Waterwise Landscape Design

Practical Landscapes That Don't Waste Water

High water bills and drought restrictions force tough choices about your outdoor space. A waterwise landscape solves this by using plants that survive on minimal irrigation while still creating attractive, functional spaces.

Carlsen Landscape Design builds layouts from the ground up, analyzing sun, shade, and soil, and then recommending the best plants for your property. We match hardy, low-water plants together with smart irrigation, hardscapes, and other outdoor structures.

Every design decision serves a purpose. No guesswork, no wasted coverage, no plants that demand constant irrigation to stay alive.

What the Design Covers

Site Analysis Before Design

Sun exposure dictates which plants survive without supplemental irrigation. Soil composition affects drainage and root establishment. Wind patterns impact water loss through evaporation. We measure all of these before drawing a single line, so the design works with your property instead of fighting against it.

Plant Selection Matched to Conditions

A single irrigation zone watering sun-loving and shade-preferring plants wastes water on half the planting while stressing the other half. Grouping plants by water needs eliminates this waste. Native and drought-tolerant species reduce irrigation requirements by 30-50% compared to traditional landscapes.

Irrigation Zones Without Waste

Overspray hits hardscape instead of plants. Poor layout creates dry spots where plants struggle and wet spots where water runs off before soaking in. Zone-by-zone drip irrigation design places emitters precisely where roots need moisture, reducing water use while improving plant health. Upgrade your irrigation system with the newest technology to irrigate more wisely with less waste.

Hardscape Integration

Patios, paths, and gathering spaces don't compete with plants for water. Strategic hardscape placement creates usable outdoor rooms while reducing planted area and irrigation demand. Permeable materials allow rainwater to soak in rather than running off, recharging soil moisture naturally.

What's Included in Your Design

Every waterwise design includes a complete planting layout showing exact spacing and irrigation zones grouped by water need. When breaking the project into phases makes financial sense, we include an optional phasing plan that sequences installation into manageable steps without compromising the overall design intent.

When Waterwise Design Makes Sense

Properties under mandatory water restrictions lose value when landscapes die from lack of irrigation. Money disappears when yards require replacing the same struggling plants every few seasons because they never matched site conditions.

Municipal rebate programs demand documentation proving water savings before issuing payments. High monthly bills and constant maintenance drain time and resources that could go elsewhere. Waterwise design addresses all of these by matching plants to conditions from the start rather than forcing species to survive where they don't belong.

Why Homeowners in Bend Work with Carlsen Designs

  • Every drawing starts with your land: We measure and map your actual conditions, then build the design around what works. No reused layouts or prefab templates.

  • CAD precision without pressure: You get clear, scalable plans without immediate construction commitments. This lets you prepare with intention before any build begins.

  • Local plant knowledge is built in: We design with plants that survive—and thrive—in Central Oregon’s climate. Your layout includes choices that work with your water availability and care preferences.

Built for Bend and Central Oregon

Central Oregon's climate creates specific challenges. Cold winters, hot dry summers, and limited precipitation demand plants adapted to extremes. Layouts respond to local elevation, temperature swings, and growing conditions. Site-specific solutions reduce water use and support plant longevity.

Carlsen Landscape Design provides waterwise landscape design in Bend, Oregon, and surrounding communities. Contact us to discuss a design built for your property.