What does a patio cost right now in 2023? Get some general guidelines here from one of Portland’s premier landscape-design firms.

Portland shares weather patterns with the Mediterranean. Which means that many plants that thrive in the Mediterranean also thrive here. They may not be native, but they are well adapted and (perhaps) future proof. But how do we use these in our drought tolerant landscape designs?

Certainly. Landscapes can definitely be a DIY project for many. So when I design for you to DIY, how does it differ from any other design?

This is one of several Michael Ellena designs we have installed. The garden is long and narrow, but the paths that wind through it give a sense of depth. Planting beds are raised so you can’t ever see all the garden at once. It is a sophisticated design that has matured very well, not in small part due to the fact that Michael does the pruning.

This garden had to be a lot of things: very low maintenance, drought tolerant, and modern. My client was going to move into their ADU and wanted the outdoor space to help compensate for how compact the inside is.

This compact garden is the primary view from the client’s home office, shop, dining room, and living room. From all angles it needed to look great, with tons of color and texture. A Japanese influence was desired, with some traditional PNW garden elements worked in as well.

I had never heard of a “scatter garden” prior to this project, but it was a pleasure to work with the great people at River View in SW Portland.

The garden we designed winds down a woodland slope to a deck that cantilevers out over a ravine. Several days a year the cemetery opens the area for people to scatter cremains at no charge. If people wish to commemorate their loved ones they can do so on one of the monuments placed along the path.

This really special little garden was designed by Toru Tanaka. Back in 2003 (if I remember correctly) the home was just built and owned by Art Iwasaki- a wonderful man who also happened to be in the nursery business.

Our job was to bring back to life this old garden, while adding in some new elements. Paths gave access to the garden without having to walk in the mud. A masonry firepit was to become a destination. The enclosed garden keeps the deer and rabbits away. And dozens of little choices were made to gradually limit the maintenance and water required for the sizeable property.

This home, and the family that lives in it, are thoroughly modern. The landscape, on the other hand, was dated and a bit formless. We use rustic juniper timbers and weathering steel to create a garden that is functional, fun for kids, and that complements the lines of the home.