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Want the lavender look without the fuss? These flowers that look like lavender but aren't bring the same silvery texture and purple spikes, hold up in Centre County winters (Zone 6a–6b), and slot neatly into your   landscape design  for full-sun beds and borders. Key Takeaways Russian sage, catmint, spike speedwell, bluebeard, and sea lavender give the lavender vibe while staying reliable in Pennsylvania’s Zone 6. Match plant to site: hot, dry, well-drained beds suit Russian

Timing is everything: if you’re asking when should you power rake, do it only when the turf is actively growing so it can recover quickly. Treated as part of smart   landscape design , power raking becomes a targeted tune-up. In the next sections, we’ll show you how to check thatch depth, the best timing windows for Boalsburg’s cool-season lawns, and when to pair power raking with overseeding or aeration. You’ll also see what to avoid (heat waves, late fall, fresh pre-emergen

Shade isn’t a drawback. It’s free air-conditioning, steadier moisture, and elegant texture that can elevate your   landscape design . This guide zeroes in on native shade plants Pennsylvania gardeners can count on, with clear picks for dry shade, evenly moist woodland shade, and those tricky root zones. All tested and proven across the Mid-Atlantic. Key Takeaways Map your shade. Full shade, part shade, and dappled light behave differently—match plants to each pocket for less

In Boalsburg’s Zone 6a–6b, thoughtful   landscape design  with perennials in Pennsylvania delivers a garden that stays polished through the seasons with minimal fuss. Here’s a clear, research-led guide to reliable picks for sun, shade, and tricky corners, plus deer-smart options grounded in Mid-Atlantic trials. Key Takeaways Perennials in Pennsylvania thrive when matched to your local sun, soil, and hardiness zone—doing so means less maintenance and more lasting beauty. Mixin

Here in Boalsburg (Zone 6b), low beds work best when plants stay compact, knit together, and handle a few local realities: deer pressure, freeze–thaw heave, and the splash of road salt near drives and sidewalks. This guide focuses on low-growing plants for landscaping that stay under roughly 18 inches. If you're mapping out a path, a curb strip, or the front edge of a bed, the goal is the same: reliable cover that supports your   landscape design  without becoming another wee

Lavender is prized for its fragrance, color, and ability to attract pollinators, but that doesn't stop some gardeners from asking: are lavender invasive in certain environments? It's a fair question, especially when planning long-term planting with ecological balance in mind. In this blog, we'll explore how cultivated lavender fits into your   landscape design  depending on your region, what "invasive" really means, and how to enjoy lavender's benefits without disrupting loca

Twilight settles differently in State College. Long summer nights invite lingering on the patio; crisp fall air sharpens the silhouettes of trees and stone. With thoughtful   landscape design , those moments don’t end at sunset. Instead, they shift into a calm, well-lit scene that feels welcoming and finished. The benefits go beyond amazing looks. Smart landscape lighting in State College setups makes steps and edges easier to navigate, extends how long you can enjoy outdoor

If you’ve been googling “when is the best time to dethatch your lawn,” here’s the plain answer: do it when the grass is actively growing...

Smart  landscape design  in Pennsylvania leans on ground covers to do quiet, essential work: hold soil on slopes, cut down weeds, and...

Boalsburg sits in Zone 6a/6b—real winter cold, freeze–thaw, road salt at parking lot edges, and hot, often dry late summers. Smart...

If you’re wondering when to overseed your lawn in PA, the short answer is late summer into early fall when the days are cooler and the...

Wood chips do three big jobs at once—hold soil moisture, moderate temperature, and suppress weeds—while slowly improving soil life as...