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…
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…
Building a Landscape that Works
Landscape contractors and garden center professionals operate in a marketplace driven by plant purpose and resiliency. High-performance selections provide site stability while standing up to heat. They manage water wisely and support local wildlife while providing curb appeal. Intentionally creating a landscape that functions as a living ecosystem while maintaining a clean, professional aesthetic is…
Structure Defines the Seasons
Autumn brings quiet brilliance to the Midwest landscape. Few plants embody the seasonal transitions as gracefully as perennial grasses. These fall favorites lend dynamic movement and a sophisticated backdrop that persists well into winter. Shenandoah Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah’) Switch Grass Varieties Among the varieties we grow at Loma Vista Nursery, switch grass stands…
Planning for Spring Landscapes
Landscape professionals planning for spring installations this fall and winter will have plant palettes top of mind. At Loma Vista Nursery, we grow plants that offer multi-season interest and deliver maximum client satisfaction. As a Midwest grower of trees, shrubs and perennials, our healthy plants, grown at our nursery in Kansas, are specifically cultivated to…
Cultivating Pollinator Spaces
Pollinator-friendly landscapes are no longer a niche request. Increasingly, clients are asking contractors to include plants and design elements that attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial species. Beyond consumer demand, municipalities and corporate campuses are also prioritizing pollinator health in landscape plans. For contractors, this shift presents a responsibility and an opportunity: to design,…
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…