Sustainable Design

Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens are the latest in design and rain water containment plans. Sustainability means keeping the rain water on your land and not in the sewers. I have received training at the Oregon Gardens and through the city of Portland for installation and design of rain gardens.

Water wise garden design with low water use plants to save you money, time, and resources! This does not mean only cactus and yucca!

Pet friendly gardens

Living Elements also specializes in creating pet friendly gardens!  I can help you design a new garden or improve your current garden to be a friendly environment your whole family can enjoy including your four legged members!  Everyone loves to be outside and both humans and their pets can peacefully enjoy the space.  I have solutions to some of the biggest challanges like digging, worn places, and possible toxic plants.  Gardens can be designed specifically for your pet, or have special spots adapted for their needs.  Just think how happy your pet will be!

Check out the Coming Attractions page for speaking events on gardening with your pet.

Read the Oregonian newspaper article. http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/index.ssf/2009/09/gardening_with_pets_landscape.html

Not one design fits all!

Three design choices:

Plan 1
Questionnaire to be mailed or e-mailed to you to answer before the design process begins.
Analyze and measure you landscape.
2 meetings - 1 hour each
• Initial - to talk about your wishes and needs, and to ‘draw’ on the base map with our ideas
• 2nd to go over the preliminary design with plant choices, hardscapes, and overall design
You will receive 2 copies of the final design (to scale,) plant list and photos. The plan will contain placement of plants and hardscapes.

Plan 2
All of plan 1 plus:
Installation guides of hardscapes
Plant care guides
Suggestions for non-plant material resources (stone and pavers)
Samples of stones and pavers to look at

Plan 3
All of plan 1 and 2 plus:
A suggested lighting design plan
A suggested irrigation zone design plan

Meetings with the contractor before and during installation of design are charged at a separate hourly rate.

A 5% discount will be given if payment is received in full at start of the design process.

At the time of the signed contract, a payment of one third will be due. At the second meeting, one third payment is due, and the remainder payment is due in full at the time of receipt of the final design.

Other options:

Consultation
One on one garden visit.
Your questions will be answered; design and plant ideas will be given.
You will receive a typed e-mail response to our meeting with plants and ideas.
Consulting is based on an hourly fee of $65.00.

Garden Coach
I will garden with you for an hourly specified amount of time, to help with how-to’s, and questions you have. We will both get our hands dirty!
Coaching is based on an hourly fee of $65.00.

Payments for consulting and coaching are due at the end of the visit.

We also design small courtyards, patios, and create container gardens on site!

Organic gardening services also provided!