Taming the slope for a family that loves to be in their back yard!
Imagine walking into your own lush, forested oasis, where every corner is alive with the buzz of pollinators and the chirping of native birds. If you value sustainability, desire to sequester carbon, and want a landscape that thrives with native flora and fauna, then you’ve found the right landscape designer to bring your vision to life.
Take, for example, Ben and Naja, who were eager to transform their Portland hillside property. Though their home had stunning front-facing windows for sunsets, the backyard posed a challenge with its intimidating slope. Nevertheless, their love for the outdoors drove them to find a solution.
Eco Friendly Backyard Dream
Dedicated to their eco-friendly backyard dream, Ben and Naja contacted Bird Alliance of Oregon to learn what it would take to earn a Backyard Habitats Certification for their property. Next they contacted me, Carol Lindsay, Landscape Design in a Day. They wanted someone who could think about all the needs of their large property and create a custom landscape plan they could install. While they waited for our design day they removed more invasive plant species with determination, a testament to their dedication to crafting a restorative woodland garden.
When I first met them, these goals became ours:
- Harnessing their carpentry skills, our design would center on environmentally sustainable materials like juniper wood and low-water native plants.
- Crafting cozy, inviting spaces for relaxation and entertainment.
- Improving the accessibility of their third-acre sloping property in SW Portland.
- Designing a serene hammock retreat, nestled in the woods yet conveniently close to the house, and…that could double as a firepit area.
- Establishing pathways that seamlessly connect the front yard to the new backyard seating area and woodlands beyond, ensuring easy maintenance access to control invasive species. The existing mature trees and native soil were just waiting for liberation from invasive weeds.
Locally-Sourced Juniper Wood Retaining Wall
The transformation began with a forest patio integrated into the hillside near their back door deck. We used locally-sourced juniper wood, crafted retaining walls that doubled as seating instead of using concrete. This patio space enjoys cool shade in the afternoons and sunlight in the morning.
Since their existing deck is not hospitable in the afternoons, our second seating area allowed more outdoor living in the summer than they had ever had.
Environmental Backyard Landscape Design Results:
Nature Trail and Pathways
The once-steep and unusable side yard was reimagined into an accessible, inviting area. It’s truly beautiful and was a tremendous amount of work. Count those stairs; every single one was installed by our clients. With a labor of love and assistance from family (talented fathers helped), Ben, Naja, and their daughter hauled 2.5 tons of materials, proving that professional construction wasn’t necessary for this project. Naja, showcasing her impressive work boots, even removed a large stump single-handedly.
We (Alana Chau) designed a nature trail leading to the top of the property, enhancing the experience with over 100 native plants all species (no cultivars that can confuse pollinators), carefully placed in their correct planting spot.
Visiting the Completed Design Installation
Two years later we set up a visit with our clients to see the results. The landscape plantings have matured beautifully; it’s heartwarming to see the patio, walls, and forest surroundings work so well for this family’s backyard. And also to hear how happy they are using their backyard.
The hammock patio, initially designed for multiple use, is predominantly a peaceful hammock haven used daily by Naja.
Native Plants Supply Wildlife Friendly Environment
The hundreds of native plants have flourished, with the exception of our original choice for a privacy shrub, Oregon Wax Myrtle, which we anticipate will grow denser with time. The enchanting stroll up through the matured native plant garden reveals abundant wildlife, from busy chickadees and juncos to the surprising resident, an ermine, who has claimed its territory with a charming boldness. Photos that Ben shared with us show the ermine either smiling or showing its teeth–we will go with smiling. They are close to qualifying for the silver Backyard Habitats Certification with most of invasive plants banished.
Transform Your Property
Working with and helping clients like Ben and Naja, who are committed to combating climate change and supporting native wildlife, is truly rewarding. Designing a landscape that invites both critter and human relaxation requires expertise and passion. If you’re ready to transform your property into an environmentally conscious haven, Call me 503 223 2426 or use my contact form. You will hear back from me quickly.
Let’s discuss your dream landscape to support humans and our wildlife partners.
