Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work together with you to achieve your landscaping goals.  Considering the deer issue in our area the following list of deer resistant plants has been compiled for you.

Evergreens noted EG   *Favorites noted

Ornamental Trees
*Acer palmatum ‘Crimson Queen’, ‘Orangeloa’, ‘Shishigishiri’ [and more] Japanese Maples
Acer griseum Paperbark Maple
Betula nigra ‘Heritage’ River Birch
*Cercis Canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold’, ‘Forest Pansy’ or ‘Lavender Twist’ Redbud
Cornus [several species] Dogwood
Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Cedar EG
Fagus Tri-color, Purple and Copper varieties of Beech, both upright and weeping habits
Ginko biloba Madenhair
*Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Magnolia (not EG but tardily deciduous)
Picea Colorado/White/Blue Spruce EG
*Styrax japonica Japanese Snowbell
Vitex Chastetree

Shrubs
Berberis thunbergii Upright or mounded Crimson or Golden Barberry
*Abelia grandiflora ‘Kaleidoscope’ Glossy Abelia (not EG but tardily deciduous)
Clethra alnifolia Summersweet (fragrant)
Deutzia gracillis ‘Nikko’ Slender Deutzia
*Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf Fothergilla
*Hamamelis intermedia Witchhazel
*Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Endless Summer’ Bigleaf Hydrangea
*Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Alice’ Oakleaf Hydrangea or smooth leaf snowball Hydrangea
*Hypericum ‘Hidcote’ St. Johns Wort
Ilex crenata ‘Sky Pencil’ Japanese Holly EG
Ilex crenata ‘Soft Touch’ Japanese Holly EG
Ilex verticillata ‘Merry Berry’ & ‘Jim Dandy’ Winterberry Holly
Itea virginiana ‘Sprich’ Little Henry Itea
Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel EG
*Lagerstroemia ‘Pink Velour’ Crapemyrtle
i ‘Girard’s Rainbow’ Drooping Leucothoe EG
Lonicera semervirens Honeysuckle Vine
*Mahonia bealii Oregon Grape Holly EG (yellow flowers turn to fruit & attracts birds)
Microbiota decussata Siberian Carpet Cypress EG
*Nandina domestica Heavenly Bamboo ‘Gulf Stream’ or ‘Alba’ EG
*Osmanthus heterophlyllus ‘Goshiki’ False Holly EG
Pieris japonica ‘Mountain Fire’ Japanese Pieris EG
Prunus laurocerasis ‘Otto Luken’ Cherry Laurel EG
Prunus laurocerasis ‘Schipkaensis’ Schip Laurel EG
Schizophragma Hydrangeoides ‘Moonlight’ Hydrangea Vine
Spiraea x bumalda ‘Goldflame’ Spirea  axus baccata ‘Amersfoort’ English Yew EG
Viburnum – too many varieties to list [some EG]
Vitex Chastetree  Weigela florida ‘Midnight Wine’, ‘Wine ‘n Roses’, ‘My Monet’ and more

Perennials/Sun  
Acanthus Bear’s Breeches
Achillea Yarrow
Alyssum Basket of Gold
Anemone Windflower
Armeria Thrift or Seapinks
Artemisia Wormwood
Aruncus Goatsbeard
Asclepias Butterfly Weed
Astilbe Plume Flower
Baptisia False Indigo
Boltonia Bolton’s Aster
Centaurea Cornflower
Cerastium Snow in the Summer
Chelone Turtlehead
Chrysanthemum
Coreopsis Tickseed
Crocosmia Montbretia
Dianthus Pinks
Digitalis Foxglove
*Echinacea Coneflower
Echinops Globe Thistle
Eryngium Sea Holy
Eupatorium Joe Pye Weed
Euphorbia Spurge
Filapendula Meadowsweet
Gaillardia Blanket Flower
Gaura Wand Flower
Geum Avens
Helianthus Few Leaf Sunflower
Hibiscus Rose Mallow
Iberis Candytuft
Iris Bearded, Japanese, Siberian & Species
Knautia Field Scabious
Kniphofia Red Hot Poker
*Lavendula Lavender
Leucanthemum Shasta Daisy
Liatris Gayfeather
Ligularia Senicio
Limonium Statice or Sea Lavender
Linum Flax
Lobelia Cardinal Flower
Lupinus Lupine
Lychnis Catchfly or Campion
Lysimachia Circle Flower
Monarda Bee Balm
*Nepeta Catmint
Oenothera Sundrops
Opuntia Prickly Pear
Ornamental Grasses
Paeonia Peony
Penstemon Beard Tongue
Perovskia Russian Sage
Physostegia Obedient Plant
Platycodon Balloon Flower
Rudbeckia Coneflower
Salvia Meadow Clary
Sedum Stonecrop
Stachys Betony or Lamb’s Ears
Tanacetum Tansy
Thymus Thyme

