AZ Palmtree .com » Landscapes

American Landscapes from an Artist’s Perspective

Walter — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:52:09 +0000

“I see a wonderful mix of color and drama in a landscape while driving by, and I can’t wait to translate my view of it into a painting. Or sometimes I see a photo that will do the same thing, although my view of it will not be literal, but impressionistic, or expressionistic. The variety of scenic wonders of America are endlessly inspiring.”

In the East are the scenic green hills and distant blue and purple vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains which run through several states. Between these breathtaking mountains are many picturesque rivers, streams, waterfalls and whitewater rapids.

The winding Rio Grande river in Big Bend, Texas offers towering cliffs, massive canyons, and vast dessert expanses. There is an incredible variety of geologic activity from uplifted limestone in the Sierra del Carmen range, thick mud shales at Hot Springs, and volcanic craters of the Chisos Mountains.

Then, in Northern New Mexico, the mountain roads twist through time and terrain, contrasting vermilion desert cliffs and snowy alpine peaks, 13th century stone dwellings, and the birth of the Atomic Age at Los Alamos. The area around Abiquiu is often called “O’Keefe Country” in honor of Georgia O’Keefe. This area is the setting for many if not most of her paintings. It is a ruggedly beautiful Southwest landscape including Echo Canyon, Ghost Ranch, and countless other rock formations.

Surrounded by red-rock monoliths named Coffeepot, Cathedral and Bell, is Sedona, Arizona. Also near the city is a chasm cut through by Oak Creek, with wildly wonderful rapids, and towering high above them is the geologically dominating Mogollon Rim, formed from ancient deposits of limestone, mudstone and sandstone. This awesome rim constitutes the southwestern boundary of the vast Colorado Plateau which extends into parts of five other states.

And, of course, there is the famed Grand Canyon, a very colorful, steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in northern Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park. The canyon is about 277 miles long, ranges in width from 0.25 to 15 miles and attains a depth of more than a mile. Nearly two billion years of the Earth ’s history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through layer after layer of varicolored rock.

Lake Powell, created by the Glen Canyon Dam, is 186 miles long with more than 1,986 miles of shoreline.
It wends its way through a desert paradise with excellent vistas of multi-colored, towering rocks, pinnacles, buttes, arches and amphitheaters. Blue water, clear skies, sandy beaches complete the picture.

Monument Valley in Utah is an area of free standing sandstone rock forms that rise majestically from the desert floor. Up to 1,000 feet tall, they create a truly magical desert landscape that looks surreal, like mountains on the moon. Also, in Utah, are many spectacular sights in various state and national parks.

A complete contrast to the desertscapes of the Southwest, California and the far west present fertile, lush green hillsides punctuated by briliantly colored flowering plants. Below the hillsides, on the coast, are the crashing and pounding surf, blue expanses, golden beaches, rocky coves, of the Pacific ocean.Big Bend, in Texas, is one of the largest national parks. From an elevation of less than 2000 feet along the winding Rio Grande river, to nearly 8000 feet of towering cliffs, it includes massive canyons, vast dessert expanses, and the entire Chisos Mountain range. There is an incredible variety of geologic activity from uplifted limestone in the Sierra del Carmen range, thick mud shales at Hot Springs, and volcanic craters of the Chisos Mountains, to dinosaur remains near the park’s Maverick entrance.

Then, in Northern New Mexico, the mountain roads twist through time and terrain, contrasting vermilion desert cliffs and snowy alpine peaks, 13th century stone dwellings, and the birth of the Atomic Age at Los Alamos. The area around Abiquiu is often called “O’Keefe Country” in honor of Georgia O’Keefe. This area is the setting for many if not most of her paintings. It is a ruggedly beautiful Southwest landscape including Echo Canyon, Ghost Ranch, and countless other red rock formations.

Surrounded by red-rock monoliths named, among others, Coffeepot, Cathedral and Bell, is Sedona, Arizona. Also near the city is the mouth of Oak Creek Canyon, a chasm cut through by Oak Creek, with rapids that are wildly wonderful. Towering high above Sedona is the geologically dominating Mogollon Rim, formed from ancient deposits of limestone, mudstone and sandstone. This awesome rim constitutes the southwestern boundary of the vast Colorado Plateau which extends into parts of five other states.

