Category Archives: Uncategorized

Gravel Types for Landscape Purposes

Often when I consult with clients I find that the wrong type of gravel has been used for a particular purpose. Different types of gravel and small rock can be used for pathways, drainage, decoration and even as mulch. Clients often ask me why is their pathway gravel all over the place. Also, it isContinue reading “Gravel Types for Landscape Purposes”

Climate Change and the Garden

  With the prediction of an El Nino in 2024 who would have guessed that an “arctic blast” was coming to the Northwest? After the so-called “heat dome” of 2021 followed by a few relatively normal, but hot summers, we now have made it through an ice-laden early January in 2024. It got down toContinue reading “Climate Change and the Garden”

Landscaping for Aging in Place

As we age, we question if we are going to be able to take care of our homes and gardens. Gardens are not one-size-fits-all and just because we are becoming oldsters doesn’t mean we are necessarily infirm and unable to maintain and enjoy our gardens. It becomes a question of what is the level ofContinue reading “Landscaping for Aging in Place”

Landscape Designers

Landscape Designer Tips Landscape Designers create plans that will assist you in installing a landscape yourself or with a licensed landscape contractor. A drawn-to-scale plan allows you to obtain a realistic budget, materials, plant choices and the logistics and phasing of how to work and create your new outdoor spaces. Independent landscape designers work withContinue reading “Landscape Designers”

Heat Tolerant Plants of the Pacific Northwest

Landscape designers have a new concern, as do gardening gurus and nurserymen:  understanding the heat tolerance of our native and cultivated plants. This past summer was a pressure cooker, not only for drought but also for a week of intense temperatures. This affected people, plants and animals. Plants help to cool the planet, yet inContinue reading “Heat Tolerant Plants of the Pacific Northwest”

Winter Flowers in the Pacific Northwest

In so many areas of the country, particularly in the North, Winter can be dreary in the garden. Interest is derived from twiggy and grassy texture, colored dogwood twigs, foliage variations, berries and the lovely peeling bark of some trees. Here in the Pacific Northwest we do have plants that bloom in the winter. OurContinue reading “Winter Flowers in the Pacific Northwest”

Fall Color in the Pacific Northwest

Fall color can vary depending on the weather and where you live. Trees that are stressed may color-up early just from the lack of water. This year in the Pacific Northwest the autumn foliage is pretty astonishing. We typically show a lot of yellow foliage but this fall, after a very warm summer, there isContinue reading “Fall Color in the Pacific Northwest”