Perennials/Shade  
Aconitum Monkshood
*Ajuga Bugleweed
Alchemilla Lady’s Mantle
*Aquilegia Columbine
Asarum Wild Ginger
Bergenia Pigsqueak
Brunnera Siberian Bugloss
Ceratostigma Leadwort
Cimicifuga Fairy Candles
Convallaria Lily of the Valley
Corydalis Rock Harlequin
Dicentra Bleeding Heart
*Epimedium Barrenwort
*Ferns
Galium Sweet Woodruff
Geranium Cranesbill
Helleborus Lenten Rose
Lamiastrum False Lamium
Lamium Deadnettles
Liriope Lily Turf
Phlox Creeping, Hybrids & Species
Polemonium Jacob’s Ladder
Primula Primrose
Pulmonaria Lungwort
Thalictrum Meadow Rue
Tiarella Foamflower
Vinca Periwinkle

Remember that during very bad winter conditions deer will eat almost anything, and it’s important not to forget that they much throughout the entire year.  Following the recommended plants that have a better chance of survival against hungry deer will improve your gardening success.  As you can see, there are more plants to choose from than ever before!  I am always more than happy to choose plants for you that will set your yard apart from the neighbors.

Best regards,
Becky Turpin

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work together with you to achieve your landscaping goals.  Desire to attract birds and butterfl¬ies in our local area; the following list of plants has been created.

Evergreens noted EG
Attracts Birds= B
Bees = E
Butterflies = F
Hummingbirds = H
Aquatic = Q

Ornamental Trees               
Amelanchier canadensis Serviceberry B
Betula nigra River Birch B
Cercis Canadensis Redbud B
Cornus alternifolia Pagoda Dogwood B
Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood B
Cornus mas Cornelian Cherry B
Crataegus phaenopyrum Hawthorn B
Ilex opaca American Holly EG B
Juniperus chinensis ‘Hetzii Columnaris’ Green Columnar Juniper EG B
Malus Flowering Crabapple B
Picea glauca Colorado/White/Blue Spruce EG B
Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine EG B
Quercus Oak B
Tsuga canadensis Canadian Hemlock EG B

Shrubs
Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye B
Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissa’ Brilliant Red Chokeberry B
Abelia grandiflora Glossy Abelia (not EG but tardily deciduous) B H
Azalea B H
Buddleia davidii Butterfly Bush F
Callicarpa Beautyberry B
Calycanthus raulstonii ‘Hartlage Wine’ Raulston Allspice/Eastern Sweetshrub B E F
Chaenomeles speciosa Flowering Quince B H F
Cornus sericea Red Osier Dogwood B
Cotoneaster apiculata & dammeri EG B
Elaeangnus Autumn Olive EG B
Ilex glabra Inkberry Holly EG B
Ilex verticillata Winterberry Holly B
Ilex x meservaea Hybrid Holly EG B
Hamamelis x intermedia Chinese Witchhazel B
Itea virginica ‘Sprich’ Little Henry Itea B E F
Juniperus chinensis Juniper EG B
Ligustrum optusifolium regelianum Regal Privet B
Mahonia bealii Oregon Grape Holly EG B F
Myrica pensylvanica Northern Bayberry EG B
Nandina domestica Heavenly Bamboo EG B F
Prunus laurocerasis ‘Otto Luken’ Cherry Laurel EG B F
Prunus laurocerasis ‘Schipkaensis’ Schip Laurel EG B F
Pyracantha Firethorn B
Rhododendron B
Rhus typhina Staghorn Sumac B
Rosa Shrub Rose B
Sambucas candensis Cutleaf Elderberry B
Symphoricarpos Coralberry B
Vaccinioum angustifolium Northcountry Blueberry B
Viburnum – too many varieties to list [some EG] B F

Perennials
Achillea Yarrow F
Ajuga Bugleweed H
Alcea Hollyhock B H
Aquilegia Columbine H
Aster B
Aesclepias Butterfly Weed F
Astilbe Plume Flower H
Calendula Pot Marigold B
Centaurea Cornflower B F
Coreopsis Tickseed B F
Daucus carota Queen Anne’s Lace F – caterpillar food for Black Swallowtail
Delphinium Larkspur H
Dianthus Pinks F
Digitalis Foxglove H
Echinacea Coneflower B F H
Eucalyptus H
Eupatorium Joe Pye Weed F
Fragaria Strawberry B
Gaillardia Blanket Flower H
Gaura Wand Flower B F H
Heuchera Coral Bells H
Hemerocallis Daylily F
Hibiscus Rose Mallow H
Leucanthemum Shasta Daisy F
Liatris Gayfeather F Q
Lobelia Cardinal Flower F H Q
Malva Rose Mallow H
Mimulus cardinalis Monkeyflower F H Q
Monarda Beebalm F H
Penstemon Beard Tongue F H
Perovskia Russian Sage F
Salvia Meadow Clary F H
Scabiosa Pincushion Flower F
Sedum Stonecrop F H

