Landscaping Ideas Portland | Landscape Design Blog by Ben Bowen

25 Years Landscaping Portland | 70+ Five-Star Reviews | 1000+ Gardens Improved

Mass Planting - The Design Element You Didn't Know You Needed

by Ben Bowen

Mass planting (or “massed planting” or “planting in drifts”) is the term we use to describe using one variety of plant to fill an area. A lawn, for example, is a mass planting of a low grass. Unfortunately, the most common lawn grasses are high maintenance and need lots of water. 

But when you take this concept and use plants that are super hardy and don’t need a ton of water? Now you have a powerful way to take large swaths of garden and make them beautiful, low care, and water wise. 

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Naturalistic Family Friendly Garden

by Ben Bowen

We have now had over 3 years to work with our garden and it is starting to feel like I want it to. It isn’t finished (gardens are never finished) and it is not yet mature. But I am happy with where it is at and the pace of changes and additions has slowed.

Below are some pictures taken recently. The garden was not prepped for the photos, but the lighting was fantastic.

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My Thoughts On Designing For Privacy

by Ben Bowen

Portland is full of dense neighborhoods, tall houses on tiny lots, and changes in grade that make it a challenge to have a private outdoor space. There are a number of ways to get privacy in your landscape, and I discuss several of them with Porch.

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How Our Installation Schedule Works

by Ben Bowen

When you sign an agreement with us, and pay a deposit, you get a start date for your landscape project. Some times of the year that may be 20 weeks away, other times it may be 40 weeks. Either way, you have a start date and are in the schedule. What does that mean?

The start date is a target. No new projects will go in front of you, your deposit ensures that. However, it is common for projects to start a week or more past the start date on the agreement. Why?

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Landscape Design vs Detailed Proposal

by Ben Bowen

If you are reading this we have met to discuss your landscape project. We discussed two ways that, as the landscape designer here at Ross NW Watergardens, I can help your project move forward. The first is a formal landscape design and the second is a detailed proposal. Which is right for you?

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