Looking Back at 2017 - Landscape Design Projects

2017 was a stellar year!  As soon as the piles of snow melted the season went off with a bang and I didn't stop running until November.  I enjoyed many diverse landscape design projects from re-doing an elegant entry patio for a gorgeous river side home to landscaping the entire yard near Pilot Butte with edible, native and beneficial plants and then winning the High Desert Design Council's competition for Landscape Design!
Some projects are waiting to be installed while others look fantastic already!  Here are some of the highlights of 2017 landscape design season - enjoy!

Drake Road Remodel -
The clients were lovingly remodeling a home on the Deschutes River in Bend and had a couple of small areas of landscaping to be refined.  There was a very small "window courtyard" viewed from the master bath and bedroom that needed to be planted before the outer walls were finished and closed in the area.  With existing mature trees created quite a shady spot, and considering the small size I went with a Japanese themed planting.  There was a mature Vine Maple adding great structure and with a planting of a Weeping Japanese Maple, Moss and variegated Sedge grass there is fantastic texture and a peaceful vignette.

Before:

After, viewed from the Master Bedroom.  The exterior walls have yet to be finished.  The moss will cover the ground in a nice soft green carpet.

 After: The view from the Master Bath, which is still under construction.  It is a very peaceful and calming view.

Northwest Crossing Backyard Upgrade - 

I am very proud to be the 2017 winner of the High Desert Design Competition for Landscape Design.  This project was an excellent example of the benefits of working with a landscape designer.  I turned a neglected and awkward corner into an area that invites the entire family to come together and enjoy being outdoors.

Before:

                       

After - A modern low maintenance paver patio with a central gas fire pit that brings the whole family together. This design completely changes the backyard into a stunning area that makes the family feel as if they are on vacation with lush plantings and ornamental grasses.

After - The journey to the patio through ornamental grasses that will partially hide the patio to give it an inclusive feel. The Belgard pavers are laid in decomposed granite to add a warm color and to make the patio area more permeable.

Vicksburg Front Slope - This was an exciting project and so fun to work with clients who wanted something more bold.  The front slope of their property was overgrown with juniper and oregon grape shrubs and weeds.  First task was to remove everything and start with a blank slate.  To add retention and strong interest I designed horizontal Steel Panels for the focus of the slope.  Interplanted around the panels are hardy low maintenance plants to complement the steel and add pops of color and texture.

Before:

After - The steel panels really add definition and interest to the slope, so gorgeous now!
The plantings are all hardy perennials or textural ornamental grasses that make this once ugly slope into a beautiful site to see!

View of the top of the slope from the sidewalk made from Decomposed Granite for a low maintenance, permeable warm colored surface.  You can see two of the three types of grasses used in the landscape.  The tall one is 'Shenandoah' Switchgrass and the smaller one is Tufted Hair Grass which is native to Central Oregon.  The steel panels complement the modern architectural features of the home.

Detail of the 'Shenandoah' Switchgrass, one of my favorite grasses to use in landscape design.

More projects to come so stayed tuned!