We provide a range of landscape design services in North Georgia, but one of our favorites will always be designing and installing water features. Waterfalls, ponds, fountains, and creeks are not only beautiful but can also provide benefits like these.

Benefits of Water Features in Residential Landscape Design

Fighting Stress

It’s no secret that spending time in nature is good for you. Researchers continue to publish studies about the psychological and physiological benefits of having regular contact with nature, ranging from increased happiness to improved cognitive function. While there’s not as much research specifically focusing on the role of water, it’s safe to say that a bubbling brook or cascading waterfall can supercharge your outdoor relaxation, helping you relax and reduce stress. There’s a reason why people gravitate to water, and you can bring it into your own yard or garden with a beautiful water feature.

Reducing Noise Pollution

Including a water feature in your North Georgia landscape design can also reduce noise pollution. The background sound of running water from a waterfall or fountain is a pleasant alternative to traffic, music, and other disruptions that can find you even in the mountains. Once your water feature is up and running, you’ll want to hear it 24/7… Which is good considering that the more you run a fountain or water feature, the better it will perform! Constantly moving water keeps the pump in good shape, prevents debris from accumulating, and ensures that pests like mosquitoes don’t decide to lay eggs there.

Helping Birds

Moving water discourages mosquitoes from invading a water feature, but it does the opposite for birds! If you love bird watching, replacing your birdbath with a water feature is a no-brainer.

There are 21 highly vulnerable bird species in Georgia, as well as 27 moderately vulnerable species. If you want to do your part to protect native birds, adding a water feature is a great option. The birds will appreciate having a place to drink, bathe, and cool off from the hot Georgia summers. Plus, you can enjoy some prime bird watching from your patio, porch, or even inside your home!

Purifying the Air

On the list of reasons to build a water feature, air purification is often overlooked. But not today! People these days are becoming far more educated about air quality and how it affects health, so we think this benefit is worth talking about.

Fountains and other moving water features produce negative ions as the circulating water evaporates. Those negative ions attract free-floating particles like dust from the air, cleaning it. This natural air purification removes dust, dirt, allergens, and other pollutants from the air, so you can breathe deeply and enjoy the North Georgia mountain air.

Ready to add a water feature to your landscaping? The great thing about our custom water features is that we can design one to fit just about any location. Want to add a large pond/waterfall combo to your woodland garden? We’ve got you covered. Looking for ways to add personality to a small courtyard or patio? We can create a compact water feature to fit your space. Give us a call at 770-893-1254 to get started, and check out the other services we offer here at Whispering Springs Nursery.

While midsummer temperatures in Georgia can be brutal, by the time late summer and fall roll around, the climate is perfect for outdoor relaxation. But is your yard living up to its potential as an extension of your home? Whether you want an outdoor space to lounge, entertain, cook, play, or some combination of those activities, we can help you bring your perfect yard to life with our landscape design services. 

That’s right; if you didn’t know, Whispering Springs is not only a plant nursery and garden center, but also provides a variety of landscaping services to homeowners in Jasper and throughout North Georgia. Keep reading for some fall landscaping inspiration, and give us a call at 770-893-1254 to learn more about our North Georgia landscaping services. 

Top Fall Landscape Design Ideas for North Georgia

Start with a Clean Slate. 

Plants love the hot, humid summer weather here, which is why the North Georgia mountains are so lush and green in the summer. (That goes for plants you want to thrive, as well as weeds!) However, all of that growth can get overwhelming by the end of the summer, so it’s important to tidy up your landscaping. Late summer is a great time to schedule our yard maintenance services, like pruning shrubs and trees, cleaning up planting beds, performing weed control, and performing other seasonal plant maintenance and cleaning, like dead-heading perennials and removing plant debris. We can get your yard whipped into shape so you can enjoy it during the beautiful fall weather to come. 

