In today’s Kansas City Star, Highland Outdoor was named the 9th Largest Landscape Company in Kansas City.

See the entire list here.

An accompanying article on the changing business of landscapers to design-build was featured as well. Check it out online here, or read it in its entirety below:

Landscapers not just about the green: Demand grows for hardscapes

By ROBERT COLE
The Kansas City StarAt several of the area’s largest landscaping companies, the annual rites of spring have included offering basic lawn, tree and irrigation services for 20 years or more.

But these professionals say that the traditional definition of landscaping is changing from what it was less than two decades ago.

Instead of focusing on green goods like lawns, trees and flowers, more clients are requesting exterior design-build projects that include everything outside the home’s four walls, said Jason Cupp, president and CEO of Highland Outdoor in Olathe.

Rather than hiring contractors, homeowners now want landscaping professionals who can design and create an entire project, which can mean a backyard pool, a gazebo or spacious patio areas built with custom pavers.

The requests for hardscape services have increased competition within the industry, Cupp said.

“Our clients want things faster and more nimble now than ever before,” Cupp said. “It’s hard because this is an industry that can’t make a lot of shortcuts.”

The expense of creating a custom-designed outdoor living area can run to $100,000 or more, but there can be a significant return on the investment.

“The single most important factor in marketing a property is curb appeal and landscaping is 90 percent of that,” said Robert Schock, director of property management for the Yarco Co. Inc. in Kansas City.

Yarco’s landscaping needs range from its niche of affordable housing in urban areas to upscale senior properties like Truman Farm Villas in Grandview.

Though it’s important to keep costs low in the current economy, it’s difficult to cut back on landscaping budgets because of the value it brings to marketing a property, Schock said.

Some local professionals recently have noticed a change in the landscaping process.

Instead of simply planting a few shrubs and annuals every year, clients want to go ahead with their patios and outdoor spaces and put the green in second, said Gary Weidenbach, president and CEO of Rosehill Gardens Inc. in south Kansas City.

“People are very involved in their landscaping now,” Weidenbach said. “It’s part of their personality.”

The demand for more complex services is creating an increased need for employees with degrees and certifications in a variety of specialties.

More than 20 of Rosehill’s employees have landscape-related degrees or have earned lawn and landscape certifications. About 50 other employees have earned professional designations as lawn technicians and chemical applicators.

Cupp was one of the first area landscapers to receive designation as a certified landscape professional from the Professional Landcare Network, a trade association that represents more than 4,200 landscaping companies in North America.

Cupp recently was named president of the association, which also is the national certifying organization for certified landscape technicians and several other industry designations.

The industry will continue to grow if landscaping companies recognize that each customer has their own ideas and needs for their particular project, Cupp said.

But landscapers will need to hire more specialized help as their business grows.

“We encourage our members to pursue different levels of education,” Cupp said, “but we also advise them to hire people that can help them be good at something else.”

Congratulations to EACH incredible business on this years list… We’re proud to be on the list with such an awesome group of quality contractors!

Have you always wondered what it takes to make your house pop, and be the envy of the neighborhood?  Annual color automatically draws attention to your home and in this blog I am going to let you know what it takes to make a spectacular Annual display.  There are three keys to success.

First Key:  Plan; great annual beds start with a great plan
•    Plan where you want your bed
•    Plan the shape and size of your bed
•    Plan the plant material you want in your bed
o    Always have large groupings for maximum impact

Second key:  Prepare the soil
•    Add amendments
•    Till the amendments into the soil
•    Make sure there is good drainage
•    Install plants into bed
•    Mulch new plants to help keep soil cool, moist and protected

Third key:  Perform routine maintenance
•    Make sure the plants are getting plenty of water but not too much
•    Depending on the plants water every ten days to two weeks
•    Remove dead flowers as they whither away.
•    Enjoy the view

It takes a lot of work to have an award winning annual display but it is worth the hard work.  Here at Highland Outdoor we are a full service Property Maintenance Company, I (email me here) would like to personally come out to your home and design, install and maintain your annual display.  It is worth the WOW factor.

Yes, it is official. Abby and I are proud to announce that Starbucks coffee has arrived at the Highland Outdoor office. Lately, clients have been asking for coffee at their client meetings here at the office and unfortunately we have had to turn them down. Abby and I would like to think that we are now professional Starbucks coffee makers using coffee grounds and a coffee maker, that are both trademarks of the Starbucks Coffee Company. So, the next time you step through the doors of Highland Outdoor and smell a wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee, you’ll know who to ask for a wonderful cup! How great it will be to sit down with your designer, a pleasing design, and a fresh cup of Starbucks coffee; it doesn’t get much better than that!!

We’re proud to reveal that two of our projects have been prominently featured in Kiplinger Magazine and Kiplinger.com. We’re honored and humbled that we can have our projects featured nationally.

Here are the screen shots:

April 7, 2008 is a day that will be forever remembered by KU Jayhawk fans and players. The night ‘Super’ Mario made the basket of probably his career. Down by 9 points with less then two minutes to play, looked nearly impossible to the tens of thousands of fans clinching their seats. The odds were once again against the Kansas City team. Something that Kansas Cityians have grown accustom too. We haven’t won a Super Bowl since1970 or a World Series since 1985. With some of the most dedicated and intense fans in the nation, we were craving a win. Now, the 2008 National Kansas Champs have given us the win that we have all been looking for, thanks to Mario’s miracle. Ironic, 20 years since Danny Manning and the Miracles claimed victory, and with Danny on the bench in 2008 they claimed victory again. There was a great feeling in Kansas City Tuesday morning, the feeling of a victory something we haven’t felt for quite some time. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, GO KU!!!!

Highland Outdoor is pleased to announce Mitch Benjamin was awarded the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute’s (ICPI) Concrete Paver Installer Certification on March 18, 2008.
The ICPI Concrete Paver Installer Certification course communicates knowledge of industry guidelines to installers who build segmental concrete patios, driveways, plazas, parking lots, and streets.  Launched in 1995, the course enhances the knowledge of individuals who construct interlocking concrete pavements.  Installers are taught by ICPI Certified Instructors who have attended ICPI Training and have years of industry experience.
“Consumers expect quality installations and the ICPI paver installer certification course reinforces our commitment to meet those demands” said ICPI Chairman Joe Bowen. “Certification reassures prospective consumers that installers have knowledge of industry construction standards.”
Upon successful completion of the two-day course and certification exam, newly certified installers receive a certificate of proficiency.  ICPI reinforces installer knowledge through follow up technical literature, guide specifications and continuing education.

ICPI Paver Installer Certification increases consumer confidence by educating installers on proper installation practices, thus promoting higher quality installations.  Using an ICPI Certified Paver Installer assures consumers that they are making a wise investment in a low-maintenance, long-lasting interlocking concrete pavement.  For more information, visit www.icpi.org.

Congratulations, Mitch!  Yet another example of Highland Outdoor delivering incredible outdoor living spaces through our ongoing education, training and certification…