Ross NW Watergardens
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Ross NW Watergardens
We bring over twenty-five years of experience to residential landscape projects across the Portland metro region. With more than one thousand completed installations and extensive five-star reviews, our work reflects a long-standing dedication to quality and service. We remain personally involved from the initial consultation through project completion, ensuring consistency and accountability.

Our services include landscape design, full garden construction, patios, walkways, stone masonry, pergolas, irrigation systems, landscape lighting, and custom water features. Japanese garden concepts and natural materials play an important role in our designs. Our seasoned team applies decades of shared expertise to every detail, resulting in landscapes that are durable, refined, and thoughtfully executed.
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
Landscape Design Thoughtful landscape design requires planning, communication, and experience. Our service begins with an on-site consultation to evaluate your property and needs. The process is organized and collaborative. By the end, both parties will understand if the project is the right fit.
Water Features We offer end-to-end water feature services, from design and installation to cleaning and repair. Our experience spans a wide range of feature types, including koi ponds and decorative basins. Each project is built with careful attention to structure, filtration, and longevity, ensuring a refined and lasting result.
Low Voltage Lighting Low voltage landscape lighting is installed by our team to improve safety, beauty, and nighttime usability. Our designs emphasize quality fixtures, efficient LEDs, and precise placement. Proper installation ensures lasting performance with minimal upkeep. We also assist with repairs and enhancements to existing lighting systems.
Landscape Design Build Our landscape design and build process is centered on efficiency and excellence. One licensed team manages all aspects of the project, eliminating fragmentation and ensuring clear communication. The result is a well-crafted outdoor space that balances visual appeal, structural soundness, and long-term durability.
Irrigation Systems We provide complete irrigation solutions designed to enhance plant health and simplify landscape care. Our approach integrates efficient nozzles, drip systems for shrubs and trees, and smart controllers that automate watering. Installation is handled by skilled professionals who prioritize precision, garden preservation, detailed restoration, and dependable support year after year.
Paver Patios Our paver installations are designed to improve outdoor spaces through careful planning and quality materials. Interlocking concrete pavers resist cracking and allow for creative layouts. With experienced designers and seasoned installers, we produce hardscapes that integrate structure, appearance, and long-term reliability.
Stone Masonry Stone masonry offers permanence, strength, and timeless character. We build walls, patios, and custom stone features that integrate seamlessly into the landscape. Each project reflects detailed workmanship and proven techniques. Although stone requires a higher upfront investment, it provides unmatched longevity and enduring visual value.
People
Ben Bowen
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.
Reviews (14)
Natasha Bramley
Natasha Bramley
Nov 11, 2025
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My backyard was a shambles when I started my hunt for someone who could match my esthetic and meet my expectations. My search led me to Ben and Ross NW Watergardens and I could not be happier with how things turned out. From conception to finish, Ben and his team were a joy to work with- they are professional with an amazing eye for design and details. Every request of mine was fulfilled, their finishes are exquisite, everyone on their team left the workplace tidy and safe for my small dog at the end of the day and they started and finished when they said they would. It is clear that this is more than a job for the proprietor, Ben- it is a passion. I absolutely love my new garden and am looking forward to many happy years enjoying it.
Anna A.
Anna A.
Jul 19, 2025
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Ben did an amazing job helping us with our garden project. He really took the time to understand what we wanted, gave great advice, and handled everything with so much care and attention to detail. Even after planting, he followed up and helped us adjust things when needed. The garden looks beautiful now, and were so grateful for his help. Highly recommend working with him and his team!
Arthur Knaupe
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!
Colin Cochran
Colin Cochran
Jan 01, 2025
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Ben and is his team were amazing at every step of the process. Ben was able to help us design a plan that turned a blank canvass of a landscape into something that fit our vision and already looks fantastic. His team did a great job executing that plan. Highly recommend.
Mihal F.
Mihal F.
Mar 28, 2024
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Absolutely exceptional -- I'm so happy with my backyard. Exceptional communication, exceptional work, fair price, and it felt like a truly collaborative partnership all throughout. I've already referred other family and friends here and I have no reason to ever look anywhere else.
Jack D.
Jack D.
Nov 03, 2022
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I found Ross NW Watergardens after researching Japanese gardens and deciding to have one installed in our backyard. From the moment that I contacted the company I knew that I had made the right choice. Ben responded to my inquiries very quickly and we arranged a meeting to discuss possibilities. After the initial meeting, Ben sent us a proposal for our consideration. Upon finalizing the plan after our input, a date was set to begin the work. Due to a heavy schedule the actual work began about a month after our target date. The wait was worth it!!
The installation crew led by Efrain was excellent. They were efficient, neat and very talented. Efrain's work on our patio as well as his execution of the garden design was above and beyond our expectations. We are absolutely delighted with the results!
Given the cooperation and care exhibited by both Ben and Joe Bowen as well as the talent and expertise of the installation crew, I would highly recommend Ross NW Watergardens.
Dale Allen
Dale Allen
Sep 01, 2022
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I hired Ross Watergardens to design and install a Japanese garden around 3 sides of my condo. Ben Bowen was a pleasure to work with from beginning to end. He listened with interest to all my ideas and incorporated them wherever they made sense. The design process was a true collaboration. I never felt rushed, even when I needed a few weeks to study up on natives and wildlife friendly plants. Ben always responded within a day or two and got new designs back to me within a week. Once the design was complete, he set a tentative start date and stayed in touch as the date approached, always respectful of my schedule.

