--- title: "The Garden Retreat, LLC — Landscape Contractors | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/the-garden-retreat-llc-pfvwus-pf~1167423845 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1167423845.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "The Garden Retreat, LLC" category: ["Landscape Contractors"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3ed34f9704c6ba31_8146-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Portland, Oregon 97219, United States" latitude: 45.458 longitude: -122.7074 phone: "(971) 533-1045" website: http://www.thegardenretreatllc.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 27 best_of_houzz_awards: 9 followers: 19 last_updated: 2026-11-07 --- # The Garden Retreat, LLC Original Houzz profile: [The Garden Retreat, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/the-garden-retreat-llc-pfvwus-pf~1167423845) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Landscape Contractors - **Location:** Portland, OR - **Serves:** Portland, Beaverton, Tigard, Aloha, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Bethany, Tualatin, West Linn, Milwaukie, Sherwood, Lents, Cedar Mill, Oak Grove, Oatfield, Gladstone, Oak Hills, Rockcreek, Cedar Hills, West Haven-Sylvan, Jennings Lodge, Garden Home-Whitford, West Slope, Sunnyside, Clackamas, Raleigh Hills, West Haven, King City, Metzger, Durham, Stafford, Maywood Park, Rivergrove, Marylhurst - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (27 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2017–2026), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 500 Ideabook Saves - Online consultation - Offers Custom Work - 15 years in business We are a Design/Build company; that means the garden plan goes from concept to completion with one entity only. No third party confusion. We provide a broad array of services to choose from and take care of everything; materials, permits, fees, & utilities to name a few. Build As You Go: You don’t have to do it all at once. Customization means you can build in stages over time when your budget and/or time allows. Full Phase Licensing: Some companies may only be able to design, some hardscapes and plants, others only irrigation. The Garden Retreat, LLC is fully licensed by the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board to design and install everything from hardscapes to irrigation, lighting, water features and more. Philosophy: We strive to be environmentally conscience as a landscape company. We do not spray harmful chemicals and use gasless equipment whenever possible. We also use natural fertilizers & transplant treatments. For questions about our methods and services call the number below. ### Services Provided - Landscape Construction - Hardscaping - Garden Design - Patio Construction - Paver Installation - Retaining Wall Construction - Custom Fire Pits - Pool Landscaping - Outdoor Lighting Installation - Custom Water Features - Landscape Lighting Installation - Drought Tolerant Landscaping - Planting - Irrigation System Installation - Drip Irrigation Installation - Sprinkler System Installation - Edible Gardens - Landscape Design - Bio Swales - Dry Creeks - Irrigation - Landscape Architecture - Night Lighting - Pathways - Patios - Plantings - Retaining walls - Softscaping - Water Features ### Areas Served - Portland - Beaverton - Tigard - Aloha - Lake Oswego - Oregon City - Bethany - Tualatin - West Linn - Milwaukie - Sherwood - Lents - Cedar Mill - Oak Grove - Oatfield - Gladstone - Oak Hills - Rockcreek - Cedar Hills - West Haven-Sylvan - Jennings Lodge - Garden Home-Whitford - West Slope - Sunnyside - Clackamas - Raleigh Hills - West Haven - King City - Metzger - Durham - Stafford - Maywood Park - Rivergrove - Marylhurst ### Typical Job Cost $5,000 - $500,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | The Garden Retreat, LLC | | Address | Portland, Oregon 97219, United States | | Phone | (971) 533-1045 | | Website | http://www.thegardenretreatllc.com/ | | License Number | LCB 8893 | | Followers on Houzz | 19 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/The-Garden-Retreat-LLC-395497883870647/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [The Garden Retreat, LLC](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/the-garden-retreat-llc-pfvwus-pf~1167423845) - **Website:** http://www.thegardenretreatllc.com/ - **Phone:** (971) 533-1045 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2017–2026), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 27 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Michelle Kinsella, June 2025** > We hired Russ in the Spring of 2025 to remove our front lawn and create a drought friendly rock garden for our SE Portland home. > Russ was great to work with! Consistent, timely communication; he listened closely and helped us accomplish our goals yet provided suggestions informed by his expertise in a light hearted and helpful manner. His bid was spot on (actually a little under in the expected total) and would most definitely work with him again! > Thank you Russ—we get compliments on your work often! **★★★★★ — Joey Finch, Nov. 2024** > Great work from a great person! Fixed up our front yard, placed a trellis, planted, put in irrigation, and more! **★★★★★ — Audrey Sherman, Nov. 2024** > Russ has done two projects for us...front yard/patio, and now an overhaul of our backyard, with aims of native plants, beauty, and minimal maintenance in the future. He had great suggestions and did wonderful work, our landscaping could not look nicer. He is meticulous and detailed. More importantly, he always followed through exactly with what he said he would do in a timely manner and communicated very clearly and easily with us. It is a pleasure working with Russ! Highly recommend!! **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Audrey. It was a pleasure finally finishing both front and now backyards. Enjoy. **★★★★★ — c31doe, April 2024** > I'm very pleased with the work that Russ from The Garden Retreat did on a large, sloping section of my yard and would not hesitate to recommend him. The ivy and old junipers have been replaced by a variety of new plants, many of them natives, along with an irrigation system. The old unsafe steps and sidewalk have been replaced also, using attractive pavers. Russ was easy to work with, had great ideas, and communicated well, replying quickly to emails and keeping me informed every step of the way. The cost was reasonable and the project was completed in the expected amount of time. I've already had many compliments on the new look and am eager to see it develop as the plants grow and fill the hillside. