I'm still recovering from Halloween - 538 trick-or-treaters is a LOT Of kids - and it's still framing how I look at things. Of the nearly …
Maryland Landscape Design
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 …
Dry Streambeds for Drainage in the Landscape
Often when I'm meeting with a landscape design client in the DC metro area, drainage comes up as a concern. Sometimes the client knows he or …
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 …
How Much Does a Retaining Wall Cost in Northern Virginia?
I recently spoke with someone who was looking for a retaining wall, four feet tall and ninety feet long. Before moving forward with a …
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 …
What is a Concrete Turndown Edge on a Patio, Anyhow?
Sounds so fancypants, doesn't it? I have a few projects underway that need one, and it's a simple concept that sounds more involved than it …
When Do I Call a Landscape Designer?
I get asked this question (or a variant thereof) a lot. After all, when contemplating a major remodel or new home, I'm needed to put the …
Basic Color Theory for Landscape Design
I'm a firm believer that Nature is awesome and flowers don't clash. Ever. The view from a hot air balloon of my ideal garden would look like …