Create Spaces for Outdoor Living

Your landscaping doesn’t have to be merely ornamental; it can be an extension of your house, with outdoor “rooms” for everything from cooking to lounging. Some of the most popular landscape design additions are not only useful, but also provide great ROI if you decide to put your home on the market later. These are a few outdoor living upgrades that are sure to increase your enjoyment of your landscaping during the fall: 

• Installing an outdoor kitchen and dining area. Food just tastes better when it’s cooked and eaten outdoors! From full-service outdoor kitchens with a refrigerator, stove, and grill, to simple upgrades like a patio and grilling area with attractive hardscaping, you’ll love being able to dine en plein air. 
• Adding entertainment amenities. Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits are wildly popular for a reason. They can not only add a focal point to your yard, but also offer the perfect place to entertain friends and family outdoors. And best of all, they have the potential for nearly year-round use!
• Creating lounge spaces. Having a covered area with comfortable seating is a great way to turn your yard into a true outdoor living space. However, you can also create beautiful opportunities for relaxation with features like garden alcoves and benches placed throughout your landscaping. 

Optimize Your Landscaping for Year-Round Natural Beauty

It’s easy to make your yard look appealing during the spring and summer, when so many flowers, bushes, and trees are blooming. However, with clever planning and expert knowledge of North Georgia’s native plants, we can help you create a beautifully naturalistic landscape that will bring you joy all year round. 

• Hardscaping (elements like paths, steps, walls, patios, etc.) gives structure to landscaping, helping lead the eye and create visual interest even during the winter. 
• Softscaping adds the living element to your landscaping using perennial and seasonal color planting beds, foundation plantings like trees and shrubs, and selecting deer-resistant plants that will thrive in the North Georgia environment. 

Don’t wait to get your yard ready for fall; contact us today!

Succulents have been a big trend in the design world for several years now, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon. In addition to their stellar visual appeal, they also have a reputation for being hard to kill, and succulent container gardens can survive quite a bit of neglect. After all, most succulent plants (aka plants with thick, fleshy forms that retain water) are from arid climates with infrequent rainfall. Their ability to store water for long stretches of time gets them through periods of drought, which is great if you’re one of those people who can’t remember to water your plants. 

However, growing succulents in containers isn’t as foolproof as you might think, especially in a humid climate like Georgia’s. If you’re one of the folks who have managed to kill these “unkillable” plants, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Check out these pro tips to learn how to plant succulents in containers, and give us a call to order succulents for curbside pickup at Whispering Springs Nursery in Jasper, Georgia. 

How to Plant Succulents in Containers

Visit Instagram or Pinterest, pick up a home and garden magazine, or turn on the TV, and you’ve likely seen beautiful flower pots, planters, and containers of every variety overflowing with beautiful, healthy succulents. Succulent planters can range from a full-size clawfoot bathtub in a whimsical, country garden, to tiny succulent pot magnets on a city apartment refrigerator. But don’t be fooled; not all containers work well with succulents. 

Pick the right succulent container

What you plant succulents in matters almost as much as how you plant them. Choose a container with good drainage. Succulents do not like for their roots to stay damp, so it’s essential that you either select a container with drainage, drill drainage holes into the container, or if you really must use a container with no holes (say for a table centerpiece), you’ll have to water extremely lightly and carefully to make sure you’re not causing root rot. 

If your planters are outdoors, pay attention to the weather. If it’s supposed to rain and any of your succulent planters are out in the storm, you’ll want to move them under a shelter that will keep them from getting drenched. Too much rain can make the soil waterlogged and will rot your plant from the roots up. If you do notice that your succulent pot is full of water, be sure to tip it off so the planter has a better shot at drying out. 

The medium you plant succulents in matters too, so make sure you’re not using straight potting soil, which tends to get soggy. Instead, you’ll want to amend it with pumice or perlite, which both retain less water.

Give them their space.

