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 $200 we spent on candy we have a bowlful … [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...]
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 she has an existing problem while other … [Read more...]
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 consultation he wanted a sense of what such a … [Read more...]
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 is. When installing a patio, you want … [Read more...]
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 icing on the cake. Here's where I fit … [Read more...]
Using Dry Stream Beds for Drainage
Here in Virginia we have clay soils that don't drain particularly well. We also get a fair bit of rainfall. When new subdivisions are built, especially in northern Virginia, the … [Read more...]
Endless Pool and Landscape Design in Alexandria, VA
Last year I was contacted by some folks in Alexandria, Virginia, with an intriguing project: they have a small backyard, and wanted to install an Endless Pool without giving up the … [Read more...]
10 Tips for Landscaping with Kids
With the end of another winter upon us, I’m reminded of my mom’s summertime refrain: “David, go outside and play!” Here’s a list of ten things to think about when creating a play … [Read more...]
Elements of Design: Shape or Form
We often think of shapes as two-dimensional: squares, rectangles, circles, and triangles. This isn't how we perceive them in the landscape, however. We see them in three … [Read more...]