Backyard Updates: Plants, Plans, Big Trees And Bigger Gazebos

Very exciting stuff is happening in the “backyard” right now as we entered phase two of landscape construction (that we put off for a couple of years to save and learn). The main goals of this phase were outlined in this blog post, but essentially it was reducing the size of the sports court (for more green/usable space) and adding an outdoor kitchen/bbq area under a covered gazebo. It’s a LOT, but it’s going so well and FAST! And I’m grateful to be able to give you all an update today.

We hired Dennis’ 7 Dees for this phase of the landscape design – we were so nervous to jackhammer up the sports court without cracking the rest of it and they put my mind at ease. Eric (one of their head designers) then came up with a hardscape and plant plan that would incorporate a couple park-like seating areas (picnic tables) surrounded by shrubs (more evergreen than we have now).

Essentially we added more variegated bluestone flagstone that meanders into two landing pads for picnic tables. We have so many families over for backyard hangs (think frat house for families) so we needed more places to hang, but not in a formal way. I can not tell you how much better it looks every single time I look outside. I’m THRILLED. Also, massive shout out to Dennis 7 Dees – their speed, communication and professionalism have been incredible. Granted they were able to put two crews on this job (benefit of a February install when they are a bit less busy) but they were done with most of the work in a little over two weeks (we aren’t fully done yet, but waiting for warmer weather to plant the clover field and then it has to grow in). These photos were taken last week, and they literally planted everything the next day. Then added the irrigation and lighting.

What We’re Planting

This time around my direction was 70% hearty evergreens – while I love a lot of what we have around the house (beautiful perennials), in the winter months it’s all super cut back (which is fine because it’s incredible in spring – early fall). But I wanted more winter happiness. So Eric chose all the plants from Monrovia (super high quality plants, locally grown, etc) and we have a mix of evergreens and showier spring/summer (including some really hearty hydrangea that like the sun).

For those interested, I’ll do a plant post once the final list is in (they are still adding more to another area around the pool and tweaking some of these per our opinions).

Brian and I are mostly just trusting Eric and the Dennis 7 Dees crews – they know Oregon, they know what will thrive in different seasons here, and while I love certain plants so much I don’t want my opinion to sway what will actually thrive here. Again, in the past I’ve been pickier about wanting what I love, but this time I really just gave all my trust. They’ll also be doing the maintenance, so I feel in very good hands that if something doesn’t work or thrive we have easy communication to switch it out.

Eric did take inspiration from what we have around the house that is more evergreen and implemented them here (under the trees, should they need less sun). We always like a mix of lighter and darker greens (sometimes dark greens can read as brown in the winter IMHO) and then I love deep warm pinks and purples (like not purple purple, but more aubergines) and always white flowers. I’m really open to learning so that when we start tackling some other areas, I can do it more myself and just repeat what is really working here.

I just can’t say enough thanks to Eric and the Dennis 7 Dees crew – just solidly impressed with the entire process – with big emphasis on the incredible communication, professionalism, and speed. If you haven’t hired a landscape team before it’s similar to interior design in the sense that you won’t believe how much time and labor (and therefore budget) it takes to execute well, so IF you are in Portland and looking for a solid team for your landscape overhaul I HIGHLY recommend them. When it comes to the big stuff like hardscape, irrigation, lighting – there was simply NO WAY I could just cobble it together, so having them manage the whole project was an absolute dream.

Big Trees Today… Literally…

With the addition of the picnic tables we needed more shade – and as you know I love trees more than anything. Two years ago we bought from Big Trees Today and we loved them all – they grow mature trees in Oregon, then they come and plant for you and guarantee the health of the tree for a year (assuming you sign their watering contract).

We ordered, and they planted, 3 Katsuras that were 3 1/2 caliper (so a larger size trunk than a newborn) and about 18′ tall. Essentially we are paying for 5 years of growth, putting in more teenagers than babies. They were about $2,500 each (including planting) which is a lot, but also remember that they grow them for years on their property and take care of them, plant them for you, etc. I think if you are looking at your yard and wish you had a big tree, this is a way to transform it all very quickly (They have many that are $1k – $1,200, too – not as big but still much bigger than the $100 tree that you’ll get at a nursery).

Gazebo Update

This is very exciting. I hired my brother’s new company (shout out to Nick and Ken at Afore Construction & Consulting) to do our gazebo. We wanted/needed a covered BBQ area (not because Oregonians BBQ in the rain that much – although we do grill food a lot even in the winter, but mostly to protect everything from elements and provide shade (which is why we chose a gazebo over a pergola). Now, we originally wanted a smaller footprint, but like all things, once we really played everything out, how we were going to use the space, we made it go all the way to the sports court so that we could seat people along a bar comfortably. But yah, she’s big! Don’t worry – it will be painted white to match and we have some very cute corbels and string lights to add charm.

Of course gazebos don’t just go up in one day – they have to excavate, put in footings (pour concrete), posts, then the big beams, tongue and groove ceiling, roofing, electrical, plumbing and gas. Then paint the gazebo and stain the deck. It’s a whole thing! They are almost done now and should be good to go by Easter. Wahoo!

Next Steps… The Kitchen

We ordered our RTA kitchen (Ready To Assemble, super solid weatherproof cement construction) and the whole installation should happen in a couple of weeks. I’ll be doing a full blog post about the outdoor kitchen and specifically RTA soon (we pitched and partnered), but we are so excited about it all. We are really investing in long term materials, withstanding a lot of wear and tear and rain. All in all, we feel in very very good hands. Between Dennis’ 7 Dees (design, execution and, maintenance), Afore Construction (gazebo), Big trees Today (the big trees :)) and RTA (outdoor grill/kitchen) we are solid and I’ve never felt so taken care of (I’m not just saying that, it’s been absolutely seamless with everyone).

It looks so incredible already now that it’s all planted and sure they are little, but just not having that hulking sports court (ie, cement parking lot) makes me soooo happy. Oh, and you bet we are going to finally resurface the pickle ball court – just need a 5 day break in the rain 🙂

*Photos by Kaitlin Green