Lot Lines – the Official Blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects
Are Gravel Roads Making a Comeback?
As tax revenues continue to drop, towns and municipalities everywhere are trimming their budgets and looking for places to make cuts- in some cases by converting paved roads to gravel.
Here are excerpts from a recent article I came across at the Denver Post (Clarke Canfield, AP), on this emerging trend:
Ever since the invention of the automobile, paved roads have meant progress. Now some cash-strapped towns and counties are finding progress too expensive, and they are tearing up battered roads and putting down gravel.
The high price of pavement and the sour economy have driven municipalities in states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Vermont to roll up the asphalt — a mile here, a few miles there, mostly on back roads — rather than repave. read more…
Related Posts:
What Not to Do- Placing Irrigation Heads Next to Fencing
This is my first in a series of “what not to do” posts related to landscape and site design.
One of the ways that I challenge myself to learn and to stay on top of the latest trends is to keep my eyes open for good and bad designs and ideas as I travel around my area or out of town.
The fence on the right is located near my home, in what appears to be an HOA (home owner’s association) maintained area next to a single family housing development. This is just one example of fences like this that can be found all over Denver. The root of the problem is that they have put sod directly against a wooden fence. Sod is typically irrigated by overhead spray and the water from the irrigation is discoloring and deteriorating the fence.
Problems with placing irrigation heads directly next to fencing
- Discolored fencing is unattractive: Obviously this is an aesthetics issue- these fences are a real eye-sore for these developments and the surrounding community. read more…
Related Posts:
Vermilion Bluffs Mexican Sage – A Long-Flowering Perennial and a Hummingbird Magnet
Vermilion Bluffs Mexican Sage is a large-sized flowering perennial that is a real attention-grabber. I have found this plant to be an excellent choice for dry, southern exposures and Xeriscapes. It is fairly easy to grow, and produces bright-red flowers throughout the summer. Hummingbirds love this plant- it is not uncommon to see 4 or 5 of them at a time on a single plant.
PLANT STATS
Scientific Name: Salvia darcyi ‘Pscarl’
Plant Type: Perennial
Mature Height: 36-48″
Mature Spread: 30-42″
Water Requirement: Low
Exposure: Full Sun to partial shade- best in full sun.
Best Features: Intense cardinal red flowers that hummingbirds love.
Flowers: Bright cardinal red tubular flowers from July through October.
Winter Interest: Minimal
Disadvantages: Does not perform well in poorly drained soils. Late to emerge in spring.
Availability and Sizes: This plant was introduced in 2007, but is already available through most retail and wholesale nurseries. Commonly available in 1 gallon size, or in flats of smaller pots. I would recommend the 1 gallon size.
Maintenance Tip: Mulch heavily over the winter to protect from hard freezes.
Other: Leaves and stems are very aromatic. Salvia darcyi was originally collected in the Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico. Named to Plant Select in 2007.
This is the official blog of Outdoor Design Group, Colorado Landscape Architects. For more information about our business and our services, click here.