With more than twenty-five years of experience in residential landscaping, we have established ourselves as a trusted design and build team in the Portland area. Our history includes over one thousand completed gardens and a strong record of five-star client feedback. We remain closely involved throughout the entire process, managing design, coordination, and construction to ensure your landscape meets both aesthetic and practical goals.
We offer comprehensive landscape services, including master planning, garden installation, stone patios, walkways, walls, pergolas, irrigation systems, water features, and low-voltage lighting. Our expertise in Japanese-inspired gardens and custom water features informs all of our work, even when the final design is contemporary or minimalist. Our seasoned crew brings specialized training in stone masonry and sustainable water systems, allowing us to execute complex details with confidence. By focusing on craftsmanship, clear communication, and thoughtful design, we create outdoor spaces built to last and evolve beautifully over time.
We offer comprehensive landscape services, including master planning, garden installation, stone patios, walkways, walls, pergolas, irrigation systems, water features, and low-voltage lighting. Our expertise in Japanese-inspired gardens and custom water features informs all of our work, even when the final design is contemporary or minimalist. Our seasoned crew brings specialized training in stone masonry and sustainable water systems, allowing us to execute complex details with confidence. By focusing on craftsmanship, clear communication, and thoughtful design, we create outdoor spaces built to last and evolve beautifully over time.
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
- Custom landscape design and full-service garden installation experts
- Japanese-inspired gardens, modern landscapes, and serene water features
- Over 25 years landscaping experience throughout Portland metro area
- Koi ponds, stone patios, lighting, and irrigation systems
- Designer-led process from first concept through final walkthrough
- Highly experienced team with decades of collaborative craftsmanship
Payment methods
- Cash
- Debit cards
- Credit cards
Services
Our landscape design service is built on thoughtful planning and clear communication. We start with a consultation to walk your property and discuss your vision. The experience is designed to be informative and comfortable. This step establishes alignment before any design work begins. 
We create custom water features that bring movement, sound, and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Our team draws on decades of hands-on experience to design, install, and maintain ponds, streams, and specialty features. Each installation reflects careful craftsmanship, dependable components, and a commitment to building features that endure. 
We deliver low voltage landscape lighting solutions that extend enjoyment of outdoor spaces after dark. Each system is carefully designed to balance aesthetics, efficiency, and reliability. High-quality fixtures and LEDs reduce maintenance needs over time. We also offer ongoing service options to support long-term performance. 
We specialize in full-service landscape design and construction managed entirely in-house. As licensed professionals, we oversee every detail, from design concepts to completed installation. This unified process allows us to deliver outdoor environments that reflect careful planning, skilled craftsmanship, and a consistent commitment to quality across all projects. 
We provide expert irrigation repair services designed to extend the life and efficiency of existing systems. Whether troubleshooting issues or upgrading aging components, our team delivers practical solutions that improve performance. Straightforward labor rates apply, with the ability to offer fixed pricing when project scope requires it. 
We provide professional paver patio and walkway solutions that balance structure, appearance, and long-term performance. Interlocking pavers allow for design versatility and reliable installation across many site conditions. With experienced leadership and skilled crews, we ensure every project is carefully planned and precisely executed. 
Building with stone means investing in permanence and timeless appeal. Our stone patios, walls, and structures are crafted to age gracefully while maintaining structural integrity. Few materials rival stone for durability and visual richness. The initial cost reflects the quality and skill involved, resulting in features that endure for decades. People
Ben Bowen
Ben, our landscape designer, is usually your first contact with Ross NW Watergardens. He will meet you for an initial consultation, work up any proposal needed, and remains your primary contact through the whole design and installation process.
Ben is a third generation landscaper and has been working in the family business since 2003.
Ben is a third generation landscaper and has been working in the family business since 2003.
Reviews (14)
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!
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.
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!
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!
Colin Cochran
Jan 01, 2025
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Jamie Skreen
Oct 30, 2023
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We were beyond impressed with Ben and his team, Jose and Consuelo. The water feature they created for our home was beyond amazing. We love seeing and hearing it every day. Bens design was phenomenal, and Jose and Consuelo paid excellent attention to detail and made the feature such high quality. Highly recommend them for whatever project you are doing! They are so talented.
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!
Fran H.
Jan 04, 2021
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I watched the steps Ben's crew took to make my new patio an excellent investment. From the excavation and weed barrier, to hauling in a massive amount to gravel and sand to layer, to the final laying of the pavers, the crew (a hard-working couple) created 2 wonderful patios and sloping walkway joining them. It was quite impressive to watch. There were no wasted steps, the crew coordinated and obviously tuned to each other and the needs of the project at hand.
Ben's bid was reasonable, and the workmanship impeccable. I would give this company 10 stars if possible!
By the way, I don' know why the pictures are sideways.
