Blog
Is it Okay to Plant in Winter?
With 30 years of experience in the landscape industry working in the Portland, Oregon area, here are a few pros, cons and tips I’ve learned about planting in the winter: 1. Marginal Plants As a general rule, winter is a good time to plant. However, if the plant is...
How to Choose an Overhead Garden Structure
Overhead structures provide many benefits to the homeowner. They extend your outdoor living space, provide protection from the elements, and enhance the beauty of the landscape. These structures allow you to spend more time relaxing and enjoying your garden in a...
Fall Landscape Cleanup and Winter Maintenance
As we enter the increasingly colder months during this fall season and await the coming winter with its shorter and evermore blustery days, striking colors start to emerge around us like a golden and crimson blanket covering our hills and valleys. No doubt the...
Winning the OLCA Grand Award
As the owner of a landscape design/build company, I often get to experience the joy and privilege of building amazing landscapes. Every project starts the same with a simple conversation about the client’s yard. From there, the design process begins involving hours...
5 Different Step Materials and Their Pros and Cons
Stairways are great solutions for areas with gradual or sudden grade changes. They are functionally essential when you need to get from point 'A' to point 'B', but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. This article shares some designer tips to help...
Common Toxic Plants used in Pacific NW Landscaping
You may be surprised how many of the landscape plants surrounding you in your yard are poisonous. Since they can’t run away from predators like animals do, plants rely on toxins, as well as thorns, spines and prickles, as a form of self-preservation. This is the...
Native Perennial Plants for Your Garden
These native plants are well adapted to our climate, and typically require less irrigation and pesticides in order to thrive in our wet winters and dry summers. Many of these flowering perennials benefit butterflies and birds. Consider incorporating some of these...
Gardening Palettes: Painting with Plants
Designing a landscape can be a lot of fun, but it is also daunting for some people. One way to look at your yard is to think of it as a blank canvas, and the plants are your paints. Each variety of plant has their own unique feature and come in several different...
Creating a Kid-Friendly Garden… Without Breaking the Bank!
It’s summer and that means it’s time to go outside and play! You can create a garden you and your kids will love without spending a fortune. Here are 10 ideas on how to turn your backyard into an exciting and beautiful place to play without investing a lot in...
Drought Tolerant Plants Get Thirsty Too
With ever-warmer and drier summers, many of our clients request drought-tolerant planting plans. Saving water is a win-win, helping conserve natural resources and lower water bills. A typical drought-tolerant planting plan may include a mixture of Pacific Northwest...