Privacy Screening Landscape Design for Kerns Neighborhood Portland: Part 2

· September 27, 2023

Portland Plant Tips In Kern Neighborhood Residential Landscape Design

In Part 1, I dropped by my clients Chris and Veronica’s Kern neighborhood back yard to get my eyes on their privacy tree, a Japanese elm called City Sprite planted 3 years ago by Landscape Design in a Day. It was doing beautifully but my clients had concerns that a talk with Honl Tree Care addressed. My visit also included some tips for the rest of the plants in their landscape design.

Plant Health Care Tips

While I was there, I enjoyed seeing how much all the plants were filling in and checked on a few plants Veronica wanted advice about:

Weed Prevention – To control the seeding on our native Heuchera and Fringecup perennials, cut back the flowering stalk before it goes to seed. These two perennials provide food for bumble bees and many other important pollinators. Also be sure to do this with the non-native Lady’s Mantle. I like to pick the flowers of Ladys Mantle ( Alchemilla mollis) so yes please leave the flower on for the bees but be sure to deadhead it before it goes to seed and spreads.
Re think and edit the plantings under the elm. A few plants are not getting enough sun now that our tree has gotten so much bigger. The culinary purple sage needs a sunnier spot and could even go in a big pot and be moved. I don’t see a good spot in the other planting beds for it so I would go for the pot approach.
Hardy Fuchsia thrives under privacy tree.

The summer flowering Daphne and the hardy fuchsia near the purple sage look fantastic and can stay. The mass of Crocosmia we kept from the old garden is getting so big it is a little out of proportion. You can always thin the Crocosmia. Split the plant mass and remove the stalks in the middle as they are the oldest ones. Or maybe you are enjoying that very low maintenance plant as a large mass.
Here is something to deal with soon. The root weevil population is increasing. See my blog for no chemical advice on lowering their numbers. They sure spoil the look of many part shade plants.
Hosta Halcyon is slug resistant but root weevil re notching leaves spoiling the plants appearance.
Your fun stepable groundcover that softens the edges of the big architectural slabs, Cushion Bolax, can be trimmed once a year or more to prevent it from growing over and minimizing our large pavers. Why trim it off the pavers? Because the large pavers shape adds an attractive architectural element to the landscape overall and if it gets covered with the groundcover, we lose the impact. See initial blog post from 2021 with testimonial from clients Chris and Veronica.

Privacy Landscape Design in N.E. Portland

We love working with tricky city back yards and want to help you enjoy your back yard. Most of us want some privacy to entertain friends and family, and to use your back yard for fun activities or relaxing. Our back yards can also help our community by providing for pollinators and creating shade and cooling. What’s on your wish list?

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Let’s work together and transform your back yard into your private and perfect place to be.

Tags : fall gardening tips, garden tips, low maintenance plants, No Lawn, privacy plantings, shade plants, small backyard

Privacy Screening Landscape Design for Kerns Neighborhood Portland: Part 1

Posted by Carol

· September 15, 2023

Japanese Elm Update for Portland Privacy Landscape Design

Kern neighborhood backyard privacy landscape design.

Our Privacy Tree right after we planted it in 2020. (Zelkova serrata ‘City Sprite’ Japanese Elm)

I dropped by my clients Chris and Veronica’s Kern neighborhood back yard to get my eyes on their privacy tree, a Japanese elm called City Sprite planted 3 years ago by Landscape Design in a Day.

Japanese Elm chosen for privacy in Kern Neighborhood landscape design.

Privacy Tree Hard at Work 3 Years After Planting in Kern Neighborhood

It is lush and filling in beautifully to minimize the impact of the 3-story apartment building that looms over their small city back yard. We had a great time designing their new back yard and I love seeing the results.

Kern Neighborhood backyard in need of privacy landscape design.

Before Privacy Tree

We placed the City Sprite Elm to provide privacy for the dining area and it’s doing a great job for us. However, it has not been without some worry for my clients.

Beetle Damage on Privacy Screen Tree

Japanese elm is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease so we can use this tree as a long-term solution without worrying it might succumb to the disease that has caused City of Portland to remove so many mature and ginormous elm trees. Veronica noticed a beetle eating the leaves and making lots of holes in the leaves in June. She contacted me to enquire about whether this was a serious problem and if so, should she replace the elm?

Japanese Elm leaves with beetle damage.

As I am not an arborist, I make sure I know some great ones. I talked to Honl Tree Care and sent them photos. They agreed that the defoliation shown in the photo was not serious, were somewhat surprised that the elm beetle was feeding on the Japanese elm as this is not typical. They are confident that her elm tree will not get Dutch elm disease.

The best course of action was to take good care of her tree with proper watering and put up with the beetle’s minor damage. Mind you it doesn’t feel like minor damage especially in June when the beetle is munching away but by July the beetles are done and the tree is looking vigorous and downright robust in spite of the holes in the leaves.

