 | McHale Landscape Design |
 | Kane Landscapes |
 | Walnut Hill Landscape Company |
 | Surrounds Landscape Architecture and Construction |
 | Pristine Acres |
 | Wheat’s Lawn & Custom Landscape |
 | Fine Earth Landscape |
 | Planted Earth |
 | Fine Landscapes |
 | Ed Ball Designs |
Ed Ball Designs brings more than 30 years of expertise to stunning outdoor spaces including custom pools, luxe outdoor kitchens and serene garden sanctuaries.
The owners of a home in Vienna envisioned their expansive, blank-slate property as a luxurious, resort-style outdoor living area and an extension of their home. Their wish list included a raised deck with a porch beneath it; a dining area overlooking a 20-by-40-foot pool equipped with a built-in hot tub and sheer descent water feature; and a pavilion with a fireplace and cozy seating. Plantings soften the hardscape, bringing color and interest. “The existing yard was uninspiring, lacking any features to enjoy,” notes designer and principal Ed Ball. “Our clients wanted it to be a central feature that could be enjoyed by all, whether entertaining or relaxing with family and friends.”
DESIGN FEATURES
Ed Ball Designs
703-433-1863 — edballdesigns.com
Four award-winning projects conjure grand, backyard escapes
Founded by award-winning landscape designer Charles Owen in 1978, Fine Landscapes’ staff of 65 completes as many as 110 design, installation and maintenance projects a year. In-house landscape architects, graphic designers, construction managers, horticultural specialists and tradespeople orchestrate each project; flawless execution, attention to detail and commitment to quality set Fine Landscapes apart.
1) Grand Award—Total Residential Contracting
Homeowners with a sloped property hired Fine Landscapes to design and execute a custom pool and spa with a complementary outdoor-living structure. The plan integrated the pool via grading and retaining walls. The new building harmonizes with the house.
2) Grand Award—Total Residential Contracting
A property features a swimming pool and spa, with a fire pit at one end, a large aluminum pergola and an outdoor cooking area. Tiered levels are planted to provide privacy; a flagstone terrace complements the home’s aesthetic.
3) Distinction Award—Total Residential Contracting
Fine Landscapes masterminded a landscape featuring a pool and spa; a travertine terrace and fire pit; and a pavilion with an outdoor kitchen and dining area. A rain curtain flows into the pool from the pavilion roof.
4) Distinction Award—Total Residential Contracting
A three-sided, raised-stone terrace beckons large groups, in a pool scape that includes a detached spa in a stone surround, a custom fountain and a custom shade structure. Stacked stone throughout distinguishes the design.
Fine Landscapes
703-421-7441 — finelandscapes.com
Planted Earth enriches the lives of clients by creating and maintaining beautiful and functional outdoor spaces.
Chris Vedrani launched Planted Earth in 2010 to deliver exceptional service in high-end, residential landscape installation. Over time, he built a loyal customer base and focused on growth. In 2024, he and his staff of 97 completed 45 installation projects and maintained 174 landscape-management accounts.
1) Grand Award—Outdoor Living Area
Planted Earth transformed a Cleveland Park property as part of a whole-house renovation. The landscape plan was intended to seamlessly blend the home’s architecture with the surrounding environment. Brought on board early in the process, the Planted Earth team headed by Virgil Gomez were entrusted with creating a vibrant and functional garden with a focus on planting, grading and drainage. Challenges included ensuring the retention of soil around a newly installed swimming pool and preserving lush plant material bordering the property.
HIGHLIGHTS
2) Grand Award—Residential Maintenance
Homeowners contacted Planted Earth to implement a meticulously curated landscape design. The site was elevated via lush plantings and high-quality sod. A new pool features plantings that screen it from neighbors.
3) Distinction Award—Residential Maintenance
Planted Earth was hired to install the landscape for a newly built custom home. The owners wished to enhance curb appeal and create year-round outdoor-living spaces. Expansive lawn panels define activity zones while a pool and extensive hardscaping offer room for gathering.
Planted Earth
410-857-4744 — plantedearthlandscaping.com
Founded in 1977, Fine Earth Landscape brings experience, reliability and resources to creating and maintaining beautiful outdoor environments.
Hired to create a formal garden on a blank-slate property, Fine Earth Landscape first had to meet the challenge of re-grading the property. The rear yard was raised 11 feet to be level with the first floor using a Keystone segmental-block wall system. Winter jasmine was planted at the top and hydrangea and magnolia at the bottom create a green screen for the wall. A patio and small outdoor kitchen anchor one end of the rear yard. A large, rectangular panel of lawn begins at the patio and ends at a sitting area under an arbor on the other side. Formal plantings bring color with lots of greenery.
DESIGN FEATURES
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc.
301-972-8810 — fineearth.com
Wheat’s Landscape offers construction services, property maintenance, pest control, irrigation and landscape lighting.
Wheat’s Landscape maintains an expansive property with the goal of keeping its gardens pristine and enhancing visual interest year-round. The team manages a diverse range of plant materials including various species of trees, shrubs, perennials and potted plants, each with its own needs. The owners prefer a manicured landscape, so extensive pruning and trimming is required to keep the beds neat and vibrant throughout the season. Mulching, mowing and turf applications ensure the lawn stays healthy, and pest prevention protects delicate plantings while routine assessments address stress, disease and nutrient deficiencies.
