http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:52:37 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Here in North Texas, there is a pest called “Azalea Bark Scale.” It is a white insect that sucks the life right out of Crape Myrtles. The results will leave your Crape Myrtles looking like they are charred and black. This is a fungi called sooty mold that grows on ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/why-does-my-crape-myrtle-look-like-it-was-set-on-fire/ Most homes in the Dallas Fort Worth area were probably built by a corporate builder. There are hundreds of them out there, but they all typically put in the same type of landscaping: cheap and fast growing. They will typically plant Bermuda grass (usually a cheaper variety). For bushes, builders ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/most-builders-install-cheap-landscaping/ Cast Iron Plant This excellent perennial plant thrives in shaded areas.  It is a very strong plant, do not worry about giving it too much shade because it will still grow and look good.  Like Canna Lillies, their root systems spread to grow more plants.  They are and excellent plant to ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/easy-maintenance-plants-the-cast-iron-plant/ Fig Ivy This appealing plant is often mistaken for Asian Jasmine.  It maintains a healthy green color year round and is very appealing to the eye.  An excellent place to install this is on fences and along brick homes (plant this as close to desired wall for immediate vertical growth).  It ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/you-cant-go-wrong-with-fig-ivy/ Asian Jasmine This particular ground cover is a wonderful solution to almost any shaded area.  Not only is it a hearty cover which spreads easily, but it will give good definition to flowerbeds where vegetation options are minimal.  Once a flowerbed with Asian Jasmine has full filled in, the typical ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/asian-jasmine-looks-good-almost-anywhere/ This mower is the “king” of mowers for landscapers today.  In my 10 years of professional landscaping, it has been the only option for me in mowing.  I have tried some other commercial mowers, but this one is my personal bread and butter.  These mowers are relatively easy to do ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/getting-to-know-the-toro-21-commercial-mower/ Encore Azaleas are one of my favorite bushes to plant. You can use them in many different ways in landscape concepts and designs they can be used as a colorful back drop or in front of a green back drop of bushes as a different level or ... http://www.terrafirmalawns.com/blog/the-encore-azalea-queen-of-the-flower-bed/