corner of market

As avid gardeners and lifelong Oregonians, the newly retired clients were galvanized to start an exciting chapter in their historic home with this climate driven front yard renovation. They approached us to redesign their landscape ‘as a model of what a resilient garden in our changing climate could behold’, and so began the aesthetic, functional and cultural transformation of their 100-year-old corner lot.

The redesign removed all existing lawn and old evergreen rhododendrons (that were getting scorched by the rising summer temperatures), refresh the 100-year-old concrete stair entry, incorporate a new locally sourced stone retaining wall along the steepest slope, and replant with all climate adapted, drought tolerant species under a new drip irrigation system. The design also included an intimate gravel patio to carry on the couple’s beloved ‘gin patio’ evenings in their newly refreshed front garden. The ‘gin patio’ is positioned in a perfect prospect/refuge node where they can tuck themselves away in the growing garden or be perched atop their knoll to enjoy a casual encounter with a neighbor walking by. Alongside the patio is a stepping stone gravel path working its way around the perimeter of the home enticing the couple’s grandson to run loops through the garden and pass through the only remaining small 200 sf no-mow lawn refuge.

Upon installation, the contractor and clients began fielding questions from interested passersby on what plants were being placed on-site. It was such a common occurrence that we worked alongside the client to make copper identification stakes at each plant to help facilitate a deeper connection to the array of plant life and unique plant aesthetics that just popped up in the neighborhood. In a context full of sweeping lawns and conventional perimeter shrubs obscuring the ornate architecture, this redesign has been an unexpected surprise for all who encounter it and has left a lasting impression as it’s sparked many other transformations nearby. We could not have foreseen the ripple effect and statement this garden would make within the neighborhood. Since we’ve completed the garden in 2022, we’ve now worked on and seen over 12 neighbors transitioning their traditional lawns into more dynamic, drought tolerant and pollinator abundant landscapes.