The design itself is gorgeous - beyond my expectations. The large stones make me think I'm in a mountain hermitage. And the plants are beautiful, even in their winter colors. I can hardly wait for spring.

The landscape lead, Efrain, arrived with a crew every day between 8 and 9. They had all the necessary equipment, and worked steadily and efficiently until the job was done - ahead of schedule! They cleaned up at the end of every day and especially well on Fridays.

I can't say enough what a pleasure it was to work with Ben and his crew on my garden. Their communication, expertise and professionalism made the project a true delight.
Diane Lieppman
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.
Brett Fleming
Brett Fleming
Nov 10, 2020
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With a summer of staying home, this was the year to tackle our yard projects. Although we had a rough idea of what we wanted, we did not have the creativity or knowledge of what would work well for our needs nor where to put everything. We reached out to a couple of landscape experts. Ben was very communicative, has very detailed descriptions of the services provided and a design sense we identified with.

We have a small yard and sensible budget. Ben was open to the our ideas and any changes we proposed. He was able to work within our means and put together a really great design that we're very pleased with. We'll end up with a yard that is pleasant all year round without requiring constant maintenance.

We think part of the fun of having a yard is getting your hands dirty, so we're currently working on implementing Ben's design ourselves. However, we knew some things were a little too big to handle ourselves. Ross NW helped us with a crew to install a gorgeous paver patio. Again they were conscious of our budget and we could not be happier with results. Thanks Jose!

The few people who have seen the work have been blown away by the transformation so far and we can't wait until we've completed our part of the plan and get to enjoy the final result.
Patrick G.
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!
Jennifer Donovan
Jennifer Donovan
Aug 28, 2018
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Working with Ben, Joe and crew was the most problem-free, productive, enjoyable job weve ever done with a contractor. And since we moved into a home that had been largely untouched since 1954 we have hired a lot of contractors over the past 5 years. It has been a pleasure and we think our backyard is nothing less than breathtaking.
Mc
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.
Eileen Krueger
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.
Nancy Pautsch
Nancy Pautsch
Jan 26, 2015
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Ross NW Watergardens have completed two projects for us in the past 2 years. Both times they have exceeded our expectations!

Ben is very responsive and provided excellent suggestions and input. Jose & his guys did the work, and I can't say enough good things about them as well. The plan was well communicated, they arrived when they said they would, they did what we expected and they cleaned up when finished. On top of that, they are always super nice and kind. And our yard looks fabulous! :)

Thanks guys!!