In their 80’s when they commissioned this design, our clients’ stated dream was to own a full-grown garden within one season. We replaced the treacherous walkway with a more level path that was appropriate to the house and existing stairs and added several large ornamental trees (star magnolia, weeping cherry, and crape myrtles) to anchor and lift the right corner of the house. Evergreen shrubs and sweeps of blooming perennials underneath the trees completed the ‘after’ picture, which was taken only one month after the installation! The result delighted not only the clients but the entire neighborhood, which had enjoyed seeing a garden “come to life” and enhance the beauty of their street.

Bethesda Townhouse Garden

Jane Berger, APLD and Anne Irving, APLD
The Garden Design Group, LLC
Alexandria, VA

This garden's unique vista overlooking the Dalecarlia Reservoir and its exposure to full sun dictated much of the design. It afforded the opportunity to use a combination of grasses, heathers, evergreens and flowering plants to take advantage of the site conditions and echo the modern, open feeling of the house and landscape. It features an espaliered magnolia grandiflora, an evergreen clematis armandii, an akebia vine trained over brick arches, a spacious bluestone patio for entertaining, and a manicured lawn with a mortared brick mowing edge that matches the house.