Making the Most of Late Summer
Plus: What your plants are doing behind the scenes, an Auburn landscape built around family, and a fresh twist on a summer classic.
What’s Happening Beneath The Surface
August has a way of making every outdoor space look a little tired. Hydrangeas fade. Leaves yellow. Growth slows. It’s easy to assume something is wrong.
Healthy landscapes don’t avoid summer stress – they adapt to it.
The strongest outdoor spaces aren’t the ones that never experience stress. They’re the ones that were designed to move through it. Even when growth slows above ground, important work is still happening below it as roots strengthen and plants prepare for what’s ahead.
In our latest blog, we’re digging into the unseen work happening in your outdoor space during the hottest part of the year – and why it matters for the seasons ahead.
An Auburn Landscape Designed to Last
Some outdoor spaces begin with a blank slate. Others begin with a story.
This Auburn property already had one. Mature trees, established gardens, and decades of thoughtful planting gave the property its character. Much of it reflected the vision of the home’s original owner, a horticulture professor whose love of plants could still be seen throughout the landscape. Rather than erase that history, the new homeowners wanted to build upon it.
The design centered around the way this family lives today. Large sandstone pavers create an inviting gathering space, softened by synthetic turf joints that add warmth and texture. A bubbling fountain creates a focal point from both inside and out, while the open lawn gives the family plenty of room to enjoy.
The planting palette builds on what was already there, bringing new life to the established gardens. We preserved the elements that made the property special and introduced new plantings that complement them. Together, they create a landscape that feels established while giving the family an outdoor space that works for the way they live today.
One of our favorite parts of any project happens long after installation is complete. Watching new gardens mature beneath old trees reminds us that great landscapes are never really finished – they simply continue growing alongside the families who call them home.
One Last Taste of Summer
An Arnold Palmer is already a summer classic, but now is the perfect excuse to give it a little Southern upgrade. Around here, August means peaches are everywhere – from roadside stands to farmers markets. This simple twist on an Arnold Palmer lets one of summer’s best flavors shine, with fresh peaches adding natural sweetness and basil or mint bringing a bright finish.
You’ll Need:
- Half sweet tea
- Half lemonade
- Fresh peach slices
- A few basil or mint leaves
- Plenty of ice
Stir everything together, let the peaches infuse for a few minutes, and enjoy.
Want to make it an evening drink? Add a splash of bourbon or vodka for an easy porch cocktail.
Want to learn more about our services? Nerd out on some plants? Let’s talk.