Victorian Charm Has Modern Appeal

When Phyllis and Christopher Amrick’s beautiful Queen Anne style home in Nazareth had it’s original landscaping done, the couple wanted the Victorian theme to continue out into the yard. Unfortunately, things didn’t end up fitting proportionally or aesthetically with the house. The Amricks decided to bring in a new landscape company to fix the situation, and that’s when Plantique designer and vice president of sales Mike Wimmer was called onto the scene. (cont. below)

Hydrangeas, roses and other old-fashioned plants were selected to give this property dimension and character in a way that fit its theme. “This was such a great job for me as a designer, because I was able to use the Amricks’ creative ideas and the classic architecture of their home to come up with a unique plan that retrofitted plants and other landscaping elements into what was already there,” says Mike. “It was really rewarding to see how pleased the Amricks were with the final results.”

Since it’s installation, Plantique has won several industry design awards for the Amricks’ landscaping project. You only have to look at the before and after photos to see why. “What Plantique did with traditional Victorian-style plants and design was really showcase all the wonderful features of our house, like the wraparound porch and courtyard,” says Phyllis. “We get so many compliments now.”

Air Conditioning by Mother Nature

Did you know that dense trees can block up to 95% of sunlight and 75% of its heat? According to the US Dept. of Energy, energy-efficient landscaping can change the microclimate around a building by 20 - 25 degrees Fahrenheit, and can save up to 30% on home heating bills in the winter. Savings for cooling can be even more. Tests in Florida showed a 50% reduction in air conditioning costs. You can save hundreds of dollars a year with properly landscaping your yard for maximum home energy efficiency.

That might even increase the value of your home since buyers will pay more for a house with lower utility bills. When designing landscaping that helps save on home air conditioning and heating costs there are a number of aspects to consider, including sun exposure, water and soil conditions and even the color of your house. Our designers are knowledgeable in working with these factors and they create beautiful, customized landscapes to meet the needs of each client. Plant selection plays a major role. Plants interact with solar radiation by blocking sunlight (creating shade) and absorbing heat. Often times, designs must address how to block or filter the harsh summer sun, yet also permit warming winter sunlight to reach most living areas. Deciduous plants (those are the ones that lose their leaves in the fall) are generally excellent at intercepting the sun’s radiant heat when they are in full leaf. And when their limbs are bare in the winter, they allow the sunshine to reach your home to help warm it.

Other considerations when planting for shade are:

• The size and shape of the shadow a plant will cast
• The location of shade trees relative to buildings and outdoor living spaces
• The location of the shade trees and shrubs relative to paved areas to reduce “heatis-land” effect
• Water can temper heat—even a small pond can help
• Certain plants also provide year-round wind protection and privacy screening
• If you don't have mature trees yet, planting vines on a trellis may help create shade
• At midday, a vine-covered wall is cooler than a bare one