B R E C K O N L A N D D E S I G N

We've Moved!

2016-07-06T10:51:00.003-06:00

With the launch of our new website, we decided to include our future blog posts within the site, instead of on a separate platform.

Please come visit us!

Vendor Spotlight: Belgard

2016-04-12T15:54:00.001-06:00

Belgard is a company that strives to make the best products for your outdoor hardscapes. Since 1995, their locally made and nationally backed products have transformed thousands of residential and commercial properties across North America.

Belgard's outdoor porcelain pavers have the same benefits as regular porcelain - frost-resistant, skid-resistant, durable and easy to clean - combined with incredibly high breakage loads (up to 2,000 pounds) creates the perfect solution for gardens, terraces and high traffic outdoor areas. Outdoor porcelain pavers can be dry laid onto grass, gravel, dirt and sand - or onto terraces and roofs using raised supports - without grout, adhesives or specialized workers, making installation incredibly easy.

With a variety of products like pavers, walls, edgers, steps and more, Belgard helps you take the next step in your Outdoor Living Journey.

Belgard pavers installed in a Breckon design in 2013

Close up of Belgard pavers

Belgard pavers installed in a Breckon design in 2015

Belgard pavers from an installation in 2013

Find out more about all of their products online: www.belgard.com.

Bringing The Indoors Out

2016-04-12T15:54:00.000-06:00

Landscape architects have always approached design in terms of defining space in order to create 'outdoor rooms' but never before has this idea been interpreted as literally as it is in contemporary residential landscapes. Whereas landscape designers used to offer seating in the form of benches, seat walls or lawn chairs, and tended to think of outdoor eating areas in terms of barbeque grills and picnic tables, now we are transforming our porches and back patios into true living rooms, complete with couches, rugs, coffee tables, and ottomans. It's also common to see fully operational outdoor kitchens with built-in gas grills, refrigerators, and sinks with running water.

Taking this outdoor room concept to a new level, Breckon landdesign recently designed a backyard entertainment area that included a large flat screen TV housed in a weatherproof cabinet. These outdoor rooms are not just places to sit for a few minutes and enjoy the garden, but full-on extensions of our homes that invite us to lounge, hang out, and stay a while.

In high desert climates like Idaho and the Intermountain West where seasons bring extremes of hot and cold, it can be difficult to blur the boundaries between indoors and out and still maintain comfortable spaces for people. In order to extend the outdoor living season and get the most enjoyment from these outdoor rooms, it’s important to keep the following in mind.

Mitigate for Temperature Extremes

Even in warm weather months, Idaho temperatures can swing as much as 40 degrees over the course of a single day. Good design involves mitigation for extremes of temperature and weather that will turn your outdoor room into the place you want to be.

Exposure. When designing for a particular site, our landscape architects consider the orientation of your home relative to sun and shade patterns. Does it afford outdoor areas that receive pleasant morning sun in the summer, for instance, versus direct sun in the late day? It’s also important to note prevailing winds and other elements of microclimate. Ideally, location of and design for outdoor spaces will work with the orientation of the house to maximize opportunities for shade and shelter.

Hammock with paver patio and timber pergola with party lights

Speaking of Shade... In our dry climate, shade is the best way to guarantee outdoor comfort, especially in the heat of summer. This is perhaps most easily accomplished with trees, planted strategically where shade is needed. One drawback to trees can be the time they take to mature. If more immediate shade is desired, overhead shade structures are a great way to provide shade for comfort and cover. These structures may be constructed of various materials, commonly wood or metal, with open slats to create a light shade effect, or a more opaque roof structure, depending on site requirements. Recent innovations in outdoor fabrics also offer additional options for shade. Often these have a more modern aesthetic in terms of form and materials, and may be positioned vertically to handle low sun angles in the late afternoon and evening.

Elemental Components

Waterfall with stone slab bridge

Water. The integration of water and water features can create and/or enhance cooling effects in your outdoor room. Water might be used in misters mounted along the edge of a roof or overhead structure. These are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and take advantage of the significant potential for evaporative cooling in our dry climate. Fountains and Water Features are another way to evoke a cool, relaxing atmosphere, without actually getting wet. The sound of flowing or falling water helps any outdoor space seem cooler, because water symbolizes cool, and carries with it associations both refreshing and restorative.

Fire pit in Boise State University colors

Fire. On the other end of the thermometer, a campfire not only adds warmth and light when autumn days grow colder and shorter, but also adds life to your outdoor room by providing a focal element people naturally gravitate towards and love to gather around.

Fire pits may be integrated with landscape design as a classic stone or metal pit sunk into a paver patio with seating around the edge. As an alternative, freestanding fire pans on stands or pedestals are also available in catalogs and garden shops. These have the added advantage of being portable, allowing greater flexibility for users, and may be easily added to any existing design. As with indoor fireplaces, permanent outdoor fire pits may be plumbed for natural gas. Styling can be contemporary or traditional, to complement other design elements and existing architecture.

Weather-Friendly Furnishings

It is now possible to buy outdoor versions of nearly every kind of furnishing, from modular, sectional sofas to weatherproof rugs and pillows. These items are widely available at a variety of price points starting with big-box retailers and on into higher-end chains and boutiques. Because Breckon landscape designs do not always extend to this level of detail, selection and placement of these furnishings are an opportunity for you to personalize your outdoor room with color and texture and otherwise make it your own.

