THE WOODLANDS, TX – March 7, 2007 - To complement the rustic nature of their home, which is set on five acres in Magnolia, Mark and Renee Stephens took great pains to find just the right landscape professional who would bring their vision to life.

Ron Thompson, owner of Thompson's Landscape Services, was recommended by their builder, Terry Picklo of Country Builders. Having opened his business in the Magnolia area in 1992 and having worked on several projects there as well, Thompson fit the bill after several other landscape architects fell short of the Stephens' expectations. "The integrity and the quality of work were excellent,” said Renee Stephens, adding Thompson and his team were always professional, prompt and polite.

She explained how Thompson transformed five acres of land, some wooded, into a unique landscape design. "We needed to soften the environment, and we didn't want it to look like suburbia,” she said.

Thompson agreed the idea was to highlight the property's natural elements and to make the design harmonize with the Stephens' cedar home.

"They wanted rustic, something that didn't look like everybody else, so we didn't do any hedges or any of your typical, run-of-the-mill ground cover, and we tied the design to the architecture of the house,” he said. "It has a very woodsy, natural feel to it.”

The design included 10 flower beds in the front of the house and five in the back. The beds, which are surrounded by boulders, were populated with plants native to Texas. Stephens said Thompson also installed lights that highlight the landscape design after dark. "They accent the home as well as the garden,” she said. "It's very subtle but incredible.”

Thompson will share his landscape ideas and design tips at the Fifth Annual Spring Home & Garden Show at The Woodlands. Topics he will cover include how to create an outdoor kitchen, how to turn a backyard into an oasis of trees and flowers, and how to create a putting green.

Other home-trend experts lined up for the event include Peggy McGowen, who specializes in kitchen design; Jost Lunstroth, who will speak on home wine storage; Michael Garfield, the High-Tech Texan; Brenda Beust Smith, offering tips from the Lazy Gardener; and award-winning interior designer Chaliese Smith, just back from Market, will have the newest furnishing ideas.

The popular event takes place Saturday, March 31, 9:00am-7:00pm and Sunday, April 1, 10:00am-6:00pm at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center,1601 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands, Texas, 77380.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and children under 12 are admitted free. FREE covered parking will be provided in the Convention Center garage on Six Pines with walkway to the hotel. Valet parking is also available.

For more information, including a complete list of the over-200 exhibitors, visit WoodlandsShows.com.