Surrounds landscapes in Sterling, Virginia, has a beautiful portfolio of work that beautifully demonstrates how the benign and basic are not actually all that attractive – and how, with the addition of some thoughtful planning, beautiful plants, and timeless stonework, any landscape can feel much more elegant and appropriate to the site where it lives. A Pool with Dated Office Park Vibes Transforms to a Hilly Oasis Before: Brick and concrete constructions are angular and full of acute angles that make the design feel tight, overworked, and uncomfortable. Surrounds work first caught our eye yea ..read more

Today we’re visiting a backyard transformation by a Jerry Galanti, who you may remember from last summer. We published two of his garden makeover projects, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to bring you another!- this time, it is a campground-inspired English-style garden. As you can see, this yard started off as a long and narrow stretch of patchy grass, a perfect foundation for bigger and much better ideas. The homeowners wanted an English garden as well as an area where they could grow their own vegetables and entertain friends and family. They’re also avid campers, so something to ..read more

You can see the beginnings of the new garden rooms that will be created in this small backyard. Last week I received an email from Dana who writes a blog called Catnip and Mint. She sent a few photos along with a short write-up about her new hummingbird haven, and I thought you guys would enjoy it. The most remarkable part of it all is that she’s only been working on it for a year! Check it out… Hav you ever noticed how more is more? This isn’t a big space, but by filling it with plants that not only attract hummingbirds but also break up the sight lines, suddenly, the whole garden feels a lot ..read more

So I’m pretty sure we’ve all been there at one point or another – summer evenings fill up, mosquitoes keep us indoors on even the most beautiful evenings, and thunderstorms show up on all your days off.  A few small weeds quickly morph into a miniature jungle, and so you’re left with something that looks like this photo above. Chaos in the backyard. But there are great trees and plenty of usable space – this backyard transformation makes a bog impact. Backyard transformation complete! Chaos in the backyard. But there are great trees and plenty of usable space – this backyard transfor ..read more

This week’s Before & After is another “small yard, huge impact” deal, which is always something I love. Christopher and Rachel moved into their house in 2003 and knew they had to do something, anything, with the landscape encompassing their home– the problem was that they were low on cash and big on ideas, so the entire backyard makeover transformation ended up taking quite a while. The boring before – grass, pavers and a fence. Send Help! Like most projects, in the end, it was totally worth the wait. It definitely makes me feel better about my own eyesore of a front yard. Sorry, neighbors ..read more

We are replacing our (now smashed due to last week’s tree removal) cheap metal rail garden fence with a much more attractive split rail fence. I have been considering the differences (both cost and aesthetic) between split rails versus snake rails versus vinyl fence materials, as well as even wood crate rail fences and chain link fences. I’ve eliminated some out of hand.   The idea of a vinyl split rail fence is so incongruous with the beauty of an actual wood split rail fence that I just can’t imagine. A wood fence quickly evolves a beautiful patina that lends a rustic look to any garden ..read more

Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste and Touch. These are the five senses that most cultures consciously use to experience the world.  But in Zambian tradition, there are 14 senses. (And there are some who argue there are as many as 33 senses!!) I’m not sure where I read this tidbit about Zambian culture (if you have a reference, let me know – I’d love to cite it here). Still, I’m fascinated by the idea of so many other possibilities to consider when designing our landscapes in a way that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also physically and emotionally engaging, encouraging us to conne ..read more

Where the growing season is short (or shorter than you want), there are many tricks that gardeners can employ to make garden-time last a little longer.  Highly practical changes can physically alter the conditions of a site, creating what are known as microclimates, and allowing for plants to produce or grow longer. There are also design tricks that make for a garden that retains its beauty through the fall and into the winter.  Salvia Leucantha flanks a coldframe filled with heat loving basil. image by goodlife_permacultureWhat is garden microclimate? A microclimate is an area whose ..read more

Writing a book requires reaching out to many people you might not otherwise have cause to contact. Interviews and image research require countless cold calls. This part of the project required me to mentally psych myself up. And at the end, it is what truly exhausted me (I guess the result of being a borderline introvert).   A beautiful garden featuring a natural pond and Irish design-inspired garden folly. But occasionally, those conversations bloomed into something more, and new friendships and relationships were born. As was the case when I called up John Cullen of Celtic Gardens reque ..read more

This week’s Before & After is another “small yard, huge impact” deal, which is always something I love. Christopher and Rachel moved into their house in 2003 and knew they had to do something…anything…with the landscape encompassing their home– the problem was that they were low on cash and big on ideas, so the entire transformation ended up taking quite awhile. Like most projects, in the end it was totally worth the wait….definitely makes me feel better about my own eyesore of a front yard. Sorry, neighbors….this is the year, I promise. Anyway, back to their awesome transformation.   ..read more