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Vinca (Periwinkle) Groundcover: The Best Shade Solution for GTA Gardens
Vinca (periwinkle) is one of our go-to groundcovers for shaded GTA gardens. It fills gaps fast, helps suppress weeds, and creates a clean, high-end “carpet” look in modern or formal planting designs.
Junning Wang
3 days ago4 min read
Installing Fiberglass Pools: What You Should Know
Fiberglass pools arrive as a single pre-molded shell, but a successful install is all about precision. In this post, we walk through crane day, elevation checks, base prep, and backfilling, and explain why professional installation matters in Toronto’s freeze–thaw climate—plus how custom stone patios, lighting, and planting complete the backyard oasis.
Junning Wang
4 days ago5 min read
A Shade-Driven Backyard Pool Design in Toronto: Clean Lines Under Mature Trees
A heavily shaded Toronto backyard is being transformed with a pool-first layout, porcelain pavers, and layered planting designed for part sun pockets and winter interest—built alongside a full home renovation.
Junning Wang
7 days ago4 min read
Soft Lines in Full-Sun Gardens: A Few Grasses We Keep Reaching For
Across Toronto and the GTA, many full-sun front yards, patios, and backyards are starting to rely less on boxwood and evergreen shrubs to “draw the line,” and more on fine-textured ornamental grasses . Grasses soften stone and porcelain, bring in movement, and keep the garden interesting outside peak bloom season. There are lots of ornamental grasses on the market, and every company has its own favourites.This post isn’t about telling anyone what they should use. It’s simply
Junning Wang
Dec 85 min read
Transform Your Outdoor Space with Expert Landscaping
Transforming an outdoor space is more than just planting flowers or laying down some sod. It’s about creating a sanctuary that reflects your lifestyle, enhances your property’s value, and invites you to enjoy nature’s beauty every day. When we approach landscaping with intention and expertise, the results can be truly extraordinary. Together, we can explore how professional landscaping services can elevate your outdoor environment into a stunning, functional retreat. Why Choo
Junning Wang
Dec 83 min read
Plant Profile: Endless Summer® Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) In GTA
In the language of gardens, Endless Summer® hydrangea stands for gratitude and soft, heartfelt colour. This compact shrub brings big, cloud-like blooms from early summer into fall and performs beautifully in typical Toronto and Southern Ontario yards when given morning sun, good soil and steady moisture.
Junning Wang
Dec 46 min read
Inkberry Holly: The Best Boxwood Alternative for GTA Gardens
Discover why Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra) is becoming Toronto’s top alternative to Boxwood. Native, pest-resistant, and ideal for formal or natural gardens, Inkberry brings year-round greenery and strong winter interest.
Junning Wang
Oct 303 min read
Modern Sport Court Ideas for GTA Homes
Once considered a luxury, backyard sport courts are now a practical and sustainable feature across North GTA — combining design, performance, and landscape integration.
Junning Wang
Oct 303 min read
Incrediball Hydrangea: Bold Blooms for Every Garden
Incrediball Hydrangea is a designer favorite in Toronto landscapes — admired for its strength, adaptability, and giant white flower heads that hold up beautifully through every season.
Junning Wang
Oct 303 min read
Creating Layers of Privacy in Modern Gardens
True privacy is more than visual separation—it’s about what we see, hear, and feel. From wooden screens and cedar hedges to water features and soft lighting, modern landscape design redefines comfort and connection in outdoor living.
Junning Wang
Oct 293 min read
Why White Cedar Hedges Are Toronto’s Most Reliable Natural Privacy Solution
In Toronto’s cold climate, few landscape features combine beauty, privacy, and longevity like the White Cedar hedge. Native to Canada, this hardy evergreen thrives through freezing winters and stays lush year-round—something fences and artificial screens can’t match. Discover why homeowners across the GTA are choosing White Cedar for lasting privacy, natural texture, and timeless value.
Junning Wang
Oct 292 min read
Japanese Forest Grass – A Gentle Flow of Color and Texture
Soft, golden, and graceful — Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) brings movement and light to shaded gardens. Loved by Toronto designers for its texture and adaptability, it thrives where few plants do, adding rhythm and warmth beneath trees and along pathways.
