Rizaniño "Riz" Reyes Plantsman & Horticulturist
15745 Dayton Ave. N Shoreline, WA 98133 (206) 552-1683 rhrplants@hotmail.com
15745 Dayton Ave. N Shoreline, WA 98133 (206) 552-1683 rhrplants@hotmail.com
Landscape Restoration Project
Everett, WA
WEB PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Everett, WA
WEB PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This greenbelt in the LEFT PHOTO provided beauty, wildlife and privacy to an elderly couple in South
Everett. About two years ago, the property was purchased by a development housing company who
destroyed the natural surroundings and built multi-level homes seen in the RIGHT PHOTO that looked over
into their property.
The home owners contacted Dr. Linda Chalker Scott, horticulturist for WSU Extension, for advice on a
sustainable and long term approach towards regaining their privacy after reading her award-winning book,
“The Informed Gardener”. Linda then called me to meet with the home owners and discuss a potential new
design for the landscape to regain their privacy and sense of nature around them once again.
Everett. About two years ago, the property was purchased by a development housing company who
destroyed the natural surroundings and built multi-level homes seen in the RIGHT PHOTO that looked over
into their property.
The home owners contacted Dr. Linda Chalker Scott, horticulturist for WSU Extension, for advice on a
sustainable and long term approach towards regaining their privacy after reading her award-winning book,
“The Informed Gardener”. Linda then called me to meet with the home owners and discuss a potential new
design for the landscape to regain their privacy and sense of nature around them once again.
An original design was drafted with carefully selected plants that would not only provide privacy and
functionality, it was also material well suited for the soil type and various exposures.
During the design process however, the home owner began to question the plant selections, became
concerned about not having enough privacy (wanting it sooner) and kept insisting on using plant materials
we did not recommend because of their ultimate size and potential problems with maintenance in the
future.
A compromise was reached and a new layout was developed that utilized mostly evergreen conifers and
a handful of woody, deciduous trees and shrubs for interest.
functionality, it was also material well suited for the soil type and various exposures.
During the design process however, the home owner began to question the plant selections, became
concerned about not having enough privacy (wanting it sooner) and kept insisting on using plant materials
we did not recommend because of their ultimate size and potential problems with maintenance in the
future.
A compromise was reached and a new layout was developed that utilized mostly evergreen conifers and
a handful of woody, deciduous trees and shrubs for interest.
The outline of the planting areas were marked
over the summer and arborist wood chips
were brought in to begin killing the turf where
plants were to be placed. Trees were selected
and delivered on site and preparations and
planting are well under way.
over the summer and arborist wood chips
were brought in to begin killing the turf where
plants were to be placed. Trees were selected
and delivered on site and preparations and
planting are well under way.
The design process for this type of restoration
project was a long and very involved process that
required extensive coaching and convincing of the
client to explain the intended outcomes as we
strayed from designing a landscape that provided an
"instant look", which many people who request
landscaping services often expect, especially if
they're looking to regain their privacy.
project was a long and very involved process that
required extensive coaching and convincing of the
client to explain the intended outcomes as we
strayed from designing a landscape that provided an
"instant look", which many people who request
landscaping services often expect, especially if
they're looking to regain their privacy.
In presenting this project, we presented the following objectives to the client so they
are clear on what's involved:
1) Select plant material suitable to the site based on existing conditions rather than
altering the area by drastically changing soil grade, introducing soil amendments and top
soil mixes requiring artificial fertilization.
2) Spacing out plant material with ultimate dimensions at maturity in mind.
3) Purchasing younger specimens of plants to reduce initial costs and allow for better
establishment
3) Time involved in proper preparation of plant materials prior to planting.
are clear on what's involved:
1) Select plant material suitable to the site based on existing conditions rather than
altering the area by drastically changing soil grade, introducing soil amendments and top
soil mixes requiring artificial fertilization.
2) Spacing out plant material with ultimate dimensions at maturity in mind.
3) Purchasing younger specimens of plants to reduce initial costs and allow for better
establishment
3) Time involved in proper preparation of plant materials prior to planting.
As a permanent and sustainable landscape, Linda takes a bold and somewhat drastic approach to
preparing plant material: complete bare-rooting of containerized and ball and burlapped (B&B) plants
prior to planting.
preparing plant material: complete bare-rooting of containerized and ball and burlapped (B&B) plants
prior to planting.
PHOTOS TO COME SHORTLY.
FALL 2009 Installation
SPRING 2010 Installation
ONE YEAR LATER: Fall 2010
PHOTOS TO COME SHORTLY.
