Blog
September 16, 2015
What grows well in the shade? That’s a question we commonly field from our Portland landscaping clients. Here in the Portland metro area, different communities see different weather patterns, different soil compositions, and slightly different growing conditions. What does well in a shady Lake Oswego yard may not survive in a shady backyard in Hillsboro. Landscaping depends on multiple inputs, from soil condition to light patterns. Each yard also has its own microclimates influencing growth. As such, there is no simple answer to the shade question. Every yard has its own unique growing conditions, which may or may not support the requirements of specific shady plants. Speaking with a landscaping expert can give you insight into the type of plants that will thrive in your yard.
(more…)
August 28, 2015
Lawns and water are hot subjects every summer, especially during low-water years. To take the work out of lawn watering, homeowners and
homeowner associations (HOAs) often use automatic sprinklers. While a Hillsboro sprinkler installation makes watering the lawn effortless, it may also be inefficient if the sprinklers turn on while it rains or after a shower. To save water and keep your lawn green, our irrigation experts recommend installing sprinkler systems with moisture sensors.
(more…)
August 19, 2015
When advising on how to create a space for outdoor living, Portland landscapers may suggest adding hardscaping, a patio cover, and fire pit to expand outdoor living space in order to enjoy it during inclement weather. What homeowners may overlook
is the importance of landscape lighting. In Portland, the winter months bring dark days—many Portlanders feel disheartened at the prospect of leaving for work in darkness and arriving back home in darkness. Landscape lighting can make an outdoor space feel cozy and inviting, even during Portland’s soggy winter months.
(more…)
July 13, 2015
Introduced to North America in the mid-1600s by European settlers, boxwood is a low-maintenance shrub that Portland, Oregon, landscapers shape into neat hedges or mounds. During winter 2015, we were contracted for a single project that involved removing boxwoods infected with boxwood blight at Lewis and Clark College. Landscape East & West’s Portland landscaping maintenance crew worked in the college’s Three Fish and Circle Knot Gardens to mitigate the spread of the plant disease. This project was identified and its scope developed by Lewis and Clark College.
(more…)
July 02, 2015
Sodden lawns are not uncommon in Portland landscaping.
Portland’s geology features layers of clay and undulating hills—two problematic features for lawn lovers. Clay-laden soil retains water; it creates a dense top layer (a “hardpan”), which is difficult to break through when planting new shrubs and trees. And Portland’s hilly topography naturally creates dells where water gathers. The Portland landscape dooms many lawns to suffer sogginess.
(more…)
July 01, 2015
Like many sustainable Portland landscaping options, permeable pavers create a “win-win” situation. They can
solve drainage issues for homeowners while also benefiting the city as a whole by decreasing watershed pollution. In this article we focus on how
homeowners can benefit from the convenience of permeable pavers as a solution to drainage issues, especially when used as a construction material for driveways and pathways. We also note some issues with permeable pavers, so homeowners can decide if this is the best hardscaping answer for them. First, however, we discuss how permeability affects our community as a whole.
(more…)
June 05, 2015
Functionality and visual appeal are just two of the ultimate goals of many landscaping and installation projects. With an old retaining wall and drainage problems, our Beaverton clients knew that they could do better so they looked for expert Beaverton landscapers. In order to tackle their backyard dilemmas, the homeowners contacted our Portland landscaping company at the perfect time, early March 2015. Because the design and installation process each take about three to four weeks at minimum, we encourage all of our potential clients to contact us as early in the year as possible. Thanks to our client’s forethought, we were able to discuss their goals and concerns, as well as complete the design process and installation, before summer was in full swing.
(more…)
April 22, 2015
The rainy days in the Pacific Northwest are negligible when you take into account the beautiful spring, summer and fall weather that our area enjoys. As much as our clients in southwest Portland loved being outside, their old patio made it difficult to enjoy their outdoor living space during inclement weather. In summer 2014, Our Portland landscaping company transformed our clients’ patio and deck into a seamless all-weather outdoor living space.
(more…)
March 26, 2015
A good Portland landscaping team isn’t finished with a project until the client is satisfied. Our Northeast Portland client had worked with another design company that did not provide the installation work. She searched online and found Landscape East & West’s stellar reviews and got in touch with us for a complimentary in-home consultation. It was during this meeting that I learned more about the client’s wants and needs, lifestyle and budget. My landscaping team walked the client through the entire landscaping modification process to ensure that we addressed all her concerns and updated the design according to her preferences.
