By Sara Kohn, ABC
Alexandria, VA – On June 1st, 2024, Alexandria Beautification Commission members hopped into a van to journey throughout Alexandria. Our mission? To review the nominations for the 2024 Beautification Awards! It was a day of exploration as we marveled at remarkable residential and commercial landscapes, admired impressive architecture, and were charmed by the public art installations!
While we encountered many extraordinary properties, we also noticed areas where improvements could be made. For those with dreams of clinching an award in 2025, we have some ideas for sprucing up your property for next year’s nominations. Here is some advice on preparing your home or business garden for the Alexandria Beautification Award season, jazzing up your yard, and turning your green space into a haven for local wildlife while saving time and resources:
Plant Natives: Get in touch with Mother Nature by choosing native plants for your yard! These plants thrive in our local climate, needing less water and TLC once they settle in. They also provide habitat and food for local wildlife. Swing by your local garden store and keep an eye out for those “Native” signs! Plant NOVA Natives (plantnovanatives.org/) provides a handy guide with the best plants to choose for your conditions and information on the many native plant sales around town. Beautification Commissioner Quigley recommends the following native plants, bushes, and trees:
- Flowering plants – Black-eyed Susan, Purple Cone Flower
- Native bushes – New Jersey Tea (small), Blackhaw Viburnum (gets big)
- Small native trees – Dogwood, Redbud, Virginia Fringe tree
Avoid Invasive Plants: Say “No” to invasive plants! These non-native troublemakers often outcompete native plants for sunlight and water, alter the ecosystem, and reduce biodiversity. Let’s keep our ecosystem rocking by giving them the boot! Psst! English Ivy? The worst! Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia (MGNV) have great recommendations: mgnv.org/plants/invasive-plants/.
Choose Lawn Alternatives: Consider reducing or replacing that grassy lawn with low-maintenance alternatives such as native groundcovers (phlox, anyone?), dreamy meadows, or even some hardscapes like gravel or permeable pavers. They’ll help soak up rainwater and keep soil erosion in check. Check out MGNV ideas for rethinking your lawn: mgnv.org/climate-change/rethinking-your-lawn/.
Let’s make your yard the coolest hangout spot in town! Stay tuned as we share more insights in the coming months!
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