While you can probably get away with growing some succulents indoors (aloe is a great starter plant), most of them will fare better outside. But don’t just stick a planter full of succulents into the blazing Georgia sun. They need some shade, so a porch or patio that gets full sun (at least 6 hours of sun every day) will keep them happily sun-drenched without burning them.
Being selective about which succulents you plant together and where can also make a big difference. For instance, succulents that are pale in color, variegated, or solid green have lower sun tolerance, while succulents that are blue, gray, red, or covered in thorns have a better chance of surviving intense sun exposure. 

Low maintenance does not equal no maintenance. 

Just because succulents are some of the more “self-sufficient” plants you can grow in container gardens doesn’t mean that you can completely ignore them. They do need water (just go easy on it) and occasional (as in once a year) fertilizer. Because they’re full of water, you’ll also need to keep succulent planters safe from freezing temperatures, usually by bringing them indoors for the winter. 

If you’re interested in growing succulents in a planter, we’d love to help you design a custom creation! You can even bring us a planter you want to use, and we’ll either plant it for you, or help you select the best plants to fit it. Contact us or give us a call at 770-893-254 to learn more!

When it comes to landscaping and lawn maintenance, many homeowners think about planting flowers to add color in the spring, or about keeping the jungle at bay during the summer with more frequent mowing and edging. If fall landscape maintenance is considered at all, it’s probably just raking or blowing leaves. However, fall is actually one of the most important seasons of the whole year when it comes to landscape maintenance! The effort that goes into your lawn and garden during the fall will pay off in the spring, so be sure to check these fall landscaping to-dos off your list… Or give us a call at 770-893-1254 and let us do it for you! 

Fall Landscaping in North Georgia

De-leaf your lawn.

Just because removing the leaves from your lawn isn’t the only important fall yard maintenance job, doesn’t mean it’s not an important one! Raking or blowing the leaves off your grass is essential. Failure to do so can put your whole lawn at risk because over time, moisture and decay cause the leaves to meld together, essentially suffocating the grass due to lack of airflow. This impermeable layer of leaves can also trap moisture underneath it, creating an ideal environment for a fungal infection to develop. 

Want to put those leaves to good use, rather than bagging them up for yard waste collection? Dried leaves are great for composting, or for shredding and using as mulch. You can also make your own leaf mold. There are leaf shredders you can use to break your leaves down, but you can also mulch leaves with a lawnmower. Whatever you do, don’t try to mulch with unshredded leaves—they will blow away, making a mess of your yard and defeating the purpose of mulching in the first place by leaving plants exposed to the elements.  

Give it some breathing room.

We all need to stop and take a deep breath sometimes, and the same goes for your lawn. Fall is a great time to aerate your lawn, increasing the flow of air, water, and nutrients to your lawn’s roots. If your family uses the lawn frequently—whether from kids running around or from hosting plenty of cook outs—the soil may be compacted, which makes aeration even more important.   

Get ahead of the weeds by applying a pre-emergent. 

It might surprise you to learn that weeds can germinate even in the winter, but it’s true! As they say, the best defense is a good offense, so set your lawn up for success in the spring by applying a pre-emergent now. Keep in mind that pre-emergent stops germination, so you should not use it if you plan to overseed your (typically Fescue) lawn. However, if your lawn is primarily Bermuda or Zoysia, you’re in the clear to apply pre-emergent. 

Maintain your maintenance routine…With a few slight variations.

Just because the calendar says the seasons have changed, doesn’t mean the weather agrees. It’s important to keep doing your regular landscape maintenance, like mowing, edging, and watering, until the grass has stopped growing. You should, however, raise your lawnmower blade. The grass should be slightly longer than you’d necessarily keep it in summer, but not completely overgrown. That sweet spot between too short and too tall will prevent your lawn from freeze damage on cold days, and from diseases that can occur when grass gets too long and tangled. Your mowings will get further apart as the season goes on, and when you notice that the grass is no longer growing, you’ll know it’s time to stop for the season. 

Once you’ve determined that you’re done mowing for the year, don’t forget to winterize your lawnmower! Clean out any grass clippings lodged beneath it, empty the gas tank, and sharpen the blade. That way you’ll be all set to go when spring rolls around.

