I don’t make any secret of the fact that I prefer natural stone to pavers, segmental wall block, or lick and stick stone. “Flagstone” can mean a pretty diverse array of stones and finishes, so which is the best flagstone for you? Pennsylvania variegated: the … Continue readingThe best flagstone for you: natural cleft, thermal, or honed?
What if you could get a Virginia landscape grant to help pay for your project? Would it help you make the decision to move forward? I know, I sound like this guy, but stay with me: The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts offer a … Continue readingDoes your project qualify for a Virginia landscape grant?
We’ve all walked on a badly built stepping stone path. The first couple of stones rock or wobble a bit, and then suddenly you take a step and WHAM you’ve hit the lever arm perfectly, and the stepping stone flies up and you take a … Continue readingHow to install a stepping stone path that won’t kill you
It’s amazing how capable we are of holding two completely contradictory “truths” in our heads at one time. For example, “I love my neighborhood” and “I need to not see my neighbors ever” are pretty common ones. It’s why so many people contact me for … Continue readingPlanting for privacy: 6 tips for screening the ugly
I get it: when you think of modern landscape design in Virginia you probably don’t think of me. A glance through my portfolio shows a lot of chunky wood and stone, big massed plantings, and several farm and estate properties. And yet, deep within my … Continue readingCase study: Modern landscape design in Virginia
I’m just old enough that I remember the Christmas Wish Book, that fat, glossy, full-color catalog – was it from Sears? – loaded with toys and other stuff to fuel my suburban childhood whining. Pawing through the pages and imagining the epic GI Joe battles … Continue readingWhy we don’t use interlocking wall block for freestanding walls
“I just can’t handle it any more. We’ve tried everything we could think of, and it’s just constantly a weedy, muddy mess that feels like a total waste.” He sounded frantic. Desperate! Hillside landscaping can do that to a person. Those steeply sloped beds seem … Continue reading7 ideas for hillside landscaping
Guess what? July 2nd, I celebrated NINE YEARS of being my own boss. Ring that bell! In that time I have learned so, so much. And I’ve gotten to work with and mentor newer designers, as well as get great advice and coaching from those … Continue reading60 things landscape designers should know
There’s a certain appeal to gravel paths and patios. They somehow manage to at once be both casual and formally elegant. A gravel path says “let’s go somewhere, and you don’t need a tie to get there.” The thing is, a gravel path can be … Continue readingHow to build a gravel path the RIGHT way
In Roman days, genius loci referred to the protective spirit of a given place. Today, we refer to it as the atmosphere or general “feel” that a location has. I’ve been to public gardens all over the country, and while they’re all beautiful I’ve never … Continue readingWhy you need to visit the Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens