Hardscape Maintenance Tips for Fall

Not all Halloween décor has to be inflatable ghosts and flashing lights. Sometimes, the most hauntingly beautiful atmosphere comes from your landscape itself. Whether you’re decorating for fall or just love a moodier, more dramatic garden, certain plants can add an elegant, mysterious vibe—without ever touching a plastic skeleton. At HLG Growers, we design landscapes that reflect your personality—and sometimes that includes a little seasonal flair. If you're looking for unique fall foliage or plants that bring a spooky-but-sophisticated feel to your Charleston yard, this list is for you. 🖤 1. Black Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Nigrescens’) Why it’s striking: Deep purple-black blades look bold against lighter stone or mulch. It's a small plant with a big impact. Why it works in Charleston: Low-maintenance, heat-tolerant, and great for edging walkways or flower beds. Pair it with lighter green or silver plants for a moody contrast. 🌫️ 2. Ghost Fern (Athyrium ‘Ghost’) Why it’s striking: Silver, iridescent fronds shimmer in shade, adding an ethereal glow to shadowy corners. Why it works here: Loves our humidity and thrives in Lowcountry shade. It’s ideal under trees, near shaded patios, or beside water features. 🍁 3. Bloodgood Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’) Why it’s striking: Deep red to purple foliage turns even darker in fall, offering rich color and texture. Why it works here: It tolerates Charleston’s heat and looks stunning near traditional brick or bluestone. A beautiful focal point year-round—and especially stunning in autumn. 🦇 4. Bat Flower (Tacca chantrieri) Why it’s striking: This tropical-looking plant produces eerie, bat-shaped blooms in deep purple-black. Why it works here: With the right shady, protected location, it thrives in Charleston’s humidity. Use it in a large container to highlight its unique flair. 🌼 5. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Why it’s striking: Despite the name, this native plant adds seasonal charm with yellow spidery blooms in fall. Why it works here: It’s a hardy native that blooms just as other plants fade. Bonus: It supports pollinators when most other blooms have finished. 🍂 Honorable Mentions: Toad Lily – Unique purple-spotted blooms that love shade Purple Heart – Rich, velvety ground cover Love Lies Bleeding (Amaranth) – Long, trailing red blooms for dramatic flair 🍁 Final Thoughts You don’t need skeletons and spider webs to set the scene—Charleston’s gardens are full of plants that naturally evoke the mystery and beauty of the season. Whether you’re planting for fall or creating a dramatic year-round look, these selections offer just the right touch of spooky sophistication. 📞 Want help designing a landscape with character? Let HLG Growers help you create a space that turns heads and thrives in every season.

Halloween in Charleston is full of charm—historic porches, Spanish moss, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, and happy trick-or-treaters winding through the neighborhood. But before the big night arrives, it’s worth asking: Is your walkway safe, well-lit, and ready for foot traffic? At HLG Growers, we don’t just build beautiful outdoor spaces—we design with purpose and safety in mind. Whether you’re expecting a handful of trick-or-treaters or a whole parade of candy-seeking kiddos, here’s how to make your landscape and hardscape Halloween-ready. 🧱 1. Check for Trip Hazards on Walkways & Pavers Cracked pavers, uneven stones, or lifted bricks may not seem like a big deal during the day—but at night, especially with excited kids in costume, they can become dangerous. ✔️ Do a quick walkthrough and look for: Uneven pavers or shifting slabs Loose gravel or debris Roots lifting edges of walkways Edging that creates a tripping lip 💡 Pro Tip: If your paver patio or walkway is uneven, schedule a post-Halloween repair or leveling appointment before winter weather sets in. 💡 2. Light the Way Lighting is one of the most overlooked safety features for Halloween. If your guests can’t see where they’re walking, even the best landscaping becomes a hazard. Great options include: Low-voltage pathway lighting Solar lanterns or LED stake lights Uplighting around steps, trees, or pillars Motion sensor lights for driveways or corners Bonus: Good lighting makes your home look warm, welcoming, and even a little magical on Halloween night. 🌿 3. Clear the Path It’s tempting to go all-out on the cobwebs and gravestones—but make sure decorations don’t block walkways or steps. Keep clear, wide walking space all the way to your door. Also, watch out for: Loose hoses or cords Overgrown bushes near entryways Wet leaves on hardscapes that can get slick 🪨 4. Use Your Landscape to Create Atmosphere You don’t have to rely on plastic skeletons to get festive—use your landscape and hardscape to make things feel spooky but elegant. Ideas: Uplight trees for eerie shadows Place pumpkins along a paver pathway Add orange or purple lights to trellises or arbor structures Use ornamental grasses or black mondo grass for a “witchy” vibe Place lanterns on top of retaining walls or columns Want a more permanent Halloween ambiance? We can plant a seasonal bed filled with ghost ferns, bloodgood maple, and batflowers that look amazing even after October 31st. 🍬 5. Make the Front Porch a Showstopper Your porch or patio is the star of the show on Halloween night. Even a few simple touches can make it fun, safe, and memorable. Ideas: Use planters with fall flowers like mums or ornamental kale Add a bench or chair for parents to rest Create a seating nook with lanterns and hay bales Make sure your steps and entry pavers are slip-free and well-lit 🎃 Final Thought Halloween is all about fun—but a little planning goes a long way in keeping your space both festive and functional. Whether you're handing out candy or hosting a neighborhood get-together, your landscape and hardscape should feel safe, inviting, and easy to navigate. 📞 Need help leveling your walkway or installing outdoor lighting before the holidays? Let HLG Growers get your space trick-or-treat ready!

