Maryland Gardener Enlarges Pond and Revamps Patio Borders
A Maryland gardener in Zone 7a expanded a small pond and redesigned her patio garden in 2025-2026, focusing on edible and native plants in a high-density
A gardener in Frederick, Maryland, has transformed the area around her patio by enlarging a pond and adding new landscaping. Brittany, who gardens under the name @quarteracreroots on a quarter-acre lot in Zone 7a, undertook the project in 2025 and 2026 after deciding her initial water feature was too small.
She told Fine Gardening that she and her family moved to the property in 2022. They first installed a bed along a fence line. In early 2024, they added a small pond and some paths. "We loved the pond, but we regretted not going bigger," she said. This led to a major revision the following year.
The Pond Expansion
In the fall of 2025, Brittany removed the original pond to dig a larger one. She admitted initial hesitation about redoing the surrounding landscaping but found the effort worthwhile. The new, larger perimeter provided significantly more planting space. The physical work of digging out the new pond was completed that season.
Redesigning the Landscape
With the enlarged pond in place, Brittany redesigned the entire area in spring 2026. She added more paths and installed an archway to structure the space. Her gardening philosophy centers on high-density planting to maximize the small lot, with a focus on edible and native species. She is using annuals to fill gaps while newly planted perennials become established.
Plant Selection for Edibles and Natives
The redesigned garden blends food plants with native ornamentals. Several edible berries grow near the patio and pond, while climbing vegetables use the new arch. A variety of native perennials provide structure and support for local wildlife. The plant list includes a specific mix of species suited to her Zone 7a climate.
| Plant Type | Examples (with Zones) |
|---|---|
| Edible Plants | Goumi berry (Zones 4-9), Strawberries (Zones 4-8), Boysenberry (Zones 5-9), Blueberries (Zones 3-8), Virginia groundnut (Zones 4-9), Lima beans (annual) |
| Native Plants | Goldenrod (Zones 3-9), Asters (Zones 4-8), Coneflowers (Zones 3-9), American elderberry (Zones 3-9), Black-eyed Susans (Zones 3-7), Yarrow (Zones 3-9), Creeping phlox (Zones 3-9) |
| Filler Annuals | Zinnias (annual), Sunflowers (annual), Petunias (annual) |
Brittany expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting the project allowed her ideas for food, wildlife, and beauty to grow together. She looks forward to seeing the plants mature in the coming years. The garden photo was shared as part of Fine Gardening's Garden Photo of the Day feature.
