Luxury Landscapes Magazine

Apex Landscape is proud to be gracing the pages of Luxury Landscapes Magazine.  Check it out on line or pick up a copy today!

Pink Ball Charity Classic

Apex Landscape is a proud sponsor of the 2011 Pink Ball Charity Classic.  The Pink Ball Charity Classic is a Rally for the Cure Event,  played in a four person scramble format.  Check them out on Facebook as well

"Best of Grand Rapids"

Voting for the "Best of Grand Rapids" in Grand Rapids Magazine ends Thursday, September 15. Thanks to all those who voted! We appreciate your support.


http://www.grmag.com/home.htm

before and after

Cattle baron's Ball

Join us at the 2011 Cattle Baron's Ball this Friday, August 12th, West Michigan's most-loved western-themed gala! Don your western duds to help save lives from cancer.  As always Apex Landscape will be providing some exciting aution items and an indoor garden lounge to relax and enjoy the evening in. To learn more about the American Cancer Society and to purchase your tickets, please visit www.cbbgrandrapids.com or check out the Cattle Baron's Ball facebook page.  We hope to see you there!

Greentree Project "before and after"

See more photos of this project on our facebook page

Apex Landscape project featured in an article on LandscapingNetwork.com

Give this article a read!
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/grand-rapids/backyard-renovation.html

Really great garden featured in an article from Garden Design Magazine

http://www.gardendesign.com/rodin-museum?pnid=127296#gallery-content

Landscapeforms introduces, Black Locust!

If you are interested in great outdoor furniture and accessories then you should take a minute to visit landscapeforms Also check out their new offering, Black Locust.   Black Locust is a North American species common in the Midwest, Appalachia and Northeast US. It's a thorny, wild tree that grows as a "volunteer" and is harvested from areas where it is unwanted. While relatively few wood species have the strength, durability and weathering characteristics required for furnishings in outdoor public environments, Black Locust meets these criteria and more:

• It is a light color wood that resembles ash when freshly cut, and weathers naturally over time to a dark grey color.
• It is fast growing and regenerates on its own after cutting.
• It is dense and durable. (Fenceposts have been known to last 100 years.)
• It is naturally resistant to insects, microorganisms, rot and decay.
• It can be readily machined.

Sourcing wood close to home is a highly sustainable strategy. Much of the wood sourced for outdoor furniture comes from tropical forests far away. The yield rate from a piece of lumber may be low, with much of it becoming scrap, getting burned or used for animal bedding. Most of Landscape Forms' Black Locust is sourced within 500 miles of our manufacturing facilities, often from sites being cleared for other purposes.

Whitneyville project

Here is a just completed before and after pic on a project that we have been working on in Grand Rapids, Mi.  This project was an extensive backyard and pool remodel.  We added many features such as an outdoor kitchen, custom gas fireplace, a perimeter overflow spa, and much much more.  You can see more pics of this transformation on the Apex Landscape facebook page.   This project will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Grand Rapids Cosmopolitan Home.  Apex landscape is proud to have been selected by the homeowner to design and build such a beautiful outdoor living space.

Apex Landscape & Relay for Life

Apex Landscape was a proud sponsor of the 2011 downtown Grand Rapids Relay for Life at Ah-Nab-Awen Park this past weekend.  An event that raised more than $75,000.00 for the American Cancer Society.

Why pay for Professional Landscape Plans?

When landscaping your home, it's crucial to get your design down on paper. Landscape plans do just that by turning ideas into visuals. Landscape designers and architects are skilled at analyzing your needs and ideas and then using them to create detailed plans and drawings.

Having landscape plans drawn up before starting your landscaping project is beneficial for these reasons:

• You'll get a visual idea of what the end result will be like
• Size, scale and layout have been thought through
• Prioritizing resources and time will be much easier
• The construction process will be much more efficient
• You'll be less likely to make mistakes or be unhappy with the results

Big change for little $

A casual lakeside patio and fire pit.  

A natural stone staircase leading to a lower level back yard.

Here are a couple projects that Apex Landscape was able to make a big impact on a small space for not a whole lot of cash.  Sometimes just a small landscape renovation or an addition to an existing landscape can make all the difference.  These two projects both had a need and we were able to address the need in about a day for a small investment from the homeowners.

Before and after sustainable pool project.

Yes, that is artificial turf!

This was a great project to work on and thank you to our wonderful clients for allowing it to become a reality.  We created a small, fun splash pool that can be used throughout the year or just in the summer months.  We also used a synthetic turf for the lawn area giving the client a "green" alternative that can be used as a sun bathing area or a place to play a quick game of badminton.  We made sure to use materials that matched the existing structure to keep a cohesive feel.  It is always our goal to create beautiful spaces that are well thought out, functional, sustainable, proportionate and what the client dreamt of.  In this case we had a very happy client and a great result!  If you want Apex Landscape to create your dream outdoor living space contact us today!  616-822-4587

Aggregates in the Landscape

Don't be afraid to use aggregates in your landscape. They are often underused and can be a nice addition if used correctly. Contact Apex Landscape today to find out how to add some style to your landscape with aggregates.

