Inspired by Nature - The Surrounds Blog

Bad bugs: They disfigure and kill your garden plants Most garden pests like to attack plants under stress when their defenses are down. Kind of like us, when our immune system is stressed we get sick. Holistic garden care services that include regular plant health inspections are the best way to stop emerging infestations before they get out of control.  Our...

Pollinators, Predators, and Pests There are many types of garden insects in Northern Virginia. They fit generally into three categories: Pollinators Predators Pests Which are the beneficial insects? Pollinators and predators. Much like your landscape maintenance provider they are the stewards of your garden. For this article we are going to focus...

Landscapes Designed with Native Plants That Attract Butterflies & Hummingbirds There is a good reason why more and more homeowners are interested in developing pollinator friendly gardens in their landscapes. The thousands of species of bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators play an integral role in helping your gardens thrive. And...

Is the front yard just for show? Are investments in curb appeal landscapes frivolous? Let’s think about this. Our landscape architects spend a lot of time developing front yard curb appeal landscapes and “arrival experiences” for our Northern Virginia clientele. However, much of the attention we get from the press goes to our back yard landscapes where...

A thoughtful landscape design inspires a secluded outdoor refuge at a new home on a busy street PROJECT SNAPSHOT  *Landscape Contractor Association 2024 Grand Award for Landscape Design Build Location: Chevy Chase, MarylandProperty Type: Newly built home in an established neighborhoodPrimary Challenges: Side yard exposed to busy Connecticut Avenue,...

How thoughtful design transformed a tiny lot with big constraints Project Snapshot* Location: Historic District – Herndon, Virginia Property Size: ~0.1 acre in-town lot Home Style: Custom farmhouse vernacular Primary Challenge: Small lot with engineered rain garden and historic district restrictions Signature Feature: Flagstone fireplace patio designed...

​Solving a functional design problem beautifully This Alexandria, Virginia residence had an awkward driveway configuration and needed a more inviting front landscape design. Working from a detailed site analysis and evaluation, Surrounds landscape architect Chad Talton worked with the client to identify three points that would be addressed in the design...

Ideally, you would want to work with a residential landscaping service that practices an all-in-one approach. That is, one that fluidly toggles between detailed garden maintenance, preventive hardscape maintenance, and landscape equipment maintenance.  Why? Because an outdoor environment is composed of both “living” and mechanical systems that must...

Does your front yard fall flat when it comes to landscape curb appeal?  ​Consulting with an experienced landscape architect can help you assess your property and determine what combination of plants, trees, and other features can transform your boring front yard landscape into the landscape of your dreams. A professional can also make recommendations...

What’s the difference between a nice landscape and one that makes you stop and stare in awe? Naturally, the artistry of the landscape architect and the finesse of the landscape maintenance team has a significant influence on the effect. But the success of that creative vision and expert care is dependent on how well the architect and maintenance crew...

If you are thinking about taking the leap and investing in front of house landscaping, you’ll want to consider all the angles to be sure you don’t overlook anything that might make your project fall short of your expectations.  It is essential to take an inventory of all the functional and aesthetic characteristics that will form the foundation of your...

Landscapes ideally should appeal to all of the senses—sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell. In fact, most of them reach all of our senses in varying degrees. In this article, we are going to focus on sound, specifically, the sound produced by backyard water features such as waterfalls, ponds, and fountains that have been designed into the landscape. In...

Front of house lighting designs tend to emphasize practicality over aesthetics. Most homes come equipped with basic utility lights at the front of the house. That outdoor lighting design will usually include illumination for the entry porch area, a few low to the ground path lights, and a lamp post at the start of the front walkway.  However, if the...

If you are already about to embark on a front yard landscaping project, now would be the ideal time to bring fresh driveway design ideas into the mix.​ Driveway aesthetics are usually an after-thought (if they are thought of at all) in front yard landscaping. A “makeover” of your driveway surface using new driveway materials could significantly enhance...

The decision to invest in a koi pond for your outdoor environment is a big one. That’s why we’d like you to be as informed as you can be about the essential elements of koi pond maintenance and design before you make the investment.  A backyard pond can bring many joys if it is designed and built correctly and maintained regularly. The murmur of a waterfall,...

We don’t usually think of privacy landscaping when considering the front yard. Front yard landscaping tends to be presentational because it is the public-facing side of your house. It’s about appearances, making a good impression on visitors or passersby.  The landscape leading up to and bordering your home is designed to show a beautiful setting that...

It’s a fair question — and one we hear often. You’ve invested in a beautiful landscape design and outdoor living environment, and now you’re being asked to invest again to maintain it. Why does that cost so much? The short answer is because you’re not paying just for mowing and weeding. You are paying for expertise and the skilled labor needed to care...

The artistic success of any front entry design or front walkway is built on sound functional design principles. Problems occur frequently in developer built homes because builders understandably focus on maximizing the beauty and spaciousness of the house. The fine details of front yard landscaping including front walkways, entry doors, and driveways...

Backyard water features, whether large or small, complex or straightforward, infuse your outdoor environment with a kind of music. The sound of water trickling over rocks or splashing into a pond is charming and inviting. While water features such as waterfalls, garden fountains, and backyard ponds bring an additional layer of sensory pleasure to your...

As we mentioned in a previous blog post, when front yard landscaping falls short of expectations, dysfunctional driveway design and blah front walkways are often the culprits. That is because the experience of getting from point A to point B is an essential part of the “arrival experience” that welcomes you home.  If the approach to the house is awkward...