Home & Design

River Vista

Sisson Landscapes conjures a picturesque aerie above the Potomac River

Gathering Spots: Spaces for backyard get-togethers

Q&A with Denny Sisson, Sisson Landscapes

What were the goals of the project?
The vision was a beautiful and functional space for entertaining on an undeveloped part of the property. Enhancing sightlines to the river was a key element of the design, which called for distinct yet cohesive spaces intended to foster serenity, contemplation, beauty and celebration.

How do these spaces facilitate relaxing, gathering and entertaining?
By combining terraced hardscaping and complementary plantings, we were able to implement a series of patio “rooms” for gathering—one of which centers on a built-in stone fire pit. A parterre garden with a fountain creates paths between spaces and anchors the landscape.

What hardscape materials and plantings did you implement?
We used a combination of Carderock masonry stone, stacked stone walls and broken flagstone with mazus as well as beautiful local boulders.

Sisson Landscapes
703-759-2012
sissonlandscapes.com

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