The last phase of the landscape installation after the plants were installed, is the application of a 3" layer of mulch.  The Vincent’s chose a deep chocolate brown colored mulch and it sets off the plants beautifully.  Mulching plants after they are planted serves so many purposes.  It obviously creates a finished look to the bed, but if applied at a depth of 3", it does help to control weeds from growing up, and it also retains moisture.  It does provide a winter time insulating blanket for the plants as well. 

This yard will be having irrigation installed and as soon as that is done and the guys have finished the final round of clean up – we’ll be trying for that "final picture".