Portland landscape designer provides garden inspiration

"Thanks so much for opening your garden to us. It was glorious."
Alyse, Portland, OR

Gardens in the Pacific Northwest are some of the best in the country. Here in the Portland OR Metro region, we are lucky to have the best of the best. Visiting or viewing other people's gardens helps you form ideas for how you are able to see your own garden. Let's face it, no one can think of everything. You have more possibilities available to you through the ideas of those who have gone before you decided to create or renovate your garden. Accumulating landscape design ideas before you initiate contact with your landscape designer, gets you both off on the right foot. Once you have a few ideas don't hesitate to contact us. We have some more for you.

"So enjoyed your garden tonight and seeing all the editing you're doing.
Your art and design in the garden is so unique and truly wonderful.
You have so much plant material that's put together in such rich combinations.
Thank you so much for sharing with us all!
Carolyn, Battle Ground, WA

VANESSA'S GARDEN: DRAGONFLY HOLLOW

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As an ardent gardener for over 35 years, Vanessa created a display garden full of design experimentation, with new plants, plant combinations, and ideas on half of the one-acre property owned since 1990. The other half is a wild ravine where we love to watch what Mother Nature does on her own. Garden art includes an

award-winning pebble mosaic
wall-mounted, copper-plated steel panels with Japanese family crests cut into them
a collection of fantasy dragonflies
glass & steel art, a copper, bamboo, & glass arbor (including a glass & steel peacock combined with topiary)
recycled found objects and art from other countries.

The theme of the garden is "Peace Through Culture', inspired by painter and philosopher Nicholas Roerich. Garden art designed by Vanessa has one important criteria: show what 2 cultures or more have in common.

WHAT'S NEW

LEFT: February 2010, CENTER: before and RIGHT: after planting 2009

Our Crop Circle:

2010: Everything except the boxwood, wine bottles. a couple of remaining radicchio and some leeks have been removed from the circle. We are in the process of installing some new pebble mosaic steps from the bridge. Right now it's covered with a blue tarp (ugly!!) and the contractor has left a few things inside the circle. It will be better soon - I promise!

2009: After hunting for more vegetable garden space, my lawn-loving spouse finally agreed to remove a circular lawn that received the amount of sun we needed. (It turns out food has priority.) It turned into a crop circle-literally. Upturned wine bottles and boxwood create lines for the "space-age" pattern. The circle has 4 outer and 4 inner quadrants to allow for 4-year crop rotation.

"Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars.
Gaze at the beauty of earth's greenings. Now think."
Hildegard von Bingen

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(LEFT TO RIGHT) The chartreuse concrete ball works a little magic amongst the Ophiopogon, Lysimachia & Persicaria by the front door. A fused glass & steel peacock tail and head gives the topiary more definition along the front walk. Over next year, the Lonicera 'Baggesens's Gold' will be clipped tight to the tail to completely hide the AC unit behind it. Patio and deck offer a comfortable dining area, cozy conversation space and a back drop of copper-plated steel panels designed by Vanessa. During a visit to Little & Lewis' fabulous garden, Vanessa purchased one of their raven heads. It is mounted on a nearby Douglas fir, keeping watch on the 'It's For the Birds' garden.

(LEFT TO RIGHT) A view down one of the numerous paths lined with lavender. A small courtyard with shade provides a respite from the Provencal sun. A view across the kitchen garden displaying the numerous shaped yews and Italian cypress than unify the garden. A red bench from which to take in a view of the garden. A collection of birdhouses create a miniature focal point among many birdhouses on display as part of a design competition.

Ruth Bancroft Garden, Walnut Creek, CA is one of the most fabulous succulent gardens I've ever seen.

Get out in your garden! Don't have one? Contact us to bring value to your life, your property and your world.

Email Vanessa | 360.546.2746 (Vancouver & Southwest WA) | 503.621.2746 (Portland OR Metro Region) Your inquiry always is welcome.

	(LEFT TO RIGHT) A large Yucca adjacent to a Eucalyptus. Beautiful red cactus in front of blue-gray Agaves. Curly threads adorn this Yucca. Even on a cloudy day, this giant Agave brings sunlight into the garden. A mass of grass-like succulents.
	OTHER SOURCES INSPIRATION
	Watch for inspiration soon from sources other than gardens.
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	(LEFT TO RIGHT) The weeping cherry tree was removed - except for the stump, which now provides the support for the Thai spirit house. The newest of the glass flowers makes a statement along the front walk amidst a variety of plants. A ceramic squash never deteriorates. Glass leaves remain colorful year-round.

Seasons Garden Design LLC is an award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design firm in Portland OR and Vancouver WA. Contact landscape designer and Timber Press author, Vanessa Nagel, APLD, today.

Seasons Garden Design LLC is an award-winning, sustainability-conscious, APLD-certified, landscape design firm in Portland OR and Vancouver WA.
Contact landscape designer and Timber Press author, Vanessa Nagel, APLD, today.