BauerCombs Landscape Architecture									 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	      

  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • TEAM
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • FAQ >
      • BauerCombs Video Meetings
  • DESIGN GALLERY
  • GUIDES
    • Luxury Landscapes Defined
    • SEMINARS
  • GET STARTED
    • PHONE VISIT
    • CONSULTATION PACKAGE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • ABOUT US
    • ABOUT
    • TEAM
    • PROCESS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • FAQ >
      • BauerCombs Video Meetings
  • DESIGN GALLERY
  • GUIDES
    • Luxury Landscapes Defined
    • SEMINARS
  • GET STARTED
    • PHONE VISIT
    • CONSULTATION PACKAGE
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT

Spice up your Garden with Fresh Edibles!

5/18/2023

Comments

 
Edible gardens, garden design, edible plants, growing food
Hey there garden friends! 
Are you looking to spice up your garden and enjoy some fresh produce at the same time?  Then why not try planting some edible plants?  Not only will they add a unique touch to your outdoor space, but they'll also give you tasty and healthy food to enjoy throughout the season.

Fresh and Flavorful

Herbs are a great choice for edible plants as they're simple to grow and add delicious flavor to your meals.  Some popular herbs to consider are basil, mint, rosemary, and thyme.  I love adding herbs into almost everything from dishes to marinades to delicious drinks!
 
Kale is another edible plant that's easy to grow and perfect for the cooler seasons.  You can harvest it all year long if it survives the winter months.  Kale is also versatile and can be used in everything from soups to salads. 

If you're feeling adventurous, try planting fruit trees or berry bushes.  Not only will they look beautiful in your garden, but they'll also produce sweet and juicy fruit for you to enjoy.  A few fruit trees to consider are apple, pear, and Asian pear, while for berry bushes, you could try planting blueberries, raspberries, black current, or honeyberry.  ​
Just remember, it's important to research each plant's needs and make sure you're giving them enough care, water, sunlight, and nutrients.  But once you get the hang of it, growing edible plants is a fun and rewarding way to add some flavor and variety to your garden.  So why not give it a go?  Your taste buds will thank you!
Picture
Black Currant - Jostaberry variety

​​Easy to Grow Edibles for Pacific Northwest Gardens

Herbs
  • Basil – 6-8 hours of full sun; light shade okay in the late afternoon.
  • Mint – Full sun. Best to grow in a container to keep from spreading. 
  • Rosemary – Full sun. Semi-evergreen.
  • Thyme – Full sun, loves warm spaces.
 
Fast Growing Vegetables
  • Kale – Full sun to light shade. Plant 2’ apart.
  • Green Onion – 6-8 hours of full sun. Grows best in a raised planting bed.
  • Turnip – Full sun to light shade. Space 6” apart.
  • Cherry tomato – Full sun. (Indeterminate grow up to 8’ tall. Determinate grow 2-3’ tall.)
 
Fruit Trees
  • Apple – Honey Crisp and Pink Lady are good producers and delicious!
  • Pear – Conference and Bosc varieties. Harvest in mid to late September. Very juicy.
  • Asian Pear – Shinseiki variety. Thin skin! Harvest in late August. No pollinator is needed.
                      
Berries
  • Blueberry – Bluecrop variety. Large, sweet berries. Up to 5’ tall. Pink Icing variety. Great for containers. Grows 3 to 4’ tall. 
  • Raspberry – Killarney, dark red berry; and Brandywine, purple berry.  Excellent flavor.
  • Black Current –Jostaberry (cross of black currant and gooseberry). 3 to 4’ tall.  
  • Honeyberry – Blue Pagota variety, up to 5’ tall. Needs cross-pollination. Excellent flavor.  Blue Velvet variety, up to 5’ tall. Needs cross-pollination. Sweet with a hint of tartness. 
 
Next Steps
Are you ready to maximize your outdoor spaces and incorporate a sustainable landscape for your property?  Contact BauerCombs today; we would love to discuss your project!  

About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in large estates and sensory design for the greater Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. Our signature sensory design methods create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities.  Contact us today!
 
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2023 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com 
Comments

Finding Balance Outdoors

1/31/2022

Comments

 
Landscape Architect Design Finding Balance
Finding Balance Outdoors
Have you ever walked into an outdoor space, garden, or park and instantly felt a smile of delight emerge upon your face?  At BauerCombs Landscape Architecture, we call that 'finding balance.'  

Working with nature, rather than against it, helps create balance and more enjoyment in outdoor spaces. This philosophy, blended with our proven design principles, is the backbone of every project. Below, we have outlined our fundamental design principles and sensory design elements to introduce you to our landscape design thought process.

