Horticulture

Horticulture, noun:

The cultivation of a garden; the art and science of cultivating or managing gardens, including the growing of ornamental plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

We understand that each garden is a unique, personal space. We work closely with our clients to ensure their visions come to life. Practicing horticulture involves assessing each area of a garden with a more focused lens while also looking at it as a part of a larger whole. Our horticulturists perform tasks such as weeding and grooming plants; pruning trees and shrubs for plant health, aesthetics, and function within a space; as well as protecting and improving soil quality by mulching and applying beneficial amendments. They also assess each plant’s suitability for a space given its conditional requirements (sun, shade, low water, consistent water) and contribution to the aesthetic and feel of the garden. All of these are done with a focus on long term sustainability, both within the garden and the greater environment.

Management

Routine garden management includes weeding, cut downs, simple utility and path clearance pruning in addition to sustaining plant health within the garden. Our management is set to a default of every 3-4 weeks however is easily customizable to fit our client’s individual needs.

Pruning

Specialized pruning includes the detailed pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs as well as fruit tree pruning for aesthetics and fruit production. We regularly prune plants such as roses, camellias, maples, dogwoods and hedges. We do not prune trees exceeding 16 feet.

Enhancements

Minor garden alterations encompasses the moving and replanting of shrubs and perennials and the removal of shrubs, immature trees, and perennials. These decisions are calculated based on our on-site visits, client conversations and the history of health of the garden.

Renovations

Large renovation projects are typically undertaken once or twice a year to give the garden a thorough clean-up before a construction project, sale of the house, or to prepare for winter or summer. These projects can involve tasks such as mulching, debris clearing, and pruning.

Soil Amendments

Soil amendments cover both large scale and small scale alterations. We offer large scale garden mulching with products such as compost or wood chips. We also offer small scale alterations such as fertilizing roses, camellias, and rhododendrons with organic fertilizer when seasonally appropriate .

Lawn Care

Mowing is done on a routine schedule on any strip of grass located on the property upon client request. Lawns are also line trimmed. Grass clippings can be removed or mulched upon client request. We also offer seasonal lawn care options including over-seeding, aerating, and pest treatment. Our mow crews service select geographical areas of Seattle.

Fine pruning of a Weeping Japanese Maple.

Getting up-close-and-personal with a Salal shrub while weeding.

Wood chip mulching for weed suppression, soil health, and water run-off mitigation - and fun!

In-process sheet mulching with cardboard and wood chips. A great option for lawn removal.

Example of mulching with on-site materials - what we call "Chop & Drop". A sustainable and ecological practice. Good for humans, soil, and bugs a-like!

A freshly mulched garden bed with Cedar Grove compost mulch.