While outdoor furnishings are designed to withstand exposure to weather, overhead cover serves here as well to keep furniture dry for comfortable seating anytime. It also prolongs the life of furnishings by minimizing exposure to sun and moisture.

Other Advantages

Beyond offering just another place to hang out, the trend towards converting outdoor spaces into living rooms in their own right offers other benefits. A comfortable outdoor space that remains usable over a large part of the year can increase the size of your home in a functional sense. That is, folks who live in small houses but have a generous outdoor room can use that area to augment space available for entertaining guests or hosting functions that would otherwise exceed their home’s capacity.

Additionally, by claiming a greater portion of the yard as outdoor living space, we minimize the landscape area that must be maintained. This significantly reduces the amount of water needed, resulting in more sustainable landscapes. It also saves money, and most importantly, time. Time far better spent enjoying your favorite room in the house which, as it turns out, may not be in the house at all.

A deck with an outdoor kitchen and dining area creates multiple rooms in the back yard

April is World Landscape Architecture Month

2016-04-08T11:03:00.000-06:00

Governor Otter proclaimed April Idaho Landscape Architecture Month 2016 in conjunction with The American Society of Landscape Architect's (ASLA) World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM).

April is a great month to educate children, young adults, and even teachers about landscape architecture and how landscape architects artfully design their world because of the natural tie-in to Arbor Day (April 29, 2016). This Arbor Day, and the whole month of April, we are encouraging people to plant and care for trees, realizing how much trees and green spaces contribute to our everyday lives.

According to a press release from the Idaho Montana Chapter of the Society of Landscape Architects, "Working with landscape architects, communities can promote health and well-being by encouraging the development of environments that offer rich social, economic, and environmental benefits. Healthy, livable communities improve the welfare and well-being of people by expanding the range of affordable transportation, employment, and housing choices through "Live, Work, Play" developments; incorporating physical activity into components of daily life; preserving and enhancing valuable natural resources; providing access to affordable, nutritious, and locally produced foods distributed for less cost; and creating a unique sense of community and place."

Do you have a favorite space that was designed by a Landscape Architect? Tell us about it in the comments.

Contractor Spotlight: Eagle Landscape & Nursery

2016-04-07T14:17:00.003-06:00

Eagle Landscape Contractors Inc. has proudly been serving Idaho for 30 years. They work closely with clients to actualize their ideas and ensure that the clients have a role in the creative process every step of the way. Their experienced staff is extremely efficient in taking a project from design, through planning, construction, and installation.

Eagle Landscape is known for its innovative installations, and their work can be seen in a myriad of places around the valley. They have installed subdivisions at Baldwin Park, Bristol Heights, Castlebury West, Laguna Point, Madelyn Estates and many others. Eagle Promenade, Eagle City Hall, and Wyndstone Place are additional examples of their commercial landscaping. They also offer residential landscaping and have landscaped over 2500 individual homes in the valley.

Learn more about Eagle Landscape Contractors at their website eaglelandscape.com.

A residence designed by Breckon Land Design and installed by Eagle Landscape Contractors in 2012

Composite deck with screen-accent fence

Flagstone patio with fire pit

Stone steps

Spruce and pine trees add a woodsy feeling to the flagstone patio

Lawn with putting green in the distance

Another residence designed by Breckon Land Design and installed by Eagle Landscape in 2014.

Multi-level paver patio with shade structure and hot tub

New paver patio and shade structure

Multi-level paver patio with steps

Landscape boulders with plantings to soften the patio

Project Spotlight: Harris Ranch III

2016-04-07T13:26:00.001-06:00

The main goal of this project was to create a Koi Pond that the homeowners could view from their new outdoor living space as well as from inside the house. A new free-form Koi pond was designed with a paver patio and large boulder slab bridge. A waterfall acts as the foal point to add sound and visual interest.

The project was installed by Sterling Landscape in 2014.

Paver patio and Koi Pond with Boulder Slab Bridge

Annual color pots hooked up to drip system add a pop of color.

Front Yard Landscaping

Raised Garden Beds

Before

3-D Rendering of the Design Plan

Plant Feature: Flowering Quince

2016-04-07T11:54:00.000-06:00

Just as modern parents are now giving their children names that were popular decades ago, the trend towards nostalgia has caught on in landscape as well. Old-fashioned flowering plants -- in delicate blush tones, pale lavenders, and corals -- that conjure memories of your grandmother’s garden are once again in demand. One such plant that blazes to life in the spring landscape is Flowering Quince.

The species itself is a large, hardy shrub with a mounding growth habit and dense blooms that range in shade from scarlet to red. These abundant flowers burst out along bare branches in the early spring before leaves begins to grow. New foliage comes on in a deep bronze-red color that later matures to glossy green.

Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince

Historically planted in hedgerows, as a barrier, or espaliered along walls, Quince is a relatively low-maintenance landscape shrub. The species has thorns as well as hard, small fruits that attract birds and wildlife. These fruits taste bitter to humans when eaten directly off the plant, but lend themselves well to jellies and preserves. This overlaps with yet another trend of the last decade -- edible gardens and home-grown food production.

In recent years new cultivars like Double-Take Orange Storm Flowering Quince have been developed to maximize blooms and eliminate less desirable traits, including thorns and fruit, which can be messy. These modifications, along with more compact growth habits, make them more compatible with the contemporary landscape while evoking the beauty of past eras. Among the newer plants, blossoms are single or double, and span the spectrum from light pinks to peaches and corals to fiery reds.

