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Choosing the right plantsSize
The majority of home builders install plants that are cheap and durable, not plants that are the right size for your landscape. Choosing plants that are the ideal size is the foundation of a successful plant install. You don't want to plant a beautiful flowering shrub in front of your front bay window only to find that it needs to be trimmed once per week it will grow to 10' tall! On the other hand, that shrub might have been great as a screening plant for privacy between your house and the neighbor's. Even within the same species there are various varieties that grow to different sizes. For example, there are gardenias that grow to 1' tall, while other gardenias can grow to 6' tall. And the same is true for loropetalum, roses, camellias, ligustrum, azaleas, etc. We can help you find plants that grow the right size for your landscape. Sun Each plant has specific sun requirements, and they must be taken into consideration when choosing plants for an install. If your planting area is full-sun a completely different list of potential plants are at your disposal than in part-shade, or dense shade. You must choose plants with lighting requirements that fit the amount of sunshine in your landscape. Maintenance The maintenance requirements of each plant should also be considered. There are extremely beautiful plants that might be perfect for your landscape, but they require consistent, detailed maintenance. In contrast, there are plants that require little to no maintenance at all. Each homeowner must know what amount of maintenance they are willing to provide before selecting their plants. Aesthetics There are lots of beautiful plants, and they fall into different categories of style. Some clients may like the elegance of evergreens, while others might like an explosion of color and blooms! Some like a mixture of the two. Knowing your own taste in plants is a key part of choosing the right plants for your landscape. |
Proper Care
Growing Season Care
During the Spring, Summer, and Fall months plants should be watered regularly. Each plant is unique and has specific watering requirements. However, the majority of freshly planted trees, flowers, and shrubs should be watered 2-3 days per week in the Spring and Fall, and 4-7 days per week in the Summer.
Winter Care
If plants are well established before winter arrives, they may not require much attention. For plants that were installed during late fall or winter, plants should still be watered occasionally. Even though it may not be hot outside, they can't be allowed to dry out. In addition to watering freezes are a concern. If the temperature is going to drop below 32 degrees, it is best to cover the plants overnight so they are not damaged by frost.
Pests & Diseases
Plants should be inspected for pests, fungus, and infection a few times a week to prevent minor problems from becoming major. A pest of disease problem normally isn't a major cause for concern if it is addressed quickly. Home Depot and other box stores carry products for plants struggling with pests and diseases.
During the Spring, Summer, and Fall months plants should be watered regularly. Each plant is unique and has specific watering requirements. However, the majority of freshly planted trees, flowers, and shrubs should be watered 2-3 days per week in the Spring and Fall, and 4-7 days per week in the Summer.
Winter Care
If plants are well established before winter arrives, they may not require much attention. For plants that were installed during late fall or winter, plants should still be watered occasionally. Even though it may not be hot outside, they can't be allowed to dry out. In addition to watering freezes are a concern. If the temperature is going to drop below 32 degrees, it is best to cover the plants overnight so they are not damaged by frost.
Pests & Diseases
Plants should be inspected for pests, fungus, and infection a few times a week to prevent minor problems from becoming major. A pest of disease problem normally isn't a major cause for concern if it is addressed quickly. Home Depot and other box stores carry products for plants struggling with pests and diseases.
Installation Process
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WarrantyUnfortunately, some plants die! Proper planning, quality plants, and the right installation practices minimizes any plant death. However, it's normal for 2-3% of plants to die. If that happens are you going to lose your money?
Standard 30 Day Warranty Our plants come with a 30 day replacement warranty. This warranty completely covers any plants that die within 30 days of installation, contingent on proper watering and care. Standard 12 Month Warranty Our plants come with a one year warranty that covers 50% of replacement cost. Therefore, from day 31 up until the 12 month mark, replacement plants are done at half price of the original installation cost. Delivery fees can apply for large trees. PricingThe installed price of plants is typically 2x the retail price of each plant. That is not true in all circumstances, but it is a good rule of thumb. We buy our inventory from SiteOne Landscape Supply (Buford, Alpharetta), and clients are always welcome to browse and select inventory for installation.
Plant Size (plant size) Pot sizes are major variables in plant pricing. A three gallon camellia might cost around $24 to purchase, while a 7 gallon could be $50 or more. The same goes for trees, the taller the tree, the higher the cost. Customers should weigh the cost vs. benefit of starting with larger plants. Plant Variety Non-licensed common plants could be as cheap as $10 for a three gallon shrub. However, licensed plants (monrovia, southern living, etc.) will normally be over $20 to purchase. In addition to the licensing variable, generally, the more obscure the plant, the more expensive the price. Labor to Install The labor to install is generally equal to the retail price of a plant, but of course it varies. The cost to install a shrub that costs $10 will be more than $10, but the price to install a $40 3 gallon shrub will likely be less than $40. |
