The Great Holly Die-Off of 2026: What DFW Landscapes Can Teach Us About Extreme Weather

By Matt Cook NORTH TEXAS LANDSCAPE LESSON The summer of 2026 has shown us that landscaping in DFW isn't just about choosing plants that survive an average Texas summer. We need to choose plants and irrigation systems that can withstand the extremes. The summer of 2026 has taught us another important lesson about landscaping in North Texas. Extreme weather exposes weaknesses in a landscape. As we discussed in our previous article about the extreme weather conditions affecting North Texas, the combination of prolonged heat and drought created tremendous stress on landscapes throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. If you have not read it yet, take a look at our previous post about Extreme Weather Landscaping Tips for North Texas. It provides more background on how extreme heat, drought, freezes, soil conditions and microclimates can affect the plants in your landscape. This summer, one of the most noticeable casualties we have seen…

South Fort Worth Retaining Wall Replacement: 300-Foot Engineered Keystone Wall When an aging retaining wall begins to deteriorate, the problem can be much more serious than appearance. In South Fort Worth, Peterson’s Landscape recently completed a major retaining wall replacement project involving approximately 300 feet of retaining wall, with portions of the new wall reaching more than 7 feet in height. The project included engineering, drainage improvements, geogrid reinforcement, new stairs, landscape lighting, electrical improvements and a complete transformation from deteriorating railroad ties to a long-term Keystone retaining wall system. Project at a Glance South Fort Worth Retaining Wall Project Location South Fort Worth Wall Length Approximately 300 feet Maximum Height More than 7 feet Wall System Keystone Regal Stone Pro Engineering Project-specific engineered design Additional Work Drainage, stairs, lighting, electrical and irrigation Replacing a Failing Railroad Tie Retaining Wall

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The original retaining wall was constructed from railroad…

North Texas Makeover

At Peterson’s, we believe landscaping is about more than simply planting a few flowers or mowing a lawn. We transform spaces. We build relationships. And we create outdoor spaces where people want to live, relax, and spend time with their families. Our Peterson’s design team has more than 80 years of combined experience here in north Texas designing, building, and maintaining landscapes. We have the talent to makeover your landscaping in the matter of a few days. We can make your place more inviting for your family to venture outside. We have worked on all kinds of projects over the years, but our favorite projects are the ones where we get to take a space that feels plain, tired, or even lifeless and bring new life into it. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a landscape go from "this just isn't working" to “this feels like home.” And there…

Why Fall Is the Best Time to Landscape in North Texas

Why Fall Is the Best Time to Landscape in North Texas Plant Now. Enjoy More Next Spring. Schedule Your Landscape Consultation Many homeowners assume spring is the best time to install a new landscape. In reality, professional landscapers know that fall is one of the best seasons to plant in North Texas. The cooler temperatures reduce stress on newly installed plants while the warm soil encourages root development long before the heat of next summer arrives. By the time spring rolls around, your landscape isn't just surviving—it's thriving. Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Landscape North Texas weather gives us a unique opportunity. Even after summer ends, our soil stays warm enough for roots to continue growing well into late fall. While the tops of plants begin slowing down, the roots keep working. That means: 🌳 Stronger root systems before winter 🌿 Less transplant shock 🌼 Reduced watering requirements…

DFW Heat Wave: Why North Texas Landscaping Needs Tougher Plants in 2026

How the DFW heat wave has impacted the landscaping plants of North Texas in 2026. “LORD, WHATEVER YOU’RE COOKING HERE, I THINK IT’S DONE” By Matt Cook That is about the only way I can describe what this summer has felt like in North Texas. If you have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for very long, you already know that Texas gets hot. A hundred degrees in August? That's Texas. But this summer has been different. We have experienced an unusual combination of extreme heat, extremely dry conditions, long stretches without measurable rainfall and intense stress on landscapes, trees and irrigation systems. And for those of us who make our living designing, installing and maintaining landscapes, this weather is forcing us to ask an important question: Are we planting for the North Texas climate we actually have? At Peterson’s Landscape, we believe the answer needs to be…

