BONNIE'S PLACE

The blank canvas....what can we do??? Could we shape the lawn a bit? Could we make room for more....PLANTS???!!??

BONNIE'S PLACE

A rather small area to do some serious outdoor living on. Hmmmm....how could we have room for entertaining AND a ping pong table???

Let's be creative......

BONNIE'S PLACE

This is in the beginning. Uncomfortable slope to walk on (and a bit soggy in the rainy months). Nice maple, but too close to fence.

Plain Jane. Not for long......

BONNIE'S PLACE

B & L Construction in Hillsboro, Oregon pouring the new exposed aggregate patio. Essentially we added on to the small patio already there. Once this step is complete, Mitika of Creative Fence and Deck will build a beautiful mahogany pergola overhead with a Lexan top! Bring on the ping pong guru (and bring on the rain...we got cha covered!)!

Nice job, guys!!

BONNIE'S PLACE

Korey Winchell of Second Nature Landscape, Inc. (no we are not the same company, but have the same great taste in company names!!) and crew took the design that Bonnie and I created and whipped it into shape! From stonework to plantings, they made the plan come to life!!
A view from the large basalt step. This side of the property, on the other side of the covered patio, will visually pull you through, and soon there will be a new lawn and a corner bench to sit on once you get there! Bronze Lexan tops off the beautiful wood pergola, giving the garden a more intimate feel. Thanks Creative Fence and Deck for the great craftsmanship!! And you fit us in just into your busy schedule. The conifer and the Japanese Maple were relocated.

Nice!!

BONNIE'S PLACE

Horacio installing drip irrigation in the new retaining wall. Plants with all season interest are going in!!

BONNIE'S PLACE

This shows the gravel pathway that is easy access leading to a large basalt stone step taking you to the new covered patio. The choice of stone coordinates well with the existing basalt retaining wall in the back ground. A welcoming entrance to a great back yard!! Summer, here we come!

DRY GARDEN COLORS

WOW! Euphorbia 'Portugese Velvet" looks awesome next to this dark purple sedum in my dry garden! Who says dry is boring and lifeless??

Have you heard that or weather is changing? We just went up a notch on the USDA Zone Chart... meaning our environment is getting a bit warmer. Water-wise planting is getting more and more popular these days, and I tell you, I am constantly impressed with the type of plants that will do great with little to no water (well, after they get established that is!). Want to learn more about these kinds of gardens? Just let me know, OK?

"VISUAL EYE CANDY" IN MY GARDEN AT HOME

I call this Rustic Tones.

The Euphorbia blooms are on the way out, but they bridge between the strappy burgundy New Zealand Flax and the coral blooms of the Cape Fuscia. That is Euphorbia wulfenii peeking around the edge, with it's lovely blue evergreen foliage!

And ya know, I NEVER have to weed this bed, it is

full and weeds can't find a place to grow! Woohoo! More time for planting instead of weeding...my kind of garden!!

What a great bed to welcome folks to my home??

Come on in friends!!

TINA'S GARDEN - DAY THREE

Hey, the new patio set is assembled, the firebowl is in place! We chose this great firebowl because it has a lid that when in place makes a little casual eating table for guests. Or, of course, it can be used for nice fires on summer nights!

We have chosen warm, earthy colors for our Balinese theme....reds, oranges and yellows. Wait until you see the large planted pots in the background completed.....wow!!

TINA'S GARDEN - DAY TWO

The framework for the Bamboo structure is up, but not yet complete! This structure will hold strings of white lights, and is built so that she can hang Asian-style lanterns in the corner if desired! To help create the feel of privacy and intimacy, this structure is key!

TINA'S GARDEN, DAY ONE

Here is Day One of the creation of Tina's Garden, located in the Forest Heights area of Portland, Oregon.

Her backyard was a little overgrown and really had no personality. But, it had a good foundation for becoming a great place for relaxing and an intimate entertaining spot for friends!

We removed a few pavers in the corner creating a planting bed that integrates plant material with the hardscaped living area. A Bamboo structure will frame the area, and provide a place to hang strings of lights for night entertaining!