Annuals/ Tropicals
Agave Century Plant H
Ageratum Floss Flower B F
Amaranthus B
Antirrhinum majus Snapdragons F
Bacopa H
Begonia H
Bougainvillea B H
Canna F H Q
Celosia Cockscomb B
Cosmos B F H
Cuphea hyssopifolia Mexican Heather E
Dahlia H
Dill F – caterpillar food for Black Swallowtail
Dolichos Lablab Hyacinth bean F H
Fennel F – caterpillar food for Black Swallowtail
Fuchsia H
Gladiolus H
Gomphrena globosa Globe Amaranth B
Helianthus Sunflower B
Heliogropium hybrids Heliotrope B
Hibiscus H Q
Impatiens F H
Ipomea Morning Glory B F Q
Jacobaea maritima Dusty Miller B
Lantana F H
Lobelia H
Lobularia maritimum Sweet Alyssum F
Nasturtium F H
Nicotiana Flowering Tobacco F H
Parsley – caterpillar food for Black Swallowtail F
Passion Vine F
Pelargonium Geranium H
Petunia F H
Portulaca B
Ruellia Mexican Petunia F Q
Salvia F H
Tithonia rotunifolia Mexican Sunflower F
Verbena F
Zinnia B F H

Groundcovers
Gaultheria procumbens Creeping Wintergreen EG B
Ajuga Bugleweed H

Ornamental Grasses
Deschampsia Tufted Hair Grass B
Miscanthus sinensus Maiden Grass B

Vines
Bignonia capreolata Crossvine EG H
Campsis radicans Trumpet Creeper H
Celastrus Bittersweet B
Lonicera semervirens Honeysuckle Vine B H
*Schizophragma Hydrangeoides Hydrangea Vine B

Rainwater Harvesting is a great way to make your pond self-sustainable, to save money on your monthly water bill, to avoid the concern of low pond water levels when on vacation, and is healthier for your plants.  Before understanding how one system can do all of these things, it is best to understand exactly how a Rainwater Harvesting system works.

Rainwater harvesting has a few main components that allow it to run and maintain your property.  As water comes out of the rain spout already attached to your house, it will enter a rain filter placed underground.  This filter has both a coarse filter for larger debris and a fine mesh filter which will rid water of smaller particles.  From here the water will be carried to a larger storage basin.  From the storage basin, water will be pumped to the biological filter on your pond as needed, to ensure that pond water levels are never low.  In addition to filling up your pond a booster pump can be installed to allow for washing cars, watering plants or a variety of other needs.  This natural rain water contains many nutrients that your typical water supply has been stripped of.  These nutrients will help your plants grow even fuller and more beautiful.

Rainwater Harvesting systems will replenish water levels in ponds, pondless waterfalls or fountains.  For individuals who are already pond owners or who are looking to build a pond or water feature, a rainwater harvesting system is a great way to make your pond self-sufficient and eliminate the need to be concerned about water levels.  Turpin Landscaping offers on site consultations for those who would like to consider a Rainwater Harvesting System for their property.

Another, wonderful addition to any yard, and especially recommended for those not quite ready to set up a rainwater harvesting system, is a rain barrel.  The rain barrel will sit under a rainspout and collect rain water.  It can hold seventy five gallons of rainwater and a hose can be attached to be used for watering plants, refilling ponds or any other variety of outdoor uses.  Unlike the rain harvesting system it will not make your water feature self sustainable but it still will collect rain water that contains nutrients that are very beneficial to the growth and health of your plants and the water can be added to the pond to maintain water levels.  Both systems are very beneficial for your garden and your wallet.  Stop by Turpin Pond Source’s outdoor showroom for a demonstration of both the rain barrel and rain water harvesting system or to have any questions answered.

Sunday, July 10: Delaware Valley Water Garden Society Pond Tour – Enjoy 11 Delaware & Montgomery County water feature properties from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm.  $25 family membership includes a pot-luck BBQ at the final property in Wynnwood.  Registration from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at 155 Hunting Hills Lane, Media, PA 19063.  More information at www.dvwgs.com.

Background – The Delaware Valley Water Garden Society is positioned as a resource to water garden enthusiasts and those that want to learn more about our special interest. Additionally, we provide co-marketing to regional pond & garden groups on our website.  We average between 125-150 active members every year, with 35-50 members usually participating at our many social events.  Historically, our pond tours were only members’ ponds (concentrated mostly in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties), but have evolved to include recommended properties by our professional pond installer-members throughout the Delaware Valley.  We now move the pond tour around the tri-state area, based on the ability to cluster a reasonable number of water feature properties for an informative and timely tour.  Host property owners are to be complimented for their willingness to share their water and gardening passions with others.  What’s especially nice is that our members include subject matter experts on just about anything you can think of that is water-feature, fish, garden, plant, shrub or tree related.

