Northern Virginia Landscaping

10/13/2026

One of the most common questions we hear from homeowners is simple on the surface, but surprisingly complex once you dig in:

-> “Should we build a patio or a deck?”

Most people start with aesthetics, what they’ve seen on Pinterest or at a neighbor’s house.

But the truth is, the right answer almost always comes down to how your yard actually works.

The first thing we look at isn’t materials.

It’s the land.

If your backyard is relatively flat, a patio usually makes the most sense.

It sits directly on the ground, blends naturally into the yard, and creates an easy transition from indoors to outdoors.

There are no railings to block views, no steps to navigate, and no framing underneath.

For families with kids or dogs, patios tend to feel more open and intuitive.

BUT if your yard drops off — even a little — that changes everything.

On sloped properties, trying to force a patio into place often means excavation, grading, and retaining walls.

Not only does that increase cost, it can actually reduce usable space.

In those situations, a deck can be the smarter option because it allows you to float above the grade and create level space without reshaping the entire yard.

Another factor many homeowners don’t think about until it’s too late is height.

Even a low deck typically sits 16–18 inches above grade because of framing requirements.

That means you’ll likely need railings, steps, or both.

For some people, that’s no issue. For others, it changes how they imagine using the space.

Patios, on the other hand, feel grounded.

Chairs can slide anywhere. You’re not thinking about edges or drop-offs.

Movement between the patio and lawn feels natural.

Cost plays a role too.

In most cases, patios cost less per square foot than decks.

Decks require structural lumber, footings, railings, and permits. Patios rely more heavily on materials and base preparation.

But here’s the twist: on steep yards, a deck can actually end up being more cost-effective than the retaining walls required for a patio.

There’s no universal answer, and that’s the point.

The best outdoor spaces aren’t built from trends.

They’re built from understanding the land, the home, and how people actually live day to day.

10/07/2026

Good plants in the wrong place? That’s the most common landscaping mistake we see in Northern Virginia.

Here are the six we see causing problems most often:

Leyland Cypress — planted for instant privacy, but the bottom canopy dies off by year eight and the screen you planted it for disappears completely.

Colorado Blue Spruce — beautiful at the nursery, but plant it in wet clay soil and needle cast disease works its way up from the bottom until the tree looks like a stick.

Emerald Green Arborvitae — same story as Leyland Cypress. When they're planted too close and one dies, the survivors have bare sides that never fill in.

Crepe Myrtles (wrong variety) — some grow 60 feet tall, so you can either prune it back every year forever, or just pick the dwarf variety that maxes out at 15 feet and gives you the same flowers.

Rhododendrons in clay soil — they need rocky, well-draining soil. Northern Virginia clay is the opposite of that.

Boxwoods for instant fullness — planted three feet apart, they merge into a solid wall with no air circulation within five years, and then you're removing every other one just to get back to reasonable spacing.

Every single one of these looks great at the garden center. The problem isn't the plant. It's the match between the plant and the place.

10/02/2026

10/01/2026

Arlington homeowners: What would make your backyard feel more private? 🌳

The interesting part?

Each answer could require a completely different landscaping solution.

A tall evergreen might make sense for one.

A narrow upright tree might work better for another.

And for something like HVAC equipment, ornamental grasses may provide all the screening you need without planting a tree at all.

Privacy landscaping isn’t necessarily about creating a wall around your property.

It’s about identifying the views you want to change and finding the right solution for those particular spots.

So, Arlington—what are you choosing? A, B, C, or D? 👇

09/28/2026

What’s the best tree for backyard privacy?

There isn’t one.

The better question is: What tree is best for your particular yard?

If you have plenty of room and want a tall evergreen screen, a green giant may be a good starting point. It grows quickly and provides reliable year-round coverage.

If you need dense screening closer to the ground, holly can be a great option. You’ll typically pay more for that density, but it can provide faster, fuller coverage.

Want something different from the standard row of evergreens? A deodar cedar offers dense evergreen growth with beautiful branching.

A cryptomeria can provide height and vertical interest, especially when you’re trying to screen a particular corner.

And for a tight Arlington yard where every foot counts, hornbeam has a narrow, upright form that can provide screening without consuming as much width.

But there’s a trade-off: hornbeam is deciduous.

