On a budget? Here's what we at the White Pear did ...
To stay on budget, there were no design drawings, instead lawn paint was used to outline the pathway and planting berms. Our goal was to design a beautiful garden with a sense of order, while retaining the integrity of the surrounding woods.
Left is a photo of what we started with...
• Old weedy grass on a slope.
• Trees covered with ivy; one dead.
• Encroaching blackberry and ivy.
• No defined planting berms.
• Random mix of plants.
The makeover...
• Removed all grass - too time consuming to rejuvenate and too expensive to maintain.
• Removed dead tree - dangerous; more sunshine.
• Bridged the slope - gravel pathway with edging that crosses the front yard to the back.
• Designed a small patio with inexpensive concrete blocks and gravel - charming & inviting.
• To connect patio to pathway, added a stack of 3 steps.
• Shaped planting berms on both sides of pathway using a blended soil mix.
• Transplanted existing plant material and added colorful evergreens, perennials, and annuals.
• Medium dark hemlock for top dressing.
• Concrete blocks and edging from The Home Depot.
• Gravel, soil, and top dressing from Woodwaste Management in Portland, OR.
• Plant material from Portland Nursery and Cascadian Nursery in Hillsboro, OR.
A simple, garden makeover on a budget - beauty, definition, and purpose, while retaining the integrity of the surrounding woods.
Looking towards the woods. Photo by Holly Stickley
A place to contemplate life...:-) Photo by Holly Stickley
Love, Holly ~ Your Queen Bee at The White Pear