Studio AB Landscape Design Services

2024 was another productive and prolific year full of projects!
Here are a few snapshots of some of those works and others; yet still in progress. Though 2025 is off to an uncertain start; I am full of hope that it will be another prosperous year with new opportunities for growth and learning. As time marches onward into the unknown; I am reminded of an essay by one of my favorite poets, David Whyte. Here is a glimpse of it. If you're not familiar with his work; it's well worth checking out (including the entirety of this essay).
"I may constantly cry that I need more time, but actually time needs more of me - more of our spacious, uninterrupted timeless time to live out and understand both its extraordinary depths and its incalculable far off horizons." -David Whyte

I wish you all a wonderful new year!

Inspired by the full moon in Virgo (last weekend) I am reminded of one of my favorite trees for Seattle urban gardens: the full moon maple! Both species of Acer shirasawanum and Acer japonicum are quite similar in appearance to Acer palmatum (Japanese maple); though the leaves are broader and the form typically more compact and rounded. They prefer about 6 hours of sun; so a place where they have shade for part of the day is best. I love them especially for the vibrant colors: purplish 'flowers', deep chartreuse summer color, an array of warm fall foliage colors, and that they keep their form. In fact, this small stature of tree/ large shrub lends itself to growing in a container. My favorite is the 'Autumn Moon' variety...a great addition to a northwest garden if you have the right site conditions! 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔🌝

Reminiscing about late summer and early fall...
So much has happened in the last six months! Thanks to Artemis Lanscaping for sending me these 'finished' photos of a nice garden in Wallingford that was designed four or so years ago.

Here's a quick peek at some of our 2022 projects freshly installed (or being installed). It was another busy year where the work seemed to stream in non-stop. The pace of this new year has so far been much more relaxed. So its a good time to research new materials, discover new plants, and savor the moment. We look forward to connecting with people and creating more gardens in 2023!

Happy Holidays to all! This image brings me back to the 90's when I was still studying at MSU. In one of my horticulture classes each student got to start tiny poinsetta seedlings (about 8 plants). We had to care for them and monitor the growth until Christmas break; then we got to take them home, or gift them.

MSU's annual poinsettia tree is 16 feet tall and made up of 350 poinsettia plants.

Plant shopping assistant? She seemed to really like the Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gracilis'

Under construction! Sneak peek at a fun winter installation in Queen Anne. Tomorrow we start the bench top and finish the fencing. Then onto the oval-shaped flagstone patio, planting, and alternative 'lawn'...i.e. chamomile groundcover. 🧙

Hello 2022!
This year feels like the right time to go further down the creative path.
What does that mean for us?
We are growing our design skills by adding new collaborative partners to our team; with focus on strengthening our artistic game.
Here's a peek at some of our 2021 projects...on the boards and installations in progress.
It was a challenging year for us; as it was for so many.
We say goodbye to 2021....as we forge ahead!

Happy fall y'all! My favorite time of the year. The oranges are capturing my attention this year... especially these three captured in clients' gardens recently: Stewartia psuedocamellia, Rhus typhinia (Sumac), and Lagerstroemia (Crape Myrtle) 🎃🍁🍂

Spring is just flying by! How quickly the days seem to fill up; despite being longer. Though it feels great to be done with container change outs for the season; these last few month have been the busiest we've ever been with design work. No doubt this is due to the pandemic, but also the result of getting some great referrals from our previous clients; for which, we are eternally grateful. Thank-you for making us feel appreciated! Also; to our new clients: thank-you for your patience!