Privacy Landscape Design in N.E. Portland

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Let’s work together and transform your back yard into your private and perfect place to be.

Pot with Coral Bell in flower adds interest to pathway.

Categories : Before and Afters, Dramatic Flowers, Drought Tolerant Garden, Garden Pests, Garden Tips, No lawn back yard, Privacy, Shade Plants, Summer Garden Tips, Tree Selection

Tags : disease resistant trees, low maintenance landscape, No Lawn, pavers, privacy plantings, privacy screening, small back yard

Outdoor Living Oasis for Grant Park Backyard Part 2

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day

· August 16, 2023

Dream Cottage Garden Plantings for NE Portland Outdoor Living Space

Redbud Forest Pansy included in Grant Park Portland outdoor living space.

Redbud Forest Pansy Foliage photo by Doreen Wynja for Monrovia

Shade Trees for Small City Properties

An aside about shade trees…..Most clients these days want to invest in a shade tree given how much hotter summers in Portland are with global warming. It’s tricky to get a tree that will take the heat we are expecting that will not get too big and the tree I wanted for this garden was just too mundane for these clients who love fall color. They went with an Acer rubrum (maple) variety that will be a very large shade tree once it matures. And they consulted with their neighbor to ensure a large shade tree that would provide shade to her landscape was wanted, which it was.

A Small Tree for Full Season Interest

We also selected a ‘Forest Pansy’ Redbud, considered a small tree, to see from inside the kitchen. The tiny explosion of sizzling pink flowers on bare stems in late winter, the rich burgundy heart shaped leaf in the summer and the fall color made the Redbud an obvious choice. Plus we put it in a raised bed which greatly increases the chances of a healthy tree as Redbud can sometimes get a disease called verticillium wilt. A raised bed ensures good drainage which is something this tree must have to live a long and healthy life.

Columbine, a cottage garden plant added to outdoor living space in Grant Park.

The perfect cottage garden plant, Columbine.

Full Season Interest Plants

Annely wanted to see the seasons evolve in her new garden from the kitchen so we knew we needed a special touch of seasonal interest plants. She wanted plants to express a colorful cottage garden styling, and pictured in her head plants full of vibrant colors and unique texture combinations. While the original backyard could not accommodate Annely’s vision, the new design allow us to create the desired outcome. My then apprentice Alana Chau and installer Donna Burdick, (of D & J Landscape Contractors) were also part of the team.

Once those large structure plants were selected, the next step for us was selecting some of the shrubs. Annely was familiar with her own plant collection, and it is she who decided upon and placed all the perennials you see in these spring photos. Annely’s plants are so lovely and add so much soul to this garden. This garden is a perfect example of designing layout and hardscape for functional outdoor living spaces while claiming perfect areas for plantings. This kind of design outcome requires creating the layout while simultaneously holding the spaces and places for magical plantings.

Total backyard remake into dream outdoor living space in Grant Park.

Carol Lindsay founder of Landscape Design in a Day enjoys the perfect sit spot in the new garden oasis. Photo by Hilary Hutler

Hardscape Artistry Lies in the Hands of the Landscape Contractor

The stone work is so beautifully done and well thought out. Donna Burdick had me come and finalize the shaping of the raised bed and stone wall on site and making a few decisions about where the design had to be tweaked. This way the integrity of the design remains intact in face of many changes we were not expecting including a change about the location of the property line.

Donna and her employees put heart into the placement of the stone and walls. I could not be happier with the way she worked this space as she thoughtfully prepped and installed the hardscape, planting soil and more.

The clients added art and so you see colorful surprises throughout the design – thoughtful touches that I think add little moments of joy and surprise as the seasons changed. The final landscape design exceeded our wildest expectations! Our clients now have a spacious outdoor living area, the planting areas are maximized, the stone work and hardscape fully supports the beauty of the plants without overwhelming the garden.

Garden art added to dream outdoor living space for Grant Park backyard.

I love the simple steel heart hanging from the shared shared tree.

This small back yard space in NE Portland has been transformed into a tranquil oasis that can be shared with friends — a true example of what you can create with clients who dare to dream, imagination and the right professionals.

Looking for a true paradise in your back yard? Contact me today and we will collaborate to find the perfect landscape design for your yard. Together we can transform your outdoor space into your own garden oasis!

Categories : Before and Afters, Dramatic Flowers, Garden Tips, No lawn back yard, outdoor living, Plants I Recommend

Tags : boulders, dramatic flowers, fall color, flaggstone in the garden, garden design with stone, Hardscape Design, No Lawn, outdoor entertaining patio, small back yard

Outdoor Living Oasis for Grant Park Backyard Part 1

Posted by Carol

· August 2, 2023

Total backyard makeover in Grant Park, Portland Oregon.

