More New Landscape Design Projects in Bend!

Another gorgeous project creating a patio using New York Bluestone pavers for clients wanted a low maintenance, easy, elegant and beautiful landscape.  It is so fun working with clients with a strong sense of what they want, we worked together creating many different renditions of the plant to finally create something that balanced the off center backyard with the pavers. 
Surrounded by evergreen trees for a sense of place and privacy, complemented by choice deciduous plants for a seasonal effect.

The clients had selected these ornamental evergreen trees to create a stunning effect in their front yard.  To work with the slight slope we used more New York Bluestone to create a low terrace.

Narrow Small Backyard Make-Over

Some years back a client moved into a new home with a small rectangular backyard.  He wanted to be able to use the space and to create a welcoming environment to enjoy.  The challenge was the yard was only 15 feet wide and 45 feet long, that is quite the narrow rectangle!
I overcame the bowling alley effect with creating a curving path that allowed for deep beds on either sides with small trees and plants that spilled over.  This gave the eye something to rest on instead of going directly to the fence.  The path curved slowly through the space allowing one to take in a bit at a time, ending in a small paver patio to sit and enjoy the space. 
The yard had definite sunny and shady areas allowing for different areas that blend very well.
Tell me what you think!



Sunny southern end of the yard before:

Shady northern end of the yard before:

Southern end of the yard with the curving path leading to a sunny intimate patio. The small trees will grow to add additional interest and some shade.

Shady end of the yard with some lovely plantings that ease the client into the landscape encouraging one to relax and take a stroll.

Fun with Fences

Fences are always a little difficult for some, we need them, but don't want them, or don't want to see them.
Some HOA's won't let you put them in, some require them to look a certain way or not exceed a certain height.  As a landscape designer I do my best to abide by the rules (most of the time) and to soften the fence with plants.
This year I have two separate clients needing fences but want them to be interesting and artsy - cool!  I have been having fun looking at different ideas and some of my favorite's I've posted to my Pinterest board Fences/Walls.  I really like the idea of patch working together rusty steel and reclaimed barn wood, or embedding colored glass into the fence like a window.

Here is an idea I saw in Bend a couple of years ago on the West side of Pilot Butte, simple but very effective:

Isn't this a great idea? I love that the fence is different heights and has the wriggly line running down the center of each board.  It probably added much time to the project but is a fence worth looking at.

Inspiring Garden Photos

I was renewing my subscription to Garden Design magazine this morning and had to take a side trip through the photos.  Wow!  One of the reasons I love this magazine is the phenomenal photos.

Take a look and be inspired:  Garden Design magazine

Here are some of my favorites:

I love the lines and shadows created here.

Lisa Roth Landscape Architect

 I always love grasses spilling over paths and the textures created by 

a tapestry of green.

By MIX

I love cor-ten steel in the garden! 

By Landwest Design Group

Senescence - Winter Garden Beauty

I was inspired by a recent article in Horticulture magazine by Caleb Melchior called 'A Celebrated Senescence: Dried flower heads, curious seedpods and withering leaves can carry a garden through winter'.

I often talk with clients about proper pruning in their gardens and I let them know that they do not have to cut all their perennial plants back in the fall.  Allowing some plants to stand tall through the winter adds structure, interest, seeds and habitat for wildlife.

In my garden I let the Black-eyed Susans stay uncut and though it is not a large swatch of a planting as you might see in Piet Oudolf's garden in the Netherlands, when the ground is covered in snow and those dark eyed beauties poke through, it is beautiful.

Piet Oudolf's garden Hummelo during Winter

Senescence - the natural process of decay.  I find that I am attracted to that word, it flows off the tongue and brings to mind ethereal unworldly things.

In nature it is the seed heads of plants or flower heads.  One of my favorite plants is the yellow lantern Clematis because after the yellow flowers, the seed heads are gorgeous:

Imagine these covered in frost?

One last photo to encourage your appreciation of senescence:

Echinacea in the winter garden at Hummelo, Piet Outdolf's nursery garden.

Water Feature Fun!

I am designing a back yard for clients on the East side of Bend that includes a water feature.  Water features are a great addition to any landscape, they add the beautiful sound of water, create a cooler environment on hot days and can encourage birds or butterflies to visit if designed correctly.

When designing a water feature visual aids are crucial so I always include photos to accompany the design so the clients and builders know what exactly we are going for.
My pinterest account has lots of gorgeous water feature ideas - check them out!

For my current project designing a pondless water feature these are the photos I am printing for the client so far:

The water feature will be surrounded by trees, shrubs and perennial flowers to complement the scene.  

Xeriscape Backyard Makeover

So many of my clients here in Bend Oregon are looking for a low water, low maintenance, fire safe landscape and deer resistant as well.  It is often a challenge to make all of that work but here is a wonderful example of just how good it can look.

Before any work was done, the backyard was largely untouched and full of flammable Manzanita bushes.

Plus, without anything to distract the eye, the view of the neighbor's house was all too apparent.

Since this client, like so many of us in Bend, likes to spend her time out playing, it needed to be a low maintenance landscape and attractive as well.

I came up with a palette of plants to provide seasonal interest that was deer resistant, low water and good for beneficial pollinators that invites the client into the landscape.

What a fun project and gorgeous results!!!  By choosing a few key plants and repeating them throughout the landscape, unity within the yard was obtained.  Dwarf evergreen elements were also incorporated in addition to the native Chokecherry Tree that provides interest and habitat for the bird population.

Besides a good landscape design, having an excellent contractor install it is crucial.  Anna Vacca of Anna's Gardening installed this garden and knows exactly how to make plants happy.

What is that?

I am always pleasantly surprised when that awkward shrub flowers in spring.  The rest of the year it is a good space filler but is so valuable for those early spring flowers!

Do you know what it is?  Answer down below.

Answer:  Ornamental Quince

Spring Daffodils at High Lakes Elementary School

Daffodils planted at High Lakes Elementary School by Carlseng Designs

Happy First Day of Spring!

Happy Spring!

Maple Spring Flowers

Spring has sprung here in Central Oregon, the daffodils are really coming up, trees are budding out and flowering and the weather is actually turning consistently warm.

One tree I have been noticing of late is the maple tree and the beautiful red flowers it is putting out right now.  This first photo is of a Silver Maple and its red flowers:

These trees flower early to spread their pollen before the leaves come on.  Aren't those red flowers stunning against the blue sky?

Here is a picture of a Red Maple and a close up of its flowers:

There is so much more to a maple than it's gorgeous fall color.  Next time you are out look for all the fine details nature has to offer!