Double-Take Orange Storm Flowering Quince

Flowering Quince prefer full sun, but can tolerate dappled or part shade. They are relatively drought-tolerant and adaptable to most soil conditions. As is often the case, cultivars may be more delicate than the species.

Bloom-laden branches make wonderful cut flowers. Shrubs should be pruned to shape after flowering, as necessary.

USDA Zones: 4-8
Bloom Time: Early Spring
Fall Color: ---
Approximate Mature Size (HxW): 3x5

Planting Instructions: Dig the planting area well, incorporating organic material as noted on planting details. Dig the planting hole three times as wide as the root ball; ensure the planting hole is deep enough so that the crown of the new plant lines up with the existing grade or slightly higher (DO NOT PLANT LOWER THAN EXISTING GRADE).

Care Instructions: Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Watering should be reduced after establishment. Prune to shape / control size.

Plant Feature: Columnar Eastern White Pine

2016-01-05T13:39:00.005-07:00

Physical Description

Botanical Name: Pinus strobus ‘Fastigiata’

Foliage: Gray-green

Flower: Does not flower.

Sun: Full sun

Water: Water regularly, especially when topsoil is dry

Size: 25’-40’ tall and 10’ wide

Zone: 3-9

General Information

The Columnar Eastern White Pine is a narrow evergreen that has characteristic gray-green, silky smooth foliage. The needles are approximately 2”-4” long and appear in clusters of 5. Cones hang vertically from the branches and are 6”-12” in length. The evergreen foliage provides year round interest and does great as a specimen planting. Additionally, it works well as a barrier, hedge and privacy screen.

Care | Propagation | Pests

This fast growing, easy-to-maintain evergreen attracts birds and is resistant to deer. However, this white pine has difficulty with white pine weevils, which tend to lay eggs within the tree and cause permanent damage to the tree's structure. Other types of pests include bark beetles, sawfly larvae and pine needle miner larvae. Similarly, it does not tolerate heavy pollution, specifically that common to urban areas. Ideal conditions consist of moderate water application and acidic soil.

Contractor Spotlight: Green Lawn Care & Landscape

2016-01-05T13:39:00.002-07:00

Green Lawn Care & Landscape is an established, 20 year old company offering complete services in all phases of your landscape's life cycle. From the initial consultation to construction to the routine care and upkeep of your property, they pay strong attention to detail and listen to your needs.

Maintenance
Green Lawn Care offers commercial property management to help owners maintain property value, attract business and increase resale value. Residential maintenance programs allow for quality time enjoying the yard and making life easier.

Mowing, trimming and edging
Weeding and flower bed maintenance
Turf aeration
Gutter and window cleaning
Christmas/Holiday decor and lighting
Tree care and pruning
Fall leaf clean up

Enhancements & Small Projects
Green Lawn Care can also help update or add those finishing touches to the yard.

All sizes of plantings
Annual flower beds
Drainage solutions
Topsoil placement, fine grading and skid steer/bobcat work
Freshen up beds with new bark mulch
Erosion control

Residential & Commercial Construction
Green Lawn Care can also help with large construction projects. They install various products including:

Trees and plants
Topsoil
Landscape lighting
Driveways, walkways and patios of concrete, brick pavers, natural stone and wood
Fountains, ponds and waterfalls
Retaining walls
Pools, spas and hot tubs
Outdoor kitchens and amenities
Shade structures, fences and trellis
Bark mulch, decorative stone, curbing and weed barrier

Irrigation Services

Full system installations
Repairs, maintenance and 24-hour emergency service
Watering management and seasonal watering adjustments
System turn on and blow outs
Backflow testing
Five-year parts warranty and two-year labor warranty for systems maintained by Green Lawn Care

Fertilization & Spraying
Whether it's keeping a green lawn or a professional diagnosis and customized program, Green Lawn Care can help create a property the neighborhood will admire.

Licensed applicators
Lawn and plant fertilization
Insecticide and dormant oil spraying
Spider barrier spray
Preemergent

Winter Snow Plowing & Ice Maintenance
Green Lawn Care provides the equipment and manpower to provide timely curb to curb clearing of any size area. They serve local hospitals, major retailers and small businesses as well as individual homeowners.

Dependable 24/7 weather monitoring and service
Truck mounted plows and sanders
Liquid and granular deicing spray trucks
Public and private sidewalk maintenance

A residence installed by Green Lawn Care & Landscape in 2010

Another home installed in 2014

Green Lawn Care & Landscape is Better Business Bureau accredited, licensed & insured and staffed with friendly and professionally licensed personnel.

Boise North End Residence

2016-01-05T13:37:00.002-07:00

BEFORE: Existing Deck Area

This project in Boise’s North End involved the renovation of an existing rear yard into an outdoor room that would serve as an extended living space. The clients, Bronco fans with professional ties to BSU, wanted to create an area where they could entertain friends while watching football games right in their own backyard.

AFTER: Expanded Stone Patio with Outdoor Kitchen/Living Area

The plan called for a large patio area, an overhead structure to provide filtered shade, and a custom fire pit. Specialty furnishings included outdoor couches, a secure weatherproof cabinet for storage of the large flat screen TV, and an outdoor grill with kitchen components. A two-person hot tub shaped to fit into a corner helped maximize space.

