Professional Landscape Design Service
Our valued landscape design services are offered by Solcrest Garden Designs, LLC, in partnership with Mount Hood Gardens, Inc. We specialize in planning and constructing quality and sustainable residential landscapes in beautiful Hood River, Oregon and vicinity. Marion McNew, CPLD, FAPLD, is head designer and owner/ president of both companies. She has over 35 years of experience in the landscape design/ build field.
To view her extensive professional background and accomplishments, please refer to the Biography & Awards page.
Client Questionnaire
To create a gratifying and suitable design, we may ask you to fill out our thorough questionnaire. This will allow us to understand your needs and preferences.
Our Design Philosophy
Professional residential design aims to create a serene and private outdoor sanctuary surrounding your home. A high quality, handcrafted hardscape (walls, patios, paths and structures) provides the framework and general layout for the landscape. It is the thread your mind and feet follow, and invites you to explore and experience, as well as establishing visual balance. Successful gardens change with the seasons and offer different view lines. Often the garden is divided into multiple outdoor rooms, creating enticing opportunities to sit and relax.
Following the hardscape elements, the plantings, or softscape, are designed. They make the garden shine. We have decades of experience in selecting suitable and hardy plant combinations tailored to the varied Mid-Columbia microclimates. We carefully choose plants with the plant community principle and sustainability in mind, creating thriving and long-lasting gardens.
An effective design will make the subsequent installation process far smoother, and aid in avoiding costly mistakes and detours.
The finished Rose Garden room, after installation.
Client Testimonials
“I really value your eye for detail. You noticed things that I did not, and I am a detail person!”
S.I. - Hood River, Oregon
"Our cottage garden looks fantastic. I love everything you planted and also the great design."
A. K. - Mosier, Oregon
Understanding our Collaborative Design Process
Property Evaluation
Together, we first evaluate your property, its microclimate, soil composition, and possible logistical or site challenges. Then we create your landscape from the ground up, according to your visions and preferences. Our custom questionnaire greatly aids in formulating the overall plan, and allows us a complete understanding of your ideas and preferences. We wish to create long-lasting gardens and outdoor spaces perfect for you and your unique site.
Design
The design process usually includes two or three design phases: rough, intermediate and final plan. The final version is accompanied by an itemized installation estimate and detailed plant list. The design cost is charged by Solcrest Garden Designs, and will be billed separately from the installation. A ballpark for the design cost will be provided prior to beginning the design.
Installation
Once the design process has been completed, timing and installation details will be discussed. Our parent company, Mount Hood Gardens, Inc, handles the subsequent landscape installation and project management. Schedules and availability will be communicated. We frequently have a queue.
Client Questionnaire
To create a gratifying and suitable design, we may ask you to fill out our thorough questionnaire. This will allow us to understand your needs and preferences.
