The age-old mantra of the landscape designer: right plant, right place. If you carefully select for mature size that suits the space, you'll avoid heartbreak and excessive work. … [Read more...]
Protecting Trees from Deer
Deer. At times, they can be really cute. They don't do cute things to plants, though. Deer are a persistent problem in the landscapes and gardens of the DC metro area. I've … [Read more...]
3 Great Plants for Winter Color in the Virginia Landscape
Winter and I have a challenging relationship. I don't love the way business slows down for a few months, I'm not a fan of the fact that it causes my construction jobs to take … [Read more...]
Transparency in the Landscape
As modern humans, we spend our days surrounded by solid, imposing "stuff". We live in big brick and wood houses, drive two-ton steel vehicles to work on concrete and asphalt … [Read more...]
Winterberry Holly | Ilex verticillata
With fall comes an initial blaze of color as the trees turn, followed by a whole lot of brown and gray. Luckily we have a gorgeous plant for fall color: Winterberry holly, or Ilex … [Read more...]
Sweet Box (Sarcococca)
Right plant, right place. I know I harp on that a lot. Sorry about that. The fact of the matter is that a lot of people have these teeny-tiny little areas for which nursery-fresh … [Read more...]
Deer-Resistant Shade Perennials for Northern Virginia
When I design a landscape for a brand new home in a subdivision that was until recently a hay field, I rarely get to use shade plants. Then there are loads of established … [Read more...]
Landscape Design Lessons from a Newport Mansion
Several weeks ago MJ and I made the drive to Rhode Island for my niece's high school graduation. We stayed an extra day so we could celebrate my mom's birthday. Since everyone had … [Read more...]
Elements of Design: Texture
Texture deals with how smooth or rough a surface is. When talking about elements of structures, smooth surfaces can often seem more modern and contemporary, while rough surfaces … [Read more...]
Really Cool Outdoor Fireplaces and Features
One of the perks of my job is that I get to wander the internet in search of really cool products to use in my clients' projects. I came across a company called Raw Urth Designs. … [Read more...]