Freshen up your landscape

Freshening up your landscape or giving it a new feel doesn't always have to be about a complete renovation.  It can sometimes be done by simply adding some great containers, an element of water or fire, or by placing shade structure the right place.  You can transform your front entrance with a couple great containers with some really well done arrangements or topiaries in them.  It can be impactful and affordable.  You can also transform your outdoor living space with some fire torches or a water feature.   A custom spa is a great way to give an old space new life.  A new patio surface or a shade structure are also great ways to transform a space.  The beauty about Apex is we strive to give you unique options.  There are many cool and creative ways to add to your outdoor space.  Contact Apex Landscape today to see what a great solution for your home is!

Earth Day

Remember to make a positive change today.  http://www.earthday.org/

Team Apex Cycling

Apex Landscape is proud to announce that we are the Title sponsor of "Team Apex Cycling".  Apex Landscape has always been an advocate of the health of the environment and the health of people so this seemed like a natural fit.  What better way to spend your free time but then to be outside enjoying nature in a sustainable and non damaging way.  Cycling is not only great exercise but it is a great way to commute and save on fuel and pollution.  For more information about the team check out their blog at www.teamapexcycling.blogspot.com.

Some of my favorite gardens

Cheekwood

Versailles

Butchart Gardens

Koraku-en

Powerscourt

Cottage & Lakefront Living Show

Apex Landscape is excited to announce we will be providing materials and assisting in the design and construction of the Michigan Blue Magazine booth at the Cottage and Lakefront Living show in Grand Rapids at the DeVos Hall, March 25-27th. Come visit us while you are 
there!

Michigan Blue Magazine

Apex Landscape is once again featured in the spring issue of Michigan Blue Magazine.

One of my favorite perennials, Ballon Bouquet

A chance seedling of `Summer Beauty' Allium, `Balloon Bouquet' is a dwarf selection with out-standing floral character. Fully budded by June, its hundreds of balloon-like heads of clear pink flowers burst open in July. A great butterfly attractor, `Balloon Bouquet' is durable, drought tolerant, and long lived. Its foliage is composed of healthy, shiny blue-green, flattened, straplike leaves. Excellent for edging, accent, and as a small to moderate scale ground cover. 

Green Roofs Slowly Gaining Popularity

In cities across the United States, roofs that are covered with plants, otherwise known as "green roofs" are gaining popularity.

The number of "green roofs" increased by 35% across the United States between 2007 and 2008, according to the LiveScience article.

"Green roofs" are most popular in Germany, with 12% of all roofs being "green".

Green roofs and CO2

Scientists at Michigan State University measured carbon levels in plant and soil samples collected from 13 green roofs in Michigan and Maryland over a two-year period.

The researchers found that replacing traditional roofing materials with green roofs in an urban area the size of Detroit, with a population of about one million, would capture more than 55,000 tons of carbon. That is roughly similar to eliminating a year's worth of carbon dioxide emitted by 10,000 mid-sized SUVs and trucks, according to LiveScience.

Other benefits of "green roofs"

--Reduce heating and cooling costs of buildings. 10% reduction in natural gas consumption and 2% drop in electricity use in a typical building.

--Retain and detain storm water.

--Attract birds and wildlife, which may be good or bad, depending on the species.

--Absorb noise and pollution.

--"Green roofs" also last 2 to 3 times longer than standard roofs because they are protected from ultraviolet radiation and the extreme fluctuations in temperature that cause roof membranes to deteriorate.

Brad Rowe, and environmental scientist at Michigan State University believes that the U.S. Government does not need to mandate the roofs in the future, but instead provide incentives for them, similar to policies of other countries.

"Green roofs are more expensive, but only initially. Over time, they're cheaper once you consider their benefits energy-wise. It takes about 11 to 14 years to break even", according to Rowe. (article courtesy of AccuWeather.com) http://global-warming.accuweather.com/2009/10/green_roofs_slowly_gaining_pop_1.html

Leveraging the Landscape to Manage Water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKW2HtfVanU

Why Hire a professional Landscape Designer?

Hiring a professional landscape design firm like Apex Landscape could be one of the smartest investment decisions you’ll ever make.  Apex landscape's designers are trained and qualified in the principles of garden design and horticulture can help their clients avoid the costly mistakes that can turn the dream of an outdoor haven into a landscape nightmare. Professional firms like Apex are skilled practitioners of fundamental design concepts – proportion, unity, balance, perspective, color, texture – that can bring about a fully integrated design.  They have a comprehensive knowledge of plants so that you get the right plant that grows to the right size for the right place in your garden. They are skilled communicators and planners who work with contractors, vendors, local governments and others to complete successful projects.  The professionals at Apex Landscape  are also aware of our natural environment and promote sustainable practices whenever possible.  They are inspired by the creative process, by great design, and most of all, by their clients’ needs, wants and dreams.  Visit Apex Landscape today on facebook or at our website.

If you like architecture check out this article!

http://freshome.com/2011/01/05/10-most-interesting-architecture-projects-of-2010/