Residential Development — Common Area Gardens
Willow Ponds
Willow Ponds, a planned residential neighborhood, is located on the west side of Hood River off May Street, on twenty scenic acres. The development commenced in 2002, with several phases completed to date. Willow Ponds aims to create an environment that encourages a neighborhood feel and is pedestrian-friendly. Well-designed homes with a small to medium footprint and carefully preserved views are diverse and attractive. Existing features, topography and plants are retained wherever possible. Willow Ponds intends to foster harmony between each home site and natural surroundings.
For the common landscape areas, owners Jacquie and Pasquale Barone worked closely with Marion McNew of Mount Hood Gardens, Inc. They contributed many ideas regarding design and plant choices. The resulting landscape is a successful collaboration between owners and professional landscape designer.
Design Intent
The landscape design seeks to “reinforce and protect the spectacular natural qualities and ecological functioning of the site”. Sustainable gardening practices are being consistently applied throughout the common area and individual landscapes. Common area and wetland plantings include many native plants. An existing, seasonal wetland stream winds its way through several of the properties and drains into a large, vegetated bioswale. In the residential landscapes, limited lawn areas, preferably planted with grass varieties needing less supplemental water, are encouraged.
Plantings
The extensive front plantings bordering May Street consist of flowering shrubs, ground covers, and generous sweeps of ornamental grasses, displaying vibrant spring and fall color, while creating a harmonious, natural appearance. Semi-dwarf Austrian Pines add structure. Many of the plants are natives or cultivars of native plants. The plant palette is rather restrained. The plants are used in generous groupings and frequent repetitions. Red and orange shades are used liberally. ‘Pacific Sunset’ Maples line May Street. Large, glacial field boulders, found at the site, were incorporated into the front plantings, reinforcing the rural, rustic character of the setting.
Before: east end of the future North Streetscape, summer 2004
The Kiosk area close to Nina Lane, April 2004
Planting of the North Streetscape, April 2004
Abundant late spring view of lush shrubs and dwarf conifers, May 2009
White Rugosa roses surround the Kiosk area, late May 2009
In the fall, Flame Grasses shine, late October 2008
The same west-facing view in late October 2008
Perennial Plant Association Pre-Tour visit at Willow Ponds, July 2010. Photography by Jacquie Barone
Graceful plantings along Nina Lane, inside Willow Ponds, May 2009
Lovely North Streetscape, looking west, in spring, May 2008