Wood structure to provide filter shade over game viewing area

The master plan focused primarily on hardscape patio areas for dining and entertainment. Plant materials were concentrated in raised planting beds whose wall heights had been elevated to better function as informal seating. Materials included natural stone and concrete pavers, and also a stucco finish on the planter walls to tie into the existing house.

BEFORE: Existing Planters in Side Yard

AFTER: Raised Planting Beds in Side Yard; New Concrete Pavers

Fire pit with Bronco colors!

Stone and concrete paver interface with water feature

Vendor Spotlight: Hunter

2016-01-05T13:37:00.001-07:00

Hunter’s focus is to develop innovative, professional products for efficient irrigation. Hunter’s proven water-saving products combine efficient water use with sustainable design, allowing the products to last for years in outdoor environments. In the hands of the professional contractor, Hunter products will help save water, no matter what type of landscape is being irrigated or where it’s located.

Interested in learning more? Visit their website at hunterindustries.com

Sign up to receive emails from Hunter including special promotions, new product releases, industry news, and more.

How to Add Winter Interest

2016-01-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

In the short winter days that leave Boise with a flat grey sky promising snow, the landscape often appears bleak and desolate. If this gets you down, consider the following options for adding color and visual interest to those dreary winter days. While a bit less showy in the peak of the growing season, these plants possess unique characteristics such as berries, bark, or winter flowers that stand out against the grey of winter.

Try Ilex verticillata ‘Spriber’ (Berry Nice Winterberry Holly, a 7’h x 4’w deciduous shrub that features bright red berries through the fall and winter), or Viburnum prunifolia (Blackhaw Viburnum, a 12’h x 8’w deciduous shrub that holds blue-black berries and attracts wildlife), or Symphoricarpos ‘Bokrabright’ (Bright FantasySnowberry, pictured above, is a 4’ x 4’ deciduous shrub with showy white berries that carry through the winter).

Colorful bark like Cornus sericea (Red Osier Dogwood, a 7’h x 12’w deciduous shrub with bright red stems), or Betula nigra ‘BNMTF’ (DuraHeat River Birch, pictured above, is a 40’h x 20’w deciduous tree with exfoliating pinkish-orange winter bark) add color and interest to a drab winter landscape.

There are even flowers that bloom in winter like Hamamelis mollis ‘Pallida’ (Pallida Chinese Witch Hazel, s 15’ x 15’ fragrant shrub of yellow flowers with red cups that appear in the winter on otherwise bare branches).

Evergreens also add color and form that stays consistent through the change of seasons like Picea pungens ‘Hoopsii’, (Hoop’s Blue Spruce, pictured above, is a 30’h x 15’w spruce tree with a blue hue), Tsuga canadensis (Canadian Hemlock, a 40’h x 25’w confier that adds green and pyramidal year-round interest), Iberis sempervirens (Evergreen Candytuft, a 6”h x 1’w evergreen groundcover with green foliage that blooms with white flowers in early spring), or Aucuba japonica ‘Serratifolia’ (Sawtoothed Aucuba, a 4’h x 6’w evergreen shrub with dark green, glossy foliage that produces red berries in the fall).

Utilizing form and texture through bark, branching and ornamental grasses is an additional way to make your garden more exciting in the winter months.

Branching plants like Rhus Typhina ‘Laciniata’ (Laceleaf StaghornSumac, a 10’ x 10’ upright, multi-stemmed form adorned with red buds), Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’ (Contorted filbert, pictured above, is a 10’ x 10’ twisted branching form with yellow catkins that add color to the winter landscape), or Salix matsudana ‘Tortuosa’ (Corkscrew Willow, a 30’h x 20’w contorted deciduous tree with year-round interest that attracts butterflies) become artwork in the landscape.

Ornamental grasses like Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’ (Black Mondo Grass, a 1’ x 1’ purple-black grass that adds a stark contrast to the garden), Miscanthus sinensis ‘Adagio’ (Adagio Maiden Grass, a 5’h x 3’w grass that turns golden in the winter months), or Helictotrichon sempervirens (BlueOat Grass, a 3’h x 2’w evergreen grass with a blue-silver hue) add texture and color to the winter garden.

Consider adding boulders and garden art to create ongoing visual interest. Art may include sculptures or bird feeders/baths that have the added advantage of attracting wildlife.

Harris Ranch Residence

2015-10-23T10:34:00.001-06:00

Before

This East Boise residence involved the rethinking of a combination side yard/courtyard space that had been previously used (and overused) by the owners’ dogs. According to Landscape Architect Chuck B. Edwards, “The dogs had all but eaten the trees.”

Belgard Patio Pavers | Central Fire Pit | Annual Color Pots

New landscape concepts aimed to maximize the livability of this long narrow space, and create an inviting outdoor room for people and pets that would be functionally dog-proof. The plans featured a contemporary aesthetic in terms of materials and site furnishings, and included concrete pavers, raised planters and a central fire pit. A custom fabricated screen buffered the proximity of the neighboring residence by adding artistic interest, and interplay of layers to create depth and shadow, especially when illuminated. Natural-wood fencing provided textural interest and warmth, as well as screening for the trash can area.

Fire Pit | Custom Screen

Natural Wood Screen

Plant materials were shade-loving, with an emphasis on foliage interest, as opposed to blooms.

