A well-maintained landscape doesn’t just add curb appeal—it’s a living, thriving system that requires attention, balance, and expert care. While many homeowners focus on lawn mowing and watering, what often goes overlooked are the trees, shrubs, and ornamental plants that tie everything together. Without proper care, these essential landscape elements are susceptible to pests, disease, and stress that can compromise the beauty and health of your entire yard.
At PHS Lawn, we specialize in custom ornamental care solutions that combine tree care, shrub care, and lawn disease prevention to keep your landscape flourishing. In this blog, we’ll explore how to protect your investment by caring for the plants that make your outdoor space unique.
Why Ornamental Care Matters
Trees and shrubs play more than a decorative role—they provide structure, shade, erosion control, and even habitat for beneficial wildlife. But like turfgrass, they are vulnerable to Florida’s harsh sun, unpredictable storms, and year-round pest pressure.
Neglecting your ornamental plants can lead to:
- Leaf discoloration or drop
- Wilting or stunted growth
- Infestations of insects like aphids, whiteflies, or borers
- Fungus or root rot
- Weakened resistance to drought or disease
With the right plan in place, you can preserve your plants and elevate your landscape’s overall health.
Start with Regular Tree and Shrub Inspections
The first step in protecting your ornamental plants is knowing their current health status. Regular inspections help catch signs of stress, pest infestation, or disease early—before they spread to other parts of your yard.
What to look for:
- Yellowing, browning, or spotted leaves
- Sudden dieback in branches or leaf tips
- Visible insects, webs, or frass (pest droppings)
- Cracked bark or signs of fungal growth on trunks or stems
Our team of tree care professionals conducts thorough evaluations and creates a tailored treatment plan based on your specific plant species and soil conditions.
Invest in Preventative Tree Pest Control Services
Insects can wreak havoc on otherwise healthy trees and shrubs. Common Florida culprits like scale insects, mites, and leaf miners feed on sap, weaken plant structures, and invite secondary infections. Borers, in particular, are a major threat to both young and mature trees.
Signs you may need tree pest control:
- Holes in leaves or bark
- Sticky residue (honeydew) on leaves or nearby surfaces
- Premature leaf loss
- Curled or distorted new growth
At PHS Lawn, we offer proactive tree pest control services using targeted, eco-conscious treatments that eliminate harmful insects without damaging beneficial ones. We also time applications based on seasonal pest cycles for maximum effectiveness.
Strengthen Plants with Proper Nutrient Support
Shrubs and trees require balanced nutrition to build resistance to disease and pests. Nutrient deficiencies often appear as pale leaves, poor flower or fruit production, or slowed growth. Soil quality also plays a major role in nutrient availability.
Soil health tips for ornamental plants:
- Conduct a soil test every 1–2 years
- Apply slow-release fertilizers tailored to plant needs
- Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Improve drainage with aeration or amendments as needed
These practices support lawn disease prevention and promote deeper, stronger root systems for ornamental plants. Our custom nutrient programs are designed to meet your soil’s specific needs and enhance plant vitality year-round.
Prioritize Seasonal Shrub Care
Shrubs provide color, coverage, and character to your landscape—but they need seasonal care to look their best. Pruning is especially important for shape, airflow, and disease prevention.
Shrub care best practices:
- Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts
- Remove dead or damaged branches to prevent rot
- Space plants properly to avoid overcrowding
- Choose varieties suited to your soil, sun, and moisture conditions
At PHS Lawn, we build custom shrub care plans that include seasonal pruning, pest monitoring, fertilization, and more.
Don’t Forget Weed Control
Weeds aren’t just unsightly—they compete with your ornamental plants for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Many homeowners focus on weed control in turf, but flower beds, tree rings, and landscape borders also need attention.
If you’re in need of weed control in Tampa, we provide selective pre-emergent and post-emergent treatments designed to stop weeds without harming your ornamentals. We also offer mulching and hand-removal services for delicate or heavily planted areas.
Why Homeowners Choose PHS Lawn for Ornamental Services
Our team is passionate about creating vibrant landscapes that thrive in Florida’s demanding environment. We don’t offer one-size-fits-all treatments—instead, we provide custom solutions built around your yard’s specific needs. With our experience in tree care, shrub care, lawn disease prevention, and pest control, we deliver the results your landscape deserves.
What You Can Expect:
- Licensed, experienced technicians
- Safe, targeted applications
- Scheduled maintenance and monitoring
- Exceptional customer service and local expertise
Explore our full range of Ornamental Services to see how we can help transform your outdoor space.
Let’s Talk About Your Landscape
Healthy landscapes don’t happen by chance—they’re built with the right knowledge, tools, and team. If you’re ready to protect and enhance your ornamental trees and shrubs, the experts at PHS Lawn are here to help.
Let’s create a custom care plan for your property. Contact us today »
