The sweetest yard on the block

By Patricia Nugent

Memorial Day Weekend—the unofficial start to summer—is just days away. Since sometime last October, you’ve been waiting, and waiting, and waiting to reacquaint yourself with your backyard.

This year, why not make the most of Cleveland’s mercilessly short summer by doing a makeover on your space? Come home from long days at work knowing you can just step out your back door, dangle your toes in the water and dive into a poolside paradise?

Candyapple Nursery and Landscape has made a name for itself by providing high-end, custom-built fiberglass pools and spas, as well as everything needed to go with them, from lush landscaping to patios, firepits, water features and fencing.

With a lead-time of eight to 12 weeks, if you book your design consultation now, you’ll be the envy of your neighbors and throwing a killer pool party by the time 4th of July rolls around.

“Whatever you can imagine, we can build,” says Hans Maybach, who founded Candyapple 11 years ago.

“As an exclusive dealer and certified installer of Imagine Pools, we can suggest the shape and style that best fits your needs—whether it’s a 16-foot kidney-shaped plunge pool for cooling off or a 40-foot-long rectangular pool with a deep end for diving.”

Where Design Meets Durability
With more than 40 years of experience, Hans explains that since they’ve installed so many pools across Northeast Ohio, their designers, technicians and landscapers have a keen sense of what will fit your outdoor space.

“All of our models come with a lifetime warranty,” he continues. “These are hands-down the best-made pools in the industry, featuring superior structural strength and luxurious designs.”

The leading-edge pools are gel-coated in a shimmery range of beachy shades, from coral blue to storm grey and reef blue.

In addition to in-ground pools, he says many of their customers are installing highly versatile swim spas. Part hot tub, part single lane lap pool, these heated, above-ground spas offer year-round fun and fitness. The rectangular designs range from 12 to 20 feet long.

“They offer several ways to enjoy them, whether for exercise and lap swim in the continuous current jets on one end, to ample seating and relaxing on the other end,” says Hans.

"They also come with entertaining options such as Bluetooth speakers and lighting that changes colors."

For maximum enjoyment in your water wonderland, Candyapple offers everything from laying travertine pavers made from natural stone that absorb water and look gorgeous, to a full line of Amish-made outdoor furniture, including chairs, tables, swings and gliders.

“People want to enjoy the outdoors in the evenings, too, so we incorporate a fire feature and lighting elements into almost every job,” he says. “And one of the most in-demand items this year is a metal grate grill top that goes over the top of a firepit. People can cook enough burgers on top for a big crowd, or anything else they want to fire up on the barbie.”

Other party-perfect complements to a pool setting include fountains that emit the tranquil sounds of falling water.

They also offer sheds and barns, new lawn installation, pond installation, tree removal, lawn mowing, mulch and topsoil, and fertilization to keep your yard looking its very best year-round.

The Nursery is Now Open
For the widest selection of locally grown trees, shrubs and roses, in both classic and exotic species that will thrive in our zone, stop into the nursery. They also offer many types of flowering hanging baskets to spruce up your space.

Whether landscaping new beds or sprucing up existing ones, Hans says they are adept at custom-creating the final look matched to the customer, selecting their favorite colors, shapes, etc. They like to get a feeling for people’s style by what’s in their home.

“For instance, if someone has a modern home and interior, we typically opt for crisp, uniform lines and boxy hedges,” he explains. “With rustic or Victorian decor, we often establish a free-flowing perimeter with more traditional and romantic flowering shrubs, such as hydrangea.”

Additionally, they make sure they combine trees, shrubs and perennials that will bloom continuously throughout the spring, summer and fall.

And Candyapple has the skills to keep your existing greenery looking gorgeous.

“Annual pruning and trimming can add years of life and vitality to your trees,” says Hans, who is a master pruner. “I can make directional cuts within the root system to save a tree from growing into a sidewalk, and also score the bark to promote new growth.”

The clock is ticking away on your new summer paradise. Are you ready to dive in?

Candyapple Nursery & Landscaping is headquartered at 1075 South Court Street in Medina, and the nursery is just down the street at 6132 Wooster Pike in Medina. Don’t miss Candyapple Boutique within the building, offering a host of gourmet hand-dipped apples, hand-crafted jewelry, candles and more. For more information, call 330-591-7009 or visit CandyappleLandscaping.com.