Amy Whitworth and Lora Price – Portland Oregon

About this Garden:

This design is a close collaboration between designers Amy Whitworth and Lora Price. The homeowner is an advocate for maintaining a landscape style befitting her neighborhood, and appropriate to her 1967 ranch home. Gracious lawn spaces are part of that aesthetic.

The first challenge of the design was to re-grade and simplify all circulation for easy access throughout the garden. Curb appeal was important; a red laceleaf Japanese Maple was transplanted further from the driveway to allow it to gracefully spread. A circular lawn reads well from the street, while a Cornelian Cherry provides many seasons of interest with bird activity seen from the kitchen window.

The backyard is a study in hydrology.  Heavy clay soils and a high water table, combined with a sloping site led to drainage and plant selection challenges. An existing system of lawn drains leading to a sump pump continues to push water out of the backyard to the street 365 days/year. Irrigation from uphill neighbors contributes to a steady supply of underground water. A new perimeter drain was added under river rock that defines the lawn edges and ties into the sump. The lawn area was significantly reduced with the establishment of wetland plantings at the low end of the property, while moisture loving trees and a robust perennial border of pollinator plants help absorb water as it enters the property at the top.

Consolidated from ANLD portfolio – Read the full write up. 

Designed by:
Amy Whitworth
Plan-It Earth Design
&
Lora Price
Design With Nature