Certified wildlife habitat and monarch waystation distinguish the gorgeous outdoor space at 308 Summers Drive. (Photo: Yanique Revers)
From the Alexandria Beautification Commission
Alexandria, VA – Our 2023 Residential Beautification Award winners demonstrate how the creative use of non-invasive plants, native plants, sustainable approaches, and landscape architecture along with proactive maintenance delivers garden beauty, texture, and scale in an eco-friendly way. The winners inspire others to enhance the beauty of their properties and speak to the future of Alexandria’s neighborhoods as environmentally sound and dynamic. Presented here is a selection of the 2023 winners. To see more, go to alexandrava.gov/beautification.The beautiful lawn with trees and shrubs makes 11 East Reed Avenue shine in its locale. The stone border wall and iron fence add elegance that surprises and pleases. New trees will add plenty of shelter and food to the native fauna. (Photo: Yanique Revers)After a recent renovation, a new owner at 911 Portner Place leveled the yard to improve surface irrigation, removed the grass, and created an oasis for the neighborhood. The front yard is a field of flowers of all varieties. (Photo: Yanique Revers)The Big Tree Co-Champion, a Columnar Oak tree, is a magnificent and rare hybrid that has grown to 90’ with a crown spread of 88’. At 200 years of age and enormously beautiful, this particular variant of the English Oak has a life span of up to 700 years. The tree sits on private property on a corner lot within the Auburn Village condominium community, and it appears to be healthy and vigorous. Big trees are natural wonders and play important roles in forest ecosystems. (Photo: Julie Chapman)At 3156 North Rosser Street a front drainage ditch, is filled with lovely plants and succulents that help disperse stormwater and reduce soil erosion while adding visual interest. The entire yard is alluring and cozy. (Photo: Elizabeth Gelfer)The large crepe myrtles and other trees at 3912 Taney Avenue provide energy-saving shade. The ground coverings, flowers, and shrubs provide lovely colors and patterns in this lovingly maintained garden gem. (Photo: Yanique Revers)The virtually no-mow yard at 1501 Crestwood Drive supports pollinators and features a beautiful fence, various plants, rocks, and water-permeable paths. (Photo: Elizabeth Gelfer)At 534 North Columbus Street, the stone was removed to uncover wood and salvage the original siding. A wrought-iron gate, curved stone walkway, and Adirondack table and chairs complete the charming look. (Photo: Elizabeth Gelfer)The lush yard at 310 Kentucky Avenue features walking sticks, tiered native plantings and stonework, creating an inviting entrance. The color scheme is well-balanced, and the shrubs create an illusion of a deeper landscape. (Photo: Yanique Revers)A traditional Flounder House in Old Town Alexandria. (Photo: Julie Chapman)
Did You Know?
By Leah Bancheri, Beautification Commission Member
According to Hope Deferred: The Origin and Development of Alexandria’s Flounder House, published by Vernacular Architecture Forum in 1986, there was said to be as many as 75 Flounder houses in Alexandria, a term used to describe a type of house with a single slope, rather than a gable. It appears almost as a typical gable house cut in half along a vertical plane. Of those, 17 date between 1787 and 1877, and some people believe Alexandria to be the origin place of the Flounder house.