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you. I am glad you liked the installation. I do think the stairs went well and are much better now than before. It was really an improvement over the Ivy. **★★★★★ — Eric, Aug. 2023** > We had Russ out to rip and replace our front yard and he was amazing! He worked through a couple of plans with us (would highly recommend this step) to ensure we were both on the same page as to what we wanted done. The entire process seemed very personalized. He was also helpful (and very patient) as I worked through some permitting issues with the city. In terms of the execution, Russ was communicative about what was happening and how things were progressing or if there were any hiccups. And when there were problems, Russ always had creative options to solve the problem. The completed project looks great and just about every time I'm outside somebody complements the yard. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Eric. It was a long journey working with you and the city. I'm glad we were able to find the solutions you were looking for. I feel this project turned out nice. All the best. **★★★★★ — Dawn Dersham, Oct. 2022** > I had an idea and some pictures for inspiration and Russ brought it all to life. He excels at communication; he sets expectations and timelines and is honest about what will and won't work. I appreciate the combination of his design expertise along with execution. A rare find and an amazing outcome for a beautiful front yard transformation. I get a lot of compliments and I appreciate that he was able to utilize a small space and turn it into such an amazing oasis with eye striking street appeal. He listened to my wish list and added the elements that were important to me, including some amazing rocks which were on my personal wish list. We lost some plants due to heat and placement, and he replaced a few things that will hopefully come back next Spring. The remote Rainbird app is still a struggle for me due to my own Wi-Fi coverage issues, but Russ took the time to teach me how to work with the new drip system until I was comfortable with planting on my own and adding drip line where needed. Thanks Russ. Looking forward to working with you on the backyard in the coming years! **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Dawn. Your project with the mosiac path within the landscape fun to work on. Look forward to the next one. **★★★★★ — Matt Clark, Jan. 2022** > Russ helped us with a complete redesign of our backyard, turning it from an unusable sloped mess into a great space for our family. Russ did a great job of making recommendations based on the overall look that we wanted, but suggesting plants we had not thought to use. He was also very flexible working with requirements and timelines dictated by our HOA. He is very knowledgeable, reliable and a good communicator. I would highly recommend him. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Matt. Glad you are enjoying your yard now. That was a big Project to take on but I think you have much more of a better yard now. **★★★★★ — ediemoll, Dec. 2021** > We are EXTREMELY happy with Russ’s designs and the value we received. When we got the design, we didn’t realize that Russ was doing almost all the work. We were impressed with his attention to detail, quality and interest in providing the best in service and products. Thank you, Russ! **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Edie. I'm glad things turned the way you liked. It was a real improvement on the home. **★★★★★ — geodan\_alleggro4, May 2021** > Russ of the Garden Retreat, LLC did an excellent job on our dry stack retaining wall. I should say "walls" - It was a difficult job, requiring three separate terraces on a doubly sloped section of our hillside lot. He also added a flagstone pathway so we could more easily access the different bed levels. He finished the work in record time and the final product is certainly eye-catching. Now all we need to do is plant it all out! Thanks, Russ! **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you for the review. I enjoyed building your wall. Hope you are enjoying it also **★★★★★ — Steve Gray, Jan. 2021** > We met Russ almost 15 years ago at a Trade Show. We liked what he had to say and we hired him to "re-do" our yard. He did a fantastic job and never did anything that was going to cost us money without asking for our permission. We have stayed in touch and often saw Russ at the Trade Shows. > Fast forward 15 years. We just built a new home and because of our fantastic experience with Russ elected to use Russ rather than the Builder's landscaper. > Again, fantastic work, but with a large lot and absolutely zero landscaping this was a larger project. Russ designed the plan, reviewed it with us and made adjustments until we were very satisfied. The plan included dirt movement, sprinkler and drip systems, yard lighting. a retaining wall, lawn, plants, bark and trees and a "killer" water feature. Russ did it all! > I love our yard and all the fine work Russ has done. He has earned the highest recommendation I could give. I would be more than happy to have anyone who is considering Russ Renner for landscaping design and installation to stop over and see the fine work he has done with our yard. