Plant Highlight: Cercis occidentalis

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The Western Redbud is quite a dramatic California native and can be grown as a large shrub or a small trunked tree.  The flowers are a vibrant magenta and one of the most striking parts of the tree.  The leaves also make a statement- they’re kidney shaped ranging in color from bright new green, to Kelly Green to a bluish-green.  In the autumn the leaves turn yellow and after falling the tree produces long, flattened maroon seed pods. 

Aside from the plants’ noteworthy appearances, it’s a California native in the truest sense- quite the water-wise dream!  You can remove any regular irrigation once the plant is established with a good soak every few weeks in the summer and fall.

Western Redbuds are also a great choice because of the attractive shape & size and generally speaking do not require pruning or maintenance.  Mature height and spread is approximately 12-20’ which is a relatively small size for most gardens.  If you favor more of a tree like shape you can prune off the lower limbs.  The Western Redbud likes full sun, a bit of shade, and handles most soils.

Who doesn’t love a great California native?  Reader, meet Cercis occidentalis, Western Redbud.  Western Redbud, meet our reader!

Profile: Kelly Silva

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“The best thing about working at Cleary Bros. Landscape is the caliber of people that I have the pleasure of working with and being challenged by. Coming from working for a city police department as a 911 & Police Dispatcher and Southwest Airlines prior to that, I am accustomed to working in a fast-paced, results-driven, customer service oriented environment.  But the passion with which the Cleary Bros. team embraces these challenges is second to none. I am constantly impressed and encouraged by the talent here.”

Kelly started with Cleary Bros. five years ago as an assistant project manager in construction and now works for the Tree Division to provide administrative services and project management support to the tree team.  Bay Friendly certified with an educational background in horticulture and human development, Kelly’s unique skill set make her a valuable asset to the company.

Outside of work Kelly’s interests are eclectic, to say the least!  Kelly loves to travel and has been to Italy, Greece, Mexico and lived in Okinawa for two years while serving in the U. S. Air Force.  Closer to home, Kelly recently started her own photography business, began taking kung foo san soo lessons and volunteers for an amazing non-profit, FESCO (serving homeless families), once running a gardening program for one of their transitional housing facilities.  As if that’s not enough she’s learned to spit fire, zip lined through Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, is learning how to make the perfect chocolate truffle, and is an amateur “foodie” who enjoys trying new foods (beef cheeks?).  But her favorite pastime is exploring the Bay Area with her two nephews who just happen to be the cutest kids ever.

Comments from a Landscape Committee Chairperson

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I would like to say:

When we chose Cleary Brothers about 10 years ago, we needed a company that could provide full-service landscaping capabilities with reliable and consistent maintenance, tree pruning and irrigation installation and repair.  We have received so much more through our collaborative partnership with Cleary Brothers.  Over the years, with the assistance of their knowledgeable design and horticultural experts, we have created a vibrant, lush and low-water usage landscape that is truly admired by the homeowners.  In the spring our yards brim with color from azaleas, camellias, daffodils and flowering trees.  In the summer we have a profusion of roses, hydrangeas and agapanthus.  The Fall spectrum consists of blooming crepe myrtle tree, roses and the brilliant leaves from a variety of trees.  Winter is enhanced by the annuals and the variation of hues of foliage.  All in all, with the assistance of Cleary Brothers, we have created a welcoming, colorful landscape that improves the appearance and value of our community.

It’s Arbor Day!

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Over 135 years after the first Arbor Day was celebrated, Cleary Bros is happy to say Happy Arbor Day to our clients, colleagues, and friends!

In your honor, a tree has been planted in a national forest.  Visit Cleary Bros. Arbor Day card for more information on our Give-A-Tree gift to you!

Visit www.arborday.org for more information on this great holiday.

The Hills Are Alive!

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Recently you may have noticed an extra special golden glow creeping across the hillsides and fields in the Bay Area.  A vibrant yellow blooming plant has taken over the grassy areas flanking the interstates and freeways.  It’s the mustard plant!  Or, for the horticulturally inclined, the Brissica rapa!

Not a California native, the story goes that this eye-catching wild flower was brought to the region by Franciscan Father Serra who planted it as a representation of his pathway back to Spain.  It’s now such an integral part of our immediate landscape the Bay Area wouldn’t be the same without it. Take the Napa Valley area for example.  Mustard plants are used as a cover crop in vineyards to add nitrogen, improve soil structure, and control nematode populations.

What the mustard plant also means to Cleary Bros. is that it’s time for weed abatement to begin.  Those fields and hillsides need to be maintained! We’re currently working with our clients to perform weed abatement services throughout the Bay Area.  If your property needs weed abatement services and you aren’t a client of ours yet- give us a call!  We’d love to work with you too.

Comment from Commercial Property Manager

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Good morning Martin and thank you for your call.

Ever since Cleary took over our landscaping services in Orinda and Walnut Creek, we have been extremely pleased with the service provided. Julie Gile is fantastic at arranging the designs for our properties. She is easy to work with, has a tremendous amount of knowledge, patience, and creativity.
One of her most important contributions is that she is always prepared and patient to help me budget the costs for work. I appreciate having her very much. Chris Sartain has also played a key role in our delight with Cleary.
Just like Julie, he is always attentive and responsive to the needs at our centers. The landscaping crews are always courteous and professional. They have done a tremendous job keeping the ivy under control and keeping the
site landscaping clean and well manicured at both locations.

To summarize, Cleary has done a fantastic job at recognizing the needs at our sites, sending professional and reliable people, and being an all around remarkable landscaping company. We look forward to a continued successful relationship.

Wildflowers in the Bay Area

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wildflowers on Mt Diablo

Mt Diablo Native color

The wildflowers will be getting in full bloom soon.  The Bay Area has some terrific viewing areas on all sides of the Bay.  We love Mt Diablo and Mt Tam.  Where are your favorite wildflower viewing spots?

The new Western Gardens Sunset Book is out

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Many of us consider this book to be our ‘Bible’ as Gardeners. They have added over 1000 plants that are suited for the West. There are interesting entries on how we and our gardens impact the area around us. If you have any personal home landscape projects that you want to take on, this book is a great place to start. Watch our newsletter for a chance to get your copy for free!

Happy gardening!

Profile: Martin Cleary

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Martin Cleary of Cleary Bros LandscapeMartin has various licenses and certifications in horticulture, arboriculture, and irrigation. “I love landscaping, but I’m passionate about our organization delivering great service. We’ve earned the title Best In The Bay and we’ve worked for it. “One summer, my brother and I started cutting fire breaks for neighbors. Our mom would drive us to the
jobs and pick us up for dinner. That’s how we got started.  We’ve been going at
it ever since.”

When Martin’s not working he’s thinking about work.  Otherwise, he spends time with his amazing wife and two daughters. He loves fly fishing and mountain biking, skiing, water sports, art, photography, music, cooking, making wine/beer, building “things” like this Light, and yoga!

“Getting the right people, in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. That’s what I do.” Says Martin. He tends to simplify. As the President of a 160 employee company, he is entirely focused on running an organization that lets people do their jobs. “We have great people working for us and I trust them. They know what their jobs are and they are motivated to do them well.”