Rain Gardens for Drought Tolerance

Happy Valley, Oregon
Features:
  • Water retention earthworks: Rain gardens 
  • Stone retaining wall / crevice garden / rock habitat
  • Woodchip pathways
  • Nurse logs / stumps for habitat and space definition
  • PNW native + West Coast native + Edible plants
In Happy Valley, Oregon we transformed a sloping grassy front yard and classic urban backyard lawn into a drought resilient landscape that recharges the groundwater with multiple rain gardens. We were tight on space in the front, so we integrated some local basalt stones to give us the chance to make a substantial enough berm to hold back the water. 
Apprioriate west coast species and some fun drought tolerance bonus’ were included. Client’s favorite was Cercis occidentalis - When that is the case, we know we are on the same page!
 Within the boulders we integrated some carefully crafted soil with fast drainage and planted succulents and other plants that thrive in crevice gardens. This was our first practice creating “crevice garden” features within a retaining wall - a practice we have continued expanding upon ever since.
In Construction:
 OR LCB #9872; WA# Earthel843J2
 
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