For non-hardscape areas, synthetic turf provided a more durable play area for the canines. Versions of this product have seen a vast increase in quality as well as a ‘reality factor’ in recent years. Not only does synthetic turf now provide a friendly feel underfoot, some products offer subtle color variation and even a thatch layer that helps it appear more natural. With careful attention to subsurface materials and drainage, the turf is permeable and easily cleaned—in short, an ideal product for pet-heavy areas like small yards, dog parks, and dog runs.

Synthetic Turf

What Have We Been Up To?

2015-10-23T10:04:00.004-06:00

Breckon landdesign is proud of our recent work on a number of public projects. If you visited the Western Idaho Fair this year, you may have noted the new entry plaza and landscape design we completed in conjunction with Hummel Architects.

But the projects we’re most excited about involve conceptual designs for future parks in the Meridian and Boise areas.

Golda Harris Nature Preserve

Mayor Bieter presents the designs for the Golda Harris Nature Preserve

We recently completed a conceptual plan for this 3.6-acre future park on the Boise River near the Parkcenter Bridge and the new Marianne Williams Park in east Boise. Our landscape architects will continue to work with LeNir LTD and Boise Parks & Recreation staff to further refine this plan for development into a natural riverfront park.

Proposed amenities include walking paths and gathering places for education, wildlife observation, and meditation. The plan also calls for enhancements to existing vegetation to strengthen the landscape’s habitat value, as well as interpretive signage, and integration of art pieces that key into the history of the area and the significance of the Boise River to our community.

Our staff attended an on-site dedication ceremony on Monday, October 19 where plans for the park were shared with the public. Members of the Harris Family also spoke about the park’s namesake and her love of the area. Both the Boise Weekly and the Idaho Statesman covered the dedication.

Meridian Parks & Recreation Master Plan

Kim Warren of Breckon landdesign, alongside Meridian Parks and Recreation Director, Steve Siddoway,
presents the design for the South Meridian Regional Park

For much of 2015, our staff has been working with GreenPlay LLC on a Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the City of Meridian. The project began with a thorough inventory and assessment of Meridian’s existing facilities along with a rigorous community input process involving interviews, stakeholder groups, and a community survey. This helped determine and prioritize need for Meridian’s Parks and Recreation Facilities and Programs.

Our role focused on designing the preliminary master plans for three proposed regional parks: South Meridian Regional Park near South Eagle Road and Lake Hazel; West Meridian Regional Park at Cherry Lane and McDermott Road; and Margaret Aldape Park northwest of Linder Road and Chinden Blvd.

Margaret Aldape Park, a 60-acre parcel donated by Sherrie and John Ewing, will have the distinction of being Meridian's first riverfront park. It will be developed as a passive-use natural area with walking paths, ponds for non-motorized boats and water recreation, as well as areas for community and cultural events. Plans for the park will preserve and enhance habitat for a variety of wildlife species on site, including deer, elk, turkey, Great Blue Heron, and fox.

In additional to the three proposed park plans, our team also worked on an update to the 2010 Meridian Pathways Master Plan and developed strategic objectives for the Urban Forestry department to ensure the continued growth, health, and longevity of Meridian’s Urban Forest.

Contractor Spotlight: Boden Haus

2015-10-13T14:57:00.001-06:00

Boden Haus Landscape is a complete landscape design and construction company. The mission of Boden Haus is to create sustainable landscapes through custom planning and implementation, while carving a niche in the local landscape industry with exceptional craftsmanship, and quality of service delivered to every client. Services include all exterior landscape site elements:

Brick Paver Patios & Driveways

Water Features

Retaining Walls

Water Features

Outdoor Kitchens

Fire Pits

Pergolas

Irrigation Systems

Swimming Pools

Plantings

Sod & Seed Lawn Areas

This month's Project Spotlight, A North End Residence, was installed by Boden Haus in 2015.

A Tuscany residence installed by Boden Haus in 2014:

Before:

After:

A Hillside residence installed by Boden Haus in 2014.

Before:

After:

Boden Haus
bodenhaus.net
(p) 208-898-4232
(f) 208-475-6034
Serving the Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton, Star, Mountain Home, Cascade, McCall, and Donnelly areas

Vendor Spotlight: ShadeWorks

2015-10-13T13:33:00.002-06:00

ShadeWorks provides low maintenance aluminum patio covers and pergolas that are proudly manufactured in the United States.

What makes their products so outstanding?

Environmentally Responsible | Constructed entirely of aluminum, ShadeWorks products are environmentally friendly and recyclable.
Withstand Extreme Wind | All structures are designed, engineered and constructed to withstand winds up to 120 mph.
Snow Zone Friendly | ShadeWorks structures exceed all local and national building code requirements for snow loads.
Fire Resistant | Because all structures are constructed of high quality aluminum, they will not burn.
Termite & Insect Proof | You never have to worry about unwanted guests with these aluminum structures.
Never Needs Painting | A paint finish with a lifetime warranty that will never need to be painted or stained for as long as you own it.
Lifetime Warranty | ShadeWorks products feature the most complete lifetime warranty in the industry.

ShadeWorks products are designed to integrate with your home expanding your outdoor living spaces while adding character and style. While they are made from durable aluminum, they are designed to give the appearance of rough sawn wood.

ShadeWorks even offers an opening/closing roof system, the ultimate addition to any outdoor space. With the touch of a button you can control the sunlight.