And, of course, there is the famed Grand Canyon, a very colorful, steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in northern Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park. The canyon is about 277 miles long, ranges in width from 0.25 to 15 miles and attains a depth of more than a mile. Nearly two billion years of the Earth ’s history has been exposed as the Colorado River and its tributaries cut through layer after layer of varicolored rock.

Lake Powell, created by the Glen Canyon Dam, is 186 miles long with more than 1,986 miles of shoreline. It wends its way through a desert paradise with excellent vistas of multi-colored, towering rocks, pinnacles, buttes, arches and amphitheaters. Blue water, clear skies, sandy beaches complete the picture.

Monument Valley in Utah is an area of free standing sandstone rock forms that rise majestically from the desert floor. Up to 1,000 feet tall, they create a truly magical desert landscape that looks surreal, like mountains on the moon.

A complete contrast to the desertscapes of the Southwest, California and the far west present fertile, lush green hillsides punctuated by briliantly colored flowering plants. Below the hillsides, on the coast, are the crashing and pounding surf, blue expanses, golden beaches, rocky coves, of the Pacific ocean.

“I am currently painting various series of my interpretations of these contemporary American landscapes which may be seen on my internet website.”

Vivid colors, imaginative concepts are trademarks of Renee Nemerov’s exciting landscapes. She has had many major shows throughout the United States. Her sculptures and paintings are internationally collected. View her American Scenic Paintings

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Cold Hardy Palm Trees For Landscapes In Southern States – Zones 8-11

Walter — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:07:54 +0000

In Southern States, the Northern type palm trees that withstand cold temperatures of -20* F will also thrive in the South. The Northern type palm trees, such as Windmill Palm trees, Trachycarpus fortunei, Needle Palm trees, Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Dwarf palmetto palm tree, Sabal minor, and Dwarf Saw Palmetto palm trees, Serenoa repens, are discussed in another article by the same author called “Cold Hardy Palm Trees for Landscape Design and Planting in the United States.” Other palm trees that are abundantly planted and grown in the Southern States are the Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm Tree, Washingtonia robusa, the Pindo (Jelly) Palm Tree, Butia capitata ‘Pindo,’ the Sago Palm Tree, Cycas revoluta, the Chinese Fan Palm Tree, Livistonia chinensis, and the European Fan Palm Tree (Mediterranean Fan Palm Tree), Chamaerops humilis. This latter list of Southern States, adapted palm trees can be found planted and growing extensively throughout the South, principally because their growth rate is faster than the Northern States’ list of cold hardy palm trees, and the cost is considerably less for large established specimens that offer a fast fix for the tropical look.
Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm, Washingtonia robusta, also known as the Mexican Fan Palm Tree, the Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm tree has been planted to grow in landscapes throughout the Southern United States. The Washingtonia Fan palm tree is a favorite tree for planting near motels, because it grows fast. Washington Fan palm trees also are lined along interstate highways and at metropolitan boulevard parks. The imposing height of this palm tree can grow 100 feet tall in Mexico where it is native. The Washingtonia (Washington) Fan Palm tree is the fastest growing of the cold hardy palm trees in America. TyTy Nursery offers various sizes of Washingtonia palm trees for the gardener to buy.
Pindo (Jelly) Palm Tree – Butia capitata ‘Pindo’
The distinctive look of the Pindo palm tree, Butia capitata ‘Pindo’ is unforgettable. Pindo palm trees are tolerant of salt water spray and can be found growing up and down coastal areas from Virginia to South Florida, Zones 8-10. The leaf color of the Pindo palm tree is blue-green, growing up to 6 ft. long, but the actual palm tree rarely grows taller than fifteen feet tall. The large orange fruit is tasty and in the South is used to make jelly, tasting like banana-pineapple. The Pindo palm tree survived the severe zero degree temperatures in the historical 1983 deep freeze in the South.
Sago Palm Tree – Cycas revoluta
In Sicily, Italy, Sago palm trees grow to fifteen feet tall, but only after decades of growth. This palm tree, known as the Sago palm and is perhaps the most widely marketed palm tree, because of its easy maintenance requirements and livability. The Sago palm is commonly used as a container tree at restaurants and cafes. Sago palm trees are moderately cold hardy and this palm survived the zero temperatures in the winter of 1983. The Sago palm tree is a popular container palm tree to be placed in pairs at door entrances, Zones 8-11.
Chinese Fan Palm Tree – Livistonia chinensis
Even though the growth rate of the Chinese Fan palm tree is slow it can grow 25 ft. tall. The huge leaves are beautiful and arch upwards on the Chinese Fan Palm tree. The Chinese Fan palm tree is widely grown and adaptable in Zones 9-11. The Chinese Fan Palm tree, Livistonia chinensis, is commonly planted and grown as a landscape specimen.
European Fan Palm Tree (Mediterranean Fan Palm Tree) – Chamaerops humilis
A native palm tree to the Mediterranean region, the European Fan Palm, Chamaerops humilis can be seen growing extensively in Europe growing as clumps of outside specimen trees or potted in large containers useful as decorative trees outside restaurants and cafes at such cities as Paris, Rome and Athens. When stripped of offset palms the European Fan palm forms a very graceful plant solitary in landscapes, looking similar to the Windmill Palm tree, Trachycarpus fortunei, both with tall slender trunks and small fan shaped leaves. European Fan palm tree clumps are extensively used at the Cloister Hotel at Sea Island, GA as specimen clusters in the landscape design. They are cold hardy in Zones 8-11.

