Consulting

As a lifelong student of horticulture, Jerzy is intimately familiar with the world of plants, both wild and domestic. Across a seemingly endless span of species, he knows what soils, light, moisture and other conditions will cause each plant to thrive, languish or perish. He knows which plants complement, and which compromise, other species in adjacent spaces. He understands how rapidly each plant grows and the size it is likely to attain at maturity. He knows the maintenance each requires and the rewards it provides in return.

Jerzy’s long, international experience enables him to provide sound, knowledgeable advice, not only on effective, sensitive pruning and other maintenance practices, but also on the selection of replacement species for a particular site, so as to prevent or minimize future problems and complications. He can also suggest effective ways to prevent adverse situations, such as the unintended but very commonplace injury to trees and root systems caused by construction or contouring.

Appraisal

Plants in general, and trees in particular, have undeniable value, quite aside from their aesthetic qualities and such “engineering” functions as moderating erosion, traffic noise, glare and pollution. Objectively appraising that value is a demanding, and still evolving, discipline. Often, an appraisal is called for after a timber company has logged a parcel it does not own, or when an individual has hired someone to decapitate or fell his neighbor’s trees in order to improve his own view.

In such cases, mere opinions, unexplained and unsupported, cannot survive a determined legal challenge. To prevail, one needs to follow a systematic procedure, backed by careful documentation. As a qualified appraiser, Jerzy employs one or more of 10 proven methods – including replacement cost, the “trunk formula” and the cost of cure or repair – to determine unassailable valuations.

In the realm of plants, from majestic to microscopic, knowledge is sovereign. Jerzy Radka – arborist, horticulturist and licensed Northwest nurseryman – has that knowledge in abundance and makes it readily available.

The Design Process

In the course of designing gardens for clients, Greenwood International calls upon extensive knowledge of thousands of years of garden history and development, plus decades of direct experience maintaining historic sites in Europe.

Experience matters, especially in designing gardens. We not only have years of professional gardening experience, we also rely on our extensive knowledge of thousands of years of garden history and development, plus decades of direct experience in maintaining historic sites in Europe.

During informal but disciplined discussions with the client, we review a host of possible responses to the realities of the site and the owner’s desires, dreams and lifestyle. We strive to create an outdoor extension of the residence itself: a room (or rooms) without hard dimension or fixed function. Each of our gardens is designed to be a pleasing, nurturing personal environment.

In addition to the familiar flower, rock and kitchen gardens, Greenwood creates:

• Alpine gardens
• Container gardens
• Cottage gardens
• Herb gardens
• Japanese gardens
• Perennial gardens
• Vegetable gardens
• Water gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Winter gardens
• Bog gardens
• Moss gardens
• Memorial gardens

Whatever kind of garden you desire, we can make it happen.

Consultation

Consultation enables us to view the garden and its setting and to discuss the client’s needs, budget and time for maintenance.

Survey

With a deep appreciation of the client’s expectations, we carefully study the target site. At this stage we become more familiar with the garden and make survey notes, take measurements, snap pictures and, if necessary, take topography measurements. This information includes details of structures, drainage, soil type, prevailing winds, views, features, trees and plants to be retained. While we sometimes can survey a small garden at the first meeting, this step usually requires a second visit.

Conceptual Plan

Using AutoCAD, Photoscape and other software programs as appropriate, we begin to create the garden of the client’s dreams. We prepare a conceptual plan, to scale, showing the outline shape and positioning of the main features, such as driveways, pathways, bed lines and functional areas (playground, utility space, etc.)

Hardscaping Design

Hard landscaping includes paving, walls, structures, ponds and so on. The hardscape plan will include detailed drawings of these features once the conceptual plan has been agreed upon.

Planting Plan

The planting plan will include all softscape features, such as lawns, planting beds and existing trees and shrubs that will be preserved or transplanted to a new location. The plants are spaced to reflect their growth habits and mature size. As an aid to the client’s visualization, we provide renderings of the garden’s anticipated appearance in future years. The many elements we consider while designing the planting plan include seasonal interest, color, shape, foliage, scent and edibles.

Installation

Greenwood International provides all construction and installation services; there is no subcontracting. The work can be done in phases if required. Touchstone considerations in Greenwood garden designs are low maintenance, conservation of water and other resources, cost effectiveness and durably satisfying performance. We feel strongly that the mature landscape should continue to please over the years, without chronic maintenance battles.