Shadeworks also offers optional skylight panels that allow your patio to be lit with natural sunlight while staying cool and protected from the weather all year long.

One of the "coolest" features of their patio covers is the ability to integrate a ceiling fan to keep you cool all summer long.

Make your patio the focal point of your home. A gathering place for friends and family. The coolest place to relax and unwind. Kick your feet up and take advantage of the great outdoors from just outside your back door with ShadeWorks.

ShadeWorks
shadeworks.com
800-696-0675
Locations in Idaho, Utah & Washington

Plant Feature: 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass

2015-10-12T10:50:00.000-06:00

Physical Description

Botanical Name: Calamagrostis

Foliage: Long, thin, green blade-like leaves

Flower: Feathery white blooms with a hint of purple, fade to yellow and buff during Fall months.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade

Water: Medium to wet soils

Size: 3’-5’ h, 1.5’-2.5’ w

Zone: 4-9

General Information

This fast growing ornamental grass has a narrow, upright form with a clumping habit. Little maintenance is required once established. Additionally, foliage and blooms maintain good fall color and interest, primarily in temperate climates as it tends to act like an evergreen. Blooms last a significant amount of time and maintain an upright position throughout the fall and winter months.

History | Symbolism

Calamagrostis acutilifora ‘Karl Foerster’ is a hybrid of C. epigejos and C. arundinacea, native to Europe and Asia. It was brought to the U.S. from Denmark in 1964 and has been found throughout American gardens without becoming an invasive species. The species itself was documented by German nurseryman Karl Foerster, who wrote articles and lectures about plant identification, as well as owned and managed a 5000 square meter garden and nursery in Potsdam, Germany. Foerster’s nursery was controversial during the Nazi era, due to his decision to employee Jewish friends while resisting the Nazi insistence to propagate and sell pure, native German plant species. Karl Foerster also had a significant impact on show gardens and demonstration gardens throughout Germany.

Care | Propagation | Pests

Plant grasses in early to late spring for quick and healthy root establishment. Any dividing of a specimen should occur in early fall. Cut stems back to about 6” in height during late winter or early spring to encourage blooming during growing season.

This particular grass tolerates erosion, wetness, and heavier clay soils, making it a suitable specimen for ponds and stream banks. Unlike most ornamental grasses, ‘Karl Foerster’ does not self-seed due to sterility. Additionally, it has no known serious insect or disease problems, and is deer resistant.

Breckon Land Design Update

2015-06-10T13:13:00.001-06:00

Breckon Land Design Update

Summer is just around the corner or as the weather would indicate, summer is here! Now is the time to think about your next landscape project. We have been busy this spring and are excited to have added new staff members to our team. Here are some of our recent projects currently under construction and/or completed:

Expo Idaho Entry
University of Idaho President's Residence
Rock Creek Elementary School - Twin Falls, ID
City of Meridian Parks Master Plan
Albertson's Corporate Headquarters Atrium Fountain
Meridian City Hall West Parking Lot
Victory Middle School
Hawaii Vacation home 3D Model and animation
several local and out of state residential projects

Take a look at our 2015 summer showcase that highlights our commercial, land development, public and residential project visualizations!!!

Project Spotlight: Highlands Residence

2015-06-10T13:13:00.000-06:00

Existing Conditions: Located in the Highlands in North Boise, this residence had a front yard that was heavily sloped. The top of the slope was mass planted with junipers.

The southern portion of the slope is unusable turf that was difficult to maintain. The front lacks variety and interest and the existing plants leave lots of debris.

Conceptual Design and Design Development: The client is given 3 design concepts to begin the design development process. Each concept is meant to explore the potential of the space. This is done by proposing varying concepts, materials and placement of design elements.

Design Development: The concepts are presented to the client and typically are re-worked to achieve a final concept that will become the finished design.

Final Concept

Upon the request of the client we can use 3-D modeling to give them a much clearer picture of what the design will actually look like upon completion:

The entry to the home is reconfigured with a meandering stairway that interrupts the steep slope.

Retaining walls introduce rock mulch planter beds with groundcovers, grasses and perennials, all which assist in color, winter interest, form and maintenance.

A private space is developed through the stairway’s weaving form.

A modern design is topped off with unique address lettering.

Once the final concept is completed we create construction documents that a landscape contractor will use to build and install the project. Construction documents for this project consist of a Materials Plan and a Landscape Plan.

Construction:

Demolition

Concrete work

Planting

After: The linear form of the retaining wall mirrors the linear siding of the home.

Groundcover is still being established, rock planter beds allow for a low maintenance front yard.

After the summer growing season the contrast between the modern hardscape and a lush softscape will beautifully compliment the house.

Large modern lettering allows for ease of finding the house, it also matches the modern form of the hardscape.

Plantings provide color, visual interest and soften the hardscape edges of this modern design.

A big thanks to Sterling Landscape for installing another great project!!

Vendor Spotlight: Idaho Rock and Pottery

2015-06-10T13:07:00.005-06:00

Idaho Rock and Pottery specializes in pottery, water features, patio furniture and decorative rock. They use vendors from all over the world offering their customers a large variety of choices, styles and colors.

Pottery:

With so many styles, colors, textures, shapes and sizes to choose from the options are endless for adding quality decor to your outdoor spaces. Unique pieces imported from exotic locales allow customers to enhance their outdoor environments with personal style and taste.

