Calliandra californica (Baja fairy duster), is an evergreen, woody shrub which is native to Baja California, Mexico. In Spanish, the plant is also known vernacularly as tabardillo, zapotillo or chuparosa. The flowers, which appear in early summer, have clusters of red stamens. The shrub is usually between 18 inches and 5 feet in height and has bipinnate leaves. The leaves have been described as "fern-like." Leaves close at night time.
C. californica is cold tolerant to temperatures of 22 degrees Fahrenheit, [though its roots will tolerate temperatures as low as five degrees Fahrenheit. It grows best in full sun. C. californica is very drought tolerant, needing only 10 inches of water every year. However, additional watering will encourage C. californica to bloom through summer and again in the fall.
Propagation of C. californica is done through "acid scarification" or vegetative cutting. Seed pods from this plant look like "snow peas" and when ripe, they explode. The pods are flat and about 2 inches long. After ejecting seeds, the curled open pods remain attached to the plant for some time.
C. californica attracts both bees and hummingbirds.
Along with many other legumes and leadworts (Plumbago), it is a host plant for the Marine Blue caterpillar (Leptotes marina).
In landscaping, it is suggested that C. californica is used in borders or foreground plantings, as an island accent or even in containers.
Baja fairy duster’s best attribute is that it flowers off and on all year. Its red flowers are shaped like miniature feather dusters. In addition this plant attracts hummingbirds, is low-maintenance, drought tolerant and great by swimming pools because of its low litter.
Baja fairy duster has a vibrant red flower, which is often a color missing in the desert plant palette. The majority of flowering occurs spring through fall, but some flowering can occur in areas that experience mild winters.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
The Coccinellidae are a family of small beetles, normally called "Ladybird", "ladybug", and "lady beetle". They are commonly yellow, orange, or red with small black spots on their wing covers, with black legs, heads and antennae. Such color patterns vary greatly, however; for example, a minority of species, such as Vibidia duodecimguttata, a twelve-spotted species, have whitish spots on a brown background. Coccinellids are found worldwide, with over 6,000 species described.
Coccinellidae are known as ladybugs in North America, and ladybirds in other areas. Entomologists in the United States widely prefer the names ladybird beetles or lady beetles as these insects are not true bugs.
The Coccinellidae are generally considered useful insects, because many species feed on aphids or scale insects, which are pests in gardens, agricultural fields, orchards, and similar places. Within the colonies of such plant-eating pests, they will lay hundreds of eggs, and when these hatch, the larvae will commence feeding immediately. However, some species do have unwelcome effects; among these, the most prominent are the subfamily Epilachninae, which are plant eaters. Usually, Epilachninae are only mild agricultural pests, eating the leaves of grain, potatoes, beans, and various other crops, but their numbers can increase explosively in years when their natural enemies, such as parasitoid wasps that attack their eggs, are few. In such situations, they can do major crop damage. They occur in practically all the major crop-producing regions of temperate and tropical countries.
Most ladybugs have oval, dome-shaped bodies with six short legs. Depending on the species, they can have spots, stripes, or no markings at all. Seven-spotted coccinellids are red or orange with three spots on each side and one in the middle; they have a black head with white patches on each side.
As well as the usual yellow and deep red colorings, many coccinellid species are mostly, or entirely, black, dark grey, gray, or brown, and may be difficult for an entomologist / nonentomologists to recognise as coccinellids at all. Conversely, non-entomologists might easily mistake many other small beetles for coccinellids. For example, the tortoise beetles, like the ladybird beetles, look similar because they are shaped so that they can cling to a flat surface so closely that ants and many other enemies cannot grip them.
Beetles are particularly prone to such misidentification if they are spotted in red, orange or yellow and black. Examples include the much larger scarabaeid grapevine beetles and spotted species of the Chrysomelidae, Melyridae and others. Conversely, laymen may fail to identify unmarked species of Coccinellidae as "ladybirds". Other beetles that have a defensive hemispherical shape, like that of the Coccinellidae (for example the Cassidinae), also are often taken for ladybirds.
A common myth, totally unfounded, is that the number of spots on the insect's back indicates its age. In fact, the underlying pattern and coloration are determined by the species and genetics of the beetle, and develop as the insect matures. In some species its appearance is fixed by the time it emerges from its pupa, though in most it may take some days for the color of the adult beetle to mature and stabilize. Generally, the mature color tends to be fuller and darker than the color of the callow.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
The owners and managers of commercial buildings, condominium complexes and rental properties know that the exterior appeal of their properties can be nearly as important as the interior offerings when it comes to appealing to potential tenants.
