Services

Native plants

Native species are those that occur in the region in which they evolved. They possess certain traits that make them uniquely adapted to local conditions, providing a practical and ecologically valuable alternative for landscaping, conservation, and restoration projects, and as livestock forage. Native plants can match the finest cultivated plants in beauty, while often surpassing non-natives in ruggedness and resistance to drought, insects, and disease. (https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/)

Hardscape

Everything from retaining walls, driveways, walkways, custom bench and seat walls, rockscapes, culverts, and headwall. It also includes patios, pools, and decks creating the main components of the design. Concrete, natural stone, pavers, gravel, and any combination. Create construction drawings for all hardscapes for the landscape contractor to build from and get permits.

Grading and Drainage

These facets of the design go hand-in-hand and are considered in every job. Even a project that is strictly plantings requires planning for stormwater runoff. For example, areas with a high water table may require plantings to be raised in berms. Other times, sites have poor drainage and require a swale or dry river bed to direct runoff. Newer techniques, such as rain gardens or dry wells help stormwater to infiltrate into the ground and improve quality.

Lighting

Enhance your landscape by highlighting plants or architectural features.

Both functional _ lighting staircases and walkways and aesthetic to provide atmosphere, highlight plantings, and architectural features. Lighting is integrated into the plans. Hardscape and planting design is very much considered when creating the lighting plan. Various and specific light fixtures are chosen to enhance. Step lights, pathway lighting, posts, uplights for trees. Lighting helps set the mood - wether you are entertaining or just trying to find the front door.

Plantings

Planting design is a big part of any design. Expertise and decades of experience working in this area using plants that grow well here. Expertise to be able to work with the microclimate on each site to understand the soils, lighting conditions, wind, etc. choose the plants that will thrive in each location. Every plant that I select is for that specific location. I explore new plants based on the needs of the location and the client’s desired aesthetic. Highly specific and no one-size-fits-all plantings. Customized for your location. I take a lot of pride in my planting plans and personally enjoy tracking trends in the plant industry.

Commercial

Storefronts, parking lots (in old town, make glamourous), entry drives, parking courts, helping clients make logical connections between parking area and storefront. Specializing in Old Town Alexandria. Urban streetscapes, tree plantings, sidewalks.

Family Friendly

Plan for the chaos and maximize your space. Turn the front yard into a meeting place for neighbors.

New Build Site Plans

Work with an architect to site the building in the best possible location. NOt only to allow for the best home location but to allow for the best exterior experience. Driveway, patio, solar orientation, grading, drainage, in conjunction with an engineer. Knowledge of City of Alexandria, Arlingtion, FFX Co. building codes. Maximize lot square footage and still have space for outdoor living. Reviewing county code sets LA’s apart from builders

Master Landscape Plans

Plant placement and selection are only one part of landscape architecture. A master plan considers grading, lighting, and circulation around the property. MP will reflect how the individual wants to be able to use the space - entertaining, outdoor cooking, sports areas, culinary gardens. In public settings, the MP looks at accessibility. Commercial sites MP’s consider traffic and parking considerations and local building codes.