Water Features:

Bubbling pottery

Bubbling Pillar

Fountain

Old World Fountain

Patio Furniture:

A good mix of old-world and rustic outdoor decor style will enhance and provide comfort for any outdoor living space.

Specialty Items:

Ribbit!

Annual color pots are a colorful addition to any landscape design. They can be used to soften edges, provide annual color and enhance the overall aesthetics of the design. Once annual color pots are connected to an existing or new drip irrigation system they are a very low maintenance amenity.

Idaho Rock and Pottery has a wide range of products from simple and elegant to detailed and ornate. They can more than exceed your needs for quality, worldly and unique outdoor decor. Stop in and check out their decorative stone too! Please see below for contact information:

www.idahorockandpottery.com

Call - 208.939.6330

Visit - 1045 Anacona Ave., Eagle, Idaho 83616

Contractor Spotlight: Eagle Landscape Contractors Inc.

2015-06-10T12:53:00.000-06:00

Eagle Landscape Contractors Inc.

Founded in 1978 and in service for over thirty years, Eagle Landscape Contractor Inc., specializes in landscape design and construction. Their expertise ranges from landscape design, construction, patio and wall implementation, water features, irrigation systems and planting schemes. Eagle Landscape is proficient in both residential and commercial design, with over 2,500 individual residences installed throughout the Treasure Valley. They also have a 15 acre tree farm where the team is able to choose healthy and high quality tree species for your project. Here are some pictures of a recent installation:

Eagle Landscape has experience with all exterior landscape site elements such as: paver installation, fire pits, shade structures, pools and more.

Eagle Landscape is very adept at technical or intricate design installations.

Check out their online portfolio and the online quote request to find out more about how Eagle Landscape can help revamp your outdoor space. Contact information is below.
www.eaglelandscape.com
Call- 208.939.8723
Visit- 3931 N. Ballantyne Lane Eagle, Idaho 83616

Plant Feature: Peony

2015-06-03T16:26:00.002-06:00

Peony

Botanical name: Paeonia

Flower: Large, fragrant blooms in late spring, early summer.

Leaves: Lush, green, compound, deeply lobed.

Sun: Full sun, or at least 5 hours of sun daily.

Water: drought tolerant post establishment

Size: Ranges due to type of plant

Zone: 3 to 8

General:

The peony is a herbaceous perennial that comes in the form of a non-woody plant, a tree or shrub and a hybrid form, known as Itoh or intersectional. The peony produces large fragrant blooms, ranging in color from white to yellow to pink and red. It blooms in late spring to early summer, lasting an average of 7 to 10 days, and maintains lush green leaves through the summer. In the autumn the foliage turns a purple or a gold shade. The peony requires little maintenance, but responds poorly to transplanting. Be sure on its location when planting because the peony can live up to 100 years.

History/Symbolism/Medicine:

The peony is native to Asia, Southern Europe and Western North America, although it is cultivated throughout North America and Europe. The nomenclature of the peony originates from Greek Mythology. It is named after Paeon, a student of Ascelpius, the Greek God of medicine and healing. In short, Ascelpius became jealous of Paeon and to save Paeon from the wrath of Ascelpius, Zeus turned Paeon into a Peony.

The peony plays a large role in Chinese culture. It is known as the flower of riches and honor, or the king of flowers. It is the smallest living national emblem in China. The peony also has become very common in tattoos, associated with the use of Koi. This was popularized due to illustrations from a Chinese novel, Suikoden, written by Utagawa Kuniyoshi. The novel is about warrior heroes who are painted with tattoos, giving the peony a masculine, daredevil attribute.

Care/Propagation/Pests:

To properly care for the peony, plant it in fall and allow for time after planting before the first frost. The peony will need more care in the first few years of planting to properly get established. It needs soil with a neutral pH. Plant the peony in deep, fertile, hummus-rich soil and make sure to not smother the plant with mulch. It prefers a sheltered environment where it does not have to compete with other plants for water and sun. Most cultivars of the peony need full sun to thrive, plant it where it can receive either a full day of sun or a minimum of 5 hours in the sun. Water it thoroughly and deadhead the flowers when they begin to fade.

Propagation of the peony is dependent of the type of peony one is handling. For an herbaceous peony root division or seed propagation works best. For a tree peony propagation is best performed by grafting, division, seed or cuttings. The peony is prone to verticillium wilt, leaf and stem spots, ring spot virus, tip blight, stem rot, botrytis blight, left blotch, Japanese beetle and Nematode. Yet the most common pest is ants. The ants are attracted to the flower buds where the nectar forms outside of the buds. Let the ants be because they are saving the flowers from being eaten by other pests. Once the buds have opened the ants will disappear. Just be sure to choose tight buds that haven’t opened to prevent bringing the ants indoors. Also cut the stems long to last more than one week indoors.

Summer Landscape Tips

2015-06-03T16:07:00.001-06:00

Maintaining your property in drought conditions:

This year Boise is in a unique condition compared to its adjacent states, a severe drought is taking place and Boise is only suffering minor effects despite the lack of annual precipitation. Lower snow pack has been a trend in the Northwest for the last ten years. Southern Idaho is severely affected and is suffering like Southern California. Despite the lack of snowfall in the Valley this year, which has been 40% of the average snowfall, the reservoirs are full enough to carry the Valley through the summer season of 2015. This ample supply of water is due to last year’s higher than average snow pack. But Boise is not in the clear, if next winter is dry again, Boise will suffer the effects of the drought. Southern Idaho’s run-off began earlier than usual this season and Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock and Luck Peak Reservoirs are only running at only 80 to 93 % of average flow and capacity. So with the drought in mind, how can you keep your outdoor space thriving while being environmentally conscious?

