When Joshua Dean of Wheat’s Landscape arrived to revamp a McLean landscape, he found a soggy yard with languishing trees and a few ferns in full sun, a pool in need of an overhaul and no focal point. The owners requested a contemporary, refined look and improved views from their kitchen window.

Now, a wisteria-covered, semicircular stone-and-wood arbor draws the eye. An existing fire pit occupies the space beneath it, adjacent to the pool deck. Lush greenery and an array of purple and pink salvia and variegated Japanese iris impart vibrant color and texture. A bank of Green Giant arborvitae provides privacy from the neighbors.

“I wanted to make sure the garden felt clean and contemporary the way the rear of the house does,” Dean says. “When you’re in any of the social spaces, it feels intimate. The purpose was to make it inviting.”

Dean regarded the site and reshaped the pool deck, replacing 2,500 square feet of concrete pavers with flagstone for an updated look. He capped the walls throughout the property with West Virginia stone. Rustic stone accents the arbor, fire pit and paths. A variegated Kousa dogwood stands out in a hedge of skip laurels, positioned to conceal pool equipment. Stained concrete containers filled with annuals add color. A play area for the owners’ kids features a lawn, paths and a portable sand table.

Award: Grand, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build). Landscape Design: Joshua Dean, Wheat’s Landscape, Vienna, Virginia.