Classic Nursery

Why choose Classic

Find plenty of reasons why we're your best choice on our about page.

When to plant

We try to make landscaping an easy to understand and enjoyable process for you. As part of this effort, we create landscapes utilizing readily available, low-maintenance plants that are hardy in our climate. As you may know, we guarantee our plants for a year, so it is in all of our best interest as well to choose reliable materials when we look at plant materials. Except for certain situations, we generally select hardy broadleaf evergreen plants with a mix of deciduous materials for seasonal interest. We limit the use of annuals in the landscape, preferring the value and recurring color of perennials. We do encourage annuals in containers and in seasonal color rotation planting.

Horticulturally, FALL is the best time to plant. The season is cooling and existing planted vegetation is more forgiving of rigors of transplant shock. Best of all, we have our annual Fall sale.

WINTER can be a good time to plant as plants are fully dormant and are resistant to transplant shock. Our landscape crews may be more readily available to concentrate on your project during winter as well. In addition, drainage issues are more easily seen and corrected.

SPRING offers the best availability of plants and "feels" like the right season to plant. This time of year is very busy and our crews can book out 90 days or more in advance! While we can always service you in a timely manner, be sure to plan ahead and call us early if you want a Spring installation.

With our cool and temperate climate, SUMMER can also be a great time to plant. Many people worry about watering during the hotter season and this may be an issue for some folks. That noted, the sun will get those roots and new foliage established in time for the cool fall season. We will usually plant using a natural water-retention additive for summer planting. If you water adequately and take generally good care of your landscaping, our one-year warranty may be the assurance you need to complete a successful Summer landscaping project.

Tell Me About Your Color Club!

Soils

Providing good soils for you means more to us than just bringing out compost. Our local glacial till soils generally lack a great deal of nutrient and may not be the best medium for ornamental shrubs and perennials. In addition, with a new home, you may be looking at fill soils or over-turned soil as a result of recent construction. We can fix that. Rototilling your bed soils is the first key to a healthy planting environment. Liming your soils may also be necessary. Finally tilling in or using a topdress of compost can create the "diggable", nutrient rich environment that your new landscape desires. Keep in mind that it may not always be prudent to create a "nutrient-rich" soil environment. Native plant materials may actually prefer to be planted in un-amended local glacial-till soils. Look further into our landscape handbook for a discussion of other aspects of your outdoor environment such as retaining walls, paths, patios, irrigation, lighting and our award-winning water features.

Cedar Grove compost and 3-way topsoil mix are available at the nursery, as well as medium-fine bark. Compost is $40.00per yard and $45.00 per yard for topsoil and bark. We also offer a full line of bagged soils, bark and other soil amendments.

Before you have a consultation

Visit our unique process page to learn more about the steps you should take before a consultation.

Proposal or Plan

Our unique process page will help you plan for your future garden.

20 Questions to ask when interviewing landscape architects or garden designers

Visit the unique process page to find out what you should be asking any designer.

Now that you have a plan or proposal

If you have a plan or proposal, see out unique process page to find our what your next step is.

Now that your installation is scheduled

Are you ready for the install? Our unique process page will help you get the job completed.

Retaining Walls, Patios, Decks, and Walks

Wall types

Rock

Rock walls may be constructed from ledgestone or boulders. Boulders are generally measured in “man” size, roughly 1-5 man basalt or granite. Allow an additional foot below grade and drainage behind the wall. Make sure you have good trackhoe access for large rock, at least a clear 8 foot opening. Smaller format “1 to 2 man” stone walls can also be built by hand. Typically, walls are measured by "vertical square foot" or "face footage" (FF). Cost: $10-30 per FF. $30+ FF for ledgestone. If the slope is not too severe, we can also save on the budget by creating an aesthetically pleasing "dry stream" out of softball-sized river cobble mixed with bowling ball sized small basalt boulders. Cut into the slope, this type of retaining can channel water as well as minimize erosion and the cost savings can be put into accent planting. Cost: $10-20 per SF.