🌿 Why Fall Is the Best Time to Plant in Charleston, SC When most people think about planting, they picture sunny spring days and colorful blooms. But here in the Lowcountry, the best time to plant is actually fall—and smart homeowners take advantage of it. At HLG Growers, we’ve been designing and installing Charleston landscapes for years, and we can tell you firsthand: planting in the fall sets you up for long-term success. Whether you're dreaming of fresh flower beds, shade trees, privacy hedges, or pollinator plants, autumn is your window of opportunity. 🍂 1. Cooler Temperatures = Happier Plants Charleston summers are hot, humid, and intense—not ideal for young root systems. But when fall rolls around, daytime highs drop, and your plants experience less stress from heat and sun. This gives them time to settle in without battling scorching temps, making fall a gentler, more forgiving planting season. 🌱 2. Roots Grow Even While Plants “Sleep” Above ground, things may look dormant—but underground, roots are actively growing. The soil in Charleston stays warm well into late fall and early winter, which means your trees, shrubs, and perennials can establish deep roots before the spring growing season hits. 🌳 That head start = stronger plants, better blooms, and less watering later. 🌧️ 3. Nature Does the Watering In fall, rainfall is typically more reliable—and the cooler temps reduce evaporation. That means you’ll spend less time watering, and new plants get a more consistent supply of moisture to help them establish. 🐝 4. Better for Pollinators and Wildlife Planting native trees, shrubs, and flowering perennials in the fall supports Charleston’s birds, bees, and butterflies right when they need it most—before migration or dormancy. Plus, you’ll be all set for a pollinator-friendly garden as soon as spring returns. 🧱 5. Ideal Timing for Landscape + Hardscape Projects If you're planning landscape design, bed installations, or even hardscape upgrades (like patios, pathways, or fire features), fall is the perfect time to tackle those projects. Why? - Install crews are often more available than in the spring rush - Sod and mulch hold better in cooler temps - You’ll enjoy your space longer before summer heat returns - It avoids spring rains that can delay projects 🌺 What to Plant in Charleston in the Fall? Fall is ideal for: - Trees (live oak, crape myrtle, magnolia, red maple) - Shrubs (azaleas, camellias, yaupon holly, viburnum) - Ornamental grasses (pink muhly, fountain grass) - Perennials (salvia, echinacea, coreopsis) - Ground covers and native wildflowers - Seasonal annuals (mums, pansies, ornamental kale) Want a custom planting plan? We’ll match the right plants to your sunlight, soil, and style. 📞 Ready to Plant? Let’s Design Something Beautiful. If you’ve been thinking about redoing your beds, adding privacy plants, or creating a brand-new landscape layout, don’t wait for spring. Fall is the smart season to start. At HLG Growers, we’ll help you design, prep, and install a space that looks great now—and thrives long into the future. 📆 Let’s get you on the fall planting schedule. Contact us today for a consultation.

🌿 Why Choose Native Plants? Here are a few compelling reasons: Drought Tolerance: Once established, native plants generally require less watering. Pest Resistance: Local insects and diseases are less likely to damage plants that are adapted to the environment. Pollinator-Friendly: Native plants provide nectar and habitat for bees, butterflies, birds, and more. Lower Maintenance: Say goodbye to constant fertilizing and pruning. Storm Resilience: Many native species can handle salt spray and even brief flooding. 🌸 Top Native Plants for Charleston Gardens Here's a list of some Lowcountry favorites that are perfect for your landscape: 1. Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris) This ornamental grass puts on a stunning pink-purple show in the fall. It's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and thrives in full sun. Best Use: Borders, mass plantings, or as a soft backdrop around hardscapes. 2. Sweetgrass (Muhlenbergia sericea) Yes, that sweetgrass—the one used in traditional Gullah basket weaving. It grows in clumps, does great in coastal soil, and looks fantastic in naturalized areas. Best Use: Rain gardens, coastal beds, or decorative grasses in dry spots. 3. Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) Despite the name, this small evergreen tree or shrub is a powerhouse in the landscape. Birds love its red berries, and it can be pruned into a privacy hedge or shaped into a tree. Best Use: Privacy screening, foundation planting, or ornamental tree. 4. Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) This climbing vine blooms red-orange tubular flowers that hummingbirds can’t resist. Unlike its invasive cousin, Japanese honeysuckle, coral honeysuckle is a well-behaved native. Best Use: Trellises, fences, mailboxes, and pergolas. 5. Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) Goldenrod has a bad rap for allergies (wrongly—it’s ragweed that’s the culprit), but this bright yellow bloomer is a bee and butterfly magnet. Best Use: Pollinator gardens and coastal beds. 6. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) This twining evergreen vine bursts into golden-yellow blooms in early spring. It’s even South Carolina’s state flower! Best Use: Arbors, trellises, fences, or naturalized along fences. 7. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) A fast-growing shrub or small tree with a lovely fragrance and dense foliage. It’s a favorite for birds and useful for natural privacy screens. Best Use: Privacy hedges, windbreaks, or wildlife gardens. 🌎 Eco-Friendly Landscaping is Charleston Smart Whether you’re installing a new garden or upgrading your yard, native plants are a long-term investment in beauty, sustainability, and ecological health. At HLG Growers, we specialize in creating Lowcountry landscapes that reflect the soul of Charleston—weather-resistant, welcoming, and wonderfully alive. Let us help you design a garden that works with nature, not against it. 📞 Ready to plant native? Contact us today for a personalized landscape design consultation!

