At ICON at Dulles, something special has been quietly growing, season after season, plot by plot. What began five years ago as a simple idea has blossomed into one of the community’s most beloved resident experiences: the Garden Club. Tucked within a beautiful green space on the property, the garden has transformed into more than just a place to plant flowers and vegetables. It is where neighbors meet, friendships take root, and small moments turn into lasting memories.

The initiative was started by members of the ICON team, Property Manager Hermer Arredondo, Assistant Property Manager Thania Lama, and Leasing Consultant Robert Mahan, who saw an opportunity to turn an underutilized space into something meaningful. With 59 plots now available, and often fully occupied, the garden has become a shared canvas for residents to grow everything from tomatoes and strawberries to vibrant seasonal flowers.

At its core, the Garden Club was created to give residents a place to unwind and connect. Over time, it has become so much more.  Throughout the week, residents come and go at their own pace, watering, planting, and tending to their plots whenever their schedules allow. On weekends or during special moments, the space comes alive in a different way. Pizza parties, garden clean-up days, and even impromptu strawberry tastings bring people together, creating an easy and natural sense of community.

Behind the scenes, the garden’s continued success is thanks to Roberto Gil, Maintenance Supervisor, whose dedication plays a vital role year after year. In his personal time, Roberto helps prepare the garden for each new season, cleaning up the space, adding fresh soil and mesh, and ensuring each plot is ready for residents to bring it to life.

“It’s a relaxing routine,” the ICON team shares. “People take advantage of the beautiful weather, spend time outside, and enjoy watching their plants grow.”

For many, the garden is also a place of learning, especially for younger residents who get to experience firsthand how fruits, vegetables, and flowers come to life. Perhaps the most meaningful aspect is the sense of pride residents feel. Each plot is unique, a reflection of the person tending to it, and together they create something truly beautiful.

The Garden Club is also deeply personal for the team behind it. Thania, in particular, carries a special connection to gardening. Her love for sunflowers began with her beloved late daughter, who once brought home struggling plants and nurtured them back to life. Today, Thania continues that tradition, planting sunflowers each year from seeds that hold deep meaning. 

Across the garden, you will find similar stories unfolding. Residents swap tips over watering schedules. Neighbors pause to admire each other’s blooms. Friends gather to celebrate the first harvest.

“One of our favorite moments is seeing residents’ excitement when their plants start to thrive,” the team says. “Watching people come together and share those successes is what makes this so special.”

Getting involved is simple. Residents can stop by the leasing office to select a plot, and many return to the same one year after year. From there, the experience is entirely their own, a mix of peaceful solo time and shared community moments, with a few friendly competitions sprinkled in for fun.

The impact of the Garden Club has been undeniable. What started as a small idea has grown into a defining part of the ICON at Dulles experience, enhancing daily life in a way that feels both meaningful and organic.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to continue building on that foundation. Plans are underway to reopen the garden for the upcoming season, along with the addition of new trees that will grow alongside the community for years to come. These additions will serve as a living symbol of what has been created together.  Because at ICON at Dulles, the Garden Club is not just about planting seeds. It is about cultivating connection, creating beauty, and giving residents a place to truly feel at home.