A Smith Mountain Lake Patio Project

Earlier this summer, we finished up at our most recent Smith Mountain Lake project and are elated with the result! Our client was interested in creating a serene space to relax and enjoy. This lakefront property already had so many lovely qualities, and we wanted to accentuate those features! Before, this backyard was mostly grass space with plants here and there, and a path leading down to the dock.

Our landscape architect added some curving paths and a new flagstone patio, along with plants to enhance the environment and features that were already there. The before and after shots show just how far a little landscape design can go!

Container Gardening in the Summer

Container gardens have become more and more popular as of late, and are a great way to spruce up any landscape! They add color and variety to patios, decks, and balconies and do a wonderful job of showcasing personal taste. These containers can be used year-round, however, keeping these healthy during the summer can be a challenge for some. With rising temps and dryer days, it is important to take some extra care to keep your container gardens looking fresh and healthy! Here are some tips on summer-proofing your containers:

Water once a day, and water slowly. By watering your containers slowly, this will allow the soil to absorb as much water as possible and retain it for longer amounts of time. Costa Farms also suggests putting a layer of mulch on top of your soil to reduce moisture loss through evaporation.

Fertilization is another good way to keep your container plants growing, giving them an extra boost to get through the summer season!

Read more about container gardens here:

Costa Farms

Beginners Guide

Pollinator Friendly Planting

Interested in creating an environmentally friendly landscape while adding fragrance and color to your yard at the same time? "Bee" a friend to the Earth and consider planting some pollinator-friendly blooms this year around your home! Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds play an important role in our environment and could use a helping hand when it comes to finding blooms to pollinate.

Diversifying bloom times is the best way to attract pollinators year-round. This means there is always something blooming in your landscape, keeping pollinators coming back for more season after season. Secondly, planting things in groups allows bees and butterflies to find your flowers easily. This method of planting design also allows for concentrated color and fragrance in your yard!

This article from pollinatorgardens.org discusses more ways to attract pollinators to your yard.

The US Forest Service website is another excellent resource for learning about pollinator planting and other forest-friendly ideas.

Lynchburg Historic Garden Day 2021

This week, our administrative and design teams had the pleasure of going to Lynchburg’s Historic Garden Day! We enjoyed taking in the beauty of several gardens throughout our community and it was a beautiful day to do so. There were overflowing floral centerpieces, babbling water features, sprawling lawns, and quaint gardens.

The best part of touring these gardens was seeing unique personal styles shine through landscape design and enjoying the sunshine! Hardscape and planting designs are huge components of creating a functional and beautiful outdoor space that fits each persons’ taste.

Pergolas and their Benefits

If you are on the fence about incorporating a pergola into your landscape - we’re here to tell you to treat yourself! Pergolas are some of the most practical additions to your home, adding value, living space, and shade all at once.

A pergola allows protection from the elements, providing much-needed shade during the warmer months! In addition, adding a pergola can create privacy with the help of some screens and/or drapes.

Read more here about the advantages of having a pergola!

Golden Tickseed

Deer Resistant Plants

Worried about deer munching on your freshly bloomed landscape? Consider planting some deer-resistant shrubs, herbs, and trees to ward off unwanted four-legged foliage feinds! A few of our favorites include Golden Tickseed, and Green Mountain Boxwood.

According to The Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, deer usually “avoid plants that have hairy leaves or stems, thorns, thick leaves, or strong smells”. Generally, deer also avoid flowers or plants with strong aromas like daffodils, lavender, and other herbs. This article on the Farmer’s Almanac website offers more insight on deer-resistant plants.

This database from the University of Texas is an excellent resource to help you find which deer-resistant plant is right for you!

DEER-RESISTANT PLANT DATABASE

Golden Tickseed

Green Mountain Boxwood

Blue Wild Indigo

Southern Maindenhair Fern

Paver Patios

Patio building and installation is one of our favorite ways to help our clients improve their backyard design!

At Lynchburg Landscapes, our team of designers creates thoughtful and custom-made patio designs that are sure to make you want to spend more time outside! Paver patios come in all shapes and sizes and can fit in with any style of home. Let us know how we can help you with your patio design this spring and summer!

