Backyard Transformation

It seems I am always blessed with wonderful clients and on my latest project I worked with truly great people who really wanted to transform their backyard.  These folks living in the Higher Ground Community of Bend, Oregon have a great artistic and creative side to them and they really allowed me to do something different and fantastic, and the results are spectacular!

Here is the before photo:

Pretty bad right?  The back yard had been neglected for years and was mostly an eyesore but the clients and I knew we could transform it into a place they longed to be and could be an extension of their house.

What we did create completely transformed the backyard into a destination, a sanctuary, an extra room, a place of peace and joy and wonderfulness!

Check it out!

We completely eliminated the squareness of the space creating an oasis for dining, reading, relaxing and entertaining!  And best of all, the clients are happy beyond their expectations.  :)

More Awesome Plants!

I was loading or pinning plant images onto Pinterest for a client and when I looked back I was thrilled with the selection and these are only the ones the client's were unfamiliar with.

This has been a slow journey in transforming their long neglected back yard.  Yes, pictures to come Friday when we start shaping the beds and planting the first installment.  So exciting!

Check out all my other project boards at Pinterst for more great images!
http://www.pinterest.com/tanyacarlsen/

Elderberry 'Sutherland Gold'

This is stunning in the landscape and contrasts nicely with most everything

else in garden.  We will have a dark blue bubbling fountain next to it, gorgeous!

Coreopsis 'Red Satin'

I can't get enough of this dark red color! Plus it blooms

all summer and is great for pollinators!

Pink Monkey Flower

Native to Central Oregon and a stunning perennial!

Evergreens for an entry

One of my clients has a large property out by the Bend airport with a very large lawn leading up to the house.  We want to mark the entry path in an obvious and welcoming way and I am considering planting two evergreen trees as "sentries".  I was going to use two Crabapple Trees but since our winters are so long I think evergreens would be a better choice.

Here are my choices so far:

Korean Silberlocke Fir

The Korean Silberlocke Fir has up curved green needles with contrasting silver/white undersides and produces an abundance of large showy cones.  It is slow growing to 10' tall and 6' wide in 10 years, ultimately 20' tall.   This selection is about 5-7' tall and can be found at Schultz Farm and Garden between Bend and Redmond.

Green Columnar Spiral Juniper Tree

Junipers are very hardy in Central Oregon (they are considered weeds by many) but can be very useful when trained right.  A spiral trained Juniper is stunning and adds shape and style to the landscape but does require light pruning throughout the year to maintain a nice shape.  

Here is another version this time of a Skyrocket Juniper which has a more grey/green/blue color than the one shown above.

'Acrocona' Spruce

Acrocona Spruce is a lovely evergreen with purple cones and is a medium irregular grower to about 4-10 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide and does best in full sun. Another great option for a small space.

Which do you like the best?  I am veering towards the Silberlocke because I like it so much!