wyoming) when we … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper Heads West. Day 2
After spending the night in the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, COwe were in Rocky Mountain National Park before 8am for a harrowing 9 mile ride up Old Fall River Road. A fantastic dirt road filled with steep cliffs, elk, … Continue reading
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Connecticut Landscaper heads West.
As a landscape designer, I’m always looking for inspiration. I often draw on inspiration gathered from past trips around the U.S., Europe and even Australia where I’ve been to some of the great gardens, parks, streetscapes and estates this world … Continue reading
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Accessorizing the back patio in a Bridgewater Landscape.
The back patio, a centralized zone for summer entertaining, family meals, fun and relaxation. No matter the size and shape of your backyard entertaining area, it is important to accessorize the space to not only make it more visually appealing … Continue reading
What foodies do in their own landscapes.
Vegetables and annuals for container landscaping Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut Landscape Architecture
Tagged container gardening, gardens, landscaping
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Update on a Landscape for a Historic House in Ridgefield, CT
Last fall we landscaped this house in Ridgefield, CT. After 20 plus years in business, this has been one of my favorite projects to date for many different reasons. First, the homeowners were really excited about having a nice garden. … Continue reading
Progress Report of a Kent, Connecticut Wildflower Meadow.
In October 2009, we were hired to install a two acre wildflower meadow in Kent, CT. The landscape plan, by the landscape architect, didn’t give any detail as to what his vision was for the meadow. Not having any experience … Continue reading
Landscapers just might be the best conditioned professionals.
It all started a couple months back when a friend decided to give me a present for my birthday. To my surprise, I opened the present to find a ticket to the www.warriordash.com. My first thought was, what the heck … Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut landscaping, New Milford landscaping
Tagged New Milford landscaper
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Landscape Renovation in Bridgewater, CT
A lot of people can put plants in the ground and a lot of people call themselves landscape designers but that doesn’t mean they are good at what they do. I had an opportunity to redesign this landscape in Bridgewater, … Continue reading
The Right Plant in the Right Place. Smart Landscaping.
I’ve witnessed a lot of silly things over the years when it comes to landscaping. Some from weekend warriors but I’m sad to say that I’ve also witnessed a lot of things from ‘professional’ landscape companies. From trimming trees … Continue reading
How to Break a Rock.
I decided to move a building on our property so it could be turned into a chicken coop. Before the move, I had to clear an area to accommodate the new building site. What seemed so simple at the time … Continue reading
Watch Your Garden For This Landscape Pest
Have you seen this plant? I’m sure you have. Have you ever wondered why you have more of it spreading through your gardens and landscape every year. The plant is Garlic Mustard, a landscape pest in Connecticut gardens. If you … Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut landscaping
Tagged CT garden maintenance, Garlic Mustard, Landscape pest, New Milford
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The Support Group Behind Designing Eden
Article taken from the Designing Eden llc Inspirations newsletter Summer 2008. Horticulture and landscape design can be a challenge, even after 20+ years. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, another project or situation comes along which is a … Continue reading
Landscape Design in Bridgewater, CT: Getting the scale right.
We have a landscape design and installation project in Bridgewater, CT. When designing the front entrance to the house, I thought it would be a nice touch to add a picket fence. The thought behind the fence was that it … Continue reading
Winter Plant Damage in a New Milford Landscape
With the amount of snow we’ve had this past winter, Connecticut landscapes have really taken a beating. In the last 3 weeks I’ve seen more damage from this winter than I have in the previous 10 winters combined. Here is … Continue reading
Posted in Landscaping, New Milford, New Milford Nursery
Tagged New Milford landscape, snow damage
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Striking Plant Combination in Fairfield Landscape
I took this picture last year in one of the gardens we designed and installed in Fairfield, CT. When designing a new landscape I try to position plants so their colors and textures can play off each other. Most flowers … Continue reading
Planning for Outdoor Entertaining in Washington, CT
This blog post comes to you through a recent conversation I had with a landscape client regarding an outdoor entertaining area. I posed a question regarding use. How did they plan to use this new outdoor room and with how … Continue reading
Shoes for Landscaping. Bogs
As an owner of a landscape design and installation company, there isn’t much that impresses me when it comes to work wear. The truth is, I’m rough on clothes, especially pants and shoes. From developing tears in the front of … Continue reading
Landscape Designs Connecticut
My drafting table was getting full and my file draws were stuffed with landscape designs. After twenty plus years in the landscape design and installation business, it was time to clean house. 5 huge armfuls of landscape plans, as much … Continue reading
Inspiration from a Landscape and Nursery Trade Show
I recently returned from a regional trade show. Between the equipment, new products and lectures, these large shows are very inspirational. I always love walking the trade show floor to see what’s new. I get a kick out of the … Continue reading
Native Landscape Planting New Milford, CT. A low maintenance, deer resistant garden.