Thank you!

We are honored to be voted as Gold Winner for the Best Landscaping Company in Lynchburg in 2021. Thank you to everyone who voted for us and we are excited to continue serving Central Virginia! This year we are looking forward to designing more creative outdoor landscapes with our team of experienced architects.

Landscaping at Smith Mountain Lake

We provide our clients with custom landscape designs.

At Lynchburg Landscapes we want to bring YOUR vision to life. When it comes to materials and planting we make sure our planning reflects your style and outdoor vision. We create outdoor spaces you will love! Relax, enjoy, and unwind in your custom landscape design.

Check out a custom plant design our team completed at Smith Mountain Lake.

Create a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Who is dreaming of fall nights, cozied up by the fire?

Extending your outdoor space can truly transform your property. An inviting outdoor atmosphere is the ultimate goal as a homeowner and adding a fire pit creates a charming space for you and your guests. 

Lynchburg Landscapes creates landscape designs to take your outdoor space to the next level. Keep the outdoor season in full swing by installing a fire pit for those crisp, fall evenings! It’s time for a bonfire!

Check out some of these cool Outdoor Fireplace Ideas from Veranda.com.

Stone Patios

Dreaming of a space to entertain? A Stone patio is a beautiful and practical option to consider for your landscape design plan.

We love installing stone patios and pavers! Creating a space you can use to relax and entertain is our goal here at Lynchburg Landscapes.

Get inspired! Check out these stone patio and paver ideas we love from thespruce.com.

Outdoor Lighting

We love installing outdoor lighting! Draw attention to your beautiful garden while adding a functional element to your outdoor living space. Outdoor lighting allows you to enjoy your space well into the evening hours!

Spotlights, floodlights, step lights, and garden lights are options you may want to look into for your landscape design plan.

Check out these creative outdoor lighting ideas!

Plants to Attract Butterflies

Who doesn’t love butterflies?! Enjoy their company by creating a landscape design you will never want to leave.

FLOWERS THAT ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES:

Butterflies love Neon Flash Spirea. This plant does well in full or partial sun, making it a wonderful summer plant!

Buddleja davidii, widely known as the butterfly bush has colorful and fragrant flowers that will attract all the butterflies! The butterfly bush grows best in full sun and grows fairly tall, so placing them towards the back of your flower bed is best. They are also a great option when it comes to edging walkways.

Lastly, my personal favorite; Angel’s Blush Hydrangea. My mom kept this in our garden growing up and in late summer the white flowers would turn a beautiful rosy red. Angel’s Blush Hydrangea is a fast growing option that does well in partial to full sun and is easy to care for.

Bluestone

We love designing with bluestone. The timeless elegance it exudes makes it a great addition to your landscape design plan. Bluestone’s natural, earthy-tones make it easy to compliment any landscape. Bluestone can be squared off or have a natural, uneven shape wonderful for patios and walkways.

Here is a project we completed at Smith Mountain Lake with lots of bluestone! A lovely and long lasting landscape design choice.

For the Love of Plants

We enjoy creating custom planting that best fits our clients vision and outdoor space. We love Rose Creek Abelia and Nepeta! Both are beautiful and colorful plant options to consider for your landscape design.

Educating yourself on plants in your garden will ultimately allow you to better care for there needs.

Check out the links below for plant care and landscape design options for Rose Creek Abelia and Nepeta.

ROSE CREEK ABELIA

NEPETA

Nepeta

Rose Creek Abelia

A Beautiful Design for a Sloped Yard

There are several landscape designs to help break up or alleviate any slope in your outdoor space. A patio, stone walls, natural stone stairs, concrete stairs, or wood stairs are a few options! It all starts with a vision. We love creating enjoyable and practical designs for our clients!

Check out these before and afters of a natural stone wall and stair installation, accented beautifully with custom planting.

Spring Clean Up

Does your outdoor space need a makeover? Check out these before and afters of a recent project!

We removed a pond in the front yard, removed trees, and cleared out overgrown space in the backyard. We created an outdoor space that is beautiful and manageable.