Spring Landscape Transformations 3 of 3

Hi everyone! I’m Carol Lindsay, Portland landscape designer since 1992.  In those years I have seen just about every front and back yard situation you can imagine.

I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Lawnless front yard south of Laurelhurst in Portland with simple and well integrated hardscape design. Plants are still being installed in april of 2025.

3. Family Comfort (and Room for Dogs!): Big Changes with Simple Moves

Old back yard needed an landscape design update to fit family and 2 large dogs and very low maintenance
Before photo of NE Portland small back yard was disappointing and too much yard work for little return. Lawn was not and never would be functional due to dogs clay soil, and shade.

Here’s a landscape design for anyone whose yard has more time with four-legged than two-legged visitors! This NE Portland family has two large dogs and a shady, heavy clay-soil backyard where grass just didn’t stand a chance. The existing paver patio was in good condition, but too small for their needs, and the table crowded the space.

Plan the Space for Dining Outdoors on the Typical Number of Guests

Instead of tearing everything out, we simply re-thought how the family would use the yard now that their kids were leaving the nest. We took out the table leaf (no need for a six-seater every day), and switched up the furniture arrangement for better flow. We replaced the patchy lawn with NW Play Fiber chips (from Mt. Scott Fuel), which pretty much eliminates muddy paws and makes the yard much easier to keep tidy. Bonus: there’s plenty of room for a future granny swing back in the “chip zone”!

A promisng “before” — and just wait!

We also added classic 24” x 24” concrete slabs as a path, repeating the pattern between a few dramatic whiskey barrel planters for visual punch. It’s simple, clean, and dog-proof—and I can’t wait to show you “after” pics once the plants have filled in next summer!

Large concrete slabs complement old patio pavers to enlarge patio and add a path for low maintenance no lawn back yard in NE Portland
Partially finished back yard now has attractive path and raised beds along the house. A swing will be added to the foreground that will fit 2 people comfortably or maybe just 1 for a nap.

Ready for Your Own Refresh?

I love helping people create outdoor spaces that work for their real lives, whether that means welcoming birds and pollinators, making room for pets, or just setting up a comfy spot for coffee in the sun. If you’re in NE Portland and dreaming of a change (simple or dramatic), let’s talk! I’ll be with you every step of the way, from fine-tuning the perfect design to cheering on your new plants as they grow.

Want more inspiration or a free phone chat about your yard? Drop me a message, or use my contact form and let’s make your outdoor space your new favorite place.

Happy spring, everyone!

— Carol Lindsay, specializing in city places and spaces…..Landscape Designer since 1992


P.S. If you love “before and after’s,” keep an eye out for updated photos next summer.

Spring Landscape Transformations 2 of 3

Hi everyone! I’m Carol Lindsay, Portland landscape designer since 1992.  In those years I have seen just about every front and back yard situation you can imagine.

I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Lawnless front yard south of Laurelhurst in Portland with simple and well integrated hardscape design. Plants are still being installed in april of 2025.

2. Famous Trees Meet Fresh Style: The Lawnless Revolution

Before front yard landscape design with old steps and picnic table by front door w black cat on porch
Before photo has no path from the driveway to the front door and has a lackluster front walk near Laurelhurst neighborhood in Portland.

Another recent project had me working with some seriously committed garden lovers. These clients have a  wide front yard parking strip that’s kind of a local legend thanks to its giant street trees and fascinating plant collections! When they decided to go with a lawnless landscape design—something that’s getting more popular in N.E. Portland—they called me to help make the transition stylish and sustainable.

Driveway to Front Door Walk

One challenge: they needed a new path from the driveway to the front door, but we didn’t want it to compete with the main entry path. Enter some beautiful, custom hardscape work (shoutout to Brian Woodruff of Mortar and Petal for the install!) with gorgeous boulders anchoring the path. Even with the new plants still tiny and filling in, the bones of this landscape design already feel right.

I always tell clients:  you have to wait for plants to grow to get the effect of the newly installed design, but a hardscape (paths) with good flow, structure and a little drama (natural stone boulders), well, it feels good from day one.

This new landscape design was born out of the desire to prevent the waste of water on lawn.  Going lawnless can have order and attractive front entry appeal with a good design.  I will share more photos as this garden matures.  They just got one of their anchor trees planted.

Front Yard Entry Hardscape Landscape Design uses large square concrete pavers for Path to front door of Portland bungalow south of Laurelhurst neighborhood in NE Portland
Interesting front entry walk with access path from driveway is great to use even without all the new plants installed.

