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Join Belgard at the Upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show

flower-show-logo As the largest hardscapes manufacturer in the nation, Belgard is once again proud to partner with the largest horticultural event in the nation as the 2017 PHS Philadelphia Flower Show’s official hardscapes sponsor at the event to be held March 11-19, 2017, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

This year’s show, “Holland: Flowering the World”, will showcase the talents of our nation’s top horticulturalists and designers along with award-winning landscape and floral designers from the Netherlands. From towering windmills, wooden shoes and delectable cheeses, to the whimsical bicycles, canals and vibrant tulip fields of the iconic Dutch landscape, this year’s show will share the diverse stories of horticulture, innovative eco-design, and modern urban greening and sustainability efforts of the Netherlands.

In addition to the use of Belgard hardscapes throughout the entire show, Belgard will also exhibit a selection of hardscape products and Dutch-inspired landscaping in their display garden. The Belgard feature exhibit, which was designed by the Belgard Design Studio, will be constructed to emulate an expansive outdoor living space that includes an outdoor living room, kitchen, and dining area — featuring a variety of Belgard pavers, wall products, and the Bordeaux Series of the Belgard Elements Collection of outdoor fireplaces and kitchen units.

Rendering of the future Belgard display at the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show.
Rendering of the future Belgard display at the upcoming Philadelphia Flower Show.
Sneak peek into the outdoor living room and kitchen that will be constructed in Belgard's expansive display.
Sneak peek into the outdoor living room and kitchen that will be constructed in Belgard’s expansive display.

The Philadelphia Flower Show is hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and benefits a variety of year-round programs in the Philadelphia area that have become national models of urban greening. For more information on the show, visit theflowershow.com.

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Preplanning for Future Improvements

Bluprints

Sometimes it’s just unrealistic to build everything you want at one time. However, you can still save yourself a lot of money and headaches by planning ahead. If you have an overall vision for your backyard that you plan to build out in phases, below are some questions you’ll want to consider before beginning the process.

SHOULD I HIRE A PROFESSIONAL DESIGNER?

If you’re talking about a large scale makeover, it’s often a good idea to enlist a landscape designer to design your completed makeover, even if you don’t plan on doing everything at once. For example, if you plan to install a pool now and an outdoor kitchen down the line, you’ll need to know where the gas and electric lines will need to go, as well as footings for any heavy items, such as a porch post or a fireplace. The added cost of a professional design can save you from having to rip up and replace sections of a patio or pool deck later.

WHAT FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD I KEEP IN MIND?

When you’re planning an outdoor living space, think of what you would plan for an indoor living space. Think lighting, music, televisions, gas or electric appliances. Consider your local climate and think about ways of keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Installing junction boxes or live outlets where you may need electricity later will make a huge difference. Just remember that everything will be out in the elements and needs to be outdoor-rated with safety in mind.

DOES BELGARD OFFER DESIGN SERVICES?

Yes, working with a Belgard Authorized Contractor gives you access to the Belgard Design Studio, which offers over 50 free 3-D design templates and can also create custom designs with fly-through animation. However, your contractor may need to consult with a professional plumber or electrician, as needed, to plan for immediate or future utilities.

Future PhasesThe multi-faceted design above (created by the Belgard Design Studio) represents the perfect opportunity to plan a phased project. Phase I could include the patios, walkways, and fire pit. Phase II could include the outdoor kitchen’s grill station and brick oven. Phase III could include the outdoor fireplace and bar. Phase IV could include embellishments like the arbor, seat wall, TV stand, pillars, and hardscape lighting. In order to phase this out properly, before installing the patios, all future utilities would need to be run, and placement of future heavy elements would need to be fortified with the proper footings.