Barbara's Landscape Design Blog

Rain Gardens…. Functional and Beautiful

barbaraschmidtinc — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:53:53 +0000

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‘Rain Gardens’ are cool. Everyone wants one. Why not? Catching water runoff from the road and roof in a pretty swale protects our streams, lakes, bays and wetlands and solves drainage problems around our homes.

Here’s a link to Washington State University’s very informative page. http://raingarden.wsu.edu

This Poulsbo Rain Garden installed in the Spring of 2011 will keep driveway runoff out of the garage and protect the drain field this coming ‘La Nina’ winter.

Kitsap County Surface and Stormwater Management Program is offering $500 incentives for the homeowner! Contact these really helpful folks at 360.337.5777.

Installation by Pat Knight, owner of Olive Branch Landscape 360.297.1211.
Planting scheme by the homeowner. Very nice!

Tear down that Deck! Kitsap County WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 21:21:55 +0000

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A year ago Sandy and J.C. made an appointment for a consultation.
We met to discuss alternatives for their outdated deck.
With budget in mind, I suggested a concrete washed aggregate patio and step.
Washed pea gravel aggregate is a natural for our gardens,
blending seamlessly with our native granite field stone and boulders.
And, since concrete is ‘liquid’ before it sets, the shape can be lovely.
Our meeting was only 2 hours!
Including a walk through and a quick drawing, using the plot map they had prepared for me.
And now, what a pleasant garden room they have.
The flowers and shrubs are Sandy and J.C.’s.
A very pretty summer garden!
Installation by Olive Branch Landscape, 360.297.7282.
Kitsap County, WA

Streams and Pools with Terraces and Bridges……. Bainbridge Island WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:26:20 +0000

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A very hot Southern exposure
is cooled by running water.
Soothed by water music.
Newly planted, in a few years it will be lush.
Deer resistant and drought tolerant plants will thrive,
as well as the family pet and the native wildlife.
Stone terraces are Pennsylvania Blue Stone.
The out crop rock is a mix of Cascade and Vancouver granite.
Paths are Montana Slate.
Don’t you love the ‘Scarlet O’hara’ stairs?
Installation is by Pat Knight, Olive Branch Landscape.
So forlorn, is the before picture.

New Potatoes….. Yum!

barbaraschmidtinc — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:50:49 +0000

I just had to post my favorite vegetable photo for 2010.
The blues have been in our garden for 15 years or more.
‘Volunteers’ they’re called.
They make the best chips.
Nice and crisp!

Bainbridge Island WA, Terrace and Garden

barbaraschmidtinc — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:37:51 +0000
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Summer of 2008 I was asked to bring interest to a home garden.
{Note the before photo.}
Three years later after thoughtful planning with the client,
and hard work by Pat Knight and his crew,
we put the wraps on it this summer.
As you can see we added many elements.
Stacked stone walls, a fire pit, wall trellis, blue stone paving.
Out crop granite with stream bed and stone bridge.
And four arbors, made from local milled cedar,
built by crew member Randy Autem.
It’s been a pleasure to create
a very private retreat.
P.S.
There’s also a basketball court with a regulation NBA hoop,
stone benches and arbors around………pretty coooooool!

All Grown Up on Bainbridge Island WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:06:33 +0000

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The Summer Garden
The Franz garden on Bainbridge Island is nearly 5 years old.
Trees and shrubs are hitting their stride.
As well as Ben, grown up and ready for July 4th celebrations.

Here is a pretty flower……… In Kingston WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:05:56 +0000

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Elaina Jewel…..
Strolling through the gardens.
After breakfast at the ‘Farm Kitchen’ in Kingston Washington.
Both gardens and Elaina are delightful.

We Went To A Garden Party………. Poulsbo WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:38:28 +0000

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Isn’t It Pretty?
The garden of Oscar and Marylee Hyman needed a pick me up for their retirement party.
An added path or ‘allee’ with urns and chartreuse plantings provide structure and interest.
We had a lovely evening!

Vegetable Boxes in Poulsbo WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:24:35 +0000

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Vegetable Boxes
Raised boxes are easier to plant and maintain, provide warmer soil, provide excellent drainage and look good, too.
Construction by Pat Knight, Olive Branch Landscape Inc.
www.olivebranchlandscape.net

The garden of a dear friend. Hansville WA

barbaraschmidtinc — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:27:44 +0000

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The garden of a dear friend.

At the age of 93, Eileen Allen still makes her way to her beloved beach cabin. Her sight is gone and her hearing is going too, but, she knows what she has and still enjoys the garden we built together in 1996. Eileen is a remarkable person, having many published professional books, she has recently written and published a personal account of her life, ‘I Like Being Old’ a wonderful read.
Installation by Pat Knight, Olive Branch Landscape.
www.olivebranchlandscape.net