​Design Principles

Simplicity - The definition of simplicity is the state of being simple, uncomplicated, and natural. A simple landscape is defined as being well-balanced, clean, neat, and having room to breathe.  

Balance & Rhythm - Each design element that is added into the landscape creates a visual weight. Features are balanced depending on shape, size, form, and visual interest. A balanced design will create a comfortable rhythm that guides you through the landscape. 

Focal Point - A focal point helps guide the viewer's eye to the desired location.  This strategy is used to help unveil the outdoor space in segments rather than all at once.  Focal points are also used to create a mood or ambiance dependent on the client's personality and style preferences.  It only takes a moment to deliver that first impression!

Connectivity - Outdoor connectivity is where all design elements work together to form a seamless link.  Connectivity is often achieved by integrating paths, materials, color, textures, and design rhythm.  ​

Sensory Design Elements

After the bones of the design are developed, our sensory design elements are weaved into the designs.  Our signature sensory design method awakes the senses with the artistic blending of color, sound, scent, touch, and taste.   
 
Setting the Mood with Color
Red = excitement. Red is a dramatic color that helps to increase excitement and interest. If you are feeling tired and lethargic, a short time looking at red is a good solution to increase enthusiasm. 

Orange = energy. Orange is a dynamic color that creates a sudden burst of energy and stimulation. But beware…orange may also trigger a person to feel agitated. It seems that people either enjoy orange or they do not.  

Yellow = cheerful and optimistic. Yellow is a cheerful, happy color that helps to brighten your day. Yellow is an excellent color to incorporate in areas of frequent cloud cover. 
Yellow is often the favorite color of children.  

Green = refreshing and cool. Green is in the center of the color spectrum and creates a feeling of peace and harmony. Green produces a calm, soothing ambiance and helps us feel rejuvenated. 

Blue = calm and peaceful. Blue helps to create a relaxing mood. Studies have shown that blue helps to reduce blood pressure and slows breathing. Blue is often used to create a tranquil environment for relaxation and reflection. 
 
Purple = motivating and healing. Because purple is a combination of red and blue, it has attributes of excitement and peacefulness at the same time. I believe purple is the ultimate color for healing and inspiration.   

Sound - Sound is often overlooked or goes unnoticed in landscape design. There is a broad range of sounds that naturally occur in nature, such as wind, rain, birds, bees, babbling brooks, and much more. However, enjoying the natural sounds of nature is not always a given. There is a good chance that man-made sounds may override the natural sounds in some urban areas. A few ways to integrate sound are adding plants that attract songbirds, incorporating water features, or planting ornamental grasses that swish in the wind.

Scent - Incorporating fragrant plants can create both a relaxing and engaging outdoor experience. Scent and fragrances are closely linked to our memories and can positively awaken our senses. A well-designed garden produces flowers and scents in progression throughout the year. Favorites are hyacinths, viburnum, lilac, lavender, mint, lemon balm, and winter daphne. It is best to stagger the timing of fragrances so they do not compete with one another.

Touch & Taste 
When you were a child, you most likely heard the phrase "don't touch that!" Beyond curiosity, I'm unsure what gives us the uncontrollable urge to touch and feel, but touch can add a rich dimension to your landscape and garden. You can add texture and touch to the landscape through the use of plants, artwork, pebbles, large boulders, smooth glass, metal, sculptures, and more. 
 
Planning ahead to incorporate edible plants into your landscape takes a bit of effort, but the outcome is delicious! Many homeowners grow their edibles in tidy rows. 
However, for something different, try intermixing savory herbs, berries, and vegetables in raised planting beds along pathways and outdoor dining areas. There is nothing more satisfying than harvesting your home-grown edibles! 
 
Putting it all together
In addition to creating balance for outdoor landscapes, you can also find balance on a nature trail, beach, or national park.  Either way, to find your balance, look around, inhale and enjoy the nature that surrounds you. 

 
About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in sensory design and site planning for the greater Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. Our signature sensory design method create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. 
 
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2022 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com 
Comments

A Hillside Landscape Refreshed

10/31/2021

Comments

 
Picture
This newly renovated landscape, designed by BauerCombs & Associates, combines both beauty and function to refresh a steep residential hillside on Mercer Island, WA.

When the homeowner purchased their Mercer Island home, their goal was to improve the overall landscape appeal and to enjoy a beautiful backyard space. The house was built to take full advantage of the Lake Washington view but had limited outdoor use because of the steep slope. 


