Yes, the winters are cold and quite snowy (as in “5’ of annual snow” snowy). Yes, it rains quite a lot. Be that as it may, Portland ranked as the 8th best place to live in the U.S. in 2021, and for good reason. Word is out, and Portland is growing.

In the warm summer months, Portland is hard to beat, with pleasant weather, lush plant life, and a general air of delight as people emerge from their winter hideaways.

Whatever the season, landscape design can help you get more from your yard. Even as the weather starts to cool, landscape design can help to keep you outside a little longer, be it through evergreen windbreaks, sun-warmed patios,pergola-mounted heaters, orfire pits. And when the weather gets too much to bear, your landscape can include winter interest planting to enjoy from thecoziness of your home.

Whether you are looking to spend more time outside in your yard, need a better outdoor space toentertain family and friends, or are just in need of a planting orhardscape refresh, Yardzen can help you! We’ll work with you to develop a four-season landscape design that gets you the look, feel, and function you are dreaming of for your yard, then we’ll connect you with a licensed, vetted contractor from theYardzen Pro Networkto get your design built.

Portland landscapes run the gamut frommoderntotraditional, but generally favor a naturalistic look, with dense, layered plantings and plenty of natural stone features including paving, walls, and decorative boulders.

More importantly, Portland landscapes are designed for four seasons, incorporating space to enjoy the outdoors in the brief but lovely warm season, and plenty of natural beauty to enjoy from indoors during the snowy months. Materials are durable to withstand the climate.

Frequent rainfall makes covered outdoor spaces a coveted luxury, and Portland clients frequently request both waterproof covers and windscreens to mount topergolas.

Fire pitsand evergreen windbreaks are popular for staying a bit warmer as weather turns cold. So are infrared heaters, which can mount to eaves or pergola beams.

Sustainability is a major concern, from capturing water onsite to reduce pollution, to incorporatingnative plant speciesto expand habitat and support local ecosystems.

Winter interest is an obvious and ubiquitous request, be it from evergreens, showy bark, sculptural branching, winter berries, or early bare-branch blossoms.

No matter where you live,native plants are an excellent choice for your landscape. As lovers of the local climate, native plants typically requirefewer inputs of water, fertilizer, and maintenancethan species introduced from elsewhere. With natives, you can get great plant performance with less expense and fuss. In a cold climate like that of Portland, the durability of natives is even more valuable.

Native plants also offer unmatched habitat value for local wildlife, and help designed landscapes feel connected to the broader regional landscape.

Looking for a few natives to get you started? Here are a few of the many local favorites:

→ Blueberry (Vaccinium)

→ Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

→ Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)

→ Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)

→ Silky dogwood (Swida amomum)

→ Pagoda dogwood (Swida alternifolia)

→ Bayberry (Morella caroliniana)

→ New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

→ Appalachian Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)

→ Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

Ready to get some natives for your yard? Check outthis list of Maine native nurseries.

Climate is the top concern with Maine landscapes. Climate connects to the design of gathering spaces, incorporating both shade from summer sun and snow/wind breaks for winter conditions.

Climate relates to material selection as well—stone is a popular option in part for its ability to withstand the stresses of Portland’s climate.

Winter interest is another climate consideration. Even when it’s not comfortable to be outside, a landscape can offer scenic value when designed for winter interest.

Beyond climate, sustainability is a key concern when designing Portland landscapes. With proximity to a range of natural spaces, it’s crucial to protect water quality and avoid introducing invasive species.

And of course, in any location your own personal goals and style are fundamental to the development of a landscape design.

Now! Any time of year is great to begin work on a landscape project.

When possible, we suggest utilizing the winter to work through the design phase - this sets you up to get on contractors’ books early in the build season, so you can have your design installed and ready to enjoy in time for summer.

If winter has passed, don’t worry, it’s never too late in the year to begin work on a landscape design project.