In this case study for a family garden in Washington DC, water takes centre stage. Craving an aquatic idyll, the clients requested a garden with a waterfall, lazy river and natural swimming pool, taking advantage of a natural depression in the back yard. A native plant-filled rain garden completes the watery picture – keeping water around in a separate part of the property.
The design aims to meet their goals of creating a space for the whole family to relax and have fun, where nature could also be allowed to thrive – a space filled with beautiful, native, naturalistic planting including edibles and medicinal plants for casual foraging.
In this garden for a family of five, with teens and adults, several different seating areas allow for casual get-togethers at different times and with different age groups, looking out over the large natural swimming pond and river feature.
The most prominent part of this design is of course the water – spreading across the space, integrated with naturalistic planting so as to anchor it within the landscape and make it feel like a more natural feature. A solar-powered pump moves and aerates the water, ensuring that this is a sustainable choice.
The family, in requesting this feature, were in part inspired by Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, a park nearby on the Anacostia River with its fascinating history, wildflowers, marshland and waterlily-clad display pools in the river’s floodplain. The hope is to recreate a little of its magic within their own garden – creating a haven for wildlife and people in the process.
If you have your own unique dreams for your garden, and just need some help to synthesise your ideas and bring all your thoughts together, I would love to help. Please get in touch to discuss precisely how I can help you bring your garden dreams one step closer with a bespoke garden design.
EWSP Consultancy 