When winter begins to loosen its grip in Western Pennsylvania, landscapes slowly begin waking up. Snow melts, soil thaws, and the first signs of new growth start appearing throughout the garden. In the Pittsburgh region, one of the most reliable signals that the landscape season is beginning is the bloom of forsythia. When those bright yellow flowers appear across the hillsides and neighborhoods, it’s time to start thinking about early spring landscape maintenance. Taking care of a landscape...

Intro Lenten roses, also known as Hellebores, ( Helleborus spp .), are one of the earliest blooming perennial flowers in the garden, often appearing while snow is still on the ground. The elegant nodding flowers and unique leaf shape bring subtle color and texture to landscapes in early spring. Despite the name, Lenten rose is not related to roses at all, it belongs to the buttercup family ( Ranunculaceae ). The plant is valued for its long bloom period, nearly evergreen foliage, deer...

Finding the right landscape contractor for your project can be challenging. Some contractors specialize in lawn care or maintenance, while others have different focuses, such as horticulture, planting, hardscaping, drainage, or water features. Because each discipline requires differing skills, equipment, and experience, homeowners often receive a wide range of pricing for what may appear to be similar work. Many homeowners turn to online cost estimates from websites such as Angie’s List or...