🌿 1. Instant Relaxation and Stress Relief There’s a reason spas, meditation gardens, and resorts use water features—they promote calm, focus, and emotional balance. The gentle sound of moving water reduces stress and creates a sense of tranquility that helps you unwind after a long day. Did you know? Studies show that the sound of flowing water can help lower blood pressure and improve sleep quality. 🐝 2. Supports Wildlife and Pollinators Water features don’t just enhance the look of your backyard—they become a vital resource for birds, butterflies, bees, and other local wildlife. A small pond or fountain offers fresh water for drinking and bathing, helping you create a mini ecosystem right at home. This is especially important in Charleston, where native species thrive in thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces. 🏡 3. Boosts Property Value and Curb Appeal Just like a fire pit or pergola, a water feature is a landscape investment. A well-placed fountain, birdbath, or pond adds curb appeal and can make your property more attractive to future buyers. At HLG Growers, we custom-design each water feature to blend with your home’s aesthetic—whether you're going coastal, modern, rustic, or traditional. 🧼 4. Lower Maintenance Options Are Available Worried about upkeep? Don’t be. Modern water features can be designed to be surprisingly low maintenance, with pumps, filters, and automatic refilling systems. We help you choose the right scale and design so you get all the beauty without the headache. Options include: - Recirculating fountains - Pondless waterfalls - Bubbling urns - Self-contained rock towers 🔊 5. Sound Barrier for Street or Neighbor Noise If you live near a busy road or close to neighbors, a water feature can act as a natural sound buffer. The sound of flowing water helps muffle unwanted noise and creates a more private, serene environment. This makes it a popular choice for Charleston homes with smaller yards or urban locations. 🔥 6. Pairs Beautifully with Fire Features Want to create a truly dynamic outdoor space? Water + fire = magic. We often design landscapes where water features sit near a fire pit or outdoor fireplace. The contrast between cool water and warm fire draws people in and makes your space usable in every season. 🌞 7. Encourages Outdoor Living When you create an inviting environment, you’re more likely to use it. A water feature makes your backyard feel like a retreat—perfect for morning coffee, family dinners, or quiet evenings under the stars. We can even add lighting, seating areas, and stepping stones to make it functional and beautiful, day or night. 💬 Final Thoughts: Let’s Make It Flow A backyard water feature isn’t just a pretty upgrade—it’s a lifestyle enhancer. At HLG Growers, we design, build, and install custom water features across Charleston, Summerville, Mt. Pleasant, and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re dreaming of a peaceful pond, a contemporary fountain, or a playful bubbler for the grandkids, we’ll help you bring it to life—with native plants, natural stone, lighting, and landscape integration. 📞 Ready to transform your outdoor space? Let’s start planning your custom water feature today.

Living in the Lowcountry has its perks—beautiful marsh views, warm weather, and coastal charm. But it also comes with a unique challenge that many Charleston-area homeowners face: drainage problems.  Between high water tables, clay-heavy soil, hurricanes, and seasonal downpours, improper drainage can wreak havoc on your lawn, foundation, landscaping, and outdoor living spaces. At HLG Growers, we’ve helped dozens of clients tackle drainage issues head-on—and we’re here to help you understand what’s going on under your feet.

When it comes to outdoor surfaces, the choices can feel overwhelming—but it all comes down to what works best for your style, budget, and how you plan to use the space. Two of the most popular materials we install at HLG Growers are pavers and bluestone —and while they both offer beauty and durability, they serve different needs. So, which is right for your project?  Let’s break it down.

A well-designed landscape is more than just plants and pavers—it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. And like any living thing, it needs water to thrive. In Charleston’s hot, humid, and often unpredictable climate, a properly installed irrigation system isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. At HLG Growers, we’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) in our local soil and weather conditions, and we’re here to explain why irrigation is one of the most important investments you can make in your outdoor space.

There’s nothing quite like gathering around a fire—whether it’s for roasting marshmallows, sipping cocktails, or simply soaking in the ambiance. A fire feature brings warmth, beauty, and year-round functionality to your outdoor space. But when it comes to fire pits vs. fireplaces , which one should you choose?  At HLG Growers , we install both fire pits and fireplaces throughout Charleston, Summerville, and the Lowcountry. Here’s a side-by-side look to help you decide which option is the perfect match for your home and lifestyle.