Good luck with your fall lawn maintenance if you choose to dive in yourself… Or give us a call to find out how we can take lawn maintenance off your plate and keep your landscaping looking its best!

When deciding on the best plantings for a yard, it’s important to strike a balance between form and function—which plants will give you the look you want, and which plants best fit the environment as far as water and light needs, growth patterns, etc. There’s no such thing as the “perfect” landscaping… Just the perfect landscaping for you! Choosing low maintenance shrubs can go a long way towards giving you the beautiful landscaping you want, without making extra work for yourself. 

These are some of our favorite low maintenance shrubs for North Georgia. Give us a call at 770-893-1254 to schedule a curbside pickup from our Jasper nursery, or learn more about our landscape design and installation services here. 

Low Maintenance Shrubs for North Georgia

While every site has its own specific factors to take into account, these are generally some of the best low maintenance shrub varieties for North Georgia. These shrubs can work in naturalistic woodland landscapes or more formal settings.

Tea Olive

Osmanthus fragrans, aka Fragrant Tea Olive, is an evergreen shrub with attractive, glossy, dark green leaves. The tiny white flowers it produces are strongly perfumed with a sweet, almost citrusy scent. Place them in the garden for added atmosphere, plant them as a privacy hedge, or use them as foundation plantings near windows, doors, or outdoor living spaces.

Boxwood

Boxwoods are a shrubbery staple for a reason! These hardy plants are relatively low maintenance and can be used in endless ways, from hedgerows to topiary. There are several varieties to choose from, some with shiny green leaves and others with interesting variegated patterns. 

Mountain Laurel

This shade-loving native evergreen shrub is a beautiful addition to North Georgia woodland gardens. Shiny, attractive green foliage and elegant clusters of pink or white bell shaped flowers make for one of the prettiest shrubs on our list. 

Yaupon Holly

Small, smooth, and shiny green leaves, long-lasting red berries, and waxy, white blooms make yaupon holly another “oldie but goodie” landscaping plant. There are several varieties to choose from, whether you’d like to grow yaupon holly as a shrub, tree, or espalier. You can even get weeping varieties for a particularly stunning additio.  

Anisetree or Yellow Anise

If you’re looking to introduce some color contrast into your landscaping, yellow anise is a showstopper! This shade-tolerant evergreen shrub requires moderate water. It can grow up to 12 feet tall, and with a variety of cultivars, you can choose from various shades of bright chartreuse to light green. Just be aware that while the plant may smell like the well-known seasoning aniseed, it is not the same—and it is not edible!  

Highland Doghobble

The whimsically-named highland doghobble, or leucothoe fontanesiana, tolerates full shade and acidic soil, making it a perfect choice for mountain and woodland gardens. It grows up to 6 feet tall and has an arching branch formation, as well as delicate, urn-shaped white flowers.

Mulch is a commonly used landscaping material that can enhance the beauty of your yard. But did you know that the benefits of mulch extend beyond just surface appearances? Keep reading to learn what mulch is, how it can help your landscaping, and the best types of mulch for North Georgia.  

Benefits of Mulch

Mulch reduces the growth of weeds.

Weeding is usually at the top of people’s lists for “Most Annoying Outdoor Chore,” but you can substantially slow down the growth of weeds by mulching your garden. Applying a layer of mulch (usually 3-4” deep) on top of exposed soil effectively smothers weed seeds, preventing them from getting enough light and air to germinate. Even if seeds do blow into your garden, the layer of mulch provides a barrier between the weed and the soil. Any weeds that manage to spring up should be easy to remove because their roots will extend very shallowly into the soil. 

Mulch conserves water.

Water is one of our most precious resources here in North Georgia, so we love helping our customers create smart landscapes that use water efficiently. Mulch is part of a water-smart landscape because it traps moisture in the soil, slowing evaporation. That means more water for your plants to drink, less waste, and a lower water bill. It also blocks the wind from drying out the soil faster. 

