Starting in fall of 2018, running though most of 2019, we were part of a team that transformed a sloping double lot on the lake in Lake Oswego, OR into one of the area’s most ambitious private gardens. Read about the team and see pictures from this Spring.

The design is anchored by a dramatic water feature with a 25’ long stream and a series of falls that culminate in a 4’ drop into a pond that sits right at the driveway. It makes a statement while drowning out noise that comes from the home above.

 Ross NW Watergardens used to do a lot of irrigation system and water feature repairs. Back then we had one landscape crew, no maintenance crews, and didn't do any design work. We now have multiple crews and do quite a few designs. We don't want to add technicians, so...

We are no longer taking on repairs for systems or features we did not install ourselves. But don't worry, we have some great referrals for you:

Best Portland Landscapers? My goal is to help you decide which landscaper is right for your garden, property, family, and budget. The list is broken up into three main categories (small, medium, large), with a couple bonus niche categories (organic, irrigation repair, low voltage lighting).

Now, you might be thinking, why would you put this list together?

What do you want out of landscape lighting? You want it to look beautiful and maybe make your house a bit safer and more secure. It’s not rocket surgery.

But how does it get there? Not by accident, but by design. Each one of the lighting systems we install is unique, but there are a number of principles that guide their design.

No other plant can give you instant height while taking up so little space. Bamboo can be a focal point or a backdrop, a sharp exclamation point or a soft accent. And if you are leaning modern or Japanese with your landscape design bamboo will fit right in. But it can also be as scary as any plant you might use here in Portland- so be sure you do it right!

So how to do bamboo right, right?

You have a to-do list for you home that is a mile long, a dozen projects you could choose to do. If landscape lighting is one of them you may be trying to do a cost-benefit analysis. But that can be difficult to do if you have never had one. I design and install landscape lighting and have a system myself. Here is what I suggest you consider before moving forward with a new landscape lighting system.

At some point this winter all the leaves will have dropped, grasses will have been cut back, annuals have died and perennials are dormant. Does that mean your garden has to be sad all winter? 

Nope! Here in Portland there are a plethora of fantastic plants that offer winter color, texture, even blooms. Here are 10 of my favorite:

No one has ever regretted enjoying there landscape in new ways, for more hours, for a fraction of the total cost of the garden. Even poorly designed LED landscape lighting is better than no light.

But we don’t want poor lighting, do we?

Here are some common mistakes to avoid (or fix if you already made them).

Japanese inspired + drought tolerant + shade tolerant + a working garden in the front yard. This is what my clients wanted and they are very happy with the finished garden, so it must be what they got!