A shady garden in springtime shines through use of color, form, and texture.

A shady garden in springtime shines through use of color, form, and texture.

A sloping garden made navigable with a sturdy stone path has an abundance of 4-season interest. A green border at the rear provides privacy from neighboring houses and is much more interesting than traditional screening.

A sloping garden made navigable with a sturdy stone path has an abundance of 4-season interest. A green border at the rear provides privacy from neighboring houses and is much more interesting than traditional screening.

A front landscaping with severe deer pressure.  Two underutilized native trees - sourwood and fringe tree - are visible in the foreground; the large tree toward the rear is the lovely Katsura.

A front landscaping with severe deer pressure.  Two underutilized native trees - sourwood and fringe tree - are visible in the foreground; the large tree toward the rear is the lovely Katsura.

Another view of the same front garden. A river birch in a naturalized setting with pennisetum and river stones with a blooming crape myrtle in the background. All are deer-resistant.

Another view of the same front garden. A river birch in a naturalized setting with pennisetum and river stones with a blooming crape myrtle in the background. All are deer-resistant.

This mid-century home got a much-needed facelift with a new walkway and deer-resistant plantings. This is only a couple of months old; the smaller perennials will grow and bloom along with numerous bulbs in the spring.

This mid-century home got a much-needed facelift with a new walkway and deer-resistant plantings. This is only a couple of months old; the smaller perennials will grow and bloom along with numerous bulbs in the spring.

Here is the back garden of the mid-century split level above. The seating wall is ringed by shade-loving plants that bloom throughout the year. The gravel path beyond lights up the deep shade and provides a dirt-free path to the driveway.

Here is the back garden of the mid-century split level above. The seating wall is ringed by shade-loving plants that bloom throughout the year. The gravel path beyond lights up the deep shade and provides a dirt-free path to the driveway.

Another view showing the native hydrangea 'Annabelle' and native heuchera 'Autumn Bride'. The variegated sedge 'Everest', while not native, is great for shade. In an informal setting like this, I love to place a massive boulder at the end …

Another view showing the native hydrangea 'Annabelle' and native heuchera 'Autumn Bride'. The variegated sedge 'Everest', while not native, is great for shade. In an informal setting like this, I love to place a massive boulder at the end of a stone wall.

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Before (top left) and after photos of this newly-installed city garden in a typical long, narrow D.C. back yard. The final product provides ample space for entertaining, play, and contemplation. Three good-sized trees and an abundance of 4-season shrubs, perennials, and grasses soften the stonework and provide interest; the revitalized deck with cables (center) allows full visibility of the improved view.

Here lamb's ear scuttles underneath old boxwoods while an old rose climbs up the statueque branches of a crape myrtle.

Here lamb's ear scuttles underneath old boxwoods while an old rose climbs up the statueque branches of a crape myrtle.

Two natives show great color in the early November garden. In the foreground is the yellow foliage of the perennial Amsonia hubrectii, in the rear is the shrub Fothergilla. Both are lovely spring bloomers.

Two natives show great color in the early November garden. In the foreground is the yellow foliage of the perennial Amsonia hubrectii, in the rear is the shrub Fothergilla. Both are lovely spring bloomers.

Even a small bed makes a big difference in finishing off the front of this mid-century home. Now there is 4-season interest and the river stones (in addition to correcting the drainage in the corner) provide contrast in shape, texture, and colo…

Even a small bed makes a big difference in finishing off the front of this mid-century home. Now there is 4-season interest and the river stones (in addition to correcting the drainage in the corner) provide contrast in shape, texture, and color. An Arnold Promise witch hazel is the large shrub in the front.

A massive climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ss.petiolaris) blooms in deep shade in a courtyard.

A massive climbing hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala ss.petiolaris) blooms in deep shade in a courtyard.

A close-up of the blooms of the native red buckeye. This smaller tree fits in almost any garden and deserves a broader audience.

A close-up of the blooms of the native red buckeye. This smaller tree fits in almost any garden and deserves a broader audience.

Constructing a massive stone path is the first step to creating a deer-resistant garden of native plants in a sloped backyard. It takes real expertise to place the stones as if Nature had put them there.

Constructing a massive stone path is the first step to creating a deer-resistant garden of native plants in a sloped backyard. It takes real expertise to place the stones as if Nature had put them there.