PLANTS
Our pruning methods promote color, health, and diversity because a landscape containing attractive plants increases property value and aesthetic appeal.
We utilize natural plant cycles to our advantage.
We seasonally cater to individual plants.
We maximize aesthetic appeal.
We minimize reoccurring maintenance costs.
Your landscape was professionally designed by a landscape architect to provide color and texture to your landscape throughout the year. To see the natural color and seasonal changes, each plant must be properly maintained according to its unique growth and blooming cycle. Treating every plant the same results in dull, unnatural landscape with little color.
Feel free to browse our Plant Database with identification information and
proper care instructions for all common species found in the southwest!
SEASONAL CUTBACKS
LandTech’s plant maintenance program utilizes the practice of seasonal cutbacks. So what are cutbacks? Cutbacks are also know as renovation pruning or hard pruning. Specific plants at specific times are pruned down to 12”-18” in size. The seasonal cutback promotes rich, healthy new growth, and improve the long-term aesthetics of the landscape, with a more natural flowering cycle throughout the year. This type of pruning is usually performed in the winter and early spring to rejuvenate shrubs and ground covers, and to encourage growth after the dormant period. It can also help manage plants that have outgrown the space, are encroaching over sidewalks, or are obstructing lines of sight.
WHY?
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Promotes healthy plants by eliminating frequent pruning schedules
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Frequently pruned shrubs are in a continuous state of stress, requiring more water to recover
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Plants that are not shear-pruned resist stress better than plants routinely and excessively pruned
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Light and air are unable to penetrate shear-pruned plants, making them woody in the center
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Allows for natural seasonal flowering
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Increases aesthetic value of the landscape
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Allows landscapers to concentrate on other seasonal tasks
Beginning in December, we focus on cutting back the most cold-tolerant plants, like sage, chuparosa, and ornamental grasses. Moving into January, February and March, you can expect to see cutbacks to varieties of Bougainvillea, Lantana, Yellow Bells, Oleander, Ruellia, and other common shrubs. Once this selective pruning or cutback is completed, the plants will be left to grow and flower naturally throughout the spring and summer months.
HAND PRUNING
LandTech is a firm believer in using nature to your advantage. By doing the right thing at the right time of year, we can ensure plants are healthy and vibrant, and you aren’t paying for wasted labor. Once the blooming period is over, the winter months will be spent on the details of your landscape. This means we will be hand pruning or trimming select plants, treating for weeds, blowing and raking.
FROST DAMAGE
Desert winters can be harsh on trees and shrubs. Frost damage occurs when temperatures fall low enough to freeze the water in help inside the plants. Damaged portions of a plant will appear dry and rust-colored. Pruning of frost-damaged trees and shrubs needs to wait until after the danger of freezing weather has passed. In fact, leaving plant material that has already been damaged by a freeze helps protect against additional damage.
SEASONAL FLOWERS
SUMMER FLOWERS
The color and diversity of summer flowers is a welcome sight during the hot summer months! Look for the rich greenery and small 5-pointed flowers of the Penta, the bold color & fluffy blooms of the Celosia, and Vinca with soft petals in a variety of colors.
WINTER FLOWERS
Our desert winters are filled with color from our seasonal flowers. This time of year you will see
Geraniums, Snap Dragons, Pansies, and Petunias.
