People are thinking about the use of drought tolerant plants.  It's a trend that has been gaining steam for a number of years, but the weather in Portland this summer has accelerated it. Almost every client I have met with in the last 2-3 months has mentioned low-water use as a priority.

If you are looking for drought tolerant plant suggestions, you have come to the right place. My favorites are below. Let's all work together to create distinct gardens that are water-wise!

Almost every week, it seems, I meet with a potential landscaping client who is looking for something very specific- a low maintenance landscape. This is not a simple request. Why? Because, my friend, we live in Portland, OR.

Plants often surprise clients who are new to landscaping. Not how great they are (which is obvious), but how expensive they are!

Ross NW Watergardens has completed extensive landscape renovations during the winter.

These included water features, patios, retaining walls, irrigation systems, new plants, and more. Contemporary or modern landscapes often utilize large amounts of hardscape, making them great winter projects.

So yes, Landscaping in Portland can be completed year round, but here is what you need to know:

Landscaping is pretty simple: put soil, rocks, and plants (in that order) in place to make your property look it's best. 

But that doesn't mean the pursuit of a beautiful garden has been untouched by technology. I have a number of websites that I use almost every week to find plants, get design ideas, and more. Here are 5 that any modern landscape designer or gardener will love: 

A landscape design from Ross NW Watergardens can take 3-8 weeks (and occasionally longer) to complete. That might seem like a really long time. 

Why does it take weeks to design a landscape?

The answer involves our designer's approach, the property's demands, and our client's style. All these factors influence how long it takes. How long would it take to design your landscape? This post might give you an idea.

What is a modern landscape design?

Modern landscaping is a combination of elements, techniques, materials, and approaches. Not all will be present in every modern outdoor space, but a truly contemporary yard will utilize many. 

Check out my list below to get a better understanding of why we say that contemporary landscape design is more than just a style:

I have written about design challenges- like the mature landscape- here before. Cutting through the noise of an overgrown garden is hardly the only design challenge we face.

Today, it's the "Family Yard". What is that?

A family yard must meet the demands of every member of the family. Parents want to entertain and garden. Kids want to play (sometimes destructively!) It can be difficult to balance these very different demands. Can it be done?

Every landscape design has it's own challenges. I've talked about our general design philosophy, and offered design tips that apply to many landscapes. I think one type of landscape, in particular, can pose a real challenge: the established landscape.

You know you want a new landscape. Is a designer the place to start? If so, how do you choose the right one?