Buy the trees mentioned in this articles, as well as many others, from the authors website! TyTy Nursery

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Designing Desert Plant Landscapes in Mesa, Arizona

Walter — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:07:52 +0000

Professional landscape designers that have expert knowledge in desert plants are hard to come by! This article will provide you with useful tips that will help you find a professional who will work with you to design a desert plant landscape expert in Mesa that contains indigenous, low maintenance plants perfect for your backyard.
Because you live in the desert, you already know that Mesa isn’t just a sea of brown sand and tumbleweeds. Many visitors are surprised at the color and variety of plants in Arizona, those that are indigenous and those that are not. There are numerous desert plants that stay green all year long and some even produce colorful, attractive blooms.
Desert plant landscaping in Mesa, Arizona, if done correctly, can bring both beauty and very low maintenance into your backyard. You can start by finding out your USDA zone. USDA stands for United States Department of Agriculture and its zone maps are based on plant hardiness and their ability to thrive in the lowest temperatures of the region you live in. The USDA zone for Mesa, Arizona is 9, so be sure to choose plants that will grow well in that zone.
Most desert plants, including colorful shrubs and bushes, are hardy, drought tolerant, disease resistant and pretty easy to find. Looking for a little help? Here’s some information about a popular desert plant that will make a great addition to your desert plant landscaping in Mesa.
Ground Morning Glory, also called Convolvulus Sabatius, is a tender perennial, a beautiful and cascading form of the morning glory. This hardy, non-invasive plant has the same lovely blue flowers you would expect from a morning glory, but this plant is not a climbing vine. Ground Morning Glory will grow to 6 inches tall but spill over other shrubs or the edge of walls in a lovely manner.
The Ground Morning Glory blooms all season long. It is excellent for edging, ground cover or trailing over walls. This desert plant loves the sun, likes good drainage and not too much water. It is extremely drought tolerant, disease resistant and can survive in even the worst desert condition. It also grows well with roses.
If you are still unsure about what will work in your desert plant landscaping in Mesa, there are plenty of online resources that can help you. For instance, many local landscaping companies have expertise in desert landscaping and plants that thrive in the area. They may also have a plant library that contains pictures and full descriptions of each plant. You can gather a lot of ideas from these plant libraries!
While you don’t have to be a horticulturist to create a beautiful desert landscape in your backyard, it might be better if you just leave it to the experts. Hiring a professional desert plant landscaping company in Mesa, Arizona might just be your best bet. They can work with you to pick out the best plants that fit your taste, lifestyle and budget – and they can even help you maintain it!

John Waters is Principal of Creative Environments Design Landscape, the largest and most respected landscape design company in Arizona. Let our team work with you to design and develop plans for a desert plant landscape in Mesa that will fit your individual style and budget.

