Berms - Front Yard Landscaping

I dream of having an undulating front yard with a variety of grasses and plants strategically placed to delight the eye and create a feeling of coziness.

From Lynn's Living Designs in Williams, Oregon

Above is an example in our neighborhood, so I am assuming that something of this sort is possible in my yard. You can see the lovely Applegate Valley hills in the background. Ahhhhh......

My first question is ....does she fence this in to keep the deer out?

Our front yard is pretty flat right now, so we will have to create berms.

The view from the porch- often with deer grazing

I will be looking for native plants that thrive in our climate, as well as adding color, and variation to the landscape.








Berms are basically man-made hills. If you use top soil for the entire hill, it gets too expensive, plus it doesn't compact well.

So, you first put in a bottom layer with fill (gravel, rubble, old asphalt)  to retain stability and to have it compact well.

Second, you apply an impervious layer of clay.


Third, a layer of top soil provides a medium in which plants can root and thrive.

Other considerations to take into account are drainage, slope and gradient, microclimate, design and plants.

A variety of plants, grass, and rock adds character to the landscape design.

I suppose, I will have to decide on a style when the time comes, more formal? more wild? based on what is affordable, what grows best with the least maintenance, and fits with the style of our home.

Personally, I like the wild and overgrown look that is actually planned and well-kempt.