Mulch is cool.

We mean that literally! Mulch provides insulation for the soil, which is especially important during our hot Georgia summers. Reducing heat stress on your plants goes a long way towards keeping your summer landscaping looking great. 

What Type of Mulch Should You Use?

There are many materials that can be used as mulch, and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. The best mulch to use depends on the climate and environment where you live, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. 

Here in North Georgia, pine straw and pine bark are the most commonly used types of mulch. They are great options because they’re typically affordable, and they make your landscaping look very natural in the midst of Georgia’s pine forests. 

Composted wood chips are also popular and can be found in various colors to coordinate with your home. (Don’t use fresh woodchips, which will leach nitrogen from the soil and can harm your plants.)

There are also a few types of mulch that are not recommended for most applications in our area:

• Gravel/pebbles/rocks get too hot. Your plants are probably already working hard to survive the summer, so adding rocks that absorb the sun and retain heat is not a good idea.
• Peat moss is not appropriate mulch either. While it is very absorbent, once it dries it repels water, which can kill your plants. It’s also antimicrobial, which is not desirable if you’re trying to garden organically. 
• As we mentioned, fresh woodchips aren’t good for your garden. Instead, allow them to weather for 6 months to a year before using them.

If you’re buying mulch for your home or need help planning and installing your landscaping, give us a call at 770-893-1254! 

We obviously love plants here at Whispering Springs Nursery; after all, we not only grow and sell all sorts of annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs, but also provide North Georgia homeowners with landscape design and maintenance services. Creating lush, healthy forest landscapes is our passion, which is why we offer expert shrub and ornamental tree pruning among our other landscaping services. 

You may be wondering why trees and shrubs need to be pruned, especially in a more naturalistic setting like the North Georgia native woodland landscapes that we specialize in. It’s a good question! In natural forest settings, plants aren’t pruned and they manage just fine, right?

Well, they do—in their own way. If a tree is left to its own devices, it can end up growing in all sorts of interesting and unique ways depending on the surrounding environment, but that growth won’t always be attractive, healthy, or even safe. Certain growth patterns can leave the tree open to pests or disease. “Suckers” (the small shoots you may see growing from the base or roots of a tree) can steal water and nutrients from the main tree, leading to unhealthy or stunted growth. When that tree eventually falls and decays, it’s part of the circle of life in the forest… But that doesn’t mean that you want it happening in your front yard or right outside your window. 

Why Shrubs and Trees Need Regular Pruning

In a landscaping setting (even natural/native landscaping), the goal is to create a landscape that is not only beautiful, but also practical and safe. Pruning plants plays a big part in this for several reasons. 

Promoting Healthy Plant Growth

Pruning isn’t about forcing a tree or shrub into an unnatural shape, but rather guiding it as it grows into a strong, healthy, mature plant. By removing dead or dying branches, suckers, or any other “problem” growths, the tree is able to grow into its ideal shape. Pruning also prevents pest insect and animal infestations. 

Bringing Out the Beauty in Your Landscaping

Regular expert pruning of trees and shrubs can also make your landscaping more beautiful by promoting the growth of fruit and flowers. If you have ornamental trees or shrubs in your yard, like cherry, dogwood, redbud, crape myrtle, azalea, forsythia, or rose, both the method and timing of pruning are essential. Improper pruning can cause a range of unfortunate outcomes, from sparse flowering in the spring, to severe disfiguring that the plant may never recover from. 

Protecting People and Property

One of the most important functions of pruning is to protect your family, home, and vehicles from the dangers of fallen branches or trees. A storm can knock branches loose, sending them into your roof, through your car windshield, or onto kids’ play spaces. Sometimes a branch may not fall right away, only to get knocked loose by a brisk wind later when you’re least expecting it. Regular pruning greatly reduces this safety hazard. 

Ready to whip your landscaping plants into shape? Give us a call at 770-893-1254 to learn more about our pruning and landscaping services!