I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Another recent project had me working with some seriously committed garden lovers. These clients have a  wide front yard parking strip that’s kind of a local legend thanks to its giant street trees and fascinating plant collections! When they decided to go with a lawnless landscape design—something that’s getting more popular in N.E. Portland—they called me to help make the transition stylish and sustainable.

Driveway to Front Door Walk

One challenge: they needed a new path from the driveway to the front door, but we didn’t want it to compete with the main entry path. Enter some beautiful, custom hardscape work (shoutout to Brian Woodruff of Mortar and Petal for the install!) with gorgeous boulders anchoring the path. Even with the new plants still tiny and filling in, the bones of this landscape design already feel right.

I always tell clients:  you have to wait for plants to grow to get the effect of the newly installed design, but a hardscape (paths) with good flow, structure and a little drama (natural stone boulders), well, it feels good from day one.

This new landscape design was born out of the desire to prevent the waste of water on lawn.  Going lawnless can have order and attractive front entry appeal with a good design.  I will share more photos as this garden matures.  They just got one of their anchor trees planted.