Before & After

Space to Play and Entertain Added to Sloped Yard in Great Falls

When the new owners of an outdated and overgrown midcentury property in Great Falls, Va., wanted space for their daughter to play, as well as walkways and a patio for entertaining, they turned to Rossen Landscape.

Although the sloped, one-acre yard had severe drainage issues and the homeowners’ budget meant the project would need to be done in phases, the experts at Rossen Landscape were able to prioritize features while meeting the property’s unique needs. Learn how the Rossen Landscape team created one-of-a-kind solutions for the unique landscaping needs of this Great Falls, VA property.

The Vision

When the homeowners first met with the Rossen team in October 2020, they explained that their newly-purchased home had been sitting empty for a few years prior to the sale. The result was an outdated home and an overgrown, neglected yard.

The homeowners wanted their daughter, who was two years old at the time, to have a safe space to play that would include room for a playset at a later date. They also requested natural-looking landscaping and hardscapes that would not clash with the unique style of the house, as well as privacy plantings to improve backyard views.

Overcoming Challenges

Since they had recently moved in and were involved in extensive interior renovations, the homeowners’ budget required the work to be done in phases. The first phase, a patio and planting, began in January 2021. The second phase, which started in April 2022, included correcting significant drainage issues, as well as walkways, sod, privacy planting, and a stacked stone wall.

Prior to the project, one area of the yard was essentially unusable, since it was often muddy as a result of a significant slope and poor drainage. The Rossen team added a French drain and connected downspouts into a buried pipe that directed water flow into a natural area along the perimeter of the property.

The End Result

While the main goal was to make the property usable, aesthetics also played an important role. To avoid a utilitarian look, the timber wall running across the yard was replaced with a 100-foot-long stacked stone wall made of Pennsylvania fieldstone. Hardscaping included stepping stone walkways, one of which was 130 feet long, and a 180-square-foot patio made of a natural irregular flagstone. To hide the air conditioning unit from the patio view, the Rossen team built a 25-foot veneer wall with natural stone.

Since the home’s architecture is relatively low to the ground, the Rossen team selected low plantings that would stand out against the house’s dark brown color in all seasons. They also chose only deer-resistant plants and opted for placements that would not block the light coming into the dining room and kitchen front windows. Boxwoods, purple rhododendron and a Japanese maple — the homeowners’ only request — provide visual interest all year long.

The two-year project resulted in a large, safe play space for the homeowners’ daughter, as well as attractive and functional entertaining spaces. The home’s curb appeal got a valuable boost from the well-thought-out landscaping. A future third phase will include a new front walkway and additional planting.

Trust Rossen Landscape for Professional Landscaping in Great Falls, VA

Your backyard should meet your unique goals and vision, while also enhancing the natural beauty of your surroundings. At Rossen Landscape, our team specializes in analyzing, planning, managing, and nurturing your natural environment with structures that maximize the outdoor opportunities in your space. When it’s time to upgrade your outdated and overgrown property, you can trust our team to bring your vision to life.

Find new ways to modernize your backyard in Great Falls with landscaping ideas from our blog or talk directly with our team to get custom landscape solutions for your needs.

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