by Carol | Nov 20, 2025 | Before and Afters, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Landscape Styles, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, No lawn back yard
Could we magically transform a small water-hog backyard to low-water plants with modern style and beauty galore? Here’s a story about one of my favorite recent backyard remodels — a small North Portland garden that turned into a low-water landscape design success. My...
by Carol | Mar 10, 2025 | Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Gardening Green, New Improved Plants, Parking Strips, Plants I Recommend, Tree Selection
Designers test tree. This Olive tree stands the test of time. I drive by this tree often and have watched it handle 10 Portland winters. In summer it gets hot south sun with reflected heat from paving in NW Industrial area of Portland (NW Pettygrove). Why Olive...
by Carol | Mar 3, 2025 | Dramatic Flowers, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Native Plants, Plants I Recommend, pollinator plants
Rudbeckia lacinata Herbstonne’ with Gold Band Miscanthus grass in Portland summer garden. It’s still flowering in October. My clients (in Portland, Oregon) often want a garden design with lots of flowers for making flower arrangements. ...
by Carol | Nov 2, 2024 | Design Basics, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Landscape Styles, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, No Lawn Front Yards, Plants I Recommend
Creating Stunning Landscapes with Ornamental Grasses: Expert Tips from a Landscape Designer As a landscape designer, one of my favorite elements to incorporate into a garden is ornamental grasses. Not only do they provide year-round interest, but they are also...
by Landscape Design in a Day | Oct 25, 2024 | Design Basics, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Tips, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Plants I Recommend
Low Maintenance Fountain Grass: The Steady Eddie of Ornamental Grasses In Your Portland Garden Design Fountain Grasses: Versatile, Vibrant and Low Water Fountain grasses are popular for a reason – their graceful, often arching foliage and feathery plumes add movement...