Renee's Foliage-First Portland Garden (Zone 8b)

*20 Years of Evolution, Edits, and Evergreen Beauty*

Come stroll a true foliage-first Portland garden that’s been thoughtfully evolving since 2005. We began with a strong hardscape frame in the back garden—dry-stacked stone walls by Pete Wilson’s Stoneworks—and embraced steady, planful edits as the garden matured. You’ll see how a clear vision, a mix of incremental adjustments and occasional sweeping changes, and a flexible mindset open to change keep this small-space garden lush, layered, and four-season—without relying on flowers. Most footage was filmed in summer 2025; you’ll also see before photos and process and progress shots through the years.

*What you’ll see and learn*

◦ How big changes were phased over time: back garden in 2005–06, front entry upgrades in 2015, and final lawn removal in 2022

◦ Why the lawn became decomposed granite in 2015 (hello, low-maintenance with a satisfying crunch underfoot)

◦ “Forever vs. For Now” editing in small gardens—especially with dwarf conifers that eventually outgrow their space

◦ Containers as a collector strategy: large pots are easier to maintain, and most of Renee’s containers feature a single specimen to showcase form and simplify care

◦ How describing a plant’s physical characteristics (shape, texture, size, color, habit) helps you make smart substitutions when the exact cultivar isn’t available

*Plant highlights you’ll spot*

◦ Stewartia pseudocamellia, Acer palmatum ‘Mikawa yatsubusa’, coral bark maple

◦ Dwarf conifers: Pinus strobus ‘Angel Falls’, Picea pungens ‘Procumbens’, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Snow’, Tsuga canadensis 'Moon Frost', Cryptomeria ‘Rein’s Dense Jade’, and many more.

◦ Foliage-forward all-stars: Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’, Podophyllum ‘Spotty Dotty’, Astelia ‘Red Devil’, Woodwardia (jeweled chain fern), Rhododendron pachysanthum and ‘Laramie’, Podocarpus ‘Blue Gem’, Ilex crenata 'Pagoda', Loropetalum ‘Crimson Fire’

*Join the conversation*

◦ Have plant ID questions? Please include a timestamp and I’ll do my best to help.

◦ What edits or plant swaps are you considering this season? Share your setbacks and successes in the comments—your experience can inspire others.