Growth inhibitor is applied to turf late spring early summer to develop deep roots, holding soil on steep slopes, preventing erosion. Anticipating water shortages due to climate change, we are “training” our turf to be more drought tolerant by developing deeper roots and irrigating less. (Bare tree to right is dormant not dead).

400 acre property with 31 acres of turf. Working around high motor & pedestrian traffic. Special challenges around roundabouts and freeway off & on ramps. Turf presents special difficulties on such steep grade.

Many large steep inclines up to 32 degrees - We purchased a special mower & deck, requiring special training and certification to operate on steep angles, prevent erosion, operator fatigue and insure safety.

The park and pond are used for many special events such as weddings, movie nights, and holiday lighting ceremonies. Our maintenance needs to be scheduled around all of these. Chemical applications must be very specifically timed depending on weather conditions to protect natural waterways.

Trees are deep root fed yearly. Turf is difficult to maintain on mounded parking lot islands throughout the complex. Push mowers and hand trimmers are used. Care must be taken working around heavy pedestrian & Vehicle traffic. Some access must be scheduled and is only accessible to push mowers that have to be taken through buildings.

Manicured beds and seasonal color create an inviting entrance.

IPM is especially challenging, high vigilance must be maintained because of the way the topography channels winds. Disease and pest problems can spread very rapidly if not caught and treated Immediately. We reduce plant vulnerability and the need for chemicals by building plant health using a microorganism based soil and root builder and remediator on all turf, beds and trees throughout the complex.

High retaining walls present accessibility and safety issues for machinery and crews. For example, challenges with pruning on the outside edge of hedges atop high retaining walls. Mulch must be applied with a blower truck because of accessibility on steep hills and against and over high retaining walls.

The fountain is the central feature of this office area, everyone drives past. We performed extensive repair of the leaking fountain and replaced & updated the pavers around it. Water continuously splashes around in high winds, to maintain fountain water level and keep from burning out the pump, the irrigation system automatically fills the fountain as winds deplete it. The main irrigation lines in this area are suspended from a parking garage ceiling requiring special access to high security parking, and a high lift jack to reach 25’ up for maintenance and repairs.

Steep hills need special irrigation lines to prevent leaking at that angle, and heads set at unusual angles. Full sun and steep grade require carefully balanced timing to keep turf healthy while not causing disease or erosion.

Seasonal color invites customers into the shopping area. Maintenance is scheduled before opening to avoid interruption of shopping and dining experiences. Irrigating seasonal color is very challenging with a constantly changing mix of head types, nozzles, drip, watering from the top or bottom, and timing, all changing each season depending on specific flowers & their needs. Timing schedules can vary weekly with weather fluctuations, especially with climate change. Repair sometimes need to be done if damage occurs during seasonal display change, soil amending, and install.

Because the shops area largely consists of parking and sidewalks, and the need to attract retail customers, seasonal color is the star of the show here. Excellent color pallet understanding and design sense, sense of scale, creativity, and specialized horticultural expertise are required to constantly put on a good show and delight customers with new inventive displays to keep them coming back to the shops.

Creating these displays is very labor intensive. These carousel horses took over six months to complete, gluing hundreds of carefully chosen individual flowers on each horse, painting in details, adding bling, and engineering how to install them.

Winter seasonal color is intentionally created with lighting for the early dark midwinter nights, attracting shoppers for after work for holiday shopping. Winter seasonal color must be watered to keep it fresh. A watering truck is used as irrigation is shut down for winter. Anti-desiccant is also applied.

Briarcliff in full summer bloom. Pots are Hand watered, groomed, and tended daily, replacing any dead plants. Covid and climate change have made it even more challenging with supply chain shortages, having to suddenly change plans due to climate change damage, grower crop failures, and last minuet client requests.

Spring pots coordinate beautifully with surrounding blooming trees, setting each other off.

Fall Seasonal color pots with exquisite detail along the walkway where shoppers can really enjoy a close-up view.