Hardscape elements such as brick and flagstone ground the front walkway and entry and create paths throughout the property; they are power washed regularly to maintain a polished appearance. In the backyard, a pebble patio for outdoor seating is kept neat and clean.
DESIGN FEATURES
Wheat’s Lawn & Custom Landscape
703-641-4790 — wheats.com
While designing and building unique, custom outdoor spaces, award-winning Pristine Acres strives to make the process enjoyable for clients.
Tapped to overhaul a dated pool and pavilion, Pristine Acres designed and implemented a new pool and patio, plus retaining walls and a new pavilion with upgraded features and a natural aesthetic. The pool boasts a waterfall and grotto feature that doubles as a retaining wall; natural stone boulders build up the grade around it while creating smaller waterfalls that play into the organic design. The hardscape palette includes travertine and irregular flagstone pavers; rustic, hand-worked building stone clads the pavilion, embellished with wood beams and thermal flagstone caps. Limelight hydrangea, Otto Luyken laurel and Winter Gem boxwood create softness and year-round structure.
DESIGN FEATURES
Pristine Acres
877-333-5651 — pristineacres.com
Surrounds develops and nurtures outdoor environments that positively change the way our clients live and experience the outdoors.
Surrounds was hired to devise a multi-faceted outdoor environment on a sloped property. Spearheaded by landscape architect Chad Talton, PLA, the plan incorporated a pool and expansive patio for entertainment, a substantial vegetable garden, lighting, drainage and extensive landscaping with shade coverage. “We worked around the sloped site, which had intrusive drainage swales, by creating two tiers,” Talton explains. “The pool is on the lower tier and the upper tier is the expansive rear lawn and vegetable garden.” Retaining walls, a raised-bond beam for the pool and an underground drainage system solved grading and drainage issues.
Travertine patios surround a composite-wrapped structure with cedar beams and a standing-seam aluminum roof. Lush shrubbery includes Cryptomeria, Green Giant Arborvitae, Crape Myrtle, Magnolia, Viburnum and Hydrangea. Drift Roses, Nepeta, Amsonia, Geraniums and Caryopteris provide color.
DESIGN FEATURES
Surrounds Landscape Architecture and Construction
703-430-6001 — surroundslandscaping.com
Walnut Hill focuses on craftsmanship and service in distinctive residential landscapes in Maryland, DC and the Eastern Shore.
The owners of a half-acre property in downtown Annapolis engaged Walnut Hill to transform the lot into a charming, functional outdoor living space. To achieve the client’s cozy, cottage vision, the design team added new stone walls, entrance pillars and bluestone walkways enhanced by grasses, hydrangea and boxwood.
In the backyard, the existing pool saw upgrades in the form of a custom water element and bluestone coping framed with ipe decking. The former garage was repurposed into a stylish kitchen/bar and workout studio. A newly designed courtyard links the house to the garage and pool, while the existing pergola was reimagined as a stunning focal point behind the pool’s water feature, elegantly tying the whole space together.
DESIGN FEATURES
Walnut Hill Landscape Company
410-349-3105 — walnuthilllandscape.com
Kane Landscapes was launched in 1991. Its team of 63 employees completes about 30 projects a year.
Owner and founder Josh Kane started mowing lawns in the fourth grade and had already launched his company when he earned his degree in business, horticulture and landscape design. “At Kane Landscapes,” he notes, “we believe that a well-thought-out design and high-quality materials installed and maintained by skilled craftsmen will ensure a successful and enjoyable project.”
1) Heritage Award—Residential: Outdoor Living Area Design/Build
The owners of a new residence in Leesburg hired Kane Landscapes to devise and implement a plan for their expansive property that would include multiple zones for entertaining and recreational activities. Among the features: a swimming pool with a pool house designed in the same style as the home and equipped with a built-in kitchen; and a sport court outfitted for pickleball and basketball.
The home’s transitional architecture is complemented by clean lines and open views. Extensive hardscaping is softened by curved planting beds. On one side of the pool, an integrated spa spills into the water.
Highlights
2) Grand Award—Residential: Outdoor Living Area Design/Build
Leesburg homeowners specified a landscape plan that would suit their wooded site, high-lighting mature trees and scenic views. A sport court enjoys flat terrain amid woods and grass.
3) Heritage Award—Residential: Outdoor Living Area Design/Build
Inspired by trips to Korea, the owners of a Leesburg property hired Kane Landscapes to harmoniously integrate a pool, koi pond and pool house, creating spaces for relaxation, meditation and entertaining. Fountains, outdoor lighting and fire features are among the details.
Kane Landscapes
703-803-3146 — kanelandscapes.com
From concept to impeccable creation and aftercare, McHale Landscape Design is known for extraordinary residential gardens, pools and outdoor living areas.
While renovating their contemporary residence, homeowners tapped McHale to conceive and implement a luxurious, modern backyard living space. The wish list included a patio, swimming pool, spa, fireplace, grilling station and privacy from neighboring homes. The landscape is anchored by a vanishing-edge pool with a grand fireplace at one end. A spa and water feature are integrated into the pool scape, where a patio of silver travertine and bluestone and a built-in grill promote entertaining. The home’s approach features two arrival courts, and pathways boast hand-chiseled, gauged-flagstone steps; the same flagstone caps the retaining walls. McHale orchestrated plantings, including screening trees that were installed early so they’d have time to establish privacy as they matured during hardscape construction. Irrigation and lighting systems are also part of the design.
DESIGN FEATURES
McHale Landscape Design
301-599-8300 — mchalelandscape.com