Wood

Generally use pressure treated Douglas fir at a minimum 4" (4x4x8) size. Allow for visqueen or waterproofing behind the wall. Perpendicular "deadman" timbers are placed into the slope at regular intervals. Cost $20-30 per FF.

Modular block walls

Precast concrete units. Hand stacked by our skilled crew, this type of construction has the advantage of forming a very uniform geometry of wall and steps and can be built using alternating wall and cap colors. A variety of products are available from inexpensive smaller blocks to more architectural grade "Pisa" type stone. Cost: $20-30 per FF.

Other types of walls

At the high end of the spectrum, you can elect to have a concrete wall built, then finished (typically to complement your homes existing finishes) using stucco, dryvit, brick or any number of "cultured stone" products. Cost: $30-50+ per FF.

Paths & patios

Crushed rock

For the simplest of exterior finished paths, we use a 5/8"(-) basalt crushed rock with an underlying weed barrier and a construction-grade vinyl edge. You can also select a cobbled rock, steel, aluminum or brick/paver edge. This type of path forms a good basis for a perimeter route or path in a natural area. Crushed rock can also serve as a base for a later installation of concrete or a paver. You'll want to avoid pea gravel or drainrock, as this tends to give way underfoot. Cost: $3-9 per SF.

Concrete

Concrete is typically designated as smooth finished, hard finished with a broom or as exposed aggregate. You should have a plan that shows tooled scoring or cut joints at regular, sensible intervals. Try not to allow any clear areas larger than 6x6ft without a score or joint. You can also add color in a variety of ways. Stamped concrete is a unique way to get the look of a paver without going to the expense. In this type of construction, a flexible form is pressed into the concrete and typically two colors are added and hand-finished into the area. Cost $6-10 per SF (concrete), $7-14+ (stamped).

Pavers

A myriad of concrete and stone pavers are available from interlocking units to antique roman cobble. Set in a base of sand or mortared onto a concrete base, this type of paving can create a pleasing effect. Edges can be set in a mortared base or set against a rigid steel or aluminum form. Cut to form a complex geometry in basketweave or herringbone, accented with edge and field colors and mixed and matched, pavers can create limitless patterns. Cost: $9-12 per SF (sandset), $12-20 (mortared).

Flagstone

Flagstone is requested more often than any other walk or patio finish. Complementing any home, a finished flagstone walk or patio is perhaps the most attractive type of walk or patio. Flagstone is available in a wide array of stone types and thickness. Flagstone is sold by the ton and coverage per ton is critical to determining cost. The thicker the stone, the less coverage you'll get. Look for 2"(+) thickness for sandset installations, 2"(-) for mortared work. In addition, look for stone with a regular, uniform flat finish and a dense structure. This will create a comfortable walk surface that will absorb less water and thus not crack as easily during a winter freeze. Cost $18-30 per SF.

Decks

Most local decks are constructed with a pressure treated Douglas fir structure and cedar walk surface. Above 32" height in many municipalities you will need a railing. After completion, you may want to color stain the deck and/or seal the finish to preserve the woods integrity. Although a deck may represent the most cost per square foot, if it is cantilevered over a sloped that otherwise might require retaining; it can actually save in overall costs. Cost: $12-16+ per SF. $16-30+ per SF for recycled or other manufactured lumber. Railing cost: $18+ per lineal foot. Steps: $20-30 per SF.

In addition to our Redmond sample library, good places to review these products are: Trendset Products (Redmond), Marenakos Rock Center (Issaquah), Mutual Materials (Redmond) or Rock Mountain Products (Redmond/Ames Lake area). Keep in mind that minimum costs may apply, both for work that you contract directly and to allow for delivery. For example, a trackhoe operator might charge a minimum price of $800 or so to come out and do any work at your home or a load of stone may cost a minimum of $100 to have delivered.

