Garden Stories

We installed this backyard retreat last spring. Been meaning to post these photos I took earlier this summer. I will be adding this “Story” to the new website in the coming weeks. Oh yeah…gotta new website. More on that another time.

Somehow these didn’t make it on the original post. So the “surrounded by turf” description must have seemed premature. Anyhoo…this is what happens when you don’t gram regularly. But I’m trying! Enjoy

A new hardscape design in Arbor Lodge using Castohn’s Olympic pavers. These look slick especially when surrounded by turf. Uber modern vibe, very clean, but more interesting than typical large slab pavers.

Garden Stories is currently offering Garden Tuneups! Tuneups include any pruning, trimming, weeding, detailing and debris removal needed to get your garden ready for spring. While we’re there, we will also make a thorough assessment of your garden and offer recommendations to address any problem areas or needed adjustments to the design to accommodate growth.

Tuneups are $65 an hour with a $150 minimum. Debris disposal available for and additional charge.

Contact us at [email protected] to schedule yours today!

Quercus mexicana. Doing its leaf drop/emerge thing and sending out lovely little pearl string catkins. A surprisingly upright grower for how quirky it’s been.

One of my favorite gardens. A true collaboration. It will be going on the market, along with attached house soon. I will miss this one 😢..

This photo is proof to the IRS that my trip to Europe was for “research”.
Also could be my new profile pic for Garden Stories. See it was for business related purposes. ..

Making progress. The previous owner and garden maker was a Japanese maple collector, so the in this garden is in full effect right now...

Contractors do all the hard stuff. Now my turn.

God-light in Freiburg. Please beam me into the Münster tower your highness.

Scenes from Heidelberg. Old stuff is charming as hell. ..

The Hermannshof Garden in Weinheim is a botanical love fest. A feast for the eyes at every turn, and a new combination every week during the height of summer. I'm still processing this. More to come!

Hills of Heidelberg. A good place for living out a long life.

Ooh, look at this lovely combo. Iris x PCH 'Violetta' (I think) w Halium ocymoides. Non plant geeks that's native hybrid Iris with yellow rockrose. On a front yard in Woodstock installed 3+ years ago. Thanks looks fab 😉

Woah, check out that wavy edge of Dryopteris sieboldii. This fern takes patience in my experience. Year three shown here, thanks to

My neighbors insane Columbine. It's got a 6" spur! I don't know the name. I'll call it Aquilegia 'Spider-Spur'

The fescue meadow is officially a "grass carpet". Can't wait for the native bulbs to come in and make it a "grass tapestry"...

Newly finished shady oasis in Lake Oswego. Lots of ferns went in here. Props to plant growers of PNW👏..

If you give a prickly pear enough snow, sleet, ice, and record rainfall it may, just may turn into a gooey green slime.....

Windowsill dry garden in SMA. ..

Putting my woodworking tools on ice. We are officially closed for the holidays. It was a wonderful year...uh, business wise that is. Looking forward to de-thawing in 2017.

When you can't even walk up your driveway in the morning you know it's a good day to stay home.

New tumblr garden blog: www.garden-stories.tumblr.com

Garden Stories James Wilson is a landscape designer based in Portland, OR. He designs gardens that combine his...