SW Portland Meadow
Healing the land with the beauty of plants.
Inspiration:
This property in SW Portland was a part of a new development on the edge of Tigard. The client is an avid birder, so wildlife was a top priority in designing the landscape. We also wanted to create a small seating area that would act as a destination as well as providing a space to sit and relax and enjoy the surroundings. A variety of basalt boulders were integrated into the slope, some with scoop-tops that will collect natural rain water for birds and bees. A small little patch of nature set in the suburban environment.
Implementation:
Due to the nature of new construction, much of the existing soil was severely compacted, which makes establishing new plantings challenging. We typically avoid tilling as it destroys existing soil structure and beneficial fungi and micro-organisms, but in this case the existing soil was heavily disturbed, so the benefits outweighed the costs. We looked at this project as way to heal a scarred piece of land. Part of the function of “weeds” and pioneer plants that grow along roadsides and disturbed areas is to mend the wound caused by human infrastructure. All of our buildings and roads, and sidewalks take a toll on the planet, so one way we can give back is to revive pockets of leftover land for the other inhabitants living on this Earth AND create a little beauty in the process.
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