Business Details
27 Years
experience
Our services include landscape design and master planning, garden construction, patios, walls, pergolas, irrigation systems, custom water features, and integrated landscape lighting. We are particularly known for Japanese-inspired gardens, natural stone work, and thoughtfully engineered ponds and water elements. Our experienced crew works seamlessly together, drawing on years of shared practice and traditional techniques that elevate every installation. By combining creative vision with practical execution and sustainable methods, we deliver landscapes that balance beauty, durability, and usability while remaining aligned with your budget and long-term goals.
Served areas
- Portland, OREmpty heading, Lake Oswego, OREmpty heading, Dunthorpe, OR, Clackamas, OR, Beaverton, OR, Gresham, OR, Hillsboro, OR, Damascus, OR, Gladstone, OR, King City, OR, Milwaukie, OR, Oregon City, OR, Sherwood, OR, Tigard, OR, Tualatin, OR, West Linn, OR, Wilsonville, OR, Happy Valley, OR, Vancouver, WA, Ridgefield, WAEmpty heading, Camas, WA
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We have built over 100 gardens for Portland clients.
- Our crew leaders are stone-mason trained at a Japanese firm.
- We have 30+ years building sustainable water features.
- Our team members stay 2-15 years, ensuring continuity and skill.
- We use founder Ross Bowen's 40+ years of landscape expertise.
Payment methods
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Services
Landscape Design
We believe strong landscape design starts with understanding both the site and the client. During the consultation, we review your property and discuss goals in detail. The process is simple and engaging. This initial meeting confirms whether the project is suited to our services.
Water Features
Our team specializes in custom water features that enhance landscapes through sound, motion, and visual interest. We design, build, and maintain ponds and streams using time-tested techniques. With an emphasis on proper systems and craftsmanship, we deliver water features that remain reliable and visually compelling over time.
Low Voltage Lighting
Low voltage outdoor lighting is designed and installed by our team to enhance safety and visual appeal. We emphasize restrained designs, efficient energy use, and durable materials. Proper installation ensures consistent performance over many years. Our services also include maintaining and improving existing landscape lighting systems.
Landscape Design Build
Our landscape design-build services emphasize collaboration, precision, and consistency. With one licensed team handling every phase, we maintain control over design integrity and construction standards. Each outdoor space is completed with careful attention to detail, resulting in landscapes that are cohesive and enduring.
Irrigation Systems
We specialize in designing irrigation systems that help landscapes establish, mature, and remain healthy. Even drought-tolerant gardens benefit from supplemental watering during early growth and peak summer heat. Our systems are planned by experienced professionals, installed with minimal disturbance, and equipped with efficient technology to use less water than manual watering.
Paver Patios
We design and construct paver patios and walkways that integrate seamlessly into outdoor environments. Interlocking pavers offer flexibility in layout and reliable long-term results. Our teams experience ensures careful preparation, precise installation, and a finished space that functions as intended.
Stone Masonry
Stone features provide a sense of permanence rarely achieved with other materials. We design and build masonry elements that enhance outdoor spaces for decades. Each structure is carefully assembled to balance strength and aesthetics. While stone construction carries higher costs, it delivers enduring value and timeless visual appeal.
Reviews (12)
Bert Boyer
Jan 20, 2026
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Ben met with us and provided a very competitive pricing estimate for our project. In fact, it was 4 times less than one other Portland landscape design firm! We could not be more pleased with the quality of the lighting (lifetime warranty) and the outstanding service.
Elliot did a phenomenal job installing path and garden lighting at our house. He was very meticulous with installation details and communicated well with us to design path lighting exactly as requested. Please give them a chance to bid on your next project. You will not be disappointed!
Elliot did a phenomenal job installing path and garden lighting at our house. He was very meticulous with installation details and communicated well with us to design path lighting exactly as requested. Please give them a chance to bid on your next project. You will not be disappointed!
Natasha Bramley
Nov 11, 2025
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My backyard was a shambles when I started my hunt for someone who could match my esthetic and meet my expectations. My search led me to Ben and Ross NW Watergardens and I could not be happier with how things turned out. From conception to finish, Ben and his team were a joy to work with- they are professional with an amazing eye for design and details. Every request of mine was fulfilled, their finishes are exquisite, everyone on their team left the workplace tidy and safe for my small dog at the end of the day and they started and finished when they said they would. It is clear that this is more than a job for the proprietor, Ben- it is a passion. I absolutely love my new garden and am looking forward to many happy years enjoying it.
Naisa Gordon
Sep 18, 2025
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We hired Ross NW Watergardens to do a complete overhaul of our front yard. It was a dry and barren eyesore. Ben came in, took some pictures, and got back to us with a proposal super quickly. Once work started , it was super quick, just 3 days (granted its a small yard). There were around 50-ish plants, a large amount of river rocks to make a dry pond, fresh bark dust, and they installed a drip irrigation system.
