The port city of Baltimore, Maryland is unquestionably urban in nature and in recent years it has become a center of fresh ideas for cultivating city ground. It's most common residence is the townhouse which leaves little ground, so landscapers are masters of small space design. With recent increases in the city's population, there's a growing interest in urban outdoor spaces be they postage stamp yards or roof gardens. Set within the picturesque Chesapeake Bay, the views from many Baltimore homes are nothing short of spectacular. From exterior terraces and decks, these views become paramount to the way spaces are designed to maximize the good life in remarkably minimal spaces.

This city is a distinct four season climate that provides opportunities to design landscapes with year around interest. While very hot in the summer, moderating effects of the bay allow more diversity in planting choices. Clybern Arboretum is an essential resource for seeing Baltimore's best landscape trees at maturity. This is also the center of the gardener's world where classes, demonstrations and home tours help folks become more keyed in to growing things. Gardeners in this region also know the Druid Hill Conservatory, a public garden with multiple Victorian greenhouses devoted to exotics from warmer climates.

While Baltimore is high density housing, some communities outside the city limits offer more expansive suburban lifestyles that exhibit the old elegance of this historic area. Towson lies on the northern edge of Baltimore where homes are large and incomes generous. Here there are opportunities to create beautiful gardens and outdoor living spaces that augment the overall value of a home. With the al fresco lifestyle growing in the east, it is best seen in communities like Towson with its upscale homes.

Off to the southeast lies Columbia, an immense planned community designed in the 1950s to include 15,000 acres of villages, each of which has its own small town feel. The income here is higher than average, providing lots of opportunity to remodel original homes and build out the backyard for the good life. Here spas are well suited to limited space, and entertainment areas feature outdoor fireplaces, covered patios and gorgeous plantings. These villages feature 350 rental garden plots while larger homes often include a vegetable garden for healthy, fresh cuisine.

Annapolis, made famous by the United States Naval Academy is an historic military oriented community. It fosters a thriving garden club that offers tours of local homes in the spring. This is the best way to see how the historic homes are landscaped as well as some of the more contemporary architect designed residences.

Baltimore and its outlying areas are one of the most beautiful traditional cities that evoke the birth and history of our nation. The preponderance of homes built prior to World War II offer incredible architecture for remodels and expansions. Combine that with a gentler maritime climate and virtually any home can become a showplace of outdoor living with creative design professionals and a skilled contractor.