Whether you have an established outdoor space or are thinking about a newly installed space, here are some tips to practice to minimize water use in your garden space:

Use mulch. Install 2- 3 inches of mulch in your planter beds, this will help to hold moisture close to the plants and will minimize evaporation rates.

Minimize your lawn; introduce hardscape to your outdoor space such as a paver patio or stone walkway. If installing a new lawn use a drought tolerant lawn species that uses less water than a standard lawn. For existing lawn, keep it 3 inches or higher to shade the roots.

Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation. Or invest in a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation uses a small amount of water and applies it directly to the roots, this also minimizes evaporation. Make sure to adjust your sprinklers to not be wasteful, watering your sidewalk or driveway.

Stop fertilizing. Fertilizer encourages more growth, but more growth means a need for more water.

Weed your garden so your plants do not have to compete for water with the weeds.

When choosing plants, go for drought tolerant. Xeriscape gardens, or gardens that do not need watering after establishment, can be colorful and lush. They save water and require less time to maintain. They also attract butterflies and pollinators to your garden.

Breckon Land Design Update

2015-03-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

Breckon Land Design Update

Spring is just around the corner! Now is the time to think about your next landscape project. Here is our 2015 Show reel that highlights our commercial, land development, public, residential project and interior visualizations!!!

Come check out our display at the 2015 Boise Flower + Garden Show! It is the 19th annual gathering. It will be held March 20th through 22nd at the Boise Centre on the Grove.

We are located at booth 405 - why not drop by and say hi! Check out seminars, wind + jazz nights, miniature garden contest, the Buy Idaho pavilion, a judged flower show, a potluck auction, the lobby garden and beer tastings.

We look forward to seeing you there!!

Project Spotlight - foothills Residence

2015-03-06T14:13:00.001-07:00

Existing Conditions: Located in the Foothills of Boise, Idaho, this property suffered from unusable space. The back yard consisted of a narrow turf area with a rock retaining wall that held the steep backyard. The extreme slope was covered in brown, dry grasses with scattered sage plantings.

Conceptual Design: The design concept introduced to this project aims to address the unusable space of the steep backyard. The concept has a strong rectilinear form that allows for multi level outdoor rooms. Stairs are used to brace the elevation change and lead to a terraced patio that is built into the foothills.

Annual color pots were designed in to introduce color - all pots are to be connected to a drip system.

We designed this project and we contacted Aaron with Boden Haus Landscape to install this project.

Construction:

The old deck was removed and excavation started for the patio built into the hillside.

Materials are brought on site and the construction of the wall begins.

Progress is made and the first terrace and stairs are implemented.

A view looking down onto the construction progress and tool storage.

Construction is beginning to wrap up.

The hardscape in the backyard is completed.

The side stairs are added.

The terraced patio is completed and the plant installation begins.

Design: To transform this backyard into usable and livable space the backyard is terraced. The tiered design allows for three deck spaces, divided by stairs. The narrow backyard, which was once lined with large bushes, is designed to allow for a curvilinear stepping stone path that weaves through the grass to the side yard.

The terraces are framed by retaining walls and colorful native plantings.

With the addition of a sofa and lounge chairs, these spaces become an outdoor living room.

The potted plants add an architectural element that aids in further defining the space.

The materials used in this design are concrete pavers, Timbertech composite decking, Sandstone Slab steps, and Belgard pavers for the patio area and Belgard wall system for the retaining walls.

The design helps to reclaim a portion of the backyard and transform it into usable space, while maintaining the remaining portion of the yard to be preserved and with the native sage and dry grasses.

The design is relatively low maintenance, yet is charming, highly designed yet seeming natural.

A special thanks to Aaron with Boden Haus Landscape for making this project such a success!

B R E C K O N L A N D D E S I G N

We've Moved!

With the launch of our new website, we decided to include our future blog posts within the site, instead of on a separate platform.

Please come visit us!

Vendor Spotlight: Belgard

Bringing The Indoors Out

April is World Landscape Architecture Month

Contractor Spotlight: Eagle Landscape & Nursery

Another residence designed by Breckon Land Design and installed by Eagle Landscape in 2014. Multi-level paver patio with shade structure and hot tub

Project Spotlight: Harris Ranch III

Plant Feature: Flowering Quince

Plant Feature: Columnar Eastern White Pine

Contractor Spotlight: Green Lawn Care & Landscape

Boise North End Residence

Vendor Spotlight: Hunter

How to Add Winter Interest

Harris Ranch Residence

What Have We Been Up To?

Contractor Spotlight: Boden Haus

Vendor Spotlight: ShadeWorks

Plant Feature: 'Karl Foerster' Feather Reed Grass

Breckon Land Design Update

Project Spotlight: Highlands Residence

Vendor Spotlight: Idaho Rock and Pottery

Contractor Spotlight: Eagle Landscape Contractors Inc.

Plant Feature: Peony

Summer Landscape Tips

Breckon Land Design Update

Project Spotlight - foothills Residence

Another residence designed by Breckon Land Design and installed by Eagle Landscape in 2014.

Multi-level paver patio with shade structure and hot tub