THE WASHINGTON POST – Fernando Wong of Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design in Miami Beach, designs residential and commercial garden and landscape projects around the world.

Wong started the business with Tim Johnson in 2005. The business is known to move very tall trees (the tallest to date is a 90-foot-tall Kapok) and create garden follies, swimming pools and pool pavilions, outdoor kitchens and sculpture gardens. Wong made her HGTV debut on August 14 alongside Martha Stewart as a judge on Clipped, a competition series featuring topiary art.

Wong joined a recent Washington Post Home Front online chat.

Here is an edited excerpt.

Q: What is a good online source for inexpensive planters?

A: We love the ones at Crescent Garden. They are great because a lot of them are self-watering. I also like the authentic terracotta from Italy and the enamelled pots from Anduze from France; they are a little more expensive, but they are worth it because they add so much charm. I used Provence Authentique planters. My home country, Panama, is another great source of inexpensive jars; try Artisan Concrete Design Studio.

Q: Why is outdoor furniture so expensive?

A: McKinnon and Harris is a favorite of mine which is extremely expensive. When my clients ask me to justify the price, I explain that everything is handcrafted from aluminum in Virginia and comes with a lifetime warranty. Buying outdoor furniture on this level is not only a gift for yourself but also for your children and grandchildren. David Sutherland has some amazing teak pieces. The other more affordable and high-quality options are Summit and Country Casual.

Q: Can a fiddle-leaf fig tree be kept outdoors year-round in Florida?

A: Yes, but make sure the leaves are not sunburnt and the plant does not get too much water during the rainy season.

Q: What shape of pool do you prefer?

A: I like a good rectangle; the purity of clean lines is the perfect solution to create very beautiful landscapes. This shape also works well with all types of architecture.

Q: What’s the best way to clean and store outdoor cushions?

A: The most important thing is to make sure that they are covered with a high quality outdoor fabric. We love perennial fabrics. Cushions age poorly when not cleaned regularly or left to dry completely. Store them in a dry place during the winter if you live in a northern climate.

Q: Do you think aisles made from crushed seashells are a good choice? They look good, but what about longevity?

A: I love a good sea shell alley; we just designed a beautiful one for a home in Nantucket, Mass. You need to replenish them about once a year. I am also a big fan of granite gravel driveway chips as an alternative to crushed seashells or white gravel.

Q: What steps do you suggest I take to prevent pollen from covering everything on my screened porch?

A: Pollen is very difficult to retain. You can install canvas roller shades that you can lower when you’re not outside. Blindster and Blinds.com offer attractive and economical solutions.

Q: What do you think of integrating a fireplace in a backyard? I want one, but I don’t want to do the maintenance, and I find a lot of designs unappealing.

A: I love fireplaces; they’re so fun to sit on – and don’t get me into my s’mores addiction. Home Depot has simple ones, and there are affordable and super stylish ones at Breeo.

Q: Do you have any recommendations for parasols and awnings for a large terrace with a swimming pool?

A: I really like Tuuci’s umbrellas, which have options in all sizes. For more magical designs, I recommend the umbrellas from Santa Barbara Designs.

Q: Of all the projects you’ve worked on, which is your favorite?

A: One of my great labors of love is the Four Seasons at the Miami Surf Club. I was honored to be part of a design team that included Richard Meier, Joseph Dirand, Martin Brudnizki and Lee Mindel. The trick for us was to use the landscape to marry the architecture of an old clubhouse with the elegant glass boxes by Meier. It was a six-year obsession for me, and it’s one of the projects I’m most proud of in my career.

Q: We live in Washington DC and love to sit outside during the winter months. What plants can I put in two large decorative pots that will look great and stand up to the cold? The pots are 20 inches tall.

A: This is a perfect opportunity for conifers. Some of my favorites are Variegated Holly, Spotted Laurel, Winter Gold, and Hebe Frozen Flame.

Q: I hate outdoor rugs because they always look dirty. Are there other ways to define an outdoor room?

A: I like to use synthetic sea grass because it lasts forever and doesn’t show dirt. It also gives a beautiful neutral and natural appearance; Sisalcarpet.com is a good source. If you really want something maintenance-free, you can make a stone infield with a brick edging, so the infield looks like a carpet; we did something similar in a project with a coral stone infield and black mexican beach stone inlaid border.

Q: How was Martha Stewart? Did you have fun shooting Clipped for HGTV and Discovery Plus?

A: It was a pleasure to work with her because she has the energy of 10 people and is truly a visionary.