Irrigation and Lighting

Sprinkler systems offer a convenient way to keep your plant materials healthy. At Classic, we can install almost any type of irrigation system. With scores of guaranteed watering system completed throughout King County, we typically use Rainbird 1800 or Hunter series "pop-up" type heads for shrub and small lawn zones and Hunter spray heads for larger bed and lawn areas. As with all of our new installation work, we guarantee our irrigation systems for one year. Ever concerned about conserving water (and saving you money), we will also install a rain sensing device that will "sense" when it is wet in order to keep your system from coming on unnecessarily. We will also locate our green valve boxes in bed areas (not in your lawn as some landscape companies do), pre-program your automatic clock for you and install additional hose bibbs at your request.

Lighting

Low voltage lighting adds a dramatic dimension to your landscape, giving you the ability to see landscape elements at night, define circulation around your home and giving you greater security. We will usually provide you with a consultation at night to best show our lighting fixtures and to make sure they are located to your best advantage. A myriad of fixtures are available. Under most circumstances, we will typically install a high-quality copper "mushroom-type" pathlight that will patina nicely with age. Your lighting system can be integrated with your home computer, simply switched from inside your home or set with motion sensors. For most lighting systems, we will simply install an outdoor transformer and timer/photocell. This allows the system to come on automatically at dusk throughout the year, while being timed to shut off at a prescribed time.

Ponds and Water Features

A waterfall, stream or re-circulating pond can be an attractive and calming amenity for any home. The pleasant sound of splashing water and the beauty of colorful fish can create a wonderful sense of serenity in even a small backyard. At Classic, we have been building water features for years. We know that a successful waterfall or pond should look like a natural element in the landscape. Creating that effect involves utilizing a wide range of materials, including rock, concrete, PVC pipe and pump assemblies. There are also considerations regarding placement, excavation of soil, electrical and plumbing utilities and access for equipment.

As we consult with you on your home site, you have some choices in creating your water environment. First, we can simply mark out an area on the ground, outlining a possible pond and falls and write up an estimate for the work. You can then watch it come together as what we call a "field installation". (There is no charge for the estimate). You may also have a landscape architectural plan drawn up for the area at an additional charge. If so, you may want to allow for additional work such as expanded patios, walks or other design elements or perhaps go ahead and master plan the entire site. After seeing a few different ponds and waterfalls, you'll notice that our ponds and water features are built quite a bit differently from the average installation. For example:

1. Our water features are easier to care for - The Classic pond utilizes a debris skimmer, much like a swimming pool. Other pond installations may have a filter around the pump area. These filters are often difficult to reach and clean and can diminish your pumps effectiveness over time. Our skimmer assembly is cleaned simply by lifting a hidden cover, taking out a reusable filter and rinsing it with a hose. Second, we have additional filters in the skimmer and at the falls area. Finally, we provide a bacterial additive and ask that you purchase inexpensive fish to create a relatively self-sustaining "ecosystem".
2. We offer a range of pond options - We can provide overflow assemblies, pump timers, self-filling valves, pond lighting and a wide range of aquatic plants and different types of flagstone, rock and paving materials.
3. Our ponds are built to last - We provide a one-year guarantee for all of our construction. Our high-efficiency pumps are a little more expensive, but can save you in monthly electrical costs. (Keep in mind that your pond pump is essentially a little motor that runs virtually all of the time). We also use a "double liner" construction that utilizes a fabric "underliner" beneath the heavy gauge butyl pond liner. This minimizes the possibility of rips and tears along vertical faces of the pond. Most companies use a sand base that only covers flat areas well. We also give you a printed "owners manual".

Drainage

A well-conceived drainage system may not be the most exciting thing that you will purchase from us, but you generally know when you need one. The problem with most locally installed perforated pipe type installations is the method of construction. Most perf-type systems won't last more than five years or so due to pipe siltation buildup. In our experience completing a number of projects for the City of Bellevue as well as a range of residential systems, we've just about seen it all. The key to most per type systems is a working outflow at the end of the drainage pattern and one or more "cleanouts" (a sweep or a "T") that will enable you to periodically flush the system out with a hose. This will give you the ability to wash out fine silt and debris, keeping the drain clear for a much longer period.

