Renovating Older Landscapes
Many homes within the Atlanta Perimeter area have a mature landscape that is looking tired and outdated. If you are one of these homeowners, you may be unsure what to do about it or where to start. Following are some tips to guide you in understanding what can be done:
A. TYPICAL AGE FOR RENOVATION ( 20 + years old) and TYPICAL ISSUES
1) shrubs have been pruned improperly
2) inappropriately planted shrubs whose mature size is too large for the location
3) little to no fertilization
4) surrounding trees have become larger and providing more shade and root competition
5) large trees have fallen or have been removed, suddenly subjecting plants below to direct sun
B. IMPROPERLY PRUNED and TOO LARGE SHRUBS
Choice 1) decide if they are worth renovating with pruning and fertilization, and
if you can wait while they “look bad” for several months
Choice 2) remove old shrubs and start over with new shrubs appropriately
selected for location
C. FERTILIZATON
Use a fertilizer formulated for Tree and Shrub use with ironite included
(Be sure to follow directions and not use too much!)
D. SURROUNDING TREES HAVE GROWN LARGE
When trees are young and small, the plants installed around them are usually ones that do better with good sunlight. Now that the trees are mature and provide a lot of shade, the plants beneath are not getting enough light. These plants should be moved to an area with more sunlight and new shade plants installed under the tree shade.
E. LARGE TREE(S) HAVE BEEN LOST OR REMOVED
The plants underneath may require shade, and now they are suddenly in full sun (such as Azaleas). Either plant a new, large tree that will provide enough shade; or move these plants to a shadier area and replace with full sun plants.
F. OTHER TYPICAL RENOVATION NEEDS
1) Improved sidewalks
2) New driveway with masonry details (i.e. stone apron or other)
3) Larger planting beds
4) Redo lawns that are 50% or more weeds
5) New, larger deck
6) Additional drainage installed
