GardenWise

27 Reviews

Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers

About Us

10x Best of Houzz winner

23 years in business

Locally owned

Award Winning Metro D.C. Landscape Architecture & Design Build Firm

At GardenWise, our design work reflects our respect for the innate beauty of the environment combined with our clients’ needs. We balance natural elements of stone, plants, and water with custom built features to create a special and unique garden experience. We practice a “hands-on” approach to ensure the designs blend Mark’s creative visions and practical knowledge with the client’s desires. The results are a one-of-a-kind creation that enhances your lifestyle, increase your home’s value, and stays within your budget. Mark can be seen on HGTV as a landscape design expert giving advice and “how-to” tips on the network’s signature series, Curb Appeal. His design work has been featured in national publications, including Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living, Traditional Home, Cottage Living, Renovation Style, and Remodeling; regional publications and programs have included The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Washington Spaces, Chesapeake Home, Home & Design, and NewsChannel8’s Let’s Talk Live.

Services Provided

Custom Fire Pits, Custom Water Features, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Edible Gardens, Garden Design, Gazebo Design & Construction, Hardscaping, Landscape Design, Pool Landscaping, Project Management, Rooftop Deck Installation, Shed Design & Construction, Site Planning, Swimming Pool Design, Construction Drawings, Deck Building, Fence Installation, Masonry, Trellis Construction

Areas Served

Arlington, DC (Washington), Falls Church, Great Falls, Langley Park, North Bethesda, Oakton, Potomac, Reston, Takoma Park, Vienna, Chevy Chase, Mclean, North Kensington

Awards

J. Mark White, ASLA,PLA owner & licensed Landscape Architect. LCA Landscape Excellence 2015 & 2011 Grand Awards, 2012 Heritage & Distinction Awards, 2014 Distinction Awards. 2017 H&D Designers' Choice Awards Favorite Landscape Architect, Featured in Washington Post 06/25/15.

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Our Stories

27 Projects

Arlington, VA

Credentials

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27 Reviews for GardenWise

Newest first

Simone C

Relationship

Client

Mark and his terrific team designed and managed the installation of beautiful stone walls, large stone steps, front and side landscaping, and an irrigation system for us. We’re on a hill so some of the work was necessary to manage drainage. But we also love the way it looks! Mark is very knowledgeable and pays attention to detail. It’s been especially exciting this spring watching the plants unfold as the weather has gotten warmer.

May 9, 2020

Comment from GardenWise:

Simone we very much appreciate your wonderful review. We are ecstatic that you are so pleased with the results of our work. It is our goal to make all of project installation to operate smoothly, keeping the client informed with progress updates and ending up with a beautiful garden that can be enjoyed seasonally and for years to come.
Best, Mark

Dana Forney

Relationship

Client

Gardenwise is a highly professional operation and I would love to work with Mark and his team again. I am thrilled with the garden oasis Gardenwise created for my 1920 Arlington bungalow. The project included renovation of an old “garage” into a decorative garden shed with lighting and a porch, a flagstone patio and walk, a vase fountain, a fire pit, furnishings, and of course lots of plants and lighting.

December 3, 2019

Comment from GardenWise:

Thanks Dana, you truly made our job a very pleasurable experience and we ecstatic that you are so very pleased! We look forward to working with you on future phases of work.

Anna Marie Maggio

Relationship

Client

Mark and his team at GardenWise are truly professionals and I love my new back yard and deck. They installed a gorgeous stone patio, rebuilt my small deck, installed irrigation and lighting. Everyone that worked on my project were considerate and preformed beautiful work. I liked that Mark listened to what I wanted and remembered small details. The plants he chose were perfect for the space and created the privacy we needed.

January 30, 2019

Thomas Ryan

Relationship

Client

Mark and his team did a wonderful job transforming our yard and almost doubling the size of our living space. He worked with us to design the space to our needs, built it in phases to meet our schedule and has done a great job helping us maintain it over the past few years. The original space as shown below was just not useable and was rarely used. The new space, also shown below, is used during all seasons and Mark even had the vision to convert the garage into a home office/garage. All around, a great team to work with and someone who I have already recommended to family and friends.

June 14, 2018

Comment from GardenWise:

Thanks Tom for your glowing remarks. It was indeed a pleasure working with you and Emily and transforming your outdoor living spaces. It also very gratifying being able to maintain your garden spaces for you.Thank you for sending over the garden photos I shared here.
Best,
Mark

Matt Hagan

Relationship

Client

GardenWise has done a superb job in reimagining and renovating my outdoor courtyard. They have implemented a complete overhaul to my patio space by illuminating it with a sophisticated lighting scheme, brilliant ornamental plantings, a deluxe built-in grilling station, chic furnishings and a deep-seated conversation area constructed with refined woodwork. Mark White, Jane O’Brien and their team are extremely talented and I have felt comforted working with them throughout the design process. I highly recommend their stellar landscaping and design services.

December 12, 2017Last modified:January 18, 2018

Ugo Fasano

Relationship

Client

Mark helped us to fully remodel the small patio in the back of our rowhouse located in the Logan Circle area. We loved his simple modern design and in particular the European trees he suggested we planted. The fountain also turned out beautiful.

September 27, 2017

Comment from GardenWise:

Thanks Ugo for your lovely review, it was a great pleasure working for you. It is very satisfying to hear such positive remarks from our clients and we also love how your space turned out.

