Backyard Landscape Designs

In researching project photos for a new client, I stumbled across many older photos I haven't looked at in a while.  As we are all thinking of this new season and lots of time spent outdoors in our yards and beyond, enjoy these photos and be inspired!

This was the site of an old defunct water feature with small pool, we were able to completely redo the whole corner without too much cost and still keep a water feature, one that is much easier to take care of!  Plus it is a gorgeous spot to sit mornings or evenings.

The remodeled deck of the same project.  The steps were widened and deepened to double as seating and to make access to the yard even easier.  The pergola adds shade (southern exposure) and a great place to hang plants or party lights!

This was a fantastic project to work on.  We took out the lawn and replaced it with low maintenance plants with interest for all seasons.  The flagstone path is planted with ground cover thyme which smells heavenly!  Now the front is a hang out for the client enjoying the afternoon sun.

This project turned out awesome!  I designed this yard to be super functional and easy.  Just enough lawn for picnics, a lounge area plus more around the corner.....

This has worked out so well for the client.  A whole second area for more formal outdoor dining or just ducking out of the winds that come up in the late afternoons. 

And more projects coming all the time!

Outdoor Shade Options

After weeks of cold weather we now have a forecast of hot and sunny days, yahoo!

As much as I want to bask in the sun I know it can be too much and shade is a requirement for our Central Oregon summers.  Take a look at some of these nifty options, stylish and functional products to help you get your shade on.

Fun with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar

I have the most wonderful client and project right now on the outskirts of Bend.  It is a large property and we will be creating an 'Central Oregon English Estate'.  It presents more challenges than normal here in Central Oregon (which comes with lots of challenges!) but I get have so much fun and be creative in creating the most wonderful spaces throughout the property.

One idea I have for one large bed is to have a Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar trained to grow up and along a frame, parallel to the ground, with it's blue tendrils having down to tickle the plants below. 

I would have it in the middle of the bed, maybe even trim it to frame the view of the swimming pond beyond...

Isn't this gorgeous!!!!

You can so many creative things with Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar, the only limit is your imagination...

April Fools? Just Spring in Central Oregon

I awoke this morning to a vision of winter outside my window.  At first I was surprised but then I remembered that in Central Oregon, anything goes really when it comes to weather and it's actually not an April Fools joke by Mother Nature.

My daughter is convinced that it is still Winter even though I have explained that it really is Spring, at least it's not freezing anymore.  That is one thing I tell my clients over and over, it is not so much our planting zone but the unpredictability of our weather that makes it more difficult to garden here in Bend and Central Oregon.

 

My hardy Rugosa Rose will be fine even though it has been budding out and greening up.  Hardy plants that can take our erratic weather patterns are the best choices for a successful garden as well as plant diversity.

Mother Nature couldn't have chosen a better day to make it snow, but I know that it is still Spring and I'm planning my garden anyways.

Happy Gardening!

It sure feels like Spring to me!

The weather was so gorgeous last Friday that I spent most of the afternoon cleaning up my garden and soaking up the warm air. 

Spring is such a gorgeous time of year, full of new hope, flip flops, spring bulbs and new plans.  I love the return of leaves on the trees, warm earth and new plants. 

First Daffodil of Spring

 

 

 

So many catalogs and magazines have inspired me these past few months, my favorite being "The American Gardener" by the American Horticultural Society.  A recent article was about the new plants for 2014.  It's just amazing what the plant breeders can come up with! 

 

Here are some of my faves that will grow in Central Oregon:

 

 

Echinacea purpurea Supreme 'Cantaloupe by Terra Nova Nurseries

 

 

 

'Rose Bells' Pasqueflower by Jelitto Seed

This is a gorgeous re-blooming Daylily from Walters Garden, 'Midnight Raider'

 

Coreopsis always do well in Central Oregon, and this one has a great yellow and red color,
this is 'Bengal Tiger' from Terra Nova Nurseries

I am planning on growing carrots this year and there is a great new selection from Johhnys Selected Seeds called the 'Adelaide' carrot.  It matures in about 55 days and is a baby carrot at 3-4 inches long at maturity, perfect for my daughter!

Happy Gardening!



 





Creating Outdoor Spaces

I am working with a fantastic outdoor lifestyles contractor idea generator Backcountry Builders on an amazing backyard remodel and we are generating lots of ideas for creating a relaxing, inviting, outdoor scape for entertaining and lounging.
It must be on everyone's mind right now because I just came across an article in Garden Design titled "Eat, Play, Lounge". Lot of great ideas for large or small outdoor areas, my favorite is the wooden lounge deck:

What a great space for picnics, plays, painting, dancing.......

Time to Design!

It is the beginning of a new year and thoughts of new ideas for my garden are brewing.  Spring will be here soon enough, what would you like to do this year?

Thank you to Seed Savers Exchange for the thoughtful quote.