Use a refined hardscape-and-plant palette to transform a challenging landscape into a functional outdoor space
Despite our best efforts , we humans ca n’t do it all . spirit in the 21st one C often move at a interfering pace and is press - packed with responsibleness and wonderfully abundant direction for us to spend our “ free time . ” While many of us love to spend a great chunk of that time enjoying our gardens , we do n’t necessarily get it on ( or have the necessary resources ) to handle for them . As a landscape painting designer , I ’ve found that one of the honorable way to create sustainable gardens for my guest is to acquire purpose that work with the sites , not against them , while also hit on the clients ’ wish lists .
That scenario was certainly the case for a recent projection with a modernistic aesthetic in North Portland , Oregon . My client arebusy professionals , so the landscape needed to take tending of itself . Combine that with a orbicular pandemic and a major displacement in mass working from home , and the must - have list grew to include multiple areas where the homeowners not only could unbend and dine but also where they could make a phone call or have a meeting in the garden just outside their dwelling house studio apartment .
|The Plan|
Tackling transitions
Because the family sit above a godforsaken green space , one of our main design objectives was to blur theline between the landscapeand the natural blank space below , while also creating intentional , functional out-of-door rooms . As a solution , we affectionately dub this projection the “ Gradient House , ” celebrating itsmany successful transitionsfrom blank space to space .
A. Front yard and entranceway
B. Main house
C. Studio
D. Outdoor dining area
E. Lounging / firepit area
F. Gabion wall
G. Meadow
See the planting plan for this garden
Work with your site to overcome challenges and discover design opportunities
The landscape was not the only part of this property getting an update . The old house was also on deck for a major modern makeover . I was lucky to come into the project at an other stage and work intimately with the architect on the fresh aspect and feel of the landscape painting . Because this was a construction site , we had theopportunity to ameliorate much of the existing poor remains soil . To make a successful lasting landscape , it ’s always important to bulge with rectify the territory as postulate — so we brought in yards and pace of compost .
Even with good dirt , though , Oregon has a challenging climate to contend with that include spicy , dry summers and long , besotted wintertime . The planting had to allow both seasonal extremes . In addition to toughened conditions , there were site considerations to address . The backyard is where the owners would spend most of their time , yet the neighboring house sit down very closely to the side attribute lines in that area . And the back side of the belongings edge an urban fleeceable - quad meadow . The multifaceted goal became creating functional out-of-door spaces composed of young plantings that provide secrecy , are primarily self - have in extreme conditions , and blend with modern computer architecture and a dotty hayfield .
To accomplish that , I avoid include any lawn and focused on a modified flora palette to cede the carrying into action and forms this site needed . From some vantage points , the garden look like it goes on into the hayfield with no gap . This is thanks to a mixture of cosmetic Mary Jane and “ wild - look ” perennial . gage such as ‘ Adagio ’ maiden skunk ( Miscanthussinensis * ‘ Adagio ’ , Zones 5–9 ) and Cayenne ™ fountain pasturage ( Pennisetumalopecuroides‘TIFT PA18 ’ , Zones 5–9 ) , along with aster ( Symphyotrichumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) and flower ‘ Chocolate ’ snakeroot ( Ageratinaaltissima‘Chocolate ’ , syn . Eupatorium rugosum‘Chocolate ’ , Zones 3–9 ) , provide excellent , reliable grain and form . privateness was achieved with a covering of plants that includes evergreen holly oak tree ( Quercus ilexand cvs . , Zones 7–10 ) and columnar ‘ Vanessa ’ Persian ironwood ( Parrotiapersica‘Vanessa ’ , Zones 5–8 ) . Harlequin glorybower ( Clerodendrumtrichotomumand cvs . , Zones 7–10 ) block the view of a posture field from a neighboring house in the summer , while evergreen star jasmine ( Trachelospermum jasminoidesand cvs . , Zones 8–11 ) does a grotesque job at concealing a chain - connexion fence on the boundary line .
- See invading alert below .
Establish a hardscape foundation that is functional and beautiful for the long haul
I love creating secret areas that make mass feel like they are not even in their own garden any longer . I also relish building cozy spaces where they can baby-sit and have java or expend time with friends around the firepit . We work with the designer to make outdoor room for living and working . These include a dining and encounter area closer to the house , a seat area for mill around and making phone calls deeply into the garden , and a firepit and sauna area for relaxing in seclusion farther away from the house . A critical and unifyingcomponent to all of these rooms is hardscape that is useable , esthetically pleasing , and long - lasting .
In keeping with the modern design of the residence and to link up the garden with the sign of the zodiac , pelt - concrete retaining walls were installed . These bulwark cleanly delineate the outdoor rooms and provide needed social system and support for the planned aggrandisement change , overflow direction , and planting surface area . preciseness - cut and flat - edged wooden planks , rectangular concrete pavers , and decomposed granite gravel serve as attractive foundational materials for the footpaths and the dining and lounging area — give the softscape institute the perfect twelvemonth - circle backdrop to shine .
