Frequently asked questions:
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Why should I pay for design?
Unless you have a strong horticultural background and some artistic ability,
you are going to need some assistance with design. Botanica can help you
create a design that meets your long term needs. Small space designs,
master plans, and on-site consulting are all available. You can get free
designs from some landscape contractors, but a customized design takes time, and
you usually get what you pay for. For more information about design, check
out the design page.
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Why do you ask what my budget is?
Because we want to meet your needs. Of course, you can always do more
with a bigger budget, but even with a modest budget, you can get a lot
accomplished. If we know what kind a budget you have, we can provide you
with proposals that match your priorities, instead of frustrating you with a
plan that doesn't meet your needs or expectations.
Work is scheduled in the order we receive signed contracts with
deposits. It is impossible to give a firm start date, because we are
so dependent upon weather conditions. We do try to give a an estimate of
when your work will take place, and always complete one project before beginning
another (so we won't start your 2-day project on Tuesday and then come
back 3 weeks later to finish!)
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What is your horticultural background?
Botanica's owner, John Packard, has twenty years experience in agriculture
and ornamental horticulture. Ten years were spent on a family-owned
produce farm, both as a laborer and as operations manager. In 1993, John
discovered estate gardening, working on the six acre perennial gardens of the
Aloha Estate. In 1995, John became a founding partner in Mother Nature and
Sons, an innovative landscape design, installation, and maintenance company that
introduced sustainable, natural landscaping to the Lake Geneva area.
His experience includes landscape gardening the properties of
discriminating clients in Lake Geneva, the Lauderdale Lakes, Whitewater, Delavan
Lakes, and Pleasant Prairie, including several large estates. Concern about
quality management has lead John, along with his wife Danniel, to start Botanica
to better meet the needs of property owners. The landscapes designed,
installed, and maintained by Botanica have met with overwhelming customer
approval. John has also overseen the management of several lake front properties
from a chemical to an organic maintenance model, with great success.
John also runs a small nursery, is a member of the Town of Geneva Park Board,
and has found time to earn degrees in Philosophy, German Literature, History and
Secondary Education from the UW-Madison, especially useful when it is time to
spread compost.
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How can we do any landscaping? We just finished building, and there is
no money left!
Get your landscaper involved in the process early. We can work with all
budgets, from the most modest to over $100,000.
Too many times homeowners don't think about the entire process when
building their new home. Often times they're caught off guard by additional
cost they forget to consider when budgeting for their new home. They could have
included the cost of their landscaping needs in the price of their mortgage.
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How can I get color in the shade?
Shade gardens have a smaller palette than sunny gardens, but that doesn't
meant hat the shady portions of your property have to be limited to Hostas and
Astilbes. (Although there are hundreds of varieties of Hosta to choose
from!) Plants do grow more slowly in the shade, but the results can be
spectacular. Try Jack-in-in-the-Pulpit, Columbine, Prim Roses, Trilliums,
Shooting Stars, and Ferns for a woodland garden. A more colorful effect
can be achieved by adding Toad Lilies, Old -Fashioned Bleeding Heart, Turks Cap
Lilies, Goat's Beard, and Joe Pye. Even a boisterous riot of color is
possible with Cardinal flowers, Rhododendrons, Fox lilies, Yellow Loosestrife,
Fumitory, and the ever-expanding, long blooming , versatile new Phlox
varieties. Numerous shrubs and understory trees also bloom in the
shade.
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How can we get more color and variety?
Bloom rotation! 1200 perennials bloom in Wisconsin. With
careful planning, you can have a continuous color show. Study your books,
or call in the professionals!
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