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Drawing Board: Landscaping + Outdoor Living

Gracious Garden

Drawing Board Landscaping While renovating their home, a McLean couple tapped McHale Landscape Design to transform their lackluster yard into an inviting outdoor environment where they could entertain family and friends. The elaborate master plan included a complete overhaul of the front entry.

ThenNow
A steep slope from right to left caused drainage problems and an uneven appearance.A cut-and-fill project leveled the front yard while a new drainage system manages stormwater.
Mundane azaleas blocked the front entry—and served as deer food.A new flagstone arrival circle complements the home’s entry portico and welcomes guests in style.
The spare, nondescript plant palette did not provide a succession of color or textural variation.Masses of annuals and perennials, along with blooming crape myrtle, create year-round color and interest.
A barren lawn was a “wasteland” in front of the house.Flagstone pavers set into the turf forge an informal connection to the street.

 

Landscape Design: Phil Kelly, McHale Landscape Design, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Photography: John Spaulding.

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