Wagner Design Group

Oregon rains can bring out the worst in our landscapes. Poor drainage, mud, vegetation die off- the list can go on and on to make maintaining and enjoying our outdoor spaces nearly impossible.
In this space solutions felt unreachable with the constraints of the site. Water pours down from the hillside behind collecting onto the existing flat area, compacted soils don't allow for the water to drain through the soil, shade from surrounding trees makes growing the existing lawn a nightmare. And then there are the dogs. Dogs with their zoomies in rain and winter is a recipe for disaster, bring on the mud! While there are potential solutions to resolve these issues, such as installing a better drainage system, rehabbing the site soils, planting with crops such as clover as an alternative to the lawn, paving, etc, these can be costly for a homeowner and feel out of reach. For this site the solution was to think outside the box, stop fighting conditions we may not be able to change at the moment, and step away from what we envision is the ideal or "perfect" landscape.
Cedar playground chips, enter the chat! The dogs need a space to run and play, their humans need to not fight the endless mud. A thick layer of the cedar chips blown in has turned this space around, allowing for enjoyment of the space for all. This buys the homeowner as much time as they need if they decide to tackle some of the site constraints in the future and is an easy, immediate fix. Added bonus? Apparently dogs not only love to run and play in it, its fun to roll around in!

This beautiful new home is set within the vast blueberry fields in Boring, Oregon at the edge of a lush forest. We brought in more natural materials with the stone slab steps, flagstone paving for the entry and pathways, and accent boulders to tie into the surrounding environment. A water feature and surrounding lawn with additional plantings softens the hardscape. This home entry adds curb appeal and a welcoming presence from the street, it is a space the clients are happy to call home!

Construction and collaboration with Big Sky Landscaping, Inc.
www.bigskylandscaping.com

Just in time for chilly Autumn evenings, this NE Portland backyard has completed its makeover. What was previously a fairly blank slate (a small, mostly unusable deck off the back of the house and a swath of lawn) has transformed into a space to entertain, dine, cook, garden, and cozy up to a gas fireplace under cover. There is plenty of room to do all of these things, even in a smaller sized backyard, and one space welcomes you to the next. I'm looking forward to watching this garden fill in and mature over time!