Architectural Expertise - We bring together a half-century of experience guiding projects from concept through construction. Our experience across a multiplicity of scales & project types, fluency in varied design styles, and diverse staff provide fertile ground for thoughtful landscape architecture.

Immersive Environments - Gardens should be potent, healing, wild, woolly, resilient, bold, rich, powerful, and appeal to all our senses. The best gardens are balanced with great architecture and made by people who understand both.

Commitment – Moody Graham is committed to exceeding client expectations in every phase of the project. This care extends to the people, flora, and fauna that occupy every site; a promise to start each project on a path of regeneration towards a more artful, ecologically rich, and sustainable future.

Quality – Through design research and multiple initial concepts, we test alternatives and arrive at the most successful solution. Our familiarity with the best product manufacturers, quality materials, and experienced craftsmen ensures that projects are completed to the highest standards.

A Landscape Architect is a design professional who holds a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in landscape architecture, has professional experience under the supervision of a licensed Landscape Architect and has passed the L.A.R.E. (Landscape Architect Registration Examination).

According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, services that require a landscape architect include, but are not limited to the following:

• Investigation, selection, and allocation of land and water resources for appropriate uses;
• Formulation of feasibility studies, and graphic and written criteria to govern the planning, design, and management of land and water resources.
• Preparation, review, and analysis of land use master plans, subdivision plans and preliminary plats;
• Determining the location and siting of improvements, including buildings and other features, as well as the access and environs for those improvements;
• Design of land forms, storm water drainage, soil conservation, and erosion control methods, site lighting, water features, irrigation systems, plantings, pedestrian and vehicular circulation systems and related construction details.

The information below is from the American Society of Landscape Architects and may be helpful in distinguishing different titles:

Landscape Architects design residential gardens, as well as provide professional services in land and urban planning, site design, natural resource management, park and recreation planning, environmental conservation, and historic preservation. Landscape architects have an undergraduate or graduate degree and are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Because of their unique combination of design skills, technical experience, and plant knowledge, landscape architects are the best choice for a major outdoor design project, or a project with technical landscaping issues, like stormwater management or native plants, that could have significant environmental impact.

Landscape Designers can be likely choices for designs that do not require construction, grading, or specific technical knowledge. They may have completed a degree program. Some landscape designers attend training or certificate programs, but many are self-taught. Designers are usually a lower-cost option and can be quite satisfactory for planting plans and small projects like perennial bed designs. The best way to evaluate designers is to check references and past projects.

Horticulturists are trained in the science of growing and producing plants. They typically complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in that field. Many horticulturists become nurserymen or work in garden centers. Horticulturists are ideal advisors about specific plant choices and care needs, but typically lack design skills and technical knowledge about drainage, earth-moving, and other aspects of major projects.

Landscape Contractors install planting elements of a design conceived by landscape architects or designers. Landscape contractors may have a practical background in gardening and/or construction work. Prices and quality vary widely. Always check references and past projects, as well as their employment status.

Of course, life is never this simple. Consumers will run across the vague title "landscaper," as well as combinations of categories listed above. Landscapers are generally landscape contractors, but they could also be horticulturists affiliated with a nursery. Adding to the confusion, nurseries often offer free design services with large, full-price purchases.

Design/build firms often advertise combinations of the job categories listed above. These companies offer the design, installation, and at times, the actual plant materials. With design/build firms, a consumer should evaluate the training and expertise of the individuals doing each task; ask if the designer is a licensed landscape architect. Also determine how experienced the installers are, where the plant material is coming from, and who will supervise the on-site installation on-site.

Yes. We are a Certified Business Enterprise in Washington, DC. The C.B.E. program provides preference to District-based firms pursuing District Government issued procurement opportunities and expands the availability of business opportunities with District-sponsored development projects. 

Yes. We can assist developers in understanding the requirements and assisting with project and drawing development to ensure compliance with Green Area Ratio requirements, an environmental zoning regulation for many new buildings and building renovation projects in the district.  Please visit http://green.dc.gov/GAR for additional information.

We work on projects of all sizes.

SMALL – In urban gardens, our goal is to reclaim under-utilized area and be creative with the square footage available. We understand the challenges of limited space, difficult construction access, and the desire for a small garden to respond to multiple needs.

MEDIUM – We design within community gardens, streetscapes, suburban properties, and detached city homes to grow food, capture rainwater, and expand the planting palette.

LARGE – We work on estate gardens, public parks, and commercial master plans as expansive canvases to develop landscape themes and weave experiences.

EXTRA LARGE – Beyond single site projects, our research, writing, temporary installations, competition entries, product development, and overall design thinking is centered on strengthening connections between people, plants, and architecture.

Our services include:

• Strategic planning with public and private client groups
• Site analysis and programming
• Masterplanning and schematic design
• Design development and construction documents
• 3D visualization
• Construction administration
• Professional consultation to architects, designers, and builders

No. We are more interested in good ideas than any single style. Good ideas come in many flavors and can be realized in every style. We often research the site or architectural style of existing buildings or landscape elements to mine for garden inspiration.

Our ability to succeed on a project is determined by a shared set of values between Moody Graham and our clients – not the project cost or size. Those values include a commitment to careful design, dedication to innovation, and a project aim of ecological and social harmony.

Yes. We work on both public and private projects and have experience with projects ranging in scale from National Mall memorials to two-unit condo developments. 

Yes. We are familiar with many of the local historic districts including the Georgetown Historic District, Capitol Hill Historic District, Cleveland Park Historic District, Foxhall Historic District, Dupont Circle Historic District, and work with the L'Enfant Trust. Before starting the design of any landscape, we contact the appropriate permitting and historic office to review any potential project restrictions.  

No. We typically work with general landscape contractors that have the specific skill sets required to build the gardens we design. In some instances (particularly small gardens) we prefer to select and install the plants ourselves to ensure that the highest quality plants are purchased and that we are able to make any substitutions necessary based on availability at the time of installation. 

No, but we are happy to provide recommendations for qualified plant care professionals who can help you keep your garden looking great all year round. We are available to answer questions when they arise and can provide a customized garden maintenance manual.

Yes. We believe that a carefully considered swimming pool can be a beautiful element within the broader landscape. We typically partner with a local pool builder early in the process to ensure that we are considering the best options for the pool.

Yes. Drainage problems are often caused by improper grading and can be solved with sound landscape design. We trace the cause of the problem and solve it at the root rather than simply addressing it at the point of visibility. 

You can check this map if you are in Washington, D.C.

Gardens require varying levels of maintenance depending upon the garden elements, plant selections, weather, age of the garden, desired aesthetic, etc. We work with our clients to select plants and features that best fit their relationship with the garden.

Yes. Although there is no single answer to rid your property of mosquitoes, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the population. In the design of any new landscape we often implement these ideas:

• Remove standing water – inspect gutters, drain grates, low spots, and any other place where water might collect and allow mosquitoes to breed
  
• Bring on the bats – bats can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour. For more information on bat boxes visit Bat Conservation International
  
• Plant these plants – rosemary, catnip, marigolds, citronella plant and lemon balm have all been shown to be effective in repelling mosquitoes
  
• Install a fan – moving air makes it more difficult for mosquitoes to land and also reduces and disperses carbon dioxide, one of the primary attractive chemicals for mosquitoes; a fan installed on a pergola over a terrace is a great way to keep mosquitoes away
  
• Use an organic spray