When we bought the property, which would eventually become our home and the base for Designing Eden, we had quite a bit of woods on the 10 acres. The woods were composed of both hardwoods and Red Pines. Within a … Continue reading
Landscape Installation: Dealing with Poor Soil in Bridgewater, CT Landscape
At Designing Eden we pride ourselves on our soil work prior to planting a new landscape. Why? Because 90% of plant problems occur below ground. It’s my feeling that one of the most important parts of any new landscape is … Continue reading
New Landscape for Historic Ridgefield, CT House
Here are pictures of a recent project we completed a couple of weeks ago. The makeover included a new landscape and paint for a historic house in downtown Ridgefield, CT. Our project included the removal of existing plants, transplanting some … Continue reading
Landscape Design of Next Landscape Installation Project in Bridgewater, CT
This is a landscape plan for our next project in Bridgewater, CT. The house is best described as a rambling a cape. The new landscape involves landscaping around the original historic house as well as the new addition. Notice the … Continue reading
Functional Table or Landscape Focal Point?
I like this table. I have a lot of boulders on my property so anything that utilizes boulders sparks my interest. The problem is, even though it is a cool looking table, it might not be the most functional table. … Continue reading
Floating Flowers in a New Milford, CT Landscape
While maintaining a garden last week I needed to cut back a couple of Rose bushes. Instead of tossing the few flowers left on the plant, I cut them off and floated them in the bird bath. Designing Eden llc … Continue reading
The Color Orange in a Poolside Garden Trumbull, CT
Planted a group of orange Coleus by the pool this summer. I have to say I’m liking the orange foliage in relation to the burgundy Heuchera and red Astilbes it’s planted between. It does clash with the pink Astilbe though. … Continue reading
Transitioning from Sun to Shade in a Formal Garden Trumbull, CT
When designing new landscapes, I often struggle with the area directly below trees. Often times, at Designing Eden llc, we are installing trees at 2-4″ caliper and 10-18′ tall. At some point, that tree will grow in height and cast … Continue reading
Antique Granite Curb Installation New Milford, CT
Adding antique granite curbing to a property can do wonders to spruce up the front of a property. We use these slabs for all types of things: walkways, patios, stepping stones, bridges and steps to name a few. The photo’s … Continue reading
Landscape Design of a Formal Vegetable and Cutting Garden in Litchfield, CT
Above is a landscape design for a private residence in Litchfield, Connecticut. The design, for a backyard, includes an area for a chicken coop which doubles as a focal point, a formal cutting garden and vegetable garden. The formal gardens … Continue reading
Time to clean out the bird houses. New Milford, CT
As the weather warms, don’t forget to clean out any bird houses on your property. Your birds will appreciate it and your houses will have a better chance of being occupied.
Almost Spring
What a beautiful weekend. It almost felt like spring and boy I’m excited about that! I potted up over 70 plants on Saturday in 12″ Rootmaker’s to grow on to larger plants for the next couple of years. Fothergilla gardenii … Continue reading
Wildflower Meadow Installation Kent, CT
The last project for the 2009 season for us at Designing Eden before the snow shut us down was a two acre wildflower meadow in Kent, CT. It was our first large scale meadow. Although it will take a couple … Continue reading
Posted in Connecticut garden design, Connecticut landscaping
Tagged CT landscaping, CT wildflower meadow, Kent
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Access under Walkways in the Garden. New Milford, CT
Running landscape lighting or irrigation under an existing walkway is always a challenge, especially if you didn’t plan for it ahead of time. One of the most important things you can do while planning your next walkway or patio project … Continue reading
Small Space Gardening in Lakeville, CT
Just because space is limited, doesn’t mean you have to forgo a gardening space. Below is a small garden which was carved out of a patio space. The owners, who live overseas, typically only use the property for a short … Continue reading
Weed Fabric
When you’re planning your next garden, some might think about installing weed fabric before planting. I personally don’t like weed fabric. We’ve renovated quite a few gardens over the years where weed fabric was once installed. As you can see … Continue reading
Plants for Winter Interest:Form
No matter what the weather is like outside, choosing plants which have a unique form, structure, or growth habit makes sense when trying to extend the growing season. Here are some favorites which will light up the winter landscape. As … Continue reading
Landscaping Might Be More Affordable Than You Think!
Have you ever thought about landscaping your property? Have you ever wondered whether you could afford everything you’re hoping to create? You can if you change your way of thinking. If you’re able to look at landscaping a different way, … Continue reading
Ideas for Winter Interest in the Garden
Ilex verticillata Blue Princess Holly There are plenty of ways to extend the gardening season for our long Connecticut winters. One way is to add plants which hold berries well into the winter. Besides giving birds a needed treat, placing … Continue reading
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