​Terraced retaining walls were designed to maximize useable outdoor spaces and create artistry within the steep slope. The side yard pathway was designed for cohesiveness from the front yard to the backyard. The path leads you through a shade garden of rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and winter-blooming hellebores. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Project Designed by:  BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. - Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect
Project Installed by:    May Creek Landscaping - Landscape Contractor

Before Photos

BauerCombs selected Pacific Northwest native plants and ornamentals to complement the architectural style of the home and surrounding environment. Seasonal plant colors and sensory design elements were placed throughout the landscape to connect with nature year-round. Large specimen trees were strategically placed to create a soft balance between landscape and architecture. In addition, dramatic outdoor lighting is placed throughout the landscape for evening enjoyment.

Landscape Features 

  • Renovated entertainment patio with Pennsylvania bluestone and Ipe wood privacy screen
  • Entry area with polished pebble accents and unveiling of existing water feature 
  • Terraced rock retaining walls with oversized dry stack stone
  • Large specimen Japanese maple trees 
  • Showcase boulders and sitting rock 
  • Decomposed granite connector trail and rock slab steps
  • Landscape planting areas with seasonal color, textures, and sensory enjoyment
  • Privacy screening with plant material while maximizing Lake Washington views. 
  • Dramatic outdoor lighting for evening enjoyment.  
  • Metal garden art collection.  We love the family of goats!  The goats were master-minded and purchased by the homeowner as a fond reminder of California's four-legged maintenance crew along highway 101 in the Bay Area. 
About BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in sensory design and site planning for the greater Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. Our signature sensory design methods create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. 


Please browse our website and contact us at BauerCombs & Associates, Inc., to discuss your next project.  We look forward to hearing from you!  https://www.bauercombs.com/contact.html

Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2021 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.  www.bauercombs.com 
Comments

Using 3D Imagery for Commercial Landscape Design

6/30/2021

Comments

 
​Nestled in the commercial area of Snoqualmie Ridge, this renovated landscape creates seasonal color and interest for employees and visitors. 
3D Imaging Rendering BauerCombs
3D IMAGING by BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.
Picture
EXISTING BUILIDNG & SITE CONDITIONS
Currently, under development, this existing commercial building will soon be retrofitted with mechanical improvements to improve air quality and improve energy efficiency.  Our role was to create an attractive landscape design while making room for the new mechanical enhancements.  The design defined overall landscape renovation needs, including soil amendments and plant removal for permitting requirements. 
 
Using 3D imaging for this project made it easy to communicate the mechanical improvements and landscape to the client.  Our goal was to provide a 3D rendering that illustrated how the new enhancements seamlessly blend with the existing building and surroundings. 
 
While protecting trees is BauerCombs & Associates’ first priority, unfortunately, several existing trees and shrubs needed to be removed to make room for the new mechanical equipment.  For mitigation, we provided similar replacement trees and a selection of native understory plants to create a balance of seasonal color and interest.  The selection of new plants specified for this project are:
 
Acer rubrum ‘Armstrong Gold’ - Armstrong Gold Maple
Thuja plicata ‘Spring Grove - Spring Grove Columnar Western Red Cedar
Cupressus nootkatensis ‘Vanden Akker’ - Narrow Alaska Yellow Cedar
Rhododendron spp. - Pacific Rhododendron
Philadelphus ‘Belle Etoile’ - Belle Etoile Mock Orange
Mahonia aquifolium - Tall Oregon Grape
Polystichum munitum - Sword Fern
Fragaria vesca - Alpine Strawberry
 
We look forward to the completion of this project and will keep you posted on our Facebook page.  Please also visit our blog for new project updates and design tips.  We’ve been very busy this year and look forward to sharing more projects as the year progresses.

 
About  BauerCombs Landscape Architecture
BauerCombs is an award-winning landscape architecture firm specializing in sensory design and site planning for the greater Puget Sound, Bellevue, and Eastside areas. With our signature sensory design methods, we create captivating landscapes that bring life to outdoor spaces through the artistic balance of color and patterns, scent, touch, taste, and sound. Our work has been published in several magazines and continues to grow in reputation for creating healthy outdoor environments for people and communities. 
 
Author: Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect, Copyright © 2021 BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. www.bauercombs.com (425) 496-7772
Comments
<<Previous

    News & Tips

    BauerCombs News and Landscape Garden Design Tips with Susan.

    Author

    Susan Combs Bauer, Landscape Architect www.bauercombs.com

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Have a question?  Send us a note and say hello, we'd love to hear from you!

    RSS Feed

COMPANY
HOME
ABOUT
DESIGN GALLERY
GET STARTED
CONTACT US
BLOG

SEMINARS
PHONE & ADDRESS
(425) 496-7772
BauerCombs & Associates, Inc.
PO Box 580
North Bend, WA  98045
GOOD TO KNOW
FEATURED PROJECTS
FAQ
OUR PROCESS
RESOURCE LINKS
Picture
Picture
Picture
Copyright through 2025  BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. Landscape Architecture, all rights reserved.