The Native Edge

Click Here To View Native Plant Information

During the process of development, most residential property areas were cleared of trees and native vegetation. Soil may have been artificially graded to site your home and the grounds around your home may have been further compacted. Native alder, broom and blackberry, among other things, may be coming up all around your property. You may have a neighbor that can peek at you from behind a thinned-out native edge area. The key to maximizing the potential of your native areas is to understand how you might use it, if at all. Do you just need screening? Would you like to walk through it? Are there a lot of non-native "weed" species disturbing it? These and other questions will yield the answers that will help us determine how to improve these areas. In many cases, we will re-introduce native tree selections such as Hemlock and Douglas Fir to screen and fill as needed. Dogwood, Mountain ash, Serviceberry and Maple can offer seasonal color. Blueberry, lingonberry, evergreen huckleberry and a wide variety of native plants can make your natural areas interactive and educational, attract wildlife and add to your properties value.

Controlling weeds and pests

One of the problems with creating a rich environment for planting is that it can become a rich environment for weeds as well. Controlling weeds does not necessarily mean continually applying herbicides. The best way to inhibit weed growth is to introduce groundcovers that will compete with undesirable weeds. Bark mulch can also slow weed growth, but does so in part by depleting your soils of nitrogen, thereby slowing the growth of desirable plants. It also breaks down to "become" part of the soil and, as such, must be purchased anew each year.

As a company known for environmental outreach efforts, we do not recommend chemical use, but, on occasion selected products can be helpful. Used minimally, herbicides such as Roundup can help kill growing weeds, while breaking down to become a nitrogen-like product in the soil. Surflan herbicide, essentially a sugar-based product, helps inhibit weed seed from sprouting. At the nursery, we sell “Burnout”, an effective clove oil and vinegar based herbicide that is devastating to weeds and makes your garden smell like you just came back from seeing Van Halen at the Gorge. Nevertheless, a closely planted groundcover such as native bearberry or salal can save you thousand in future bark installations if planted early.

IPM or Integrated Pest Management offers a new approach to managing your outdoor environment. Essentially, IPM dictates that you take a moment to try to understand what is happening in an ecological sense and respond in a way that reflects your own tolerance for the pest, weed or plant disease, while using a "least-toxic" approach. Our professional Nursery & Landscape staff can help you make the right decisions and offer you appropriate products and research materials.

Plant discounts and sales

We appreciate you choosing Classic for your landscaping project and as your local gardening resource center. We know that there are a lot of landscape companies out there and that you have probably looked around. As you might expect, we would like to become your horticultural resource. Beyond good service, The Color Club, our Annual Fall Sale, Monthly Sale Specials, ongoing classes and our email "Garden Tips" are all part of the value we offer to our clients. A substantial value combined with an unprecedented plant warranty, continuing plant discounts and innovative design form the basis of our landscape service. Learning about you as a customer, we hope to keep you as a friend.

Your Landscape Warranty

Here's how we write it on your proposal: "Classic Nursery and Landscape Company fully guarantees newly purchased plants and all landscape construction installed by our crews for a period of one year from the date of project completion. Classic further guarantees that plants that do not survive within one year after the completion of the project shall be replaced with the same or similarly sized materials by Classic free of charge based upon labor & plant availability. Plants at 5 gallon sizes and above will be replaced by Classic on your property. Smaller plants may be picked up at no charge and installed by the client. Classic may elect not to replace plant materials based upon a determination that plants have died as a result of extreme weather conditions, a lack of watering or the negligence of others. Hydroseed installations completed in the Fall of any year are warranted but may require overseeding the following spring at an additional charge. More information regarding your warranty will be noted in your installation contract".

Plant Warranty Assistance Form

See the Warranty Request Page