When Nasima Hossain, a successful Washington lobbyist, turned her attention to her garden renovation, she was not surprised by her landscaper’s decision on a complete makeover. In her profession, complete and total change can be the norm since lobbying motivations can change overnight, and yesterday’s hot topics can be all but forgotten tomorrow.  However, when it came to her private backyard oasis, the changes had been little and frightfully slow. In fact most of her motivation to renovate has come from her mother’s joy of gardening and her desire to provide a tranquil space for her and her son. She was also concerned that the money she would spend would be a sound investment in her Capitol Hill row home. Her landscaper reassured her that the addition of a great outdoor room would add value to her home and provide her the tranquil retreat that she so desired.

The Challenge
The largest challenge was to take the garden – which was a blank slate, and when it rained a muddy puddle – and turn it into a fabulous retreat fit for her and her son. She had a desire to entertain outdoors in the summer but did not know if she would be able to achieve her dream space. She knew the garden had to be lush yet low maintenance since her work demanded long hours and most evenings were devoted to her son. The design had to be relaxed and refined. Her vision was that of her mothers’ extensive gardens in India, with fabulous grand garden rooms and lush tropical plants. She was a little worried by her small backyard and the multi function that had to be achieved. She wanted a patio, lush gardens, and a safe haven for her son to play. Could she have it all and still create a space that would be a sound investment? Her landscaper reassured her that, yes, she could create a space that would fill her desires and still be a good investment. The design had to be timeless and have broad appeal while meeting Hossain’s desire for a great outdoor space. She had a little concern that she would be able to have it all but once her landscaper put together the design she was ready to make the transformation.

The Demo
The demolition of the garden was to be a complete one. There were a few plants that Hossain wanted to keep if they could be saved. The butterfly bush and several viburnum, a flowering cherry and a climbing jasmine were all that was saved in the clean out. The soil had to be excavated, and the new planting beds required the addition of compost and organic soil amendments. Two tons of stone dust was brought in to create the base of the new patio and two pallets of flagstone and a half a pallet of fieldstone was brought in for the new patio and borders of the plant beds. Once the area was cleared and the materials delivered, the garden was ready for a first class makeover.

The Renovation
With the garden cleared of debris and all unwanted plants removed, the landscapers were ready to install the patio. The stone dust base was set and tamped, and the flagstone patio installed. The landscape designer used a white-pigmented paver sand to create high contrast to the joints of the flagstone. The field stone border was placed to break up the straight lines of the patio. Fieldstone is a natural stone that adds interest to garden beds and borders. The fieldstone was placed to create a break between the patio and the plant beds while adding a natural feel to the overall design. The plant beds were raised slightly to add yet another dimension to the garden.

One of the most important principles of good design when working in small spaces is the subdivision of the space. When you artfully subdivide the space the space takes on a larger, more interesting feel.

The patio, the fieldstone border and the slightly raised beds were great dividers of Hossain’s new garden space without being too contrived or predictable.    

The Plants
The plants were added to create yet another dimension or division to the new garden. The most important consideration was ease of maintenance. The plants had to be tough enough to not be destroyed by the occasional ball being tossed by her son. They needed to have a lush and tropical feel to help recreate the plants of her native India. The Viburnums and butterfly bush that were saved in the renovation became the backbone of the garden. To these existing plants Colocasia was added for their lush dramatic leaves, Oriental lilies were installed for their intoxicating scent. Large-leaved hosta added a tropical feel to the under story of the existing flowering cherry in the corner of her garden. Sedum and Liriope, peonies and Echinacea were all added for drought tolerance and ease of care. These plants also give the garden flowering interest from mid April when the peony’s are in bloom through the summer blooms of the Echinacea and the late summer to fall blooms of Liriope and Sedum. Her garden is now lush and inviting. The plants and shrubs now compliment and contrast each other and there is a lush feel that surrounds the glorious patio. The muddy backyard where even grass had a tough time growing has been replaced with a lush inviting secret garden. That is truly a busy Washington lobbyist’s private retreat.