Add Landscape Color by Remembering the Four P’s

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Expert: Scott Chatham
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Chatham Landscape Services

Coloring summer landscapes with annuals requires planning, says Scott Chatham of Chatham Landscape Services. With nine awards, five for seasonal color, his company led the industry at last year’s Georgia Urban AG Council Professional Landscape Awards. Here’s his advice:

• Preparation. Till soil thoroughly and amend with decomposed material until it won’t clot when squeezed. Mound beds for drainage and display. For street visibility, make beds 50 square feet plus. For pedestrians, smaller is acceptable.

• Placement. Locate beds to draw the eye. Mailbox? Front door? Bay window? Partial sun means good eastern or morning sun. Full sun means at least late morning through late afternoon.

• Plant. Consider desired growth — creeping, upright, confined. Factor foliage into color selection — coleus, caladium and duranta have dazzling leaves. And know your tolerance for maintenance, which leads us to …

• … Pampering. Some annuals are needy. Know their water, fertilizer and pinching requirements. Examples: lantana is
low-maintenance; salvia and geraniums are heavy feeders that demand constant pinching.

Now Proceed.

Chatham Landscape Services
770-427-3020
www.chathamlandscapes.com