Green belts that separate the property from neighboring lots and clean walkways lined with attractive ground covers are just some of the important aspects of curb appeal that entice renters and prospective buyers to want to learn more about the property.
Of course, lush landscaping and perfectly manicured grounds can come at a high cost to the property owner if water usage and maintenance requirements are not considered.
Fortunately, it is entirely possible to have attractive, inviting grounds that are easy to care for and cost less to maintain by choosing low-maintenance, eco-friendly commercial landscape design.
It is actually quite easy to achieve a high-end look that is both low maintenance and cost effective, but it is easy to understand why some owners and managers would not realize this.
Contractors are used to working with property management firms that want the most immediate bang for their buck, often requesting a paradise to be created within a very small budget.
In either case, most vendors are used to working with conventional options, such as natural grass lawns and the typical fare of colorful flowers, exotic plants that add to a lush look and fast-growing trees that will mature quickly.
Those who work with high-end clients may have the benefit of companies that appreciate the value of paving stones, but these same companies often overlook low-maintenance options, like artificial turf, in their efforts to create a verdant oasis for their renters or condo owners.
For best results, hire a professional lawn care company like Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance to beautify your landscape. Our experts know the special needs of the Valley of the Sun, and can counteract lawn disease, fungus, and weeds to deliver the lush carpet of grass you desire. Contact Greens Keeper today, and discover for yourself the reasons why we have become the lawn care company of choice for residents and businesses in and around the Phoenix Metro area.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
We are into a full spring mode here in the Phoenix Metro area. Taking care of your green space now will lead to a much better lawn for this coming summer. Both cleaning up the area and prepping the area is something we can help with. Let us tell you a bit about our company and services.
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC. is a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance in the Phoenix Metro area.
We will design and develop a custom program for your specific property and budget needs. You can be on your way to improving your property’s appearance and value with our guidance and expertise.
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance has been maintaining commercial properties in the Valley of the Sun, here in Arizona, to the highest level. We have many years of experience here in the valley caring for plants in our desert climate and in commercial property landscapes.
We are always a reliable source for all of your property maintenance needs. We employ a well educated, fully trained and experienced staff who can attend to all of your needs in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
Our services include all facets of Property Management. We cover property maintenance to customized lawn treatment programs, tree & shrub diagnostics and care, annual color programs, enhancements, Irrigation System management, We can help with your Holiday and Event Decorating. Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance has a full time staff to fulfill any and all of your needs twelve months a year!
We are certified, licensed and insured to meet all local requirements and regulations. Contact our award winning company to schedule a commercial property consultation today.
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC, features first class customer service, providing unmatched value, superior products, our extensive local experience and unquestionable reliability.
All of our vehicles are clearly marked and all of our employees are in uniform for easy identification. Many of the small unexpected things that other companies charge for, are included in our everyday service.
Or you can let Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance do all the work for you and take the burden off your shoulders all together. Give us a call at 623-848-8277 and let’s talk about it.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
Hagerstown City Park is a public urban park just southwest of the central business district of Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. The park is located at the junction of Virginia Avenue, Key Street, Walnut Street, Prospect Street, and Memorial Boulevard.
Park History
In 1916, under pressure from the public, the City of Hagerstown purchased land to be used for the City Park. The Maryland State General Assembly passed a bill creating a five-member Park Commission in 1918. Three years later, a swamp in the park was drained creating Lower Lake. And in 1924, Mr. and Mrs. Singer donated the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts to City Park.
The park is a historic location and contains the manmade Lower Lake in the center. It is home to the Washington County Museum of Fine Art that sits directly on the lakefront as well as the Hager House and Museum. The park is in a very industrial area of the city and has a number of paths, recreation areas and trails for residents.
City Park has been called "America's Second Most Beautiful City Park" and has been designated as a local Preservation Design District since 1989. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The district also includes the surrounding industrial area and residential neighborhoods. It consists largely of a late 19th and early 20th century residential area with most houses dating from 1890-1930.
Park Attractions
There are numerous walking paths and playgrounds in the park as well as athletic facilities such as lighted tennis courts and a baseball field. An outdoor concert stage which holds city events including part of Western Maryland Blues Fest is located in the center of City Park. Also within the park is Park Plaza, a luxury condominium complex.
Additionally, many of Hagerstown's most visited museums can be found within City Park:
Washington County Museum of Fine Arts
Mansion House Art Gallery
Western Maryland 202 Locomotive Display and Museum
Hager House and Museum, once home to Jonathan Hager, founder of Hagerstown.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
Actaea arizonica is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common name Arizona bugbane. It is endemic to Arizona, where it occurs in Coconino, Gila, and Yavapai Counties. Like some other species in genus Actaea, this plant was formerly included in the genus Cimicifuga.