With the BBQ social included at the end of the day, the membership cost is really a no-brainer. BBQ chicken & ribs will be on-site – attendees are requested to bring one food item (salad, dessert, or beverages of their choice) to share.  Items that need to be refrigerated will be shuttled from Media to Wynnewood at the end of registration.  Highly recommended is to provide ticket forms for your BVWG tour for distribution at the registration and BBQ properties.

Which are best for instant gratification?

Summer has already started, the weather is finally warm and for those who have put off their gardening or are disappointed with the return of last season’s plants, what can be done to spice up their gardens?

As many people know, most garden flowers fall into two varieties: perennials and annuals.  Perennials are defined as a plant that will come back for three of more seasons in a row eliminating the need to replant every year.  In one season a garden can be planned and planted that will, with the right care, come back for many seasons to come.  However perennials often take a couple of seasons to get established. It is said that for perennials, the first year they sleep, second year they creep and the third year they leap!  In addition, there is a large variety of perennials that range from full sun to full shade, they come in many colors and some may even be deer resistant.  Typically, perennials only bloom for only one part of the summer: spring, early summer, or late summer but many new varieties will bloom for longer periods of time.  However if you want longer lasting color, this leads us back to our original question; June is already upon us and for those that want instant gratification and a beautiful and colorful garden, what can be done?

In addition to perennials, annuals can lend more color even if it is short term.  Annuals are defined as a plant that will complete its lifecycle in one season.  They will start to flower in early spring and will have died off by the first autumn frost.  Despite their short lifespan, they are the perfect solution for adding color to your garden with ease.  These plants can be found in a large variety of colors and most will bloom continuously from Spring until Autumn.  In addition to the huge variety of available colors, they are very easy to care for.  As long as one is mindful of the amount of sunlight needed for each variety, watering and deadheading (removing dead flowers to stimulate new flower growth) should be the only care factors.  Annuals are wonderful because they can be planted into flower beds between your existing perennials, in flower boxes or planters, or they can be placed in hanging planters around a deck to add color.   They are a bright addition along streams and waterfalls and often attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

So with the list of the pros and cons of both perennials and annuals, you might be asking yourself: which is better?  The answer is both. They both offer a variety of benefits to a garden and must be chosen based on your specific needs.  However, if what your yard needs is a quick face lift, annuals will offer a quick boost of color without much hassle to provide enjoyment through the summer season.

Why is Turpin Landscaping now using LED Lights?

We have been using LED Lights instead of halogen for the last two years.  The reason LED lighting is the new and innovative way to do Landscape Lighting is because…………

Lighting is beautiful and it extends the enjoyment of outdoor lifestyles well past dark.
Turpin Landscaping has been installing low voltage outdoor lighting to increase usability, beauty, and security, and property value throughout landscapes for the past seven years.
Lighting the front of the house is usually the priority and lighting the rear of the home is beneficial too; often it happens that the homeowner gains even more.

We have been seeking a way to lower the maintenance and usage cost of lighting applications, and LED lights have a substantial impact.  Halogen light bulbs usually need to be changed every year, or at best every two years.  There is significant financial savings with the usage of the new LED products.  Twenty low voltage landscape lights may cost approximately $500 per year in electricity to operate for 6-8 hours per night, which breaks down to about $1.38 per day.  LED fixtures draw so much less voltage that they only cost about $50 per year to operate, which is almost unbelievable!  The next best thing that these LED lights offer is that they have an increased life expectancy of 5-10 years per bulb, with a 5 year warranty.

The usability of this system makes it possible to enjoy a warm evening well into the night.  Turpin Landscaping installs lighting for water features as well as patios and other accessible areas.  Sometimes we install tree lights which add increased beauty through what we refer to as moon lighting.  Step lights, wall fixtures and path lighting all have beneficial uses throughout the landscape.  Highlighting our incredible waterfalls and illuminating ponds show the fish swimming at night, which is mesmerizing.

Turpin Landscaping is a certified installer of CAST Lighting Products.
CAST custom designed landscape lights are crafted from sand cast solid bronze and copper with a lifetime guarantee against failure or corrosion. CAST lighting improves with age, and mellows to a beautiful patina. CAST lighting is an innovator in high efficiency unmatched performance.
Turpin Landscaping wants to be your outdoor lighting expert.

Ask us about CAST lights for your property. If you would like more information please contact us.

View our landscape lighting pictures on Flickr.