When winter arrives, the leaves disappear—and so does much of the privacy.

That’s why we often combine plant varieties instead of relying on just one.

Evergreens can handle the important year-round sight lines.

Deciduous trees can add height, seasonal interest, and variety.

The goal shouldn’t be to find the “best privacy tree” on a list.

It should be to match the plant to the job.

How much space do you have?

How quickly do you need coverage?

Do you need privacy in January as much as July?

And exactly what view are you trying to block?

Answer those questions first.

Then choose the tree.

09/25/2026

Those aren't always the same thing.

Your patio might not require a building permit, while a retaining wall beside it does.

Your outdoor kitchen structure might be fine, while its gas line requires approval.

And your county may approve a project that your HOA doesn't.

The earlier you identify all of the approvals involved, the easier it is to build a realistic budget and timeline.

Permits are much easier to deal with before construction starts than after your yard is already torn up.

09/23/2026

It’s a beautiful Saturday in Arlington. How are you spending it in your backyard? ☀️🌿

There’s no wrong answer.

The best outdoor spaces aren’t necessarily the biggest or most elaborate.

They’re the ones designed around how you actually want to live at home.

And in Arlington and throughout Northern Virginia, creating that space sometimes means thinking about more than the fun parts—like materials, furniture, and landscaping.

Things like permits, property restrictions, drainage, utilities, and HOA requirements can influence what you’re able to build and how the project should be planned.

Those details might not be exciting.

But getting them right helps you get to the part that is:

Actually enjoying your backyard.

So, Arlington—what’s your answer?

A, B, C, or D? 👇

09/19/2026

Privacy shouldn’t mean giving up the backyard you wanted privacy for in the first place.

You still want room for the kids to play.

Space for the dog to run.

A patio where you can have friends over.

And enough open lawn to make the backyard actually feel like a backyard.

That’s why more trees aren’t always the answer.

Sometimes a few thoughtfully placed trees can block a neighbor’s window or screen an exposed patio without surrounding your entire property.

You get the privacy you wanted.

And you keep the space you wanted to enjoy.

For smaller Arlington yards especially, every foot matters.

Good privacy landscaping doesn’t close your backyard in. It helps you feel more comfortable living in it.

09/17/2026

When you want privacy now, buying the biggest trees you can afford seems like the obvious solution.

But bigger isn’t always better.

Larger trees cost significantly more because you’re not just paying for additional height.

A larger tree has a larger root ball.

It requires a larger planting hole.

And depending on the size, equipment may be needed just to move it into position.

Then comes another surprise.

A large transplanted tree can spend its first few years establishing its root system. During that time, you may not see much growth above ground.

A somewhat smaller tree can often establish itself more quickly and begin actively growing sooner.

For many privacy varieties, that means the smaller tree can start catching up to the larger—and much more expensive—tree within a few growing seasons.

So how should you decide?

Think about your timeline.

If a neighbor’s window looks directly onto your Arlington patio and that lack of privacy bothers you every day, paying more for immediate height may be worth it.

If you’re willing to wait a couple of growing seasons, starting with trees around seven to eight feet tall may offer a better balance between upfront cost and long-term growth.

There isn’t one right answer.

The important thing is understanding what you’re actually paying for.

When choosing privacy landscaping, don’t automatically ask:

“What’s the biggest tree I can afford?”

A better question is:

“How quickly do I need privacy, and what size tree gives me the best long-term result for my budget?”

09/16/2026

Want more backyard privacy without planting a wall of trees?

Start by figuring out where you’re actually being seen from.

Many homeowners approach privacy by looking at the property line.

We approach it by looking at the sight lines.

Maybe your neighbor added a second story and one window now looks directly onto your patio.

Or maybe there’s just one exposed section of your backyard that makes the whole space feel less private.

You may not need trees across the entire property line to solve those problems.

Strategically placing a few trees in the right locations can block the views that matter.

Tree selection matters, too.

Do you need year-round coverage?

How quickly do you want privacy?

In our latest article, Ibi Pashaei breaks down how Arlington homeowners can think strategically about privacy, including tree size, growth rates, sight lines, seasonal coverage, and choosing the right plant for the job.

Read the article:
nvalandscaping.com/blog/how-do-you-get-privacy-without-giving-up-your-whole-backyard/