About Ninebark Garden Design

Ninebark Garden

Designs by Kyle Marie Summers

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Hard for me to believe, but I have more than 20 years of working in gardens all over Portland, Oregon. I've consulted, designed, pruned, raked, mulched, and planted thousands of plants at residences and schools across the east side. My interest in ecology and horticulture has led me to classes and mentors that have broadened my skills and expanded my knowledge. I am a proud member of Xerces Society, APLD Oregon, Hardy Plant Society, Master Gardener OSU Program graduate and listed in the directory for Backyard Habitat Program through the Bird Alliance organization. I also volunteer with Friends of Trees, Depave and a few public school garden and watershed projects.

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Ninebark Garden Design. LLC is a culmination of my background in Fine Art, Life Science and Entrepreneurship. I also love people and really enjoy working with my clients. I have had friends become clients and clients become friends. I feel very lucky. 

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My personal design style ranges from naturalistic plant heavy gardens that incorporate lots of sunny ornamental grasses and flowering perennials to shady woodland nooks with mossy rocks and water features. I'm happy to see the rise in popularity of pollinator gardens, rain gardens and incorporating many native plants - such as our Pacific Ninebark!

 

I work with nature to establish beautiful yards and gardens through pruning techniques that allow for natural shaping and building up healthy soil by adding materials such as leaves and/or organic mulch.  It also means choosing plants that don't require additional irrigation once they are established (except during summer high heat weeks).  To me, finding ways to divert your roof rain water into your garden and away from your basement and street is also extremely important.

 

I enjoy creating gardens with a variety of plants to create vertical layers. This helps minimize weeds, assists in retaining soil moisture through shade, and creates shelter for many songbirds. With thoughtful design comes tremendous beauty. This style of naturalistic planting can easily create food and habitat for wildlife as well as an immersive experience for our senses. 

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I look forward to hearing from you and discovering what you are envisioning!