The crew was super polite and friendly. Ben was very communicative and understanding of us having to work around the holiday weekend for our money to get moved around. It was a great experience and we are so happy with our yard.
The crew was super polite and friendly. Ben was very communicative and understanding of us having to work around the holiday weekend for our money to get moved around. It was a great experience and we are so happy with our yard.
Aspen Pippin
Sep 13, 2025
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We asked Ross NW Watergardens to propose a replacement design for our aged waterfall with small pond to both reduce the water feature's maintenance (lots of tree debris fall) and aesthetically upgrade it for a more natural, integrated and non-linear appearnce. Ben guided us through the proposal review process over a couple of weeks and several iterations to arrive at a natural flowing pondless design solution to meet all of the design objectives identified for a very competitive price.
Anna A.
Jul 19, 2025
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Ben did an amazing job helping us with our garden project. He really took the time to understand what we wanted, gave great advice, and handled everything with so much care and attention to detail. Even after planting, he followed up and helped us adjust things when needed. The garden looks beautiful now, and were so grateful for his help. Highly recommend working with him and his team!
Arthur Knaupe
May 11, 2025
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Ben and his team couldnt have provided better service. In 2023, they managed the full overhaul of our backyardremoving overgrown bamboo, an old privacy fence, and a previous concrete patio. They then installed a beautiful new paver patio, landscape lighting, plantings, and fencing, handling every step seamlessly. Even two years later, theyre still incredibly responsive and helpful with questions about maintenance. We couldnt have asked for a better design or a more professional, reliable team. Highly recommend!
David Moore
Aug 26, 2024
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Ben and his team are fantastic! Communication is great and Wow is the work not only wonderful, they are fast!! I've had a few different landscape/contractor projects and I would easily recommend Ross NW over any of the other companies. Will be going back for my next project.
Mihal F.
Mar 28, 2024
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Absolutely exceptional -- I'm so happy with my backyard. Exceptional communication, exceptional work, fair price, and it felt like a truly collaborative partnership all throughout. I've already referred other family and friends here and I have no reason to ever look anywhere else.
Rory Blanche
Jul 25, 2021
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We cant say enough good things about Ross NW Watergardens! Ben and his team were exactly what we were looking for with our landscaping project. He listened to what we were looking for, provided insights and design ideas that fit within our budget and answered all of our many questions. He also provided thoughtful updates throughout the entire process, which was much appreciated. He has an extremely skilled team thats friendly, works quickly and does quality work. Overall, we are extremely pleased with the end result and look forward to enjoying the beautiful backyard that Ross NW Watergardens created for us!
Joel Rotert
Jun 04, 2020
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Ben and his team are hands down the best contractors to have worked on our home since we moved in. Our experience includes at least 10 different groups over the last 5 and a half years for a variety of large and small projects. Why so exceptional? A few key reasons:
* excellent communication at all phases
* top quality work: both design and execution
* reasonable quote & adhered to, if not slightly under
* timely once the project started
* respectful, thoughtful team on site
Our project was modest (small backyard leveling, sodding, simple landscaping and minor hardscaping) but Bens design guidance and his teams skill helped them overdeliver. We couldnt be happier with the end result, it turned out much better than we ever envisioned. We cant recommend the Ross NW team highly enough!
* excellent communication at all phases
* top quality work: both design and execution
* reasonable quote & adhered to, if not slightly under
* timely once the project started
* respectful, thoughtful team on site
Our project was modest (small backyard leveling, sodding, simple landscaping and minor hardscaping) but Bens design guidance and his teams skill helped them overdeliver. We couldnt be happier with the end result, it turned out much better than we ever envisioned. We cant recommend the Ross NW team highly enough!
Mc
Aug 05, 2018
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Ross NW Watergardens did an amazing transformation of my homes landscaping. Ben was very knowledgeable and listened thoughtfully to my ideas for the landscaping. He made great suggestions and was able to answer all my questions. The crews that Ben assigned to my project were professional, courteous and very hardworking. When an unexpected issue came up, Ben was on it right away and was totally committed to resolving the issue in the best possible way for me. I highly recommend Ross NW Watergardens for their knowledge, skill and integrity.
Nancy Pautsch
Jan 26, 2015
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Ross NW Watergardens have completed two projects for us in the past 2 years. Both times they have exceeded our expectations!
Ben is very responsive and provided excellent suggestions and input. Jose & his guys did the work, and I can't say enough good things about them as well. The plan was well communicated, they arrived when they said they would, they did what we expected and they cleaned up when finished. On top of that, they are always super nice and kind. And our yard looks fabulous! :)
Thanks guys!!
Ben is very responsive and provided excellent suggestions and input. Jose & his guys did the work, and I can't say enough good things about them as well. The plan was well communicated, they arrived when they said they would, they did what we expected and they cleaned up when finished. On top of that, they are always super nice and kind. And our yard looks fabulous! :)
Thanks guys!!