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Google Gemini 2.5 Flash
We have been using Google's AI chatbot, Gemini, to help us create designs for our clients -- and so far we have been impressed! A true assistant, it helps us create designs based on prompts, and it generates images that we would not have thought of (probably). So we find Gemini helpful and expedient in providing ideas for clients, where we then actually create the design "in the real world."
Below we prompted for "grasses in a front yard landscape in a city setting," and this is what the assistant gave us.
Let's try Gemini when we're onsite for a consultation!
Landscape Design
EAS Landscaping provides design services in tandem with our builds. Designs can include sketches and/or computer renderings via 3D content creation software like SketchUp. Let us know if you are interested in our design services!
Garden Design in Philadelphia
NEW! SketchUp Example Projects
Click The Links Below!
Cedar Raised Garden Bed - Bottomless 2' High - ideal for minimal native plantingsPavers, Wood Chips, Natives
Raised Cedar Planter
Minimal Storage Chests
Landscape Design Basics
An aesthetic landscape design incorporatea five key elements -- line, form, texture, color, and scale.
Seven steps to landscape design.
Landscape design embodies the fundamental concepts of composition - proportion, order, repetition, and unity
The seven principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence.
The first three principals of garden design (proportion, transition, and unity) apply to the overall feel of the landscape. The second set of principles (rythm, balance, and focalization) pertains to controlling a viewer's eye movement.
Three key landscape design elements: Line - Line is used to carry the eye through a landscape and to create physical flow and connectivity. Vertical lines csarry the eye skyward and are useful in expanding small spaces. Mass - In design, mass is a measure of visual size. Form - Form refers to the shapes of objects in a landscape.
Garden Design Basics
Super basic - Garden design is the process of planning and creating a garden's layout and planting. It can be done by the owner or by a professional.
Elements of Garden Design
What Are The Types of Garden Design Services?
GDS consists of consultation, site survey, design proposals, planting plans, construction drawings, and project management.
Ok, so now there is a little more going on, but no big whoop.
Tips For Garden Design
Landscape/Hardscape Designs
Sun - Modern Front or Back Yard 1
3/18/21 UMI Little bluestem Shasta Daisy Purple Coneflower Blackeyed Susan Goldenrod Pennsylvania Sedge Cedar mulch Hidden Col-Met metal edging or gray cement paving brick
Sun - Trad/Mod Front Yard 1 15-20 ft wide
3/18/21 UMI Arbors on each end 3 cone flowers next to each arbor towards center, Virginia sweetspire in center, Virginia blue bells placed around the sweetspire and some in front of the cone flowers Submerged black Col-Met metal edging (so it does not really show) Black mulch for nice pop effect
Companion Plants
| Plant | Native? |
| White Yarrow, Coneflower | Yes |
| Little Bluestem Grass, Black Eyed Susan | Yes |
| Fasle Goatsbeard [1] (species of Astilbe), Hosta | False Goatsbeard Yes, Hosta No |
| Wayne's World White Wild Indigo (Baptisia) [2], no companion plant - this bitch is a baller! 5 feet high and 8 feet wide, y'all. | Yes |
[1] False goatsbeard is the only species of Astilbe that is native to North America. In contrast to the more familiar species, it is a strikingly bold, coarse-textured, 3-6' tall plant. Hundreds of small, creamy-white flowers are borne in feathery pyramidal panicles. Mt. Cuba Center
[2] Wayne's World White Wild Indigo (you may want to go for the less-girthy Ivory Towers version, which gets 5' wide, basically same height) Mt. Cuba Center
How to Plant a Tree
Trees add value and enjoyment to your yard, and they provide benefits to wildlife and insects, too. A full grown oak or southern live oak (huge fan) or really any larger tree, after measuring height, width, and trunk girth, can be valued at $20,000. Think about it - the time involved and the size and the vibe with the property all add to the charm or interest.
Trees add beauty, shade, wildlife benefits, they reduce greenhouse gases, and they can help your mental health!
Anyone can plant a tree, but here are some tips to follow to help your tree thrive.
- The best time to plant a tree is probably fall before it gets too cold. That's because the tree will focus on strong root growth and NOT producing branches and foliage. Don't plant when it is too cold, though as the tree really won't take as they say. Having said that, really antyime is ok, but bear in mind that spring is good and summer is the worst (in Philly) as the stress of the summer heat and all the gantsen mishmash of things the tree needs to do could cause it to not thrive or even die. Water, water, water is the key. Dogwood, flowering cherrry, and magnolias like spring planting.
- Find a spot to plant your tree, not too close to the house or in some odd, mishegoss area near the street or sidewalk.
- Trees 30' and less, 10' from house, 30-70', 15' from house, and trees over 70' tall should be 20' from the house. Remember roots grow out more than down.
- Dig the hole 2-3 times larger than the root ball. We like to dig 2X the root ball.
- Dig to the depth of the root ball so that the tree resting on the bottom of the hole is even with the ground, or the root flare is even or slightly higher than the ground around it.
- Turn the tree so the best side is facing the direction you want.
- If root ball is burlap or wire cage, remove that but the burlap probably could be left in the hole after cutting the twine and letting it fall to the bottom.
- Backfill the holw with the displaced soil, packing evenly around and lightly down as you go. BONUS TIP: Use any leftover soil as a berm for a watering well.
- You can use the soil from the hole rather than amending with compost or oragnic matter, as studies have show this has little value. If the soil is clay and horrible looking (city soil), then we recommend amending. Most important is a wide ish hole of loose soil.
- Stake the tree if it is exposed to high winds or is in a high-trafficked area. One stake leaning across the trunk and tied with a good quality flat nylon webbing strap is usually good. For larger trees, the normal two or even threestakes on either side and tied will work. AFTER 6 MONTHS REMOVE THE STAKES!! If I had a dollar for every stack I saw with no straps, plugged into the ground next to a mature tree....
- Water thoroughly after planting, a nice soak. Keep watering and keep the area moist for several weeks. After that water as needed.
- Add about 3" of mulch (if desired), as mulch can keep moisture in the soil and fend off weeds (yeah, right).
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