 BEFORE |  AFTER |  BEFORE |
|---|---|---|
 AFTER - rain garden |  Pathway and Mediterranean, drought-tolerant plants. Stairs to the path will be put in by the clients. |  Ode to Justine's Italian heritage: Italian cypress 'tiny tower,' Mediterranean herbs, and purple flowers and grasses for texture |
 IN PROCESS - we used a sheet mulching method to kill the grass with cardboard and a thick layer of mulch, then planted a month later. |  IN PROCESS: the pathway area dug out and awaiting gravel |  Native plant berm freshly planted |
Modern Mediterranean
This large suburban front yard needed a facelift to bring it to the modern age -- less lawn, and no more geometric boxwoods and lackluster shrubs. Justine's Italian heritage and goal of Backyard Habitat Certification drove the design. The lawn was reduced by about 50% by extending garden beds and creating new border gardens and berms. A welcome garden acting as a bioswale collects excess rainwater off the walkway and driveway, while a native plants berm adds height for privacy along the neighboring property line.
A dwarf form of Italian cypress, lots of European and mediterranean herbs like germander, lavender, oregano, and sage, and organically shaped evergreen shrubs like Cistus (rock rose) and Ceanothus (California lilac) formed the plant base of the main garden bed. Purple flowering perennials and grasses provide texture and color. Justine will add annual red poppy seeds for a Tuscan look.
A path to connect the walkway to the backyard was added for easy access to the pool for visiting friends and family.
Lake Oswego
GARDEN GOALS
- Reduce lawn
- Backyard Habitat Certification
- Showcase Mediterranean plants
- Replace outdated shrubs with modern plant palette