This rhizomatous perennial herb produces hairless stems up to 3 to 18 feet tall. The leaves are each made up of triple-lobed, toothed leaflets up to 6 to 8 inches long by 4 wide. They are borne on long petioles up to 12 inches in length. The inflorescence is a panicle with several long branches, growing erect or leaning. The flowers have five sepals, two of which are greenish and three of which are cream in color. There are sometimes white petals as well, but these are often absent. Flowering occurs in July and August. There are many stamens in each flower. The flowers are pollinated by three species of bumblebee, Bombus occidentalis, Bombus morriso and Bombus huntii. If the flowers are not pollinated by insects, or if pollination is prevented, for example, by a heavy rain, the flowers undergo abortion. The fruit is a follicle that has "a bottle-brush appearance," and "the seeds resemble furry little bugs."
This plant is endemic to central Arizona, where it grows in the ecotone between coniferous forest and the riparian zone. The elevation is about 5,300-7,000 feet. Some plants grow in canyons and some grow in very moist habitat such as seeps and springs on mountain slopes. The soils are rich with humus and are well-shaded. The type locality is Bill Williams Mountain in Coconino County. It shares its habitat with the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida).
This plant requires consistently moist soil; do not let it dry out between waterings.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
Normally on Tuesday we talk about weeds whether they are the good kind or the bad nuisance kind. But some plants and green growie things can be downright dangerous and poisonous to animals and even humans. Do you have anything like that growing on your commercial property? Are You Sure?
Here are just five of the many that could be growing on your property;
Oleander. One of the most poisonous plants known, this evergreen shrub is commonly grown throughout warmer areas of the U.S. In California, it’s even grown along roadsides and used to decorate highway medians because it’s drought tolerant and deer won't eat it. The showy and often fragrant flowers make this a popular ornamental for backyard landscapes, but care must be used to keep children and animals from eating any part of the plant, as all are poisonous. Ingesting even a small amount of the leaves can be lethal, or cause severe gastrointestinal and cardiac reactions.
Even oleander sap can cause skin irritations, numbness, and eye inflammation if it comes into contact with your hands or skin. If you have kids running around, it might be wise to remove this plant from your yard, as children can be attracted to its bright flowers. Just be sure to wear gloves when pulling it out.
Castor Bean. This popular plant, which is an annual in some areas and a perennial in tropical zones, is grown nationwide. Its multicolored, palmlike leaves and brightly hued, spiny flowers add a tropical punch to landscapes, but the ricin-laced seeds deliver their own pop if ingested. Ricin is known as the most deadly poison the plant world makes; it’s said that eating just one seed can kill a child. The symptoms of poisoning start a few hours after ingestion and include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, severe dehydration, and, potentially, death. Keeping people and animals safe is as easy as stopping the plant from going to seed; just pinch off the pods as soon as they appear. An even safer option: Don’t grow the plant in or around homes with small children.
Daphne. The sweet, strong fragrance of this evergreen shrub’s flowers (which bloom in shades of green, white, or pink) is a welcome sign of spring in warmer areas of the country. Its berries, however, are extremely poisonous, and caution should be used to keep kids from ever popping them into their mouths. Eating even a handful could be killer. While the unassuming size of the plant makes it popular to grow in containers, you may want to plant it in less easily accessible areas instead if you have kids around, or remove it altogether.
Lantana. This perennial flowering plant is hugely popular in southern states and warmer western states like Texas and California. Aromatic flowers in red, orange, and yellow attract the nose and eye, but don’t let the berries tempt your taste buds: They’re most toxic while still green, before they turn a blackish shade, but even eating the darker berries can make you sick. Keep kids away while the berries are green, or remove the plant altogether until children can be trusted not to snack on the shrub.
Yellow Jessamine. Also known as Carolina jessamine, the evergreen vine is the state flower of South Carolina, this plant has trumpet-shaped yellow flowers that may look beautiful but, like every other part of this plant, are also deadly. Unfortunately, children may mistake the flowers for honeysuckle and attempt to drink the nectar found in the buds. Though ingesting the plant would likely just make an adult sick, there have been reported cases of children dying after ingestion. If there are young children in your home, you may want to think twice about planting this decorative vine.
It doesn’t matter to us whether you want commercial desert landscaping, lush lawns or some type of landscaping in between, we can help. We serve businesses like yours all over the Phoenix Metro Area. To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.
Presented By:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net
