Most yards in Las Vegas have either artificial turf or rock as the primary element of the yard. The greenery tends to be limited, and usually of a tree or two and some desert-hardy shrubs. Some people, however, are looking for some ground cover. There are some options for plants that are durable that will spread out a little and cover a larger area of the ground. While these plants will likely be planted in the dirt, with a layer of rock, they do provide the illusion of a lusher yard.

 Here are some of the local favorites:

Lantana. This comes in a variety of colors (most commonly purple, yellow and white), and is in bloom from the spring thru the fall (the majority of the year!). It spreads fast, and is a trailing grand cover. Very low maintenance.

Trailing Rosemary. This is a very durable plant, and is great in most landscapes. It has occasional blooms from the spring thru the fall.

Star Jasmine. This is a fragrant, flowering vine. It will spread as a ground cover, but it is usually seen on a trellis. It blooms in the spring.

Need help planning your dream landscape? Already have something in mind? Give us a call today and we’ll help make it happen.

Desert landscaping does not mean that you cannot have any green in your yard. Quite the contrary, plants are encouraged. The main difference between desert and regular landscaping is that instead of a bed of grass, you have a bed of rock surrounding the plants that you choose. Flowering shrubs are a great way to add a little life to your yard, and add a little variety—green and hearty for part of the year, colorful and energetic for other parts of the year. Here are some popular options to choose from:

Baja Fairy Duster. This is a small shrub with slender branches and lacey green foliage. It gets small red flowers throughout the plant. It is especially beautiful at dawn and dusk.

Texas Rangers. These are the perfect plants for the Las Vegas climate, and are found in many yards across the city. The plant is excellent in a water-conservation society, and is beautiful when blooming. It has small, bell-shaped, blue/purple flowers.

Oleander. First of all, acknowledge that it is a poisonous plant, and decide for yourself whether it is a good fit for your yard (kids? pets?). If you don’t have any major concerns with that factor, it is absolutely beautiful. You can get it a variety of colors and sizes (anywhere from knee high to 20 feet-high), and the flowers are in bloom right up until frost.

Not sure what exactly you want in your yard? Call us today for help planning your dream landscape.

Working in the yard can be hard work. By the end of the day, you will be dusty, dirty, itchy and maybe even a little sore. A hot shower will solve most of these problems. One thing that gets overlooked a lot is hand care. Hands get dried out, cracked, cut, scraped, etc. With proper preventative care, you can walk away at the end of the day with your hands in great shape.

 First, make sure you have a good pair of gloves that fit. You want your hands protected from the rocks and plants that you will be working with, but you don’t want to have to deal with gloves that are too tight, or that are too lose and cause your hands to chafe.

Second, moisturize your hands really well. You can use a standard lotion if that is all you have, but consider using a beeswax rub like this one from Tru Bee Honey, or applying a coat of Vaseline. Your hands will be in paradise by the end of the day.

Your hands and forearms are the most likely area for you to get itchy, too. When you are digging or getting into the plants, your hands and forearms are the most exposed. Take time to rinse often, and maybe consider starting the day by applying some hydrocortisone cream or taking a benedryl A little advance planning goes a long way.

The easiest way to save your hands is to let a professional do the work for you. Call us today to schedule a service time!

Spring is here in Las Vegas! The weather is absolutely beautiful. Have you had an opportunity to get outside and enjoy the weather before it hits the 90s and 100s? Now is the time! It is also the time to prepare your yard for the summer heat. With a little planning, you can minimize the time you have to spend outside doing yard work this summer. Here is a quick checklist for you to reference when preparing for summer:

1. Weed your yard really well and then spray your rockscape with a long-lasting weed killer. Remember to stay clear of any vegetation you have, and if you are planning on adding any plants to your landscape, stay clear of that area, as well.

2. Do you need to re-rock your yard? Order the rock now, or hold your peace until the end of summer. The last thing you want is to be hauling rock for a day in the brutal heat.

3. Do you have a sprinkler system? Have someone come out and make sure it is in good condition for the summer. If your sprinkler system fails during the summer, your plants will suffer, and you will likely be doing your watering by hand. Avoid the hassle and get your annual maintenance scheduled.

Need help with these tasks? Give us a call today!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday that is fun to celebrate, regardless of your age. St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration of two things: (1) the Irish heritage and culture, in general, and (2) Christianity coming to Ireland. It is celebrated in numerous ways: parades, feasts, dancing, drinking, displaying the color green and shamrocks, etc. In the United States, you can find a St. Patrick’s Day parade to go to no matter where you are. Whether you are in New York City, New York or Topeka, Kansas, there is a parade nearby. And don’t forget to indulge in the Irish fare. Shepherd’s Pie, soda bread, bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage are just a few of the delicious dishes to try out.

Here are a couple of fun facts about St. Patrick’s Day:

-March 17^th is the date of the death of St. Patrick. This day was chosen to celebrate his entry into heaven, as opposed to his death.

-Before the 20^th century, leprechauns wore red.

-It is expected that people will spend $4.6 billion on St. Patrick’s Day celebrations this year!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from everyone here at Showcase Landcare!

In Las Vegas, there aren’t many grassy yards. We are very much a region that favors desert landscaping. But there is something appealing about that lush green. But if you want it here in Las Vegas, the most effective way of achieving that look is through synthetic turf (artificial grass). There are two primary types of turf used in residential areas: landscape turf and pet grass. Landscape turf is designed to look as much as real grass as possible. Pet grass is designed for homes with pets, and has two primary characteristics: antimicrobial agents to minimize odors and excellent drainage.