Ben's bid was reasonable, and the workmanship impeccable. I would give this company 10 stars if possible!
By the way, I don' know why the pictures are sideways.
Diane Lieppman
Dec 02, 2020
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After completing a whole house renovation, we were ready to embark upon a landscape makeover to match our contemporary/Asian themed home. Our mission was to find someone who could design and install landscaping to tie our house and yard together.
After interviewing two other landscape designers, we found our perfect match with Ben Bowen and Ross NW Watergardens. Ben met (and exceeded) our list of desires for our yard, starting with his keen ability to envision what we could not imagine. He quickly saw through the existing, worn-out mish-mash of trees, plants and grass that had been cobbled together over seventy years of planting. After accepting his thorough proposal, which confirmed all that we had discussed, his crew went to work.
Ben did an excellent job of communicating with us from beginning to end. The project came in within budget and was completed in the 3-week timeframe he had promised.
His knowledge of plants, trees, boulders, landscape lighting, irrigation and other landscape details gave us confidence during the undertaking. The quality of all materials used was top notch, including healthy, happy plants, grasses and trees.
Ben was always available when we had questions, and we knew that he had our back should anything go awry. The entire crew at Ross NW Watergardens was knowledgeable, efficient, hard working, and respectful of our space while there.
We would not hesitate to recommend Ben and Ross NW Watergardens to anyone looking for landscape design and/or installation.
After interviewing two other landscape designers, we found our perfect match with Ben Bowen and Ross NW Watergardens. Ben met (and exceeded) our list of desires for our yard, starting with his keen ability to envision what we could not imagine. He quickly saw through the existing, worn-out mish-mash of trees, plants and grass that had been cobbled together over seventy years of planting. After accepting his thorough proposal, which confirmed all that we had discussed, his crew went to work.
Ben did an excellent job of communicating with us from beginning to end. The project came in within budget and was completed in the 3-week timeframe he had promised.
His knowledge of plants, trees, boulders, landscape lighting, irrigation and other landscape details gave us confidence during the undertaking. The quality of all materials used was top notch, including healthy, happy plants, grasses and trees.
Ben was always available when we had questions, and we knew that he had our back should anything go awry. The entire crew at Ross NW Watergardens was knowledgeable, efficient, hard working, and respectful of our space while there.
We would not hesitate to recommend Ben and Ross NW Watergardens to anyone looking for landscape design and/or installation.
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!
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!
Tristan Waddington
Dec 16, 2019
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I worked with Ben at Ross NW Watergardens to clean up a tight area that was overgrowing with weeds behind my home.
Out went the existing plants, pavers, and an old concrete pad. In went a new weed barrier, quarter-minus gravel, and some nice 24-inch pavers.
Ben's team also did a significant amount of work around my front yard. Taking out existing plants, part of the lawn, and installing a new paver patio.
Ben was very responsive throughout the entire process. He followed up promptly to my questions and was present on site when needed.
The team did terrific job and kept things nice and clean throughout the ordeal.
I wouldn't hesitate to work with Ben and his team again in the future.
Out went the existing plants, pavers, and an old concrete pad. In went a new weed barrier, quarter-minus gravel, and some nice 24-inch pavers.
Ben's team also did a significant amount of work around my front yard. Taking out existing plants, part of the lawn, and installing a new paver patio.
Ben was very responsive throughout the entire process. He followed up promptly to my questions and was present on site when needed.
The team did terrific job and kept things nice and clean throughout the ordeal.
I wouldn't hesitate to work with Ben and his team again in the future.
Patrick G.
Nov 12, 2019
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Ben and his team did an amazing job building a walkway on the side of our house from the driveway to the back. They also installed a french drain system to deal with a drainage issue along the length of our backyard. The work was done quickly and professionally. I have used them in the past, and will use them for future work. Thank you Ben!
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.
C. B.
Aug 18, 2017
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Ben and the entire crew were all amazing to work with from the initial consultation through completion of our project. Ben took the time to carefully explain each element of the design proposal to make sure we understood all the necessary details. We encountered a few delays with the crazy winter snowstorms and some unexpected issues (none of which were the fault of Ross NW Watergardens) and Ben and the team went above and beyond to help us resolve them while keeping open communication throughout the project. The end result was better than we could have expected and we are thrilled with how everything turned out!
Eileen Krueger
Nov 19, 2016
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I can happily give Ben and his crew 5 stars! He was able to navigate our ideas, translate them into a cohesive scheme and direct his able crew to make it a reality. We couldn't be more pleased, having been left with an unfinished yard in a newly constructed house. His design complemented the aesthetic of the house and makes it a pleasure to drive up!
They are also prompt, keep to a schedule and communicate readily.
They are also prompt, keep to a schedule and communicate readily.