Hillside Hideaway, Seattle WA

Posted on July 11, 2020 by michael

The owner of this Seattle home, a garden enthusiast, wanted to upgrade the landscaping and asked me to come up with a plan.

The sloped lot on a wooded hillside provided both opportunities and challenges. I created a series of terraces along the side of the house transforming an awkward slope into a place for a new patio and plantings. The terraces function as a series of connected garden rooms that flow together, making it easy to move about the site.

On the home’s entry level, we enlarged the main patio using architectural slabs that reflect the clean lines of the house and blend seamlessly with the existing concrete. Stepable groundcover adds visual interest and natural stone risers provide a graceful transition to the woodland garden beyond. The natural flagstone patio underfoot, lush plantings and mature trees overhead, gives one the feeling they have been transported far from the city. Beyond the woodland, visible from the patio during summertime, organic juniper timbers border a collection of shade-loving perennials evergreens. A combination of native, woodland and ornamental plants keeps the palette interesting.

Image Gallery

Click the thumbnail images below for full size versions.

: architectural slabs merge the old and new and provide visual interest

: Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Spiralis’ will grow into an architectural feature

: fence posts extend overhead making stringing lights for summer parties easy.

: The transition to flagstone reflects the woodland feeling

: stone risers make graceful steps that connect the two hardscape areas

: Hydrangea petiolaris will cover an original retaining wall

: before

Ballard Neighborhood, Seattle WA

Posted on June 14, 2020 by michael

A lovingly restored Ballard bungalow deserves a fitting garden. The owner, a master gardener, loves plants and hired me to create a comprehensive plan to solve problems like screening the apartment house next door. The pathway is made of repurposed brick from the original chimney and recycled stepping stones add to the relaxed air. I focused on plants that create structure and continuity with emphasis on seasonal focal points. The result: there is always something interesting popping up or coming into bloom.

In the backyard, the dappled shade below a canopy of mature trees is ideal for the lively palette of this shade garden. Broadleaf shrubs and japanese maples provide structure and perennials create a lush spot for cool summertime dining or a weekend garden party. The owner has a flair for creating a casual vibe with repurposed items like a wooden dining set that has taken on a rustic patina adding to the organic feel of this garden.

: evergreens screen the apartment house next door

: planting the parking strip gives the illusion of a much larger front yard and adds instant curb appeal

: plantings in the parking strip effectively double the size of the front yard

: an informal pathway of wood chips leads to the backyard

: plantings on both sides of the house provide a seemless transition between garden rooms

: a woodland retreat awaits in the backyard

: stepable groundcover creates a luxurious carpet underfoot

: A combination planting ensures interest at ground level

Financial Center – Credit Union Headquarters, Seattle WA

Posted on June 11, 2020 by michael

The client purchased the building for its headquarters intending to renovate inside and out. The exterior landscape was outdated and overgrown and needed to reflect the modern, fresh image of its new owner. After exploring some preliminary design concepts with the client, in concert with the project architect and interior designer, a plan for a pedestrian courtyard was born. The new landscape includes usable outdoor space for the building’s inhabitants and fosters a sense of community. Plantings include Salal (Gaultheria shallon) and other Pacific Northwest native plants that reflect the company’s branding and local roots. Large boulders and the simplicity of mostly green foliage ground the structure and support its clean lines, giving it new relevance. Permeable pavers meet current storm water codes and reflect the grid pattern on the building while designating the plaza as separate from the surrounding sidewalks.

: before

Look For Winter Blooming Perennials Now!

Posted on December 30, 2014 by michael

Lenten Rose, Snow Drops and Cyclamen are flowering now. It is a good time to think about adding these to your garden for next year.

It is also a good time for a stroll through The Washing Park Arboretum, Kubota Gardens and other local parks and botanical gardens to see what is blooming now. You will notice other plants and trees that stand out. Many extraordinary and colorful varieties of conifers and deciduous trees with intriguing bark are striking during the winter months.

Enjoy the view and fresh air or take notes and pictures if you are looking to update your garden and make it more “winter friendly”.

Back home, look at your own garden and decide what adjustments would make a show at this time next year. If you are getting ideas for a new garden or major renovation, a garden designer will help you to select the right plants and incorporate the best choices into a comprehensive plan for your site.

Whether you need help with plant selection or a comprehensive landscape plan, I tailor my services to you project and lifestyle. Contact me if now you are looking to make changes to your garden in 2015.