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The Front Range's
​Landscaping Resource

Tree Care in Colorado

9/26/2020

4 Comments

 
​Trees are vital to our ecosystem’s soil and air quality. Denver’s semi-arid climate and extreme temperature shifts can make it challenging to maintain healthy trees and shrubs especially in the first year or two after planting.
Picture of Colorado Aspen trees changing color in fall.
​Properly trimming and pruning woody plants is both an art and a science, so hiring an experienced professional to do the job is safer and wiser since they have the tools and know-how to do the job correctly and quickly. 

Professionals like our trained landscape architect can also educate you about best care practices for maintaining freshly planted trees in Colorado's semi-arid Front Range climate.  
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Why Tree Care Matters
Yearly pruning promotes more abundant flowering and foliage the following spring, allowing plants to efficiently put their energy into growth and maturation. Renewal pruning can be done three to five years apart depending on the plant type and age. Even shrubs will need at least some pruning every few years, so be sure not to skip this essential landscape maintenance service if you want a healthy and beautiful space. 
Picture of trees and shrubs trimmed for optimal growth in the Denver metro.
When To Trim And Prune 
Regular care to your hedges, flowering shrubs and ornamental trees keeps your landscape healthy and looking at its best throughout the seasons. Tree trimming is also a safety measure to keep your home and property in top shape. It is generally best to schedule this service between late fall and early spring before new growth or blossoms emerge. 
​Pruning trees in the summer isn’t healthy because it causes too much stress on the tree. Healthy tree limbs should be pruned in winter when a tree is dormant for best results. Dead, diseased or bug infested branches should be removed as they are identified fall through spring since these could damage your home or harm a neighbor if they break and fall due to heavy winds or snow. 
Trimming Vs. Pruning
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Pruning removes unnecessary or damaged branches or corrects and maintains a tree structure so that it isn’t growing over your property boundary lines or towards utility lines. 
​Trimming promotes healthy growth, especially in young trees, shrubs and hedges.  

​Both services are important practices to maintain healthy ornamental trees, fruit trees, and shrubs.
Picture of yellow flowering shrubs ready for trimming.
​​If you aren’t a seasoned gardener, it can be risky to do this work on your own and might cost you the replacement of several plants. Under-pruning a plant won’t give it the needed boost for growth, but over pruning often causes stress, reduces foliage production, and increases susceptibility to pests and disease if cuts aren’t made correctly. 

Call our licensed landscape architect today to schedule a free consultation of your space. We every month of the year serving homeowners in the Denver metro. 
Request a complimentary consultation
4 Comments

maximizing spaces with retaining walls

8/21/2020

13 Comments

 
When Retaining Walls Make The Most Sense For Your Space
Regardless of size, if your outdoor space has sloped grades or a lackluster entryway, retaining walls add depth and functionality to your landscape design. 
Photo of raised garden beds with an elegant xeriscape design.
Some of our past clients have come to us out of frustration maintaining a lawn that is hard to mow on a steep incline, or wanted to maximize a small space by adding perennials or raised garden beds. 

Just like any project, we start by visiting your space, hearing how you want to enjoy your time outside your home, and then crafting a hand rendered design customized to your space and needs. 

​We often work with individually selected river rock to create grand steps and entryways for rustic homes in the Front Range, and also have a wide variety of paver stones to choose from when creating retaining walls for modern and cottage homes, gardens, raised flower beds, and more. 
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Photo of rustic retaining walls using river rock and mulch for a mountainous xeriscape.
Photo of an elegant cream colored stone retaining wall for a raised flower bed with roses and tulips.
Photo of a terraced front yard using river rock retaining walls for a rustic mansion using ground covering for a drought resistant landscape.
Email us today to schedule an appointment for your free consultation and estimate. ​
Request a free consultation
13 Comments

Custom Patio Design

7/24/2020

1 Comment

 
The perfect deck or patio invites you to relax and restore outside after a stressful day. 

If your outdoor spaces need revitalizing, we can help. Offering more than 18 years of experience creating custom designs for the Front Range, our award winning licensed landscape architect takes the uncertainty and guesswork out of your project with proven expertise. 
Image of a stamped concrete patio with river rock stepping stones and shade making wooden pergola.
Image of a composite wood patio with stone retaining wall.
Image of a red dappled stone patio with designed with outdoor furniture and a stand alone wood fire pit.
Arterra delivers excellent customer service and high quality workmanship while serving as a general contractor to reduce communication between builders. 
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Whether you want a new wood or composite deck, stamped concrete walkway, or brick inlaid patio, we’ll create the perfect design to suit your home's needs and see that it is built to last. 

