Start planning for next year's landscape projects now! Accents of Nature provides custom landscape designs and master plans. We'll work with you to make your dream landscape a reality - from preliminary concept through final design, budgeting, phasing, and installation. It's never too early to start the planning process, call us today to set up a free appointment at your property! 

Container arrangements by Joan! 

Accents of Nature designed and built this stacked stone driveway entry to conceal an existing concrete culvert. The property experiences an incredible amount of stormwater runoff, and the construction of these walls is designed to withstand a deluge! Large stone slabs are set in concrete to establish the inflow and outflow levels at each end of the existing concrete pipe, and the stone above them is backed with solid concrete. We edged the asphalt on each side of the driveway entry with dark granite cobbles, slightly raised to be detectable by a vehicle tire, with river stones between the drive and the wall. A pair of brass low-voltage LED lights help guide the way. Informal, naturalistic plantings will fill in new beds around mature spruce trees that flanking each side of the driveway. 

When the temperature starts to drop, these shrubs show off their fruit. Cut a few branches to create a stunning berry bouquet - perhaps as a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table! 

A relative of the native Callicarpa americana, 'Early Amethyst' Beautyberry produces an abundance of shockingly purple berries - and as the cultivar's name suggests, they show up a little earlier to the party. 
​

OK, it's not called "Winterberry" not "Autumnberry" - but these deciduous hollies have been showing hints of their colorful fruit since early October (leaves tend to drop after a few good frosts). The berries are popular with birds, so grab a few branches now for indoor display before they're gone! The 'Winter Gold' cultivar boasts a distinctive light orange color that looks awesome when grouped with the purple Beautyberries. 

Nandina domestica is a common landscape shrub that grows in a variety of conditions and features semi-evergreen foliage and big clusters of bright red berries. Other more compact cultivars have been developed for their foliage, but it is the straight species of Heavenly Bamboo that produces the best berry display. The fruit of this non-native plant is bitter to local wildlife, and you'll be doing the birds a favor by removing the temptation of the bright red berries by clipping them off to display in your holiday arrangements. 
​

A splash of light in the nighttime landscape goes a long way. Accents of Nature designs and installs low-voltage lighting systems featuring affordable and durable classic brass fixtures with energy-efficient (and long-lasting) LED bulbs. Transform your view  of the front yard with up-lights on specimen trees. Increase safety for you and your guests by illuminating steps in the entry walk. Highlight architectural features of the house. Light up a dark corner for extra security. Consider how landscape lighting can add beauty and value to your property! 

Photos below by Wheeler Home Concepts, landscape by Accents of Nature: 

Here are a few more photos of the completed project.