Ready for Your Own Refresh?

I love helping people create outdoor spaces that work for their real lives, whether that means welcoming birds and pollinators, making room for pets, or just setting up a comfy spot for coffee in the sun. If you’re in NE Portland and dreaming of a change (simple or dramatic), let’s talk! I’ll be with you every step of the way, from fine-tuning the perfect design to cheering on your new plants as they grow.

Want more inspiration or a free phone chat about your yard? Drop me a message, or use my contact form and let’s make your outdoor space your new favorite place.

Happy spring, everyone!

— Carol Lindsay, specializing in city places and spaces…..Landscape Designer since 1992


P.S. If you love “before and after’s,” keep an eye out for updated photos next summer.

Spring Landscape Transformations 1 of 3

Hi everyone! I’m Carol Lindsay, Portland landscape designer since 1992.  In those years I have seen just about every front and back yard situation you can imagine.

I’m excited to share several landscape transformations right here in NE Portland. March brought us a rare run of sunny days, and it was the perfect time to visit clients and check in on a few newly installed front and back yards. If you’re curious about how outdoor spaces transform—and maybe dreaming about your own back or front yard makeover—read on for three stories of small changes with big impact.

Lawnless front yard south of Laurelhurst in Portland with simple and well integrated hardscape design. Plants are still being installed in april of 2025.

1. Back Yard Bliss: Down to Earth (Literally!)

Deck in tiny NE Portland back yard before re design
Before Photo Deck in tiny NE Portland (Irvington Neighborhood) back yard lacked privacy and useable space. It takes experience to make this into a back yard paradise.

First up, I want to talk about back yard transformations. Sometimes, the design solution is crystal clear—this Irvington neighborhood landscaping project was one of those cases. My clients had an old deck that perched high above their small yard, which made the space feel kind of awkward. They spent time on the back deck but wanted something different. They wanted to feel like they were in their yard, not hovering over it.  Then bad news struck – the supports for the deck were rotted and the deck had to go.

They contacted me looking for help with a small and tricky back yard transformation.

Creating Good Flow in Small City Back Yards

My extensive experience with small city back yards and understanding how to create good flow allowed me to quickly create a layout that would work well.  Re designing how the two sets of stairs came down into this garden was key to the success.  We (Rich & Angela, my clients) all worked together on the design and landed on a new ground-level patio that’s just the right size. Suddenly, this once-awkward back yard feels more spacious, balanced and comfortable—and the sitting area feels deliberate, not just squeezed in.

Landscape design for tiny NE Portland Irvington Neighborhood back yard includes steel planters, and stairs up to deck
New deck, dramatic steel planters and steps bring us down to the ground level in this tiny NE Portland back yard. Cascade Fence and Deck and Mortar and Petal were installers for this design.

Private Sitting Area and Garden Make a Beautiful View Inside and Out

Now we finally get to enjoy the plants and the dapples from the huge magnolia tree overhead in complete privacy.  I loved adding thoughtful details—like a cozy seating nook and a view-focused arrangement—that make a space feel special. The steel planters along the new steps into the garden add drama and another place for plantings.  The clients loved it so much, they moved all their furniture inside the house to face the new garden!

They’ve told me it’s completely changed the way they experience their home, inside and out. That’s a designer’s dream come true!  Stay tuned for photos showing the planters filled and our small plantings filling in.  PS  My client treated the steel planters to get the rich red rust color within a few weeks instead of waiting for a few years.

Testimonial

We had a super-nice, and personal experience with Carol as we went through the design process. She listened to our needs and quickly had a strong sense of what we were trying to achieve. The final delivered drawings and planting lists are exactly what we need to move our new garden design forward.

Rich and Angela NE Portland Irvington Neighborhood


Ready for Your Own Refresh?

I love helping people create outdoor spaces that work for their real lives, whether that means welcoming birds and pollinators, making room for pets, or just setting up a comfy spot for coffee in the sun. If you’re in NE Portland and dreaming of a change (simple or dramatic), let’s talk! I’ll be with you every step of the way, from fine-tuning the perfect design to cheering on your new plants as they grow.

Want more inspiration or a free phone chat about your yard? Drop me a message, or use my contact form and let’s make your outdoor space your new favorite place.

Happy spring, everyone!

— Carol Lindsay, specializing in city places and spaces…..Landscape Designer since 1992


P.S. If you love landscape design “before and afters,” keep an eye out for updated photos next summer.