Junning Wang
Oct 292 min read
Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’ Care and Design Tips for Toronto Gardens
https://www.horvathlandscapes.com/ A Timeless Favorite in Toronto Landscapes In landscape design across Toronto and York Region, the Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’ is one of the most popular ornamental trees. At maturity, it typically reaches 13-20 feet in height, with a spread of about 13-20 feet, celebrated for its deep red foliage and graceful form, it serves as a striking focal point in modern, traditional, and Japanese-style gardens alike—adding depth, texture, and elegance
Junning Wang
Oct 283 min read
Backyard Renovation with Pool and Privacy Solutions – Aurora
Backyard Renovation with Pool and Privacy Solutions – Aurora
Junning Wang
Oct 233 min read
Why Weeds Keep Coming Back in Toronto Gardens — And How Smart Design Can Stop Them
Have you ever found yourself constantly battling weeds in your yard? They seem to appear in every corner — between pavers, along fence lines, and even under decks. You pull them out, only to see them return a few weeks later. This happens because Toronto’s four distinct seasons — cold winters, humid springs, hot summers, and mild autumns — create the perfect environment for weeds to thrive. Our region’s humid continental climate keeps the soil moist and fertile throughout mu
Junning Wang
Oct 233 min read
Box Tree Moth in Ontario: What’s Happening to Your Boxwoods and How to Respond
Earlier this year, a London, Ontario homeowner watched their boxwood hedge fade within weeks. What caused it? This case study explores the rise of the Box Tree Moth, its impact on Ontario gardens, and the best ways to protect or replace your boxwoods.
Junning Wang
Oct 213 min read
Transforming a Corner Lot into a Stunning Landscape
Expert landscape design of a modern front yard featuring a rectilinear stone walkway leading to the entry, flanked by structured lawn panels, layered perennial beds with hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, and low shrubs, creating balanced curb appeal against the contemporary brick façade
Junning Wang
Sep 243 min read
Pool Construction – Excavation Preparation and Layout Notes
18.9.2025 Junning Wang Landscape Designer, Horvath Landscapes Inc. Step 1: Pool Layout Marking Use a measuring tape to locate and confirm...
Junning Wang
Sep 222 min read
Formal–Natural Front Yard Garden Design in Richmond Hill | Layered Planting for Year-Round Interest
This Richmond Hill project redefines the concept of a front yard by combining formal structure with natural layering. Anchored by a Japanese Maple and complemented by Blue Spruce and Hydrangea focal points, the design balances order, privacy, and seasonality. Through careful plant selection and spatial zoning, it achieves a timeless garden that feels both refined and welcoming.
Junning Wang
Sep 53 min read
Backyard Design in Toronto’s Rosedale: Pool Installation and Municipal Approval Challenges
A Rosedale backyard project featuring pool installation in Toronto. Learn about the pool permit process, zoning, and municipal challenges for successful design. This backyard project in Toronto’s Rosedale neighborhood centered on the addition of a swimming pool. From a design standpoint, the layout remained relatively straightforward. However, the site’s shaded condition, steep grading, and the homeowner’s plan to add a basement walkout made functional zoning a key design con
Junning Wang
Sep 52 min read
Frequently asked questions
General
Before the first design meeting, the designer will usually prepare:
Several reasonable plan layout options tailored to your property, with clear explanations of why each works and what benefits it brings. A 3D view may also be included to help you better visualize the space.
An outline of the design process and next steps, so you know what to expect from concept to final plan.
Initial guidance on construction approaches, such as materials, methods, and what may suit your site conditions best.
This ensures you can make informed choices about both the design direction and how it can be built.
Moisture retention: Compost helps the soil hold water, reducing the need for frequent watering.
Weed control: It suppresses weed growth by blacking sunlight.
Temperature regulation: Compost absorbs more heat, helping to warm the soil earlier in spring and extending the growing season for some plants.
Price: Same price as Triple Mix
Safety: Open pipe ends can be tripping hazards or leave unsightly gaps on the lawn. A Pop-Up Emitter stays closed and flush with the ground when not in use.
Aesthetics: The low-profile design blends seamlessly into the landscape without disrupting the look of your yard.
Prevents clogs: Because it only opens under water pressure, it helps keep out leaves, soil, and small animals.
Controlled water release: Directs water exactly where it’s needed, preventing erosion and puddling compared to uncontrolled runoff.
Low maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep compared to open drains or surface channels.
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