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Phoenix Palm Trees For Landscapes And Offices

Walter — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 08:21:37 +0000

Commercially, the Phoenix genus of palm trees is broad and very desirable for use in landscape situations of the south, and to decorate offices. Huge specimens of the Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis, show considerable cold hardy qualities in northern parts of southern states such as zone 7. Phoenix sylvestris can also be used as landscape specimen for landscapers who look for slender trunks. The Medjool date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, can be planted as a fruit tree to produce delicious dates, or it can be planted as a tropical landscape specimen. The size of the dwarf pygmy date palm tree is in great contrast to the giant Canary Island date palm tree. The pygmy date palm tree, Phoenix roebellenii, is a very popular container choice for outdoor display that can be moved indoors during cold weather.
Canary Island Date Palm – Phoenix canariensis
Leaves 20 feet long growing on 50 foot massive trunks make the Canary Island Date Palm, Phoenix canariensis, a highly desirable palm tree for a tropical look around entrances to patios or pools. The Canary Island date palm has been considered fairly cold hardy in lower southern states and specimens of large trees have survived in winters as far north as Columbia, South Carolina. The trunk of the Canary Island date palm is huge in diameter and the triangular cuts on the palm leaves are considered to be highly decorative. The resort of Sea Island, Georgia is loaded with large palm tree specimens of the Canary Island date palm, and none of these trees have ever been damaged from snow or cold since 1927. The Phoenix palm, Phoenix canariensis, is not fast growing, thus this particular palm tree is very expensive; however, the Phoenix canary palm is easily transplanted and easy to grow. In Florida, long lines of the Canary Island palm trees are planted on the boundries of boulevards. The Canary Island palm tree was the best survivor of hurricanes that hit Florida in the year 2004 because of its massive size and extensive root spread.
Medjool Date Palm – Phoenix dactylifera
In ancient history, this famous Medjool date palm fed the many areas of the Mideast. A food, the dried date, was easily preserved to sustain travelers who promoted caravan trade throughout the East and Western civilizations. Like grain, olives, raisins, and wine, these commodities, along with dates, flourished in stable empires of the past with properity that overflowed abundantly. The Hebrew Scriptures repeatedly mentioned the Medjool date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, as God’s gift to the chosen people, the Jews. Groves of the Medjool date palm trees still grow in the ancient lands of the Israelites, and newer groves have been established and grow productively in the Western United States, where dates are harvested yearly for gourmets to buy at markets. The Medjool date palm trees grow into enormous specimen trees with time and are choice landscape trees at vacation resorts for that tropical look. The Medjool date palm tree is cold hardy in most southern areas of the United States in zones 7-11.
Pygmy Date Palm Tree – Phoenix roebellenii
Although the Pygmy Date palm tree, Phoenix roebellenii does not show the same cold hardy characteristics as the other Phoenix palm trees, it is a very popular landscape plant. It can be used for outside use but is best when planted in containers to be moved inside during winter or to be grown inside in offices year round. The dwarf nature of the Pygmy Date palm, Phoenix roebellenii, makes it easy to grow and manage with minimum care. The Dwarf Pygmy Date palm tree is armed with sharp spines that are often clipped off in office situations. The tropical look of the Pygmy Date palm leaves is a valuable characteristic for the nursery tree buyer, who shops for tropical office trees that require a minimum of care.
Sylvester Palm Tree – Phoenix sylvestris
The feather-like leaves of Phoenix palm trees are all similar, however, the thin, slender trunk of the Sylvester palm tree, Phoenix sylvestris, sets it apart from the massive thick trunk of the Canary Island palm tree, Phoenix canariensis. The Sylvester palm tree, Phoenix sylvestris, is a choice specimen tree with it’s towering trunk topped and a spreading canopy of ten foot leaves. Phoenix sylvestris transplants well in small or large tree plantings, and the seeds easily sprout to form new palm trees. The Phoenix sylvestris palm tree exhibits the same cold hardy survival characteristics as the Canary Island palm tree, Phoenix canariensis, growing undamaged in Zones 7-11.

Visit TyTy Nursery to purchase the trees mentioned in this article, or many others that you may be looking for!

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