Celebrating National Public Gardens Week: Why Green Spaces Matter More Than Ever

Cultivating Excellence: Meet RCI’s Horticulturist, Russell Harris Spring is a season of vibrant growth — and at RCI , we’re proud to have a seasoned horticulturist like Russell Harris guiding our approach to color, texture, and plant health across the landscapes we design and maintain. With years of hands-on experience and a passion for plant science, Russell brings a unique depth of knowledge that helps elevate our projects far beyond aesthetics. In this spotlight, we’re diving into Russell’s springtime strategies, practical tips for homeowners, and why having a horticulturist on our team makes all the difference. Why Horticulture Matters in Landscaping Landscaping is more than installing greenery — it’s about cultivating healthy, sustainable environments that thrive in their climate and purpose. A professional horticulturist like Russell understands not only what looks good, but what works long-term. He evaluates plant needs, monitors for early signs of stress or disease, and ensures every flower bed, garden, or ornamental installation is positioned for success. His insight helps us: Maximize plant health and longevity Reduce maintenance needs Ensure seasonal color thrives Integrate smart, sustainable plant choices Avoid costly mistakes due to improper spacing, watering, or soil conditions In short, Russell helps us deliver beautiful landscapes that stay beautiful. Russell’s Take: Spring Flowering Success Starts with the Basics When asked about the key to keeping spring flowers thriving, Russell keeps it simple: ✔ Water smart – Deep, consistent watering in the morning strengthens root systems and reduces disease. ✔ Mulch well – A good layer of mulch locks in moisture and regulates soil temperature. ✔ Keep blooms fresh – Removing spent flowers encourages continued blooming and avoids early seeding. ✔ Watch and adapt – Stay alert for pest issues or stress, and tweak your care as needed. These are the same principles he applies across large-scale commercial properties and public spaces, ensuring that RCI landscapes are not just eye-catching — but resilient. Big Impact, Low Fuss: Plants for Beginners and Busy Schedules Russell knows not everyone has time to fuss over a flower bed. For clients who want vibrant visuals without high maintenance, he recommends hardy performers like lantana , Angelonia , and SunPatiens . “These plants don’t ask for much but deliver stunning color all season long,” he notes. For shady spaces, he leans on impatiens , begonias , and torenia — all easy-going bloomers that hold their own in lower light. Common Pitfall? Overcrowding It’s tempting to pack flower beds tightly to create an instant lush effect, but Russell cautions against it. “Too many plants competing for space weakens them over time,” he explains. “You’ll get more pests, less airflow, and poor flowering.” His advice: take the time to understand each plant’s mature size — and don’t ignore the spacing guidelines on tags. Giving your flowers room to grow pays off in longer-lasting beauty. Russell’s Design Secret: Play with Structure One of Russell’s go-to tricks for dramatic beds and containers? Mixing plant heights and textures . He suggests starting with a tall focal point — like ornamental grasses or canna lilies — then filling in with mid-height bloomers like pentas , coleus , or foxtail ferns . Finally, trailing plants like creeping Jenny or verbena soften the edges and bring the design together. And when it comes to color? Russell says, “Solid color blocks create strong impact from afar, while mixed combinations work best up close.”  Growing Forward At RCI, we know that landscape success starts at the root — and having Russell Harris on our team ensures that every project reflects both beauty and botanical excellence. Whether he’s advising on a commercial installation or helping homeowners pick low-maintenance perennials, his passion for plants and dedication to healthy landscapes is an asset to everything we do. Want to bring horticultural expertise to your next landscape project? Get in touch with RCI today and let our team of professionals — including Russell — help you grow something great.

At RCI, we understand the importance of sustainability, both for the environment and for our communities. As we celebrate Earth Day and Arbor Day this April, we reflect on how we integrate eco-friendly practices into our landscaping services and the critical role trees play in enhancing both the beauty and health of our landscapes.

At RCI, our landscape designers bring more than just technical skills to the table—they bring passion, creativity, and a deep respect for the environments they shape. Two of our talented designers, Manny Lopez and Allen Worthington , took time to share their journey into landscape architecture, what inspires them, and how they approach creating impactful outdoor spaces. Here's a closer look at the minds behind the designs.