Landscaping A Mixed-Use House & Office Property in Eliot Neighborhood: Part 3

Integrating Pacific Northwest Native Plants Into A Dream Garden Design

Pacific Northwest native plants, including Vine Maples, used in Eliot Neighborhood property for privacy.
Native plants (including Vine Maple trees ) accompany the pedestrian access path for the in fill homes behind Leslies home.

(Read parts one and two of this series.)

Part 3 of Leslie’s Dream Garden – Designing The Private Office Entry

While planning the lanscape design for the entrance of Leslie’s office, we put considerable thought into accessibility. Instead of adding a second path off the front walk, we used wide planting bed paver edging on both sides for symmetry. This subtle landscape design choice preserved the front yard’s elegance as a residence while providing a practical solution for access to her office.

We also retained two perfectly square boxwoods on either side of the front walk, beautifully pruned by Leslie, which added a structured element to the design and the old hydrangea.  All the other overgrown shrubs will be replaced with evergreen shrubs and multi season perennials and ground covers for a welcoming appearance year-round.

Creating a Rich Plant Palette for the Front Yard

A Winter Snowman Camellia is suitable for the pacific northwest dream garden in Eliot Neighborhood.
Winter Snowman Camellia flowers in the fall, and has a more compact shape than most.

Front yard foundation plant list: Camellia japonica ‘Winters Snowman’ is a variety that makes a perfect, small, vase-shaped shrub or small tree and it flowers in fall.

Fatsia ‘Spiders Web’ has attractive green and cream variegated leaves,  Sarcococca confusa is lovely evergreen with fragrance and  shiny dark green leaves. Hellebores, brunnera, heuchera (coral bells) specialty hens and chicks, Lithodora diffusa ‘White Star’ (sky blue flower with white eye) and other groundcovers make a tapestry of color at the front edge of the landscape.

Spiders Web plant suitable for Pacific Northwest dream garden in Eliot Neighborhood.
Fatsia japonica ‘Spiders Web’ in SE Portland clients backyard

Working with Portland Native Plants

Suitable Pacific Northwest plantings, such as Hellebore and Japanese Forest Grass were used in this Eliot Neighborhood dream garden.
Dark red flowers grace these Hellebore perennials planted with Japanese Forest grass in N.E. Portland landscape design.

The east side of the property features a pedestrian boulevard planted with native flora like vine maple, cascara tree, Oregon grape, and sword fern. We kept a lot of the existing native plants.  We wanted to add complementary species to ensure the boulevard garden looked like an extension of Leslie’s yard but the front yard was too small to add native shrubs.  Instead we added low water compatible perennials like the intense magenta flowered  hardy geranium ‘Tiny Monster,’ which blooms for two months and a blue flowering Amsonia which is fully drought tolerant.

Vaccineum ovatum, Pacific Northwest native Huckleberry in NE Portland foundation planting before Eliot neighborhood landscape design.
Before the design.  We are keeping the NW Native Huckleberry shrubs that edge the public walkway.
Pacific Northwest native, Creeping Oregon Grape was used in this Eliot Neighborhood dream garden design.
Native plants – Creeping Oregon Grape (Mahonia repens from eastern Oregon) thrives in this morning sun area without summer water in this N.E. Portland side yard.

Leslie is thrilled with the design and eagerly awaits implementation. I’m excited for her to enjoy her garden entrance to her office and to be energized by her interesting and colorful plantings.

Do You Have A Dream Garden?

Creating a dream garden takes time conversing and understanding a client’s vision so that the space available can reflect that dream. This process includes, design choices that compliment the property using hardscaping and a planting plan that delights the eye (and suits your garden care skills). This is my passion—creating custom landscape designs for small city properties.

Contact me to bring your dream garden to life.

Success with Olive Trees (and other Drought-Tolerant Plants) in Portland

Olive trees in Portland passing the test of time.
Designers test tree.  This Olive tree stands the test of time. I drive by this tree often and have watched it handle 10 Portland winters.  In summer it gets hot south sun with reflected heat from paving in NW Industrial area of Portland (NW Pettygrove).

Why Olive Trees in Portland?

Welcome to a fresh take on Portland landscaping, where each client’s garden is crafted with care, precision, and a touch of the unexpected. As a dedicated landscape designer, I take great joy in transforming outdoor spaces using drought-tolerant and unique plants. Portland homeowners often seek a landscape that stands out, featuring plants that are not only resilient but also unusual and captivating. Enter using the unexpected: olive trees in Portland!