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Steve. It was exciting to work with you and Marilyn again and start with a clean slate this time. Most fun with with the lighting & water feature. **★★★★★ — Darien Reece, May 2020** > Out of three design/build firms who bid, we selected The Garden Retreat because we liked Russ’ work in our neighborhood, but more importantly we were really comfortable with his approach to the project and the challenges and features of our space. He worked well with his grading subcontractor to shape and place boulders to add structure for the plantings and stability to the steep slope in our front yard. > > The plants Russ used are a nice mix of natives and ornamentals, chosen to be low-maintenance and provide year-round color and interest. He accommodated our strong preferences and guided us to better choices when needed, sharing his knowledge about their habits so we could make good decisions. We're also glad to have the drip irrigation system in place to get the plantings established and keep it looking nice. > > The paver patio Russ installed adds definition and is a good casual fit with our fifties ranch house. What used to be an uneven, hard-to-maintain lawn is now an inviting space to enjoy morning coffee or evening sunsets. > > We would not hesitate to recommend The Garden Retreat, or to work with Russ again on future projects. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Darien. I can't help but always stop by and look at the new plants when I go by your place **★★★★★ — Peri Mahaley, April 2020** > Russ Renner of The Garden Retreat did a truly fantastic job on my landscaping. I live in a traditional, older home in a beautiful Portland neighborhood. The garden needed significant updating, which was a challenge because there is so much shade. Russ revamped both front and back yards, including eliminating two moss-choked lawns and replacing them with beautiful shrubs and perennials. He also installed a full drip irrigation system and designed and installed lighting that makes the evening view of the garden especially inviting and dramatic. He communicated with me throughout the project, insuring my approval of all plant and lighting choices, and he completed the job right on time. He is a real professional and a great pleasure to work with. **Comment from The Garden Retreat, LLC:** > Thank you Peri, > Taking out the lawns was a good idea as it made the home look more natural with the landscaping that was put in afterward. ....And the night lighting turned out nice as well. ## Selected projects - [Backyard Landscape](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-landscape-pj-vj~4044342) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 25 - [Flagstone pavers, SE Portland](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flagstone-pavers-se-portland-pj-vj~2197897) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 4 - [Installations](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/installations-pj-vj~886099) - Location: Lake Oswego, OR - Photos: 54 - [Night Lighting](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/night-lighting-pj-vj~886154) - Location: Lake Oswego, OR - Photos: 25 - [Retaining Walls](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/retaining-walls-pj-vj~886145) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 22 - [Flagstone paver, SW Portland](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flagstone-paver-sw-portland-pj-vj~2205135) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 2 - [Decorative Dry Creek](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/decorative-dry-creek-pj-vj~2192095) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 5 - [Flagstone Patios](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/flagstone-patios-pj-vj~2197813) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 10 - [Water Features](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/water-features-pj-vj~919836) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 19 - [Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/design-pj-vj~922328) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 4 - [Beaverton Water Features: Bubblers](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beaverton-water-features-bubblers-pj-vj~2229941) - Location: Beaverton, OR - Photos: 4 - [Dry Stack Retaining Walls SW Portland](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dry-stack-retaining-walls-sw-portland-pj-vj~2205148) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 7 - [Installations, Japanese garden](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/installations-japanese-garden-pj-vj~2248415) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 5 - [Backyard landscape in Hillsboro](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-landscape-in-hillsboro-pj-vj~7551148) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - Description: Back yard landscape that involved clearing the whole backyard and installing a new landscape from a design created by the Garden Retreat, LLC. - [Dry stack retaining walls NE Portland](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dry-stack-retaining-walls-ne-portland-pj-vj~5591141) - Location: Portland, OR - Photos: 10 - [Patios & Pathways](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/patios-and-pathways-pj-vj~5592016) - Location: Lake Oswego, OR - Photos: 38 [See all 16 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/landscape-contractors/the-garden-retreat-llc-pfvwus-pf~1167423845) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the name for the color of these pavers?** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the color of these Belgard Mega Arbel Pavers? A: Toscana **Q: Techno Bloc colors** *(in Photo Questions)* Do you happen to remember the colors of the Techno Bloc pavers used? Looks great. A: Those are precut bluestone flagstone pavers to come various tones like tan, blue, silver. Materials vary from place to place so you never no. You will have to ask around at the landscape yards for what they have **Q: Retaining Wall/Deck** *(in Photo Questions)* Is the placement of the low retaining wall due to the load from the deck behind it? I like that it creates a bed right below the deck and the rock wall becomes a more visible component for the entire space!. A: The retaining wall was to control the hillside more than stabilize the deck, which was already there. The wall was far enough away that it didn't matter in this case. A garden path was built on top which allowed for flatter access around the property. The lower wall extended the into the hillside and was turned into a garden bed. A water fall was eventually built to the right of the wall and was actually incorporated into the wall itself. **Q: What you use for ground cover"** *(in Photo Questions)* A: composted bark mulch --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-11-07.*