Grant Park neighborhood backyard plant paradise with super comfy sitting area occupied by Carol Lindsay, Landscape Design in a Day

Design a Magical & Spacious Backyard Makeover for Outdoor Living in NE Portland’s Grant Park Neighborhood

Recently I had the pleasure of designing with Annely and Wayne, a lovely couple living in Portland’s northeast side. They wanted to turn a small and rather typical back yard into a magical outdoor living oasis. Using my collaborative Landscape Design in a Day process, we created a garden design that would bring their dream of an outdoor haven to life.

Clients Wish List for Landscape Design for Small City Back Yard

Outdoor living space backyard design includes client plants.

Our client had lots of plants waiting for their new home.

Space was pretty limited especially since their garage ate into back yard space but Annely and Wayne were not daunted and had ambitious goals for their back yard.

Annely dreamed of a covered outdoor entertainment area with comfortable seating for 6, and a lush garden of plants. She is a passionate hobby gardener, and had a large collection of plants at the ready. She had been waiting for several years to have the garden of her dreams and she had plants sitting about in pots to prove it. We also needed room for outdoor dining, cooking (to include BBQ, outdoor sink and prep area) and we needed easy access from the deep shared driveway to the back door. The groceries and daily family access to the house happened through the backyard too.

BEFORE outdoor living space design the backyard had to be cleared in Grant Park.

The newly cleared lot gives us our blank slate.

BEFORE the backyard makeover for Grant park clients in Portland

Carol and clients analyzing site conditions before design process. Photo by Alana Chau

Room for Outdoor Living with Friends

Our first step was to maximize the tiny space. We discussed possible ways to extend the small lot space, including opening up the side of the small garage to create the covered dining area, (like a casita) so the rest of the yard could be free for plantings. However, the garage storage space was too precious and a casita didn’t match their vision.

After creating multiple backyard layout drawings and more consultation and collaboration with our clients, we decided on the multi–level raised garden bed, foregoing the covered patio, and we placed a shared with the neighbor shade tree near the property line. By pushing the shade tree back, the neighbor would also get shade and we had more space for new colorful plantings.

Continue the story of our Grant Park total backyard makeover in our upcoming Part 2 blog post.

The start of Grant Park clients' outdoor living space makeover.

The patio is cut and its’ walls retained by D and J Landscape Contractors

Are you inspired to transform your own back yard into a true paradise? Contact me today and let us create the perfect landscape design for your city garden oasis. Together we can transform your outdoor space into something remarkable!

Categories : Before and Afters, Dramatic Flowers, Garden Tips, No lawn back yard, outdoor living, Plants I Recommend

Tags : boulders, dramatic flowers, fall color, flagstone in the garden, garden design with stone, Hardscape Design, No Lawn, outdoor enertaining patio, small back yard

Portland Backyard Needs an Outdoor Living Space Fix Starting With the Front Walk: Part 2

Posted by Landscape Design in a Day

· July 24, 2023

Corner Lot Landscape Transformation in Rose City Park Neighborhood

We return for Part 2 to the challenging Portland corner lot project completed by Landscape Design in a Day’s Alana Chau. Exceeding the expectations of our clients for their corner lot landscape design in Rose City Park neighborhood.

This N.E. Portland home needed a welcoming entry walk and a back yard. The entry was not near convenient parking and the utility pole blocks the view of the old fashioned double gate.

Rain Garden Functional for Drainage and Fun Play Space for Kids

The rain garden location was chosen to handle water from a downspout that was completely in the way of the new walk. We had to take the water under the pathway and that opened up more choices for us.

Fencing for City Lot

Now the corner of the property is the very useable play back yard.

The addition of fencing by Cascade Fence and Deck makes this space private and keeps this city play area puppy-poo free while the rain garden is an additional place for the kids to play.

Installation for this difficult project was handled by D & J Landscape Contractors with Donna Burdick. Alana was on-site from design and through the installation which is something we love to do.

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We enjoy a good challenge. Landscape Design in a Day was the perfect fit for this active young family. The clients were thrilled with the design and felt very much a part of the design team. Making their landscape work functionally and fulfill the clients dreams was a joy for Alana. Contact us to talk about your ideal hardscape landscaping and planting dreams.

Categories : Before and Afters, Garden Tips, Low Maintenance Landscape Examples, Rain Garden

Tags : cedar chip paths, corner lot, curb appeal, Hardscape Design, low maintenance landscape, rain garden

Privacy Screening Landscape Design for Kerns Neighborhood Portland: Part 2

Portland Plant Tips In Kern Neighborhood Residential Landscape Design

Privacy Screening Landscape Design for Kerns Neighborhood Portland: Part 1

Japanese Elm Update for Portland Privacy Landscape Design

Portland Backyard Needs an Outdoor Living Space Fix Starting With the Front Walk: Part 2

Corner Lot Landscape Transformation in Rose City Park Neighborhood

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