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02/18/2009 - Leading Portland Landscape & Designer Builds "Peace" Garden

Portland, OR. – Leading Portland landscape firm, Drake’s Seven Dees Landscaping announced today the completion of the large 30’ x 30’ Japanese themed garden built on the 2009 Portland Home & Garden Show floor as part of the event’s annual “Showcase Gardens” exhibit. The theme of the 2009 Drake’s garden is “Peace”

The “Peace” garden stands 24’ tall and was created in six days.  The tranquil space is accented by several beautifully sculpted pine trees, golden bamboo and a unique green bamboo with yellow stripes.  Another key addition to the design was a magnificent water feature that was built with basalt rock columns of various heights that creates an elevated pool in the middle of the columns.  The water cascades from several locations all around the feature and over several of the shortest columns into the pool below.  Moss covered flagstone paths offer a walkway around the entire feature. The Drake’s team also had a master craftsman create an Asian influenced wood arbor that proudly stands over the main entrance to the garden.

The garden was designed by expert landscape architect Trey Beneville, (ASLA).  The theme of “Peace” was suggested to Beneville by his wife Melissa, after a visit to Portland’s Japanese Gardens last fall. While on their visit to the popular tourist attraction, Melissa realized how calming and meditative the Japanese Gardens were and how fitting it would be to focus on “Peace”, in light of all of the chaos that surrounds the world today.

“We really thought that the theme was fitting in light of the economic pressure that is affecting everyone, also the military conflict that continues in the Middle East. Who couldn’t use a little peace?” said Beneville.

Drake’s Seven Dees is often engaged to design and build some of the most unique landscaping projects for Portland area residents. The company has seen a resurgence of activity in light of the economy.  “One of the first areas of focus for people in a down economy is their home,” said Drake Snodgrass, owner and namesake of Drake’s Seven Dees. “Creating a peaceful sanctuary like the one we have built at the Home & Garden Show is the number one themed Landscape that we are asked to create,” added Snodgrass. 
About the Portland Home & Garden Show: The Portland Home & Garden Show is produced by O’Loughlin Trade Shows, a division of TO-RO Enterprises and features over 1,000 booths and displays showcasing a wide array of home and garden interests. Attendees range from homeowners with dreams, plans and ideas to gardeners looking forward to spring and all things green. With more than 300,000 sq. ft. of display space at the Portland Expo Center, this is clearly the show for the homeowner and gardener. For more information on the Portland Home & Garden Show visit: www.otshows.com/PHS/
About Drake’s 7 Dees: Established in 1956, Drake’s 7 Dees has been a full service nursery and the trusted source for gardening, plants and landscaping in Portland for over 50 years. The company operates two successful companies:  Drake’s 7 Dees Garden Center and Drake’s Seven Dees Landscaping.  With over three acres of plants and shrubs, Drake’s 7 Dees Garden Center is the go to location for plants, shrubs, garden supplies as well as informative seminars.  Drake’s Seven Dees Landscaping has designed and built many notable and award winning landscapes for both residential and commercial locations.  The company is often called upon by prestigious homeowners to design outdoor kitchens, gazebos, gardens and retreats in the Portland Metropolitan area. For more information about Drake’s 7 Dees visit: www.drakes7dees.com.

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