Their biggest splurge is the purchase of seven mature red maple trees in 24-inch containers that will account for close to 15 percent of the cost, but according to Eric, the instant shade is worth it.

Tracy Lewis grows perennials, shrubs, container plantings, trees and vines. She has found that drip irrigation works well for all of them.

As your landscape changes, so should your drip system in order to efficiently water the plants. A lot of landscapers put the drippers right at the (root) ball of the plant or trunk of the tree ...