Landscape & Outdoor Living

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In these climes, it’s somewhat understandable that the outdoor space around a home is often the area most underutilized by its owners. This is Minnesota, after all. But the summer here is as glorious as the winter is cold and long, so outdoor living space ought to be enjoyed to its full potential.

A lush lawn and a few ornamental shrubs are a start, but a truly eye-catching landscape will enhance a home’s exterior and draw people in with irresistible curb appeal.

“Landscaping” is a bit of a catchall that may mean any of a variety of outdoor enhancements. Often, shrubbery, flowers, and stone walls come to mind. But so should a patio, fireplace, water feature, or an outdoor kitchen.
Landscaping helps anchor a home to its surroundings. It adds irresistible curb appeal and, consequently, increases your home’s value. More importantly, landscaping helps turn your home’s environs into an outdoor room—true living space that will draw you outside during the nicest weather of the year.

Plant native and drought-resistant species in your landscaping to reduce maintenance costs and water needs. –Minnesota GreenStar

Shelter Savvy

“Don’t be reluctant to invest in your landscape. An investment in your landscape not only allows you to enhance the enjoyment of your own home and yard, but also increases its value” –Linder’s Landscaping

Trend Talk

“In the past year we’ve seen an increase in the number of front yard courtyards. Homeowners are replacing the boring old sidewalk with elegant paver walkways and circular patios bordered by freestanding walls.” –Tina Plant, Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supplies

photo provided by minnesota
nursery & landscape association
MINNESOTA NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION

651-633-4987
www.GardenMinnesota.com

About us…

The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is the state’s oldest and largest green industry trade organization. MNLA’s GardenMinnesota.com specializes in connecting you with superior garden centers and landscape professionals, as well as being a great source of outdoor living information, including seasonal gardening and landscaping tips.

What defines a beautiful home?

A beautiful home is not complete until the exterior is as beautiful as the interior. Every home needs a beautiful and functional outdoor living area that includes trees, shrubs, flowers, paver patios, and features such as ponds and fountains.

Design recommendations…

Remember that your yard and garden provide the first impression of your home to guests—and potential buyers.

Shelter Savvy “Landscape lighting extends the time in the day that you can enjoy your landscape, plus it improves home security.” –Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association

Photo by Jim Gallop
KEENAN & SVEIVEN, INC.

Minnetonka, MN

952-475-1229
www.kslandarch.com

What are you known for?

Crafting an immaculate landscape is a delicate balance of science and art. For over 17 years, we have had our hands in reshaping the residential landscape scene. We are known for high-quality, technical work that blends architectural vision and horticultural expertise in equal parts. The result is a carefully considered design, built to exacting standards—the final product is always something special.

You may not know…

We have a companion entity, K&S Tree Brokers. The tree broker division buys and sells wholesale trees throughout the nation and is often the provider of hand-selected, specimen-quality plant materials in K&S landscape designs.

What is the best professional advice you’ve received?

We’ve all heard this before, but at Keenan & Sveiven, we truly believe it: “Do what you say you’re going to do.” Trust is the single most important factor in sustaining relationships in our business. By being thorough, fair, respectful, and delivering on our word, we’ve earned a lot of trust over the years.

Insider Insight “We are known for high-quality, technical work that blends architectural vision and horticultural expertise in equal parts…the final product is always something special.” –Kevin Keenan, Keenan & Sveiven, Inc.

Photo by Yardscapes, Inc.
YARDSCAPES, INC.

Bloomington, MN

952-887-2794
www.yardscapesinc.com

About us…

Yardscapes is a full-service, outdoor design/installation landscape firm, known for working with natural elements that tie the architecture of a home to its outdoor surroundings. We are celebrating our 35th year in business. By developing relationships with architects and builders over the years, and adjusting to the trends of the field, Yardscapes has built up a reputation for exciting and beautiful projects.

We recommend…

Backyard entertaining spaces, including pools, spas, outdoor kitchens, and entertaining areas. In today’s economy, more people are staying at home and they want to be able to entertain outdoors. Yardscapes has experience in designing and installing all of these elements, specializing in unique spaces around the exterior of a home.

What defines a beautiful home?

From a landscape view, a beautiful home works with the architecture of a house, accenting and highlighting features of the home. Yardscapes achieves this by taking into consideration what scale is appropriate to the site, creating balance and a mix of hardscape elements with plantings and use of seasonal colors.

TREND TALK “A popular trend we are seeing is outdoor kitchens. Many features can be included, such as grills, pizza ovens, sinks, refrigerators, and a fireplace.” –David Kopfmann, Owner/President, Yardscapes, Inc.