The story behind the name of Lakamas Landscape Design

Part 5 of the Lakamas Winter Design Series James Roof Silktassel blooms in the winter with long icicle-like tendrils Winter reveals the true bones of a landscape. In Seattle and Camano Island, where soft light and cool, wet soils define the season, native evergreens bring essential structure, texture, and ecological function. Thoughtfully chosen evergreen shrubs and groundcovers create a layered, winter-ready framework that feels deeply tied to the region. Below is a focused

Discover how deciduous trees, shrubs, and groundcovers create winter structure in Pacific Northwest gardens. Part 3 of our Winter Design Series.

The Best Time to Design and Plant a Garden in Seattle and Camano Island Part 4 of the Winter Design Series - Timing If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your landscape—or starting from scratch—there is  a right time to begin. In the Pacific Northwest, two seasons rise above the rest for creating resilient, beautiful gardens: fall and early spring . Each brings unique advantages, especially when we’re designing with ecology, long-term plant health, and the natural rhythms

Tiger swallowtail butterfly Birds love decaying wood and leaves! I got into gardening with native plants when I realized a few things: we are losing native wildlife species quickly, and I didn't know there were native plants that could be used in the garden. Additionally, I couldn't find the ones I learned about. Today I'll write a bit about gardens supporting wildlife. Since then, gardening with native plants has become a movement embraced by many gardeners and designers. I

Part 2 of the Lakamas Winter Design Series Mahonia 'Arthur Menzies' in the fall - wait until it blooms! Winter Evergreens for Structure, Color & Seasonal Interest Winter gardens in the Pacific Northwest are defined by structure, contrast, and subtle shifts in texture. Evergreens are the backbone, offering depth and continuity during the quiet months. In a season where deciduous plants take a rest, evergreens keep the garden looking intentional, layered, and alive. This post f

Winter Landscapes Series – Part 1 Winter is the season when the true architecture of a garden comes into focus. Without the lush foliage and colorful blooms of summer, we are left with form, line, texture, and shadow—the essential structure that gives a landscape its identity. In the Pacific Northwest, where winter light is soft and the palette becomes more subdued, structure becomes especially important. It creates comfort and clarity, guides the eye, and supports the ecolog

What is a Sense of Place? As a landscape designer, one of my guiding themes is creating a sense of place . This concept can mean many...

Lovely soft lavender flower of the Great Camas plant in the wild Camassia leichtlinii (Great Camas, Large Camas) 🌿💙 Description 📝...

Serviceberry ‘Autumn Brilliance’ ( Amelanchier × grandiflora ) is a small tree with four-season appeal —from clouds of spring flowers and...

🌳 Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Pee Wee’ (Shrub – Oakleaf Hydrangea) 📝 Description ‘Pee Wee’ is a compact form of the oakleaf hydrangea,...

🌿 Description ‘Diane’ witch hazel is one of the most admired cultivars, celebrated for its rich copper-red to brick-red ribbon-like...

White flowers in spring, evergreen leaves and deep mahogony bark make this plant one of the most handsome in the garden 🌿 Plant Profile:...

Description Japanese anemones bring a graceful, airy touch to late-summer and fall gardens. Rising on tall wiry stems, their delicate...

Vibrant rose blooms on a variety of Gaura Plant Profile: Gaura ( Oenothera lindheimeri ) Description Gaura, also called Wandflower or...

A tall, sun-loving perennial, Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) brings a burst of golden-yellow color to late summer and fall landscapes. Its upright stems support dense plumes of small flowers that attract pollinators in droves, especially bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps. Though often misunderstood as invasive, Canada Goldenrod plays an essential role in native ecosystems when used responsibly.

White flower clusters in spring Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry Description Prunus emarginata, or Bitter Cherry is a deciduous small tree...