Martha Atkins

Relationship

Client

Mark redesigned our small backyard and front yard with the goal of utilizing the space better. The result is that our backyard now looks much bigger, yet at the same time more cozy, with a water feature that catches your eye as soon as you enter our house. We have ample space for a hammock under a vine-laden pergola, a sitting area in front of the fountain, a dining area, and an outdoor kitchen. He had to contend with a county-ordained planter box that was awkwardly placed, but the kitchen hides it well. We also ripped up part of our long driveway and installed a side yard, so I would have a better view out my side window. In the front, we eliminated the grass and went with all ground cover, which means no more mowing! Mark's design ideas were more than we could have imagined ourselves when we started the project and we pretty much went with all of his proposals. Now we are just waiting for the plants to grow into their space and to get new furniture!

September 20, 2017

Comment from GardenWise:

Martha, thank for your wonderful review and we take great pride in pleasing our clients and in particular when we are able to exceed their expectations. We would be glad to provide any assistance with the garden furniture selection.

Herb Hribar

Relationship

Client

GardenWise has done a terrific job on our roof top garden in Washington DC. From a fabulous design, perfect realization and convenient ongoing maintenance, modernization and upkeep. Its a challenge to have a great deck in the city but GardenWise makes it seem easy. If you are planning a new deck or revitalizing an existing one, I'd strongly recommend that you give Mark a call.

September 20, 2017

Comment from GardenWise:

Herb, thank you for your wonderful review. It has been indeed a pleasure working with both you and Theresa. I look forward to many years more to come in the future.

Rob J

Relationship

Client

We hired Gardenwise to landscape our entire yard after we rebuilt our house. When we first met, we told Mark we wanted an outdoor living space that included the following: built-in bar with grill, spacious space for hosting family/friends, and a separate space where we could watch TV and/or smoke cigars. Additionally, we wanted to enhance our front yard curb appeal. After we had the initial meeting with Mark he worked with his team to come up a beautiful and creative landscape design. He did a good job taking our initial ideas and turning them into reality. His attention to detail is truly remarkable and we always felt like Mark was treating our yard like it was his own. We also were very happy with his team of people who were courteous and professional at all times. Mark isnt the cheapest guy to handle your landscaping, but we feel like he is the best. We would recommend him to anyone looking for interesting design and high quality.

December 28, 2016

Comment from GardenWise:

Hi Rob & Happy New Year to you, Kendall and Family. Thank you very much for your glowing review. It was indeed a pleasure working with you and Kendall and I am so very glad to hear you are so pleased with the landscape work that GardenWise has completed for your home.

Best,

Mark

Melissa Burman

Relationship

Client

Last Spring when I was seeking a garden makeover to complement our recent house renovation, I asked my contractors for the renovation who they most liked in the area. Mark White and GardenWise came highly recommended, and now I can do the same. From initial concept to completion, it has been a pleasure to work with the professionals at GardenWise. Ours was a major project, and Mark cleverly worked the design around the renovated exterior spaces, and he suggested, then implemented, significant changes as well. We have a upgraded and refreshed garden that really works as a three season living area in the back and a lovely and sophisticated face of the house in front. Thanks, Mark, and thanks to your staff and all your subcontractors. I love my yard!

December 19, 2016

Comment from GardenWise:

Hi Melissa & Happy New Year. Thank you very much for your wonderful review. It was indeed a pleasure working with you to transform your garden spaces to align with your recent renovations. We look forward to the possibility of assisting you with your future garden maintenance.

The photos I have added are taken post masonry and carpentry improvements and during the landscape installation process prior to the completed project. We plan to photograph the garden in mid to late spring.

Best,

Mark

Roberta Colton

Relationship

Client

GardenWise replaced a failing retaining wall for us which required removing and replacing existing plantings, designing a new outdoor staircase, and designing new plantings for the area below the new wall. It was a very complicated process both to plan and execute this project. The work went very well and even finished before schedule. Mark White saved boulders that would otherwise have had to be removed and used them creatively in the new landscaping and to create the new stairs from our patio to the street. We are very happy with the end result.

December 2, 2016

Comment from GardenWise:

Thanks Roberta for your lovely review and I am glad to hear you are very pleased with the project results. It was a pleasure working with both you and Doug.

JD Ireland Interior Architecture + Design

Relationship

Colleague

My interior design company has collaborated with Gardenwise on several projects and it's always been a great experience. Mark is wonderful to work with, he listens to what the client is interested in and makes hardscape and landscaping recommendations that combine the client's desires with his deep and comprehensive knowledge of all the aspects of his craft. The outcome is always a fun collaboration and a gorgeous exterior that continually looks incredible as the years go by.

July 8, 2016

Comment from GardenWise:

Thanks Julie for the glowing review. The pleasure is all mine.

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48 Ideabooks

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60 Comments

Commented: What type of wood is this? What color stain?Western red cedar. Thanks for the interest in our project.

May 20, 2020

Commented: Multi Stem TreeJapanese maple tree.

April 9, 2020

Commented: Love this patio block. What is it?Thanks Deborah for your kind words about our Old Town Alexandria Pool Terrace project. The pool deck is a checkerboard pattern set on the diagonal of two different color selections of travertine marbl...

August 13, 2017

Commented: Love the bunny, where did you get it?The client purchased Chauncey the rabbit who always makes me smile when I see it. I believe Chauncey was a custom piece. The clients unfortunately have moved out of the area and I no longer have thei...

July 16, 2017

Commented: Questioning tv locationAlso thank you for your complements of our design.

October 14, 2016

Commented: Can you give me details on the fan? Thanks.The wiring is in the recessed area above the pergola. As far as I know there are no solar fans. Here is a link to the fan: http://www.ceilingfan.com/Emerson-Curva-Sky-Ceiling-Fan-p/emcf152orb.htm I h...

July 20, 2016

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