​The main reason we use annual plants in our Northern Virginia landscapes is that they grow vigorously, bloom prolifically and are versatile. That’s a pretty good reason. In addition to flowering annuals, there are many non-flowering annuals that like shade and present a show of colorful foliage.  At Surrounds we use annuals to supplement your […]

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When developing a garden design, we draw from many types of cultivars as well as native plants to create a healthy, diverse landscape. Using cultivars gives our landscape architects a much broader aesthetic palette to work with. And, most importantly, gives us a wider range of plants that will adapt successfully to our Mid-Atlantic climate […]

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Plants that flower in winter? Yes! We tend to think mostly of spring, summer, and fall when we plan our gardens to have something in bloom for every season. But winter in Northern Virginia can be far more interesting and colorful than you might imagine. Winter flowering plants can contribute unexpected pops of color in […]

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We bought an older home that is nestled in a popular neighborhood. It’s great – but the landscaping style looks like it belongs to Grandma. It is so dated. Can we replant, so it is more up-to-date, or do we have to invest in a complete do-over? The importance of fresh, modern landscaping cannot be […]

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Maintenance is a fact of life, especially when it comes to landscaping. Your landscape is a living entity that will grow, change, and react to the climate in ways that require a garden care expert to keep it looking its best. And to be honest, in our climate, there’s no such thing as a truly […]

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How can I keep my landscape colorful throughout each season and what can I do to dress it up for holidays or special occasions? In a well-designed landscape, the planting plan will typically be based on the bloom cycles so there are new colors coming in each month throughout the season. As the early bloomers […]

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Many homeowners express a wish for a more spontaneous, natural-looking style of landscaping that is environmentally friendly. Increasing the percentage of perennial plants throughout your landscape is the surest way to accomplish that goal. But many homeowners worry that if they don’t choose the right assortment of plants and cultivate them properly the effect will […]

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A garden is a living, ever-changing work of outdoor art. And the best garden designers are highly attuned to the fact that whatever they plant today is going to take on a life of its own tomorrow. Paying strict attention to technique allows a garden designer or landscape architect to create outdoor environments that look […]

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A wildlife garden is a pollinator-friendly garden. It is a habitat made of native flowers and plants that attract butterflies and other pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds. Aside from the pleasure, you will experience while watching the performances of these colorful insects and birds, you will see your garden plants thrive. You will also […]

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The Role of Sedges in Garden Design Sedges are a plant variety that possesses distinctive looks and hardiness. They are adaptable to a variety of site conditions and offer a trove of textures and colors that bring depth to your overall garden design. Until recently, sedge has been one of the most useful yet under-used […]

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