Designing with Hollies
Hollies bring the holiday cheer in December. But their gifts transcend the seasons. Wrapped in distinctive green foliage with characteristic berry embellishments, hollies provide reliable winter color, architectural structure and wildlife support. The Ilex genus contains more than 400 individual species, bridging the gap between delicate deciduous displays and tough evergreen structures. Historically, ancient Romans…
Foliage Selections for Sun, Shade
Mixing course and fine plant textures creates depth that keeps landscapes looking fresh long after the first flowers of spring fade. Coarse foliage acts as a visual anchor, providing structure and grounding sprawling beds. Fine foliage softens harsh transitions and fills tight spaces. Combining coarse and fine foliages creates a layered finish. June Hosta (Hosta…
Growing Green Borders
Traditional fences certainly have their place. But if you want to frame a property, block out the neighbors or create cozy backyard rooms, defining outdoor living experiences with plants is your best bet. Using trees and shrubs as natural fencing marks property lines. They also block the wind, muffle street noise, define rooms and bring…
Mixing Up the New Edible Landscape
Functional landscapes have been trending in the background for a while now. But as we look at the landscape of 2026 and peer into emerging trends, functional designs are becoming an expectation among homeowners. Clients want low-maintenance gardens that look good and are multi-purpose. The integration of cottage-style aesthetics and high-yield edibles allows landscape contractors…
Elite Landscape Performance
Back in Victorian times when gas lighting and postage stamps were new, the spectacular species of hydrangea was considered a symbol of pure vanity. The legend goes that anyone who would plant such a shrub was simply being boastful. This, of course, is on account of hydrangea’s spectacular, showy blooms. Today, you’d be hard-pressed to…
Peace in White Blooms
A season of quiet reflection arrives with the introduction of Cloud Dancer, the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year. This “billowy white imbued with serenity” provides gardeners and plant industry professionals with a reliable foundation to brighten landscapes and provide an exciting backdrop for pastel- and neutral-toned companion plants. The following selections represent relevant varieties…
Retail and Landscape Picks
There may be snow on the ground and holiday cheer in the air, but planning for the next planting season is already in full swing. We know you’re eager to stock your shelves and design your landscape projects with exciting, high-performing plants. So, we sat down with Taylor Feuerborn, inside sales representative at Loma Vista…
Autumn Color Palette Inspires
As temperatures turn cool, the Midwest’s seasonal shift delivers dramatic waves of color that boosts the human spirit and enhances landscape projects. We have compiled a list of eight trees and shrubs specifically chosen for their reliability and their spectacular fall performance. All of these are grown at Loma Vista Nursery. Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer…
Colorful Choices for Dry Days
Water-wise plants are gaining in popularity – and for good reason. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 30% of household water use is devoted to outdoor purposes like lawn and garden irrigation. More than 50% of that is lost due to evaporation, wind, runoff or inefficiencies in irrigation systems. Water-wise plants are…
Eye-Catching, Low-Growing Perennials
In every well-balanced garden, there is a secret layer that brings harmony, function and unexpected beauty. Groundcovers and other low-growing perennials are unsung garden heroes that often go unnoticed, yet they are the connective tissue beneath shrubs, trees and taller perennials. These hardy plants are resilient. Many thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9.…