Donna Giguere Landscape Design

We could not be happier with our new landscape in Southeast Portland; the results of our collaborating with Donna. On the first contact, she was easy to work with and very professional–this proved to be a hallmark of her work ethic. This was new construction and we were living in California, so we had to work at a distance. We shared our thoughts with her via phone conversations and through pictures and websites. Donna then went out to the job site and got a feel for the neighborhood and our yards. These in hand, she quickly went to work and developed an initial concept for our reaction. Because one of us lives life from a wheelchair, accessibility was foremost in creating livable outdoor entertaining spaces both front and back and maximizing the potential of a small backyard that was not level. We wanted the landscape to blend with our neighborhood; suit the Northwest but not replicate common themes; offer very low maintenance; and in the back specifically, provide an Asian/Zen feel and ambiance. Donna was worth every cent of her design time. She visited the job site multiple times to see how the sun’s location and structures affected the available light. She helped greatly with plant selection; possessing knowledge of what works well in Portland. She worked and reworked the plans a number of times without complaint; and, she helped us select a landscape contractor from her own great recommendations. To generate their bids, Donna met with two contractors on site to thoroughly explain the design and help them to understand our special needs. After we selected our contractor, she walked the job numerous times to monitor that our design and vision were coming together. For continuity, she even met the contractor at a local rock yard for selection of boulders and when the plants and trees were delivered on site, she was there to fine-tune placement. The outcome is simply marvelous. During any time of the day we have a wonderful place to sit and drink coffee, sip wine or read a book. Built-in benches and retaining walls offer spontaneous seating for entertaining others and from several locations of both yards. At night, landscape lighting highlights the beauty of the flora and special features; and during the day, birds just love our water feature. What joy to be there in the yard or look out at what is a stunningly beautiful scene at every turn.

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I viewed photos of Donna's work, as well as checked her reviews before calling her. We discussed what I wanted to accomplish, my budget, and my current yard layout and plant preferences. The 2 hour consultation fit my budget and I felt it would provide me with a good general idea of what to do with the yard.

Donna was available to meet with me at my home within a week, or so, of my call. She advised me to find out what soil preparation had been done with the existing yard. I also compiled a list of plants I like, and printed out photos of a few yards with the general look and feel that I want to achieve.

My yard is a challenge because it receives full sun all day long, but Donna was able to develop a plan that I feel confident I will be happy with. She provided me with 3 pages of sketches and notes, as well as a comprehensive plant list. She also advised me about plant sizes and what to purchase right away, rather than waiting until I have the main part of the yard torn out and replanted. (Delay due to budget constraints). Additionally, she placed small markers in the yard to note the future placement of key plants.

Note to Donna: The contractor who built the backyard screens that you admired was Pete Popa, with Legacy Decks and Fence, LLC. His phone number is 971-246-3721. He is also listed here on Angie's List with his well-deserved 5-star ratings.

Donna did a great job listening to our needs/wants and implementing them into beautiful designs! We hired her for our back yard and then again to do the front. She came when the contractors were going to plant the plantings to make sure they were in the best position.

Donna designed a wonderful yard with native plants, flowers, stone walled seating area and a path around the perimeter of the yard. She incorporated a curvy, natural dry creek bed and other creative erosion control methods. The results are spectacular. After the yard was installed we have been watching it unfold this spring and look forward to further development each season. Donna is an artist and landscape designer with a degree in sculpture. She incorporated areas for existing and new sculpture into our yard.

She did a great job and we are excited to see the plan come to life.

She was fantastic. It could not have gone better. She just does the design for the landscape and hardscaping; she does not do the work herself. Price wise we thought it was kind of high but actually we must say that it was well worth it. We have not had anybody who has been close to which she has designed. We are going to use her again.

Donna came out for our initial visit. She was very responsive to what we wanted and then give your advice. Her timeline for completion of our design was a few weeks out, but it was done when promised. Her initial estimate was slightly higher than the final invoice. I found Donna to be very professional with a lot of experience and knowledge. We will be using her again on a future project!

She was great ! She was prompt, informative, professional - we can't recommend her enough.

Overall, her plans have been easy to implement.

Overall, the process went well. Our lot had slope issues that provided a challenge for creating a mostly 'natural' type setting. The design was excellent and looks fantastic now that it is done and planted. We are completely happy.

She came to the house and did walk through, went to her drawing board, came back for more walk throughs to get the details right. She presented the plans and gave a few names of landscapers that she had worked with in the past. We interviewed two and they were both terrific. We had to choose one and we were very pleased with our choice as his crew worked very quickly and efficiently and left no debris for us to deal with. A very positive experience

I paid $175 for the service. She came out and did a plan for my yard. She did a gardening plan and told me what plants to take out of the yard and what plants to put in the yard. It gave me an idea of what to do with my yard. I thought she was great. She was on time. She was very personable and she gave me some great suggestions. I will use her again in the future.

Donna took us through the planning, design, and installation flawlessly. We knew nothing about landscaping but we were in good hands. The service was excellent and surprisingly affordable. We look forward to working with Donna on future projects. Highly recommended.

Donna spent time with me discussing what I wanted to see in my yard. I then hired her to do a complete landscape design. The work was done by Pat Handley Landscape contractor. Donna provided input and guidance during the project until completion. The result is exactly what I wanted and looks amazing.

This is the second time I've had Donna design the front yard of my home. She is perfect for my taste-she incorporates native plants that work well both with my yard (steep and sloping) and gardening skills (non-existent). She talked to me about the existing landscape and offered to work with what was there, and then spent about an hour doing a survey of the yard and completing the sketch. She provided scientific names for every plant along with quantities, and suggested multiple vendors through which to order the plants. She has also provided me with referrals for laborers to do the work. Donna is friendly and prompt and works quickly and efficiently. Best of all, her designs are really beautiful without being fussy-she works with the house and the neighborhood, and doesn't try to impose an artistic vision that matches neither.

Very good. Donna had great ideas and worked very quickly and efficiently. She recommended a nursery, and offered to make recommendations for gardeners who could finish the project. As a beginner, however, I would have appreciated a neater, more clear list of each plant with the common and scientific names (to be fair, I didn't ask for this).

I liked working with Donna. I liked her ideas.

DONNA GIGUERE HAS A WONDERFUL EYE FOR GARDEN DESIGN AND A SUBSTANTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF HORTICULTURE TO BACK UP HER ARTISTIC SIDE. SHE IS PROMPT, HARDWORKING, AND A PLEASURE TO DO BUSINESS WITH.

DONNA GIGUERE HAS A WONDERFUL EYE FOR GARDEN DESIGN AND A SUBSTANTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF HORTICULTURE TO BACK UP HER ARTISTIC SIDE. SHE IS PROMPT, HARDWORKING, AND A PLEASURE TO DO BUSINESS WITH.