Question I want to be able to install my landscape in phases. Should I have the design done in phases as well or all at once? Answer Many of our clients opt to install their gardens in phases but we always recommend getting a master plan completed before starting on the installation. Having a master…
Category: Landscape Design
Top 10 Shade Garden Plants
Evergreen Beesia (Beesia deltophylla) – This slow spreader is great for covering ground under trees or in woodland gardens where other plants might not be as successful. The dark, evergreen leaves are glossy and heart shaped creating a nice, bold texture in the garden. In spring, slender flower stems rise above the foliage with small,…
Ask the Designer Series – Retaining Walls
Question I have a sloped backyard that is unusable in its current state. Should I put up a retaining wall to create a flat space or are there more options? Answer Being in the Pacific Northwest, we get some form of this question from almost every client. There are many different ways to tackle a…
Estimates vs Contracts
A new landscape project typically comes with a large cost and it’s important to understand how pricing can be provided to you. While estimates and contracts can be very similar at first glance, there are key differences that are important to know when you’re getting pricing for your project. Estimates Estimates are typically meant to…
Setting a Vision for the Garden
Every well-designed garden starts with a master vision. We are constantly asking and answering who, what, when, where, and why. When we’re working towards a client’s vision for their garden, we look at 4 main pieces: context, function, elements, and aesthetic/style. These give us an outline to work from and inform the design from concept…
Northwest Flower & Garden Festival Wrap-Up
It’s been a week since the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival opened and we could finally show our entire display garden to everyone. We loved giving sneak peaks on our socials but it feels so good to not have to hide it anymore! From our incredible installation crew at Alliance Landscape Services and Neucon Construction…
Gathering Gardens
Gathering gardens traditionally started as community spaces for people to come together to enjoy nature, learn about and grow native plants, and have a space for celebrations and other recreational activities. On a residential scale, gathering gardens can be the hub of the family and function as an extension of your home. Gathering gardens are…
Year in Review – 2024
As we head into the holiday season, we wish to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our amazing clients that we get to work with. We love designing beautiful gardens that bring joy year after year and are so grateful that we are able to do what we love. We appreciate all of the…
Designing with Slopes
Creating usable space with sloped properties can be challenging but not impossible. This extra layer of complexity can add more interest and make the spaces more dynamic while maximizing accessibility throughout the property. Working with the existing slopes of a property instead of against them will help you find better solutions that keep the entire…
Building, Planting, & Maintaining a Rain Garden
We’ve past the first day of fall and the rainy weather has returned. If your yard is plagued with drainage problems this time of year, a rain garden may be the perfect solution to your drainage woes. By routing your drain systems and downspouts to a rain garden, you can move excess water on your…