Jennifer Horn - Bringing Curb Appeal into the 21st Century

On Tuesday evening, March 13, LDG President Julie Hawley introduced Jennifer Horn to the LDG membership, friends and guests.  Jennifer is a practicing landscape architect in Virginia with a background based in horticulture and landscape design.
Jennifer’s presentation discussed foundation plantings for home landscapes.  The title and purpose of the presentation is “Bringing Curb Appeal into the 21stCentury.”

The presentation included an overview of her experience and education, egregious don’tsin foundation plantings, examples of notable landscapes, and examples of successful landscape foundation plantings.  And then, the presentation concluded with 10-15 minutes of Q&A.
 
Jennifer was born in New Jersey and lived as a young person throughout the world, most memorably in Malaysia.  One of her first jobs was at Betty’s Azalea Ranch in Fairfax, Virginia.  She obtained a Masters degree of Landscape Architecture from Virginia Tech.  Significant and influential industry leaders include Christopher Lloyd and Ohme Van Sweden.  She worked for Edmund Hollander Design(landscape architect) in New York, N.Y. before settling in Virginia.
 
When planting next to architecture it’s important to remember some of the following:  

• correct plant sizing
• cheapest plants are usually the fastest growing and therefore are the wrong choice
• color combinations
• maintenance needs
• ease of over-growth
• lack of cohesiveness

 
Notable reference landscapes include:

• Dan Keily/Miller house
• Giverney
• Dumbarton Oaks
• Bryant Park
• Ladew Topiary Gardens
• Monticello
• Glass House(Conn.?)

Recent examples of her work include a hotel in Hawaii, a roof deck with palm trees, a mid-century modern house, a modern home using corten steel and Muhlenbergia grass, Spanish/colonial house using a simple ground cover and boxwood, a Logan Circle/DC home planted with Euonymous and Plumbago, a home using Mexican beach peebles right up to the house foundation, and a native-inspired landscape in St. Marys Maryland.
 
The Q&A period included discussion about using native plants vs traditional nursery stock, and fall vs springtime planting.

At the end of the evening a warm applause was given to Jennifer Horn.  Julie Hawley reminded us that the next LDG meeting is on April 21st/Saturday, 10am.  June 2ndis the joint APLD/LDG garden tour in Arlington, VA.

 - this summary by Alex Belano, LDG member