Embrace the Beauty of Unique, Drought-Tolerant Landscapes with Olive Trees in Portland

Olive trees, celebrated for their year long silvery leaves and calming presence, are becoming a favorite in Portland. They fit beautifully into small urban gardens, offering evergreen elegance throughout the winter. Not only are they drought-tolerant, but some varieties may even surprise you with fruit—olives, of course! Placing these trees requires a well educated and artistic touch to ensure they thrive, making your garden plantings resilient and attractive.  They are also a favorite for modern landscape design style in Portland.

Learning Through Decades of Keen Observation of Portland Landscapes

My passion for plant placement stems from years of observation. As I explore Portland’s streets, visit new and old client landscapes, and participate in local garden tours, I collect insights from each tree and unique plant. A notable lesson came when olive trees in Portland — on NW 19th and Pettygrove — faced our worst ever winter cold February of 2024 with an unusually frigid and powerful east wind. So many broadleaf evergreens in Portland were damaged beyond anything I’ve ever seen but these mature trees maintained their serene and glowing leaves with no damage at all. They’ve stood the test of time in a south-facing, east-protected location—a testament to thoughtful placement.

The Right Plant in the Right Place

From experience, I know that plant exposure is a key to the right location for a plant. My go-to rule for olive trees is a southern or southwest exposure, where city structures can shield them from harsh winds and cold east exposure. Such insights are enriched by conversations with experts like Sean Hogan at Cistus Designs and  Barbara Porter of Oregon Olive Trees in Dallas Oregon, alongside valuable reads like Pacific Horticulture…….. and talking with other landscape designers and of course Mike Darcy.  

Oregon Olive Tree sells olive trees in Portland and is trustworthy for advice on these beautiful Mediterranean plants.
Oregon Olive Tree grows  and sells this beautiful multi stem Mission Olive Tree for instant privacy and beauty. Olea europaea ‘Mission Olive’. Photo credit: Barbara Porter
Olive leaf on parking strip tree + my favorite nail polish, "Where Did My Mango" by OPI
Olive leaf on parking strip tree + my favorite nail polish, “Where Did My Mango” by OPI

Research: More Than a Popularity Contest

When researching plant care, I rely on trusted sources, avoiding the echo chamber of unreliable websites. By echo chamber I mean the tendency of people to simply copy information about a plant from a web site into their blog or their retail plant web site without checking its accuracy.  Finding the same information about a plant on ten web sites doesn’t make it accurate. Cross-referencing reliable information and consulting knowledgeable peers ensures that my recommendations are tailored to Portland’s unique climate, rather than simply following internet trends.

Planning for Success with Olive Trees in Portland, Oregon

Take, for instance, a client’s heart felt desire for an olive tree in an east exposure. My client was willing to gamble so despite breaking my rule, the olive tree is thriving, in part thanks to a strategically placed near by building providing some protection from harsh winds and early morning sun. This success story (so far so good) underscores the importance of customizing each landscape plan to the client and to the site.  However I will only call it a true success after this olive tree has made it 5 years.

Fruit and foliage of 'Mission' olive tree Olea europaea 'Mission Olive'. This variety was developed in California in the 1800's by Franciscan missionaries. Photo courtesy of Oregon Olive Tree Barbara Porter
Fruit and foliage of ‘Mission’ olive tree Olea europaea ‘Mission Olive’. This variety was developed in California in the 1800’s by Franciscan missionaries. Photo courtesy of Oregon Olive Tree Barbara Porter

Recently, (February 2025)  I stumbled upon mature olive trees thriving in an unexpected east-facing location, providing me with more opportunities to learn. These trees were only a mile away from the NW Pettygrove street trees.  My curiosity is aroused but until proven otherwise, I’ll continue recommending south or southwest exposure for optimal olive tree cold hardiness, resilience and growth.

The Power of Collaboration and Innovative Design

Nature occasionally challenges our expectations. While I have principles for placing olive trees, I remain open to learning from nature’s surprises and integrating these lessons into future projects.

Contact me

Ultimately, creating a garden with a diverse, low water to drought-tolerant palette is our passion. Whether you dream of a pollinator plant paradise, more traditional plants, or unique Mediterranean plants like olive trees, our success is measured by how well we fulfill your needs and wants.  By combining our expertise with your known desired wish list or vision, we can craft a landscape that is unique and enduring. 

I enjoy talking with prospective Portland clients so contact me and let’s talk.  Stay tuned for our next blog, where I will share more practical advice for enhancing cold hardiness in your plants, including olive trees.