Expert Drainage Solutions from Peterson’s Landscape & Maintenance

When You Need a Drain, You Need a Drain The Complete North Texas Homeowner's Guide to Yard Drainage By Matt Cook | Peterson's Landscape Standing water is one of the most destructive problems a North Texas landscape can face. If water remains longer than about 24 hours after a rain, it deserves attention. Water that lingers can damage foundations, soften concrete subgrades, kill turf, rot plant roots, attract mosquitoes, encourage mold, and make parts of your yard unusable. The 24-Hour Rule: If an area still contains standing water a day after the rain has stopped, it is usually a sign that drainage should be evaluated. Why North Texas Has Drainage Problems Heavy clay soils drain slowly, many neighborhoods have minimal slope, and intense Texas thunderstorms can dump tremendous amounts of water in a short period of time. Add roof runoff and irrigation and even healthy landscapes can become saturated. The…

Christmas Lights

Professional Christmas Light Installation in Fort Worth & DFW Take Christmas Lights Off Your To-Do List This Holiday Season The holidays are busy enough. Between shopping, family gatherings, travel, decorating, and everything else that comes with the season, hanging Christmas lights on your home can quickly become another stressful project. And let's be honest—climbing ladders, walking rooflines, and wrestling with extension cords may not be the best way to spend your weekend. Why risk your money makers? Leave the climbing, installation, and holiday lighting details to the professionals at Peterson's Landscape. Our trained installation crews can help transform your home into a beautiful holiday display while allowing you to stay safely on the ground. Whether you are looking for a classic warm-white roofline, colorful Christmas lights, or a custom combination that matches your family's holiday style, we can help bring your vision to life. Professional Christmas Light Installation You Can…

“Everything I Plant Here Dies!” What Am I Doing Wrong?

How excess water, poor drainage and the wrong plant selection can turn one area of your yard into a place where plants struggle—and what you can do about it. By Matt Cook | Peterson’s Landscape “Everything I plant here dies. What am I doing wrong?” If you have ever said those words about the same flower bed, low spot or corner of your yard, the problem may not be the plants. The real problem could be excess water. Many North Texas homeowners assume a struggling plant needs more water. In reality, saturated soil can be just as damaging as drought. When the soil remains wet for too long, oxygen is pushed out of the root zone. Roots may decline, rot or stop taking up nutrients. The plant can wilt, yellow or drop leaves even though the soil is still wet. There are two common ways to approach the problem. The…

How to Create a Botanical Garden Look at Home

Professional landscape design ideas for creating a beautiful, layered and memorable garden that can thrive in Fort Worth and North Texas. By Matt Cook | Peterson’s Landscape Have you ever walked through a botanical garden and wondered why every view feels intentional? The plants seem fuller, the colors feel more connected, the paths invite you forward and every corner offers something new to discover. That experience is not created by purchasing the greatest number of plants. It is created through thoughtful landscape design. You do not need acres of property, a staff of horticulturists or thousands of plants to create a botanical garden look at home. The same principles used in celebrated public gardens can be scaled to a North Texas front yard, backyard, courtyard, patio or flower bed. Repetition, layered planting, garden rooms, focal points, seasonal interest, healthy soil and properly planned irrigation can make an ordinary residential landscape…

Best Plants for North Texas: A Fort Worth Guide to Landscaping That Survives

By Matt Cook Tired of planting things that die? Me too. After years of landscaping and living in Texas, I have learned that a beautiful plant at the nursery is not automatically a good plant for a North Texas yard. The best plants for North Texas must survive intense summer heat, long dry periods, heavy clay soil, sudden temperature changes, strong storms, occasional flooding and winter freezes. One thing is certain around here: it is going to get hot. From June through September, North Texas landscapes regularly experience temperatures in the upper 90s and above 100 degrees. It is not simply hot and dry—it can be extreme. If the summer does not test a plant, a hard winter freeze may. That is why our team at Peterson’s Landscape focuses on plants with a strong track record in Fort Worth and the surrounding Dallas–Fort Worth communities. A successful landscape should not…