AboutSean J Murphy, LA Expertise I can answer almost any question related to design, installation, pricing of landscaping and hardscaping. I am not a horticulturist though so I can not answer questions on pests or diseases of plants. I also can answer questions related to pools, water features, ponds, lighting, grading, drainage, walls, patios, decks and much more.
Experience I have been doing landscaping since I was 8 years old. My family owned a nursery in Florida when I was a teen and I owned and operated several lawn and landscape companies over the years. I have since completed 6 years of in Landscape Architecture at Purdue University and have a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. I have been practicing professionally for 13 years in Atlanta and the south east US. I have worked for some of the best and most well know firms and personalities in landscaping and my work has won many awards. I have worked for the likes of Disney, the 1996 Olympic games, and REIT Post Properties(Atlanta, Dallas, Austin, NY, Tampa, Orlando). I know many of the plants in Georgia and Florida plus surrounding states. I have passed the Georgia Landscape Architects Licensure Exam and can legally call myself a Landscape Architect Lisc. # 001156
I am currently the Department Manager of the Planning and Landscape Architecture Department of a local Multi-Disciplinary firm and used to own and operate Amenity Architects LLC. you may preview our work at www.amenityarchitects.com. My new employer is SoutheasternEngineering, Inc. see www.seenginering.com
I am also part owner in the family business Murphy's Garden Art also see at www.murphysgardenart.com.
Organizations American Society of Landscape Architects,
Keep Smyrna Beautiful,
ULI,
Smyrna Downtown Development Authority,
Smyrna Downtown Task Force,
Publications Landscape Architect and Specifier News,
Atlanta Homes Magazine,
Landscape Architecture Magazine,
Coastal Living, Magazine
Education/Credentials Pinellas County Center for the Arts 1984 - 1988,
Bachelors Degree in Landscape Architecture - Purdue University, 1994,
Mike Lynn Graphics Workshop 1994,
University of Georgia Wetland Delineation Certification 1995,
Post University Mini MBA 2000,
Edinburgh College of Art - 1 year co-op 1993,
Intern Smallwood Reynolds Stewart and Stewart Architects Atlanta1993,
Awards and Honors ASLA Merit Award 1994 Mined Land Project IN,
ACI 1st Place for Hardscape Design / Installation 1999 Biltmore Atlanta.
Coastal Living Idea House Design 2005/2006.
South Eastern Flower Show People's Choice Award for best garden design,
Many more!!! too many to list here
Past/Present clients
Georgia Governor Roy Barnes,
The State of Georgia,
City of Powdersprings,
City of Stockbridge,
Post Properties,
Bayfair Homes,
John Willis Homes,
Pulty Homes,
Serenbe Development,
Mayor of Smyrna-Georgia Max Bacon,
Question Hi, we have decorative red shale rock around base of our huge evergreen tree, and among our shrubs/tree areas...which I used to love but over the years it's become an eyesore, full of pine needles, pine cones, leaves and deteriorating shale...so it looks messy. What should I do? Do I need to buy new shale and pour on top of this old stuff or use a sieve to clean it (that will take hours!) Or remove it all and put wood chips instead?
Appreciate your thoughts. thanks Lori
Answer This is really a question of time an money. If you want to re-use the rock you have to take the time to make a sieve or wash all the rock to get out the old dirt and weed seeds. Digging it out, cleaning it one way or another and then putting it back. Verses buying new rock. However keep in mind, unless you plan to top the old rock with the new you still have to dig it out and place new rock so except for the part about cleaning the rock, there is little difference in time. Plus there is the cost of gas and time to go get the new rock and the cost of materials. This is really not something I can decide for you. Placing wood chips would work to but again you either cover over the old rock (leaving it to potentially come back through the mulch in a few months or years) or dig out the old rock first. As for any question of weather or not wood chips over rock creates any problems, no, not that I am aware of.
My suggestion is to dig out the old rock place it in a wheel barrel, dump in your driveway, rake and wash it, then place it back. Make sure you have enough rock to achieve a suitable cover that inhibits weeds. This is 3 inches minimum.