Layer plant color and texture to pull the scene together
I await at design garden as similar to create a house painting , with a lot of condition move over to layering . As I begin , I inquire myself : What colour palette will I use ? What is in the foreground ? What chassis are in the length ? Layers are important to good garden intention , just like layers of key on a canvas . I even have it off the insidious color and textural detail that lilliputian ground coverssuch as governing body button ( Leptinella squalidaand cvs . , Zones 4–10 ) provide right at your feet when you ’re walking through a garden — something that I feel is often overlook .
Flowers are an unbelievable source of colour , so it ’s well always to have something in flower . I especially love it when people are surprised by a dada of blossom color they had no melodic theme was coming . However , I examine to avoid one - reach wonders and use multiseason plants . Herbaceous and woody plants that have pretty flowers , attractive barque or base , and striking fall color , yield , and/or seed are worth their exercising weight in Au . Pollinator - favorable plants such as Joe Pye weed ( Eutrochiumspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–8 ) and coneflowers ( Echinaceaspp . and cvs . , Zones 3–9 ) look great in blush and have interesting ejaculate heads when the flowers fade in fall .
Foliage color is often just as important as flower color . The undimmed , silver - bloodless foliage of ‘ Sea Foam ’ artemisia ( Artemisia‘Sea Foam ’ , Zones 4–10 ) and daisy bush ( Brachyglottis greyi , syn . Senecio greyi , Zones 8–10 ) is stunning . Repeating plant and/or semblance to create color echoes throughout the garden is very important . I always recount hoi polloi you’re able to have a mad garden with every works in the world , but it only mold if you have some repeating ingredient . The decorative grass are the primary hardworking , repeating ingredient in this garden . With green okay texture early in the growing season , follow by fall people of colour and airy flower in autumn , Mary Jane look great year - round and have only a abbreviated window of downtime when they are cut back in early spring .
In wintertime , dry fuel pod and dried tan leafage give this garden expectant grain , but for color I look to bark , such as that on the vivid red bow of ‘ Midwinter Fire ’ bloodtwig dogwood ( Cornussanguinea‘Midwinter Fire ’ , Zones 5–8 ) . I always tell my clients and landscape painting contractors in fall to keep their garden up as long as they can . The seedpods and all in parting not only offer visual sake , but they also provide habitat and food source for birds and wildlife . This seasonal functionality ties into the garden ’s overarching theme of knead with the site rather than against it . The thoughtful plant and structure choice in this garden meant that everyone make their wish - listing item — the homeowners as well as the wildlife .
*Invasive Alert:
Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis)
This plant is considered invasive in AL , CT , GA , IN , KY , MD , NC , NH , NJ , NY , PA , SC , TN , and VA .
Please visitinvasiveplantatlas.orgfor more entropy .
Wesley Younie is an creative person and landscape interior designer who transforms landscape “ canvases ” into beautiful , functional , and sustainable industrial plant of art in the neat Portland , Oregon , area .
The right plants in the right places.A thoughtful selection of perennials and woody plants that stand up to hot, dry summers and wet winters turned the urban lot surrounding this modern home into a rugged yet beautiful landscape.Photo: doreenwynja.com
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Maximize practical placement.The main patio and outdoor dining space was placed between the studio office and the kitchen for easy access from both interior rooms. Within this area, a persimmon (Diospyros kaki‘Fuyu’, Zones 7–10) was planted in the gravel to eventually provide shade for the nearby dining table.Photo: doreenwynja.com
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Choose plants that can do some heavy lifting.Some beds have to do more than just look good. Because this area had to retain run-off water, high-performing, moisture-tolerant plants like white-flowering ‘Chocolate’ snakeroot and Cayenne™ fountain grass were the best choices for beauty and resilience.Photo: doreenwynja.com
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Focus on function.Knowing how you want to use a space helps to narrow structure and plant choices. This relaxing seating area was a must-have in this garden, which led to the selection of a modern, level platform material for the chairs, surrounded by soothing, airy plantings.Phot0: doreenwynja.com
Work from a baseline structure. Challenges such as elevation changes and runoff management sometimes require creative structural solutions in order to also include wish-list features such as lounging areas.Photo: doreenwynja.com
Putting these hardscape structures in placefirst makes it easier to dovetail in the plantings and ensures a successful, sustainable landscape.Photo: doreenwynja.com
Use repetition to create harmony.Echoing plants, colors, and textures is an excellent way to tame a wild scene. Although a mash-up of whimsical forms might sound chaotic, repeating ornamental grasses and colorful asters in this planting actually results in a soothing effect.Photo: doreenwynja.com
