Having a hard time with your Christmas list? Consider giving the gift of landscape maintenance! Allow your loved one to relax this holiday season while we do the work! Or you could even give them a landscaping makeover or new design feature. While you may not be able to hide a new pergola, fire pit or fountain under the Christmas tree, we can wrap gift certificates, design plans or photos to help you create a memorable holiday gift. A gift certificate is a great option for the person who has been reluctant to get started. Your special someone can participate in the landscaping project from beginning to end without having to lift a finger. If you have a new design feature in mind, we can help you pull off a special gift by wrapping up inspiration photos, something to get your loved one excited! Four Reasons…
With temperatures dropping and staying cooler, many gardens lack color and life, but they don’t have to! LSU AgCenter suggests adding cool season annuals to your landscape during the winter to “enhance the quality of your garden, increase curb appeal and add color and dimension to a possibly otherwise barren landscape.” Not only will these varieties liven up an ordinarily drab garden, they will also provide much needed nourishment to nectar-loving migrating insects that are preparing to fly south for the winter. Supertunia Vista Bubblegum Petunia According to LSU AgCenter, the Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunia is one of the most talked-about petunias over the past three to five years, and one of the best petunias in landscape trials at the LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station. The clear, bright pink flowers have proven to be one of Louisiana’s most durable varieties. They can grow 16 to 24…
The temperature has dropped (slightly) and the Holidays are upon us! We wanted to take this opportunity to offer some inspiration to get your home ready for the season! A simple, yet festive way to create a Holiday look is by adding ornaments or colorful bulbs to your outdoor planters. Simply drop a few into your existing potted plants and your home will suddenly look Holiday ready. Of course, at Exterior Designs, we love the idea of incorporating fresh greenery into your decor. Some of the best front door designs we have seen stick with a theme. Whether you go with a playful look and incorporate colorful bulbs with Christmas characters, or a more elegant theme using fresh greenery and white twinkle lights is totally up to you. Choose a theme special to you and your family and run with it!…
As the weather warms up outside, we are not the only ones getting excited about the spring, so is our honorary state bird, the mosquito. There are several methods to deter these pests from crashing your outdoor party ranging from candles to repellent sprays, but we like to use plants! Not only will plants offer a natural, chemical-free, safe way to repel mosquitos; they add color and fragrance to your outdoor space. Here are a few of our favorite insect repelling plants that will also thrive down here in South Louisiana. Lavender With the exception of the hearty, but less fragrant Spanish Lavender, many varieties of lavender cannot withstand the wet soil, heat and humidity of South Louisiana. That is until the recent introduction of ‘Phenomenal’ which, according to Southern Living Magazine, is a version of the herb that can not only withstand the growing conditions here,…
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is all about letting loose and celebrating a good time with friends and family. During carnival season, everyone becomes family! One of the families well known here in the City is the Randazzo’s – they are known for their world-famous king cakes. Their family recipe has been a New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition for decades. Exterior Designs wouldn’t be a true New Orleans designer without having a hand in a local legend’s landscape. We renovated the Randazzo Bakery store front in Metairie, LA by creating a Mardi Gras theme that continues year round. By selecting annuals that bloom in purple and gold, Mardi Gras colors are repeated throughout the landscape. We wanted to protect customers on those rainy days our city is known for, so we included a colorful awning that runs the length of the…