Built Over Time

Sometimes we need to rip out an old landscape in order to plant a new one, and sometimes we are presented with a blank canvas. In this case, we had a blank canvas that was filled in over several years.

Front Yard - Before

Built on fill dirt on a slope, this property presented many challenges. Among them were drainage problems and a steep drop off in the rear yard.

In the front yard, plantings were created to give the landscape some flow and interest. A Japanese Maple, 

Crape Myrtle, Astilbe and Kousa Dogwood provide a rotation of color all year. A curving, brick paver walkway replaced a straight flagstone walkway to make the entrance more inviting.

Front Yard - After

On the left and right sides of the property, an elaborate drainage system was installed to direct and capture surface water. River gravel was used to help prevent erosion and stone steppers were installed to help people get down the slope.

Rear Yard - Before

In the rear yard, a small flagstone patio was created for enjoying time with friends. Border plantings were installed along the top edge of the drop off to give a sense of safety and space. Plantings were also used to help frame a small lawn area. The plant palette always has something of interest to offer; Cherry Laurels, Nandinas, Spireas and Knockout Roses provide a great foundation.

Rear Yard - After

The landscape has matured extremely well over the years and continues to be improved to this day. The owners have a keen eye as to what will continue to make their gardens special, and Allentuck Landscaping Co. is happy to deliver.

You can see more photographs of this project here: 

ut prosim

What happens when four hundred landscapers descend on Arlington National Cemetery with big hearts, capable hands, a fantastic spirit, dozens of pieces of equipment, and tons of materials? Something amazing, that's what happens.

For the sixteenth year, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), out national trade association, held Renewal and Remembrance at Arlington National Cemetery, and for the sixth straight year, Allentuck Landscaping Co. dug in to help.

Our colleagues came from all across the country. Together, we aerated 35 acres, applied lime to 150 acres, cabled trees and installed lightning protection, planted native ornamental grasses and perennials, and upgraded irrigation systems. In all, the day's work was a gift of approximately $250,000 to our country.

The highlight of the day was the Children's Program involving fifty children of our colleagues who learned about the importance of the Milkweed plant in the Monarch Butterfly's life and planted three gardens. Two of the children even had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unkowns.

For me, this day of service became very personal. I had taken the opportunity to reach out to several of my military friends and teammates (I race for a military based endurance team) and asked them if I could visit anyone's gravesite for them.  I received ten names and spent a few moments with each of them, placing a commemorative stone at each. A true honor for me.

If you cannot tell, my pride in our industry for the care we give to these sacred grounds runs deep.

Ut prosim...so that I may serve.  

May Question of the Month - Which Celebrity Would you Most Like To Have Mow Your Lawn?

May Question Of The Month

Which Celebrity Would You Most Like To Have Mow Your Lawn?

• William Levy - from Val in Silver Spring, Maryland
• Rafael Nadal or Christiano Ronaldo - from Janet in Florence, Italy
• Jennifer Anniston from Lee in Longmeadow, Massachusets
• 80's Soloflex Man from Kelly in Springfield, Virginia
• McSteamy from Diane
• Ashton Kutcher from Lauren in Washington, DC
• Matthew Fox or Matthew McConaughe from Christina in Burke, Virginia
• Brooke Burke or Alyssa Milano from Ed in Baltimore, Maryland
• One of the Kardashian girls from Joy in Las Vegas, Nevada (she says she needs a good laugh!)
• Darth Vader from John in Poolesville, Maryland

Allentuck Landscaping Co. Lends A Hand At Jubilee House in Rockville, Maryland

The Allentuck Landscaping Crew Does It's Magic

Members of well-reputed professional landscape firm Allentuck Landscaping Co. descended on Jubilee House in Rockville, Maryland today to lend a hand and spruce up the landscape on the property. Five members of its well trained staff took part in the event, the sixth year Allentuck Landscaping Co. has donated services to Jubilee House.

The Allentuck Landscaping Co. project is part of a nationwide “Day of Service” initiated by national Professional Landcare Network lawn and landscape association PLANET, with the goal of giving it’s over 4,200 member companies and affiliates an opportunity to plan, organize, and carry out projects to give back and benefit their local communities.

Allentuck Landscaping Co.’s president, Bruce Allentuck, touts the event’s purpose as a “shining example for members of the lawn and landscape industry to play a publicly vital role as caretaker’s of the world’s green spaces, parks, schools, and public grounds, thereby creating and maintaining a crucial quality-of-life factor in communities across America.”

A perennially recognized leader in community service contributions, Allentuck Landscaping Co. plans and carries out five to eight community service projects every year. “These projects provide the company an opportunity to thank our community for helping us  succeed in our business, but also provide us with an opportunity to foster camaraderie and teamwork,” says Allentuck.

Allentuck Landscaping Co. chose to volunteer at the Jubilee House because it was inspired by Jubilee Association of Maryland’s commitment to providing people with developmental disabilities the support and enrichment they need to fulfill their own lives.

“We are very happy that we could give a little of our “Allentuck Landscaping Co. magic” to such a worth organization.”

Too Much Of A Good Thing

Is it possible to have too many beautiful days? As much as I hate to say it, it is when we have not had any measurable rain since March 2nd. And now, with temperatures expected to reach into the eighties for the next few days, your landscape is going to need a little help.

Click Here

Let's start with watering. New plants and newly seeded areas are going to need water. Our watering instructions can be found by clicking the water drop to the right. More established plantings and lawns will probably not need any extra help at this time.

Weeds have been really enjoying this weather and have taken over many lawns and gardens. An application of post emergent herbicide for the lawn should do the trick. Good old fashioned weed pulling for the gardens is the best way to re-gain control.

Be sure to take full advantage of the weather by getting those planting and hardscape projects on the schedule. This is a great time to be landscaping.

Project Profile: A Step Up

Project Profile: A Step Up

Before

After

In this project, our client presented us with several challenges. The driveway was too narrow, access to the front door was inconvenient, and their children wanted to plant herbs and vegetables. Our designers set out to create solutions to these issues and give our client a great landscape.

A two and a half foot high Celtik block wall was constructed along the left side of the driveway. By doing this, we wereable to expand the driveway by three feet giving enough space for car doors to open, bicycles to get past the parked cars, and for trash cans to be wheeled out to the curb.

In the front yard, a slope created a difficult obstacle for walking directly to the front door from the driveway. To solve this, Western Maryland steppers were stacked to create steps. Our client remarked that this gave the feeling of a vacation spot in Maine that she and her family like to spend time at. Plantings of Winter Jasmine, Fountain Grass and a Sangu-Kaku Japanese Maple makes the walk to the front door seem like walking through a garden.

The only sunny spot, other than the front yard, is on the right side of the house. This area was prepared for herbs and vegetables. A Southern Magnolia grown on a trellis was placed against the chimney to serve as a backdrop. Stone steppers lead to the back yard and travel under a stunning Wisteria that gives a magical roof to an area the children like to run through.

"Allentuck Landscaping was fun to work with and really listened to our practical concerns.  And since we are fairly plant-illiterate they asked a lot of questions to figure out what kinds of style and look we like.  We are still admiring it every day when we pull up in front of our house." 

 

Want to add fragrance to your garden? Read this: 

http://tinyurl.com/7pqwwt3