When planning a commercial or public space, the landscape plays a crucial role in setting the tone, enhancing functionality, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the environment. Whether it’s an office park, a public plaza, or a commercial retail development, the expertise of a landscape architect can make a significant difference in the outcome of the project. At RCI, we understand the immense value that a professional landscape architect brings to every design. In this post, we’ll explore the key benefits of hiring a landscape architect for your commercial or public space.

Celebrating National Landscape Architecture Month At RCI, our landscape architecture team is the creative force behind some of the most dynamic outdoor environments across the Gulf Coast. In celebration of National Landscape Architecture Month, we caught up with two of our talented landscape architects, Megan Olden and Tim Michell , to hear their personal stories, perspectives, and the passion that drives their work.

As we celebrate National Landscape Architecture Month this April, RCI is proud to highlight our talented team of landscape architects and designers who work tirelessly to create exceptional outdoor spaces. In this post, we sit down with Gene Peters, our Director of Landscape Architecture, to learn about his journey, the evolving field of landscape architecture, and RCI’s unique approach to design. A Journey Rooted in Passion and Creativity Gene Peters’ landscape architecture career began in his hometown in Mississippi, where he grew up working at a young age mowing lawns. “My first real job was for Live Oak Landscape in Natchez, MS when I was 16,” Gene recalls. It wasn’t until college that he discovered landscape architecture as a profession. After initially considering civil engineering, a conversation with a friend introduced him to landscape architecture, and by the end of the day, he switched majors and never looked back. His passion for creativity and sketching would become the foundation of his future in the field. The Role of Director of Landscape Architecture at RCI As Director of Landscape Architecture at RCI, Gene leads a dynamic team of landscape architects and designers, focusing on achieving departmental goals and delivering high-quality, on-time, and on-budget projects. “I work closely with ownership to set and meet annual budget goals for the department, manage our talented team, and ensure that we consistently provide exceptional results for our clients,” Gene explains. RCI’s design division specializes in providing creative solutions for public and private estate, resort, commercial, and institutional clients across the southeast. The Evolution of Landscape Architecture Over the years, landscape architecture has evolved dramatically, especially with the introduction of computers and software programs that have streamlined the design process. Early in landscape architecture, drawing was done by hand, and computers have certainly improved productivity and project management,” Gene notes. However, he also believes that there’s something irreplaceable about the hands-on approach: “Drawing by hand is a skill that’s still valuable, especially for problem-solving and impressing clients. I encourage my team to be avid note-takers and sketch alternate solutions during client meetings.” Embracing the Future: Trends in Landscape Architecture One trend that Gene finds particularly exciting is the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in landscape architecture. “AI is already making its mark and will only become more integrated into our work,” he shares. He cautions that those who don’t stay ahead of technological advancements risk being left behind. Sustainability: A Core Principle Sustainability has always been a cornerstone of landscape architecture, long before it became a popular buzzword. “Great designers use sustainable practices to lower long-term costs, conserve resources, and educate clients and the public,” says Gene. While sustainable design principles can sometimes raise initial construction costs, they ultimately pay off in the long run, making them a vital component of modern landscape projects. What Sets RCI Apart? RCI’s approach to landscape architecture is unique due to our specialization in design-build services. This single-source project delivery method allows our team to work seamlessly from design through construction, ensuring clear communication and faster project completion. “Design-build enhances efficiency, saves clients time and money, and allows projects to move quickly through the design and construction phases,” explains Gene. RCI’s services, including commercial hardscaping, irrigation systems for businesses, and HOA landscaping services, benefit from this streamlined approach. A Project to Be Proud Of: Splash RV Resort One of the standout projects that Gene is particularly proud of is the Splash RV Resort. “RCI started working on this project when it was an undisturbed pasture with mature live oak and other character trees. We modified their land plan to save more trees and designed a wildly successful waterpark. The resort is a major destination today and the success started with a client that understood the value of the trees and was willing to partner with RCI’s thoughtful design, attention to detail, and professional construction services,” he says. 

Our role in this large-scale project was to install key landscaping and hardscaping elements that seamlessly integrate with LSU’s existing campus while ensuring functionality, safety, and aesthetic appeal.

At the Four Seasons New Orleans, the thoughtfully curated outdoor spaces invite guests to immerse themselves in the city’s charm while enjoying a tranquil, luxurious atmosphere.

Hardscapes, which include elements such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, and seating areas, define the structure of your landscape, enhancing both aesthetics and usability.