GARDEN PROFILE:
A Meditative Spot in the Heart of NW

Several years ago Marilyn Matthews decided to renovate her beloved childhood home at the corner of 15th and T streets, NW. Her plan was to create an ultra-modern interior that would showcase her extensive art collection and to design two separate gardens in front of her house - one a tranquil yet powerful space dedicated to her sister who passed away several years ago and the other a space for meditation and relaxation.

Over the years, Ms. Matthews has amassed a large collection of art; displaying it in her home was of utmost importance. To achieve this, lighting was installed throughout, perfectly complimenting her pictures, and built-ins were added to hold artwork. The house has become a tribute to her many years of art collecting.

Interior renovations also included the installation of a gourmet kitchen which now provides a wonderful view of her herb garden, tying together two of her passions - cooking and fresh foods. When Ms. Matthews looks out on the garden, she is often taken back to lovely herb gardens she saw while traveling through Europe.

When it was time to design the other two gardens, Ms. Matthews consulted with a professional landscaper to accomplish the things she needed to have: a memorial to her sister; a peaceful place where Ms. Matthews could relax with a favorite glass of wine; water, stone and herbs; and an individual, artistic flair.

This garden renovation would be quite a challenge. The landscape designer had to work with two separate spaces, measuring approximately 13 feet by 7 feet each, divided by the main stairway to the front door. And this tranquil space had to unfold on the extremely busy 15th Street.

Here is how the landscape designer created the garden of Ms. Matthews' dreams.

An existing Japanese maple was the only plant to stay; around this plant, the designer added Nandina, Liriope, Nellie Stevens and variegated American Holly. Daylilies and a topiary potted in an ornate Mexican planter were added, as were copper planters filled with herbs and several large field stone steppers. The designer wanted this portion of the garden to have a cozy welcoming feel, yet it had to somehow mesh with the second half.

The second half would be starker and more meditative. To achieve this the designer added large goose-egg sized, earthen stones to the back border of both beds. This element has softened and contrasted the harsh lines where the house meets the garden and brings both gardens together extremely well.

The second part of the garden has a large pea-stone circle with a big abstract stone statue in the center. An enormous Nandina, giant juniper topiary, Arborvitae, and a broken hedgerow of Boxwood and Japanese Holly surround this.

The front of both gardens include seasonal plantings that always contrast and compliment. It is very unlikely that a contrived, predictable summer border will ever be planted in the front portion of Ms. Matthews' garden. Instead, it's more likely that Tabasco Coleus, and Dragon Begonias planted between Persian shield and Lavender will create the border.

The gardens now flow together yet stand apart, and Ms. Matthews thoroughly enjoys her gardens. In fact, she can be spotted on many evenings enjoying a glass of wine in the heart of her meditative, memorial green space.