A Patio Makeover in Washington, DC
These Washington, D.C. clients wanted to convert the underused space below their townhouse deck into a relaxing haven with a cedar hot tub. They removed the old deck and installed a bluestone path, as well as a stone pad for the hot tub. LGS then designed and installed the surrounding plantings, and also refreshed an adjacent rain garden, which provides a colorful borrowed view for the space.
Amy’s design goal for the project was to create lush, year-round interest, so that it would be as engaging during winter dips in the hot tub as it was when retreating from the sun on hot summer days. Shade-loving foliage—much of it evergreen or semi-evergreen—takes center stage. The client’s preference for bold colors and strong contrasts is reflected in the warm red-orange of Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ and the cool silver leaves of Brunnera macrophylla ‘Sea Heart.’ Continuing this interplay, the bronze-copper tones of Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance,’ red mottled leaves of Epimedium ‘Pink Champagne,’ and vibrant red stems and leaf veins of Begonia grandis mingle with the blue-silver foliage of Carex laxiculmis ‘Hobb’ BUNNY BLUE and soft blue-green fronds of Adiantum pedatum. In time, the ferns will fill in to cover the support pilings for the deck, further softening the space. We can’t wait to see it again after the hot tub is installed!
Planting List:
Clethra alnifolia ‘Hummingbird’
Adiantum pedatum
Begonia grandis ‘Alba’
Brunnera macrophylla ‘Sea Heart’
Carex laxiculmis ‘Hobb’ BUNNY BLUE
Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’
Epimedium ‘Pink Champagne’
Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’
Heucherella x ‘Pink Fizz’
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
Phlox divaricata ‘Blue Moon’