So, what are the pros and cons of synthetic turf? This evaluation is where you determine whether it is right for you.

PROS

-It saves on water. You do not have to water something that is not alive.

-It is easy to maintain. A leaf blower and a hose, and you are pretty much set.

-It can be environmentally friendly.

CONS

-It heats up in direct sun. Different types of synthetic turf heat up differently, and this is something that affects people differently.

-It cannot be recycled. When it comes time to replace the synthetic turf, it is usually just thrown away.

-Some HOAs have banned synthetic turf. When you are thinking about landscaping your yard, look at your HOA bylaws to see what limitations, if any, you are dealing with.

Contact Showcase Landcare today to discuss synthetic turf and whether it is right for you.

Most of the properties in Las Vegas, both residential and commercial, have desert landscaping. A large part of desert landscaping involves rock and gravel to fill in the areas that would typically be covered in grass in regions that get more annual rainfall. This post will discus three different rock and gravel options that you have when landscaping your property.

-Crushed Granite Gravel. Crushed granite gravel is larger and chunkier than what you might normally think of when you think of gravel. It is commonly used for ground cover and walkways.

–River Rock. River rock is a larger, smooth, round or oval rock. It is commonly used in desert landscaping to create dry creek beds, giving some added depth to your landscape. It is available in different colors and sizes; you should have no problem finding just what you are looking for.

-Mexican Beach Pebbles. Mexican beach pebbles are smaller than river rock, but are also smooth and rounded. They are flatter than river rock, as well. Picture the rocks you would pick when skipping stones. Mexican beach pebbles are that shape, but larger. They are generally a dark grayish color, and are commonly used to accent the landscape.

These are just a few examples of the rocks and gravel that you can choose from when landscaping your yard. Contact Showcase Landcare today for help designing your dream landscape.

You have the rock, you have the trees, you have the smaller plants that you want in your landscape. But as you look out across your yard, you still feel like something is missing. It is often the small things that really finish your landscape. The smaller things like pavers. Pavers can be used in many different ways, and this blog post will highlight a few of those.

Pavers can be used to define a space. Whether it is to encircle a seating area, to create a path, or to outline a tree or lamp post, the pavers can add a finished look to your yard.

Pavers can be used as accent pieces. Whether it is an artistic stepping stone (perhaps a mosaic) or a stepping stone created to preserve a memory (such as a child’s handprint), a nicely place paver can add a personal touch to your yard.

Pavers can be used to create a path of travel. Whether a path to your front door, around the side of your house, or through your backyard, a nice set of pavers can create a well-defined path. An added benefit of this is that the rest of the yard is protected from high traffic, which can disrupt the surrounding rocks.

If you feel that your yard is missing something, consider pavers, and contact Showcase Landcare today.

When it comes time to landscaping your yard, two of the first things that come to mind are protecting your children and protecting your pets. If you’re like most homeowners, however, landscaping your yard can seem like a lost cause when you have a dog or two. So, we’ve compiled a few great ideas for you to get the visually pleasing backyard you deserve that’s designed with your pets in mind.

Pet-Friendly Landscaping Tips

• Hardscaping. Use rocks, stone, and boulders to add depth and design to your yard. There are tons of styles and colors of rock that can be used creatively so that you’re eyes are happy and you don’t have to worry about the pup digging up expensive sod.
• Artificial grass. This is a great alternative if you love the look of a green lawn but don’t want to worry about the pups while you aren’t looking. Artificial laws are water-resistant and super durable so they’re able to withstand years of puppy play time.
• Dog fence. The simplest way to protect your landscaping is to keep your pooch out of certain areas. This can be achieved pretty easily by installing a pet fence to keep Fido contained in one section of the yard. This makes it possible for you to have the vegetable garden you’ve always wanted without fear of your dog demolishing the zucchini.

Once you’ve got an idea of how you’d like to design your yard, contact a landscaping company in Las Vegas to help you get started. An experienced professional will be able to get you the most landscaping for your money while also protecting your pets from plants that can kill them. So, schedule your appointment today by calling 702.531.6789.

Hardscaping is a type of landscaping that utilizes features such as rocks, boulders, and stones to create an outdoor design.

When you live in a desert climate, hardscaping is a great way to get a stunning outdoor area with tons of curb appeal without needing to spend extra time and money on maintenance. So, we compiled a quick guide to give you a few ideas on how you can use rocks and boulders creatively in your next landscaping project.

Hardscaping Tips

• If you have your heart set on a pool, you can add an eye catching waterfall feature with larger boulders and rocks. That way, you can entertain in your back yard and have so much more to look at than a wet hole in the ground.
• You can use stone to build a retaining wall to serve a number pf purposes. You can use it to add privacy to an outdoor entertainment space or you can use it as an added feature next to a pool or pond.
• You can add tons of curb appeal to your front yard by creating a walkway that takes advantage of the multicolored rocks and stones that are naturally abundant in the valley. For an added pop of color, you can throw in a little softscaping without sacrificing your low-maintenance dreams.

For help planing your next landscaping project with rocks and boulders, contact the landscaping professionals in Las Vegas at 702.531.6789.