Request a free consultation for your project today.
Request a free consultation
1 Comment

Selecting the Best Fence

6/11/2020

23 Comments

 
What kind of statement does your property’s perimeter make, and how do you feel seeing it when you come home? Fences and gates add personality and safety to your home. Check out the custom fence gate we designed and constructed for a Denver metro homeowner here.
Different Fences for Different Folks
If you are part of a Homeowners Association, you may face requirements around fencing styles for your home.  As a dog guardian, a well-built fence is necessary to keep your four legged friend out of trouble. Homeowners in urban and metro areas might also simply want more privacy or security from a well designed fence.

Photo of a classic white picket fence.
We are here to help you wade through a sea of options and consider what fencing style fits your needs, family, and budget. Here are a few the residential fence styles we like best:
Fencing Styles for the Front Range
Wooden fencing
From the traditional white picket fence, to the rural split rail, or privacy slat fence, wooden fencing is some of the most versatile. Split rail fences with wire backing works with many HOA restrictions and keeps pets contained while deterring bunnies from munching on your garden. 
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However, wooden fences need periodic conditioning in order to maintain aesthetics and integrity in the Front Range’s extreme weather patterns, low humidity, and intense sun.  
Picture of a rustic split rail fence for Colorado's Front Range.
Vinyl fencing
High quality vinyl fences replicate the look of painted wood from a distance and require less maintenance, but they can also become brittle during cold snaps and may acquire weathering stains over time.
Metal fencing
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Wrought iron and mild steel fences provide sturdy, rust-free protection with practically no maintenance required. The look of this black glazed metal compliments modern homes, elegant manors, and brick cottages. Brick and stucco bases can also be integrated into these fence designs to compliment your home for added flair. 

​Are you thinking about replacing a fence or building a new one around your property? 

Take the guesswork out of home improvement projects with design consultation and support from an award winning landscape architect. 

Reach out for a free estimate of your project today. Arterra books projects on a first come, first served basis. 
Photo of an elegant wrought iron fence for a Denver home.
Schedule A Complimentary Estimate
23 Comments

Quintessential Fire Pits

4/30/2020

1 Comment

 
Why We Enjoy Fire
Any patio in the Front Range is made complete by an outdoor fire feature to warm your morning or make sunset watching even more cozy and enjoyable. 

Outdoor fire features add comfort, style, and function to home. Whether you pride yourself in creating warm and welcoming spaces, or simply cherish personal time outside with something to drink and a good read, the perfect fire feature helps you enjoy outdoor living when temperatures dip low. 
Modern gas burning outdoor fireplace and wooden pergola.
There are a variety of ways to safely incorporate fire elements into your outdoor oasis. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor fire features for Front Range homes:  
Rustic wood burning fire pit for stone patio
Traditional Wood Burning Options:
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Fire pits and fireplaces
Perfect for rustic mountain homes styles, people who enjoy a hands-on connection to building fires, and those who appreciate the old fashioned allure of a campfire -- stand alone fire pits or built-in wood burning fireplaces provide a finishing touch that adds joy to time spent outside. 
Self contained gas burning fire feature for patio made from black metal.
Gas fire features:
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Stand-alone gas fire pits 
Providing fuss-free heat for hand warming, s'mores roasting, and gathering with family and friends, gas fire pits will never overflow with ash or produce high floating sparks like a wood fire. They are easy to use and can be covered or stored during any period of nonuse. 
Patio heater with red finish
Patio heaters (flame heaters)
Often tall and sleek, these easy-to-move gas burning elements compliment modern home styles and eliminate smoke for satisfying flames with a few clicks of a button. Depending on the model, these might produce less radiant heat than a traditional fire pit. However, the heat output is more easily controllable than wood burning fires. ​
Professional Consulting For Your Best Fit
Consider the size of your space, whether you’re more comfortable starting a wood or gas fire, and who will be sharing your space with you. Needless to say, hot objects and open flames always require alertness to prevent accident or injury. Young children, people who are unsteady on their feet, and household pets should be considered when choosing the fire feature style that’s best for your situation. 
​

Still not sure which fire feature style would be best for your home? We provide consultation to help you weigh the pros and cons of various fire features for your circumstances and home’s design style.  ​​
More About Consultations
Designing Deluxe Landscapes
Arterra not only specializes in designing spaces with fire features, but also low-voltage outdoor lighting, water features that wow, dog friendly spaces, and drought-tolerant xeriscapes and gardens. 

Ask for a free consultation for our licensed landscape architect today. ​
Request a free consultation
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  • About Us
    • Sustainability Practices
    • Careers
  • Services
    • Xeriscape Designs
    • Landscape Lighting | LED Low Voltage
    • Dog Friendly Designs
    • Irrigation Efficiency Evaluations
  • Portfolio
  • Contact Us
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy