Have a safe and happy New Year!

 

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Light up your Holidays

Have you made it downtown this holiday season yet?  If not, I hope you get an opportunity to over winter break.  Preferred is so honored to help the city with not only the lights on the actual river walk but at many of the parks and offices around the city too.    San Antonio is a beautiful and fun city and the holiday lights only make it better!  Happy Holidays!

 

Give the gift of green

Are you not sure what to get someone this holiday season?  You can't go wrong giving a live plant.

 

Here are the three of the popular options and tips on how to care for them:

 

Christmas Cactus comes in a variety of colors.  It is easy to care for but be sure to let the soil dry out before watering it.  This can remain a house plant until spring and then it can be placed in a container starting in May.

Rosemary "Christmas" tree - This tree can actually be replanted once the holidays are over.  Be sure to remove the wrapping and allow the water to drain to avoid rotting.  Again, be careful not to overwater.

Poinsettia - Keep them away from places that experience wide varience in  temperatures.  Place them by a window but make sure it isn't touching a cold window.  Water when the soil is dry to the touch and water until it starts to drain through.

Exclusive Preferred offer on Poinsettias

Free Rain Sensor

Our customers can receive a free rain sensor for their irrigation systems!  Preferred Landscape and Lighting is waiving our installation fees and SAWS is providing a free wireless rain sensor.  To apply for the program, go to  http://www.saws.org/Conservation/Outdoor/RainSensors/.  Once you receive the coupon, give us a call at 210-657-7737 and we will get you on our schedule.  The program continues through March 1, 2014.

Why is SAWS and Preferred offering this great opportunity?

All in-ground irrigation systems – both residential and commercial – are required by city ordinance to have a functioning rain sensor. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many are nonfunctioning or missing despite the legal requirement.

A functioning rain sensor can save a lot of water, benefiting both the customer and the community. In fact, a rain sensor can save between 20 to 30 percent of your annual water use.

That's why for a limited time, SAWS is offering a WaterSaver Rain Sensor Coupon good for a free wireless rain sensor and $60 toward the cost of installation through a participating licensed irrigator. This program gives those with older systems (installed prior to Jan. 1, 2012) an opportunity to bring their system into compliance and to verify water savings when a high-quality rain sensor is provided

Wow - we were so excited to get this customer feedback!

"This is an overdue note to say thank you for the services provided by Preferred Landscape and Lighting. Last year, when I approached you for landscape services for my home, I had planned on improving the look of landscape in the front and back yard, updating the lighting and irrigation, and most significantly, adding an outdoor pergola and fireplace area. I was intent on having this finished in time for our annual Halloween party. Not only was it finished on time, but you even helped me hang my outdoor lights and decorations right before the party! And the revision of the front porch and addition and artistic placement of large pots, suggested in the landscape design, was something I had not envisioned, but it turned out beautifully.

In the past year, the outdoor fireplace and pergola area has become an important extension of our home life. I have enjoyed a glass of wine with my friends on many a pleasant evening, and my son has loved having the area as a place for he and his friends to hang out by the fireplace and chat.

This year, terrible weather hit San Antonio on the day before Halloween, with heavy rains and storms. My regular maintenance service on Halloween day was canceled early in the morning because of the heavy rains. Fortunately for our annual party, the weather actually cleared by about 10 AM and we had the best weather ever for that evening. But I was in a bit of a panic, with all the preparations that had to be completed for the party. The weather the night before had blown tree debris all over the back porch and pergola areas, and when Rachel called to tell me services were canceled and that the crews had been told they could leave, I told her about the party plans. She immediately offered to help….the major concern was just blowing off all the debris and cleaning up, so she came over herself to take care of that, allowing me to concentrate on the rest of the preparations for the party.

Most recently, the water feature and lighting installed in the atrium outside the master bath has completely transformed the whole bathroom…so much more pleasant for the large window to look out on that than the unkempt area that was there before!

I sincerely appreciate the prompt and considerate service provided by you personally, and by all the folks at Preferred Landscape and Lighting. My initial decision to work with Preferred was on the basis of great reviews from a good friend of mine, and I can add my positive experiences to his. Thanks for all you’ve done for me over the past several years! Best, Susan"

Before and After

Here are some Before and After pictures of a recent project.  A church was looking to fix up a courtyard area and we are really pleased at how it turned out. We love the mix of the hardscape to make it functional and the softscape to soften the look and bring some green to the area!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas everywhere you go...

It is that time of year again and our Holiday Decor division has been super busy decorating for the holidays for our customers!  Here is a customer comment we received this season.

"I want to thank you so much for all your help and also your team of installers and Ricky (very polite & knowledgeable) for fixing the timer. The weather was awful cold and wet but your team persisted until it was done. The tree is so beautiful and neighbors close and far have come to express how beautiful you all have made our tree. The children and grandchildren were surprised and thrilled. One of the granddaughters is having her graduation picture done here!! In fact request to use our tree for Christmas pictures by family & friends have been made. We are very happy with these Holiday Lights.  Bless You, Shirley & Charlie"