(more…)
February 12, 2015
A backyard is supposed to be a place that the whole family can enjoy. However, the clay soil at our client’s residence in Vancouver, Washington brought headaches and frustration. Not only did the family’s dog constantly track mud inside the home, the kids didn’t have a proper place to play. Our Portland landscaping experts teamed up with designer Clement Walsh, of
Clement Walsh Landscape Design, and turned this wet backyard into a useable outdoor living space.
(more…)
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What grows well in the shade? That’s a question we commonly field from our Portland landscaping clients. Here in the Portland metro area, different communities see different weather patterns, different soil compositions, and slightly different growing conditions. What does well in a shady Lake Oswego yard may not survive in a shady backyard in Hillsboro. Landscaping depends on multiple inputs, from soil condition to light patterns. Each yard also has its own microclimates influencing growth. As such, there is no simple answer to the shade question. Every yard has its own unique growing conditions, which may or may not support the requirements of specific shady plants. Speaking with a landscaping expert can give you insight into the type of plants that will thrive in your yard.
(more…)
Lawns and water are hot subjects every summer, especially during low-water years. To take the work out of lawn watering, homeowners and homeowner associations (HOAs) often use automatic sprinklers. While a Hillsboro sprinkler installation makes watering the lawn effortless, it may also be inefficient if the sprinklers turn on while it rains or after a shower. To save water and keep your lawn green, our irrigation experts recommend installing sprinkler systems with moisture sensors. (more…)
Introduced to North America in the mid-1600s by European settlers, boxwood is a low-maintenance shrub that Portland, Oregon, landscapers shape into neat hedges or mounds. During winter 2015, we were contracted for a single project that involved removing boxwoods infected with boxwood blight at Lewis and Clark College. Landscape East & West’s Portland landscaping maintenance crew worked in the college’s Three Fish and Circle Knot Gardens to mitigate the spread of the plant disease. This project was identified and its scope developed by Lewis and Clark College. (more…)
Sodden lawns are not uncommon in Portland landscaping. Portland’s geology features layers of clay and undulating hills—two problematic features for lawn lovers. Clay-laden soil retains water; it creates a dense top layer (a “hardpan”), which is difficult to break through when planting new shrubs and trees. And Portland’s hilly topography naturally creates dells where water gathers. The Portland landscape dooms many lawns to suffer sogginess.
(more…)
Like many sustainable Portland landscaping options, permeable pavers create a “win-win” situation. They can solve drainage issues for homeowners while also benefiting the city as a whole by decreasing watershed pollution. In this article we focus on how homeowners can benefit from the convenience of permeable pavers as a solution to drainage issues, especially when used as a construction material for driveways and pathways. We also note some issues with permeable pavers, so homeowners can decide if this is the best hardscaping answer for them. First, however, we discuss how permeability affects our community as a whole. (more…)
Functionality and visual appeal are just two of the ultimate goals of many landscaping and installation projects. With an old retaining wall and drainage problems, our Beaverton clients knew that they could do better so they looked for expert Beaverton landscapers. In order to tackle their backyard dilemmas, the homeowners contacted our Portland landscaping company at the perfect time, early March 2015. Because the design and installation process each take about three to four weeks at minimum, we encourage all of our potential clients to contact us as early in the year as possible. Thanks to our client’s forethought, we were able to discuss their goals and concerns, as well as complete the design process and installation, before summer was in full swing. (more…)
The rainy days in the Pacific Northwest are negligible when you take into account the beautiful spring, summer and fall weather that our area enjoys. As much as our clients in southwest Portland loved being outside, their old patio made it difficult to enjoy their outdoor living space during inclement weather. In summer 2014, Our Portland landscaping company transformed our clients’ patio and deck into a seamless all-weather outdoor living space. (more…)
A good Portland landscaping team isn’t finished with a project until the client is satisfied. Our Northeast Portland client had worked with another design company that did not provide the installation work. She searched online and found Landscape East & West’s stellar reviews and got in touch with us for a complimentary in-home consultation. It was during this meeting that I learned more about the client’s wants and needs, lifestyle and budget. My landscaping team walked the client through the entire landscaping modification process to ensure that we addressed all her concerns and updated the design according to her preferences.
(more…)
A backyard is supposed to be a place that the whole family can enjoy. However, the clay soil at our client’s residence in Vancouver, Washington brought headaches and frustration. Not only did the family’s dog constantly track mud inside the home, the kids didn’t have a proper place to play. Our Portland landscaping experts teamed up with designer Clement Walsh, of Clement Walsh Landscape Design, and turned this wet backyard into a useable outdoor living space. (more…)
