pendragon orchard and vine
Turning Landscape into Legacy
Edible Landscape and Vineyard Design for Orcas and the San Juan Islands
Transform your property into a productive, elegant, fruit-forward landscape rooted in Pacific Northwest terroir.
At Pendragon Orchard & Vine, we design orchards, edible gardens, and backyard vineyards for homeowners on Orcas and the San Juan Islands. We also provide fruit tree pruning services, renovation, and consultation.
Every plan combines horticultural science, viticulture training, GIS site analysis, and refined design to create landscapes meant to feed both body and story.
testimonials
"Where to begin...I have a legit vineyard! Okay, a small one but I can make my own wine!
I didn't have the best site, but Alex figured out what could work. His plan was so thoughtful. There was no guessing. And I truly found a new passion in life in tending the vines and learning about winemaking." - Madrona F.
"The final design exceeded our expectations. Going in, we really didn't know what was possible. Alex knew and opened our eyes. The knowledge of these guys far exceeds anyone we interviewed." The Van Schill Family
"Pendragon designed an edible landscape for us with a fragrance garden, dwarf mixed fruit orchard, and so much more. We are watching it all mature now. Our lives have been transformed. Highest recommendation." Helmut Hoya
"They knew exactly what we could plant above our drainfield. It was the one thing in our landscape I never thought could be transformed. Fantastic work. They're the best." - Sara V
Landscape Design and Vineyard Services for the San Juan Islands
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Edible landscape +small vineyard design
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Fragrance gardens
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Nutrient dense gardens
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Backyard vineyard planning & trellis layout
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Residential orchard design & cultivar selection
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Food forest + perennial system planning
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Soil testing and water strategy
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Solar, slope and microclimate analysis (GIS)
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Concept development in Morpholio Trace
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Installation guidance & ongoing consultation
Whether you’re cultivating a fruiting courtyard on Orcas or planning a small vineyard on Lopez, we tailor each design to your climate, soil, and setting.
Book a consultation
Pacific Northwest Climate Intelligence
Designing landscapes in the San Juan Islands isn’t about choosing pretty plants — it’s about engineering resilience inside a living ecosystem. The Islands sit in a complex maritime rain shadow: thin soils, long summer droughts, high winds, and heavy deer pressure. Every design that ignores these realities eventually fails.
We account for:
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Winter saturation + drainage management
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Summer drought cycles
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Shaded urban microclimates
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Frost pockets + airflow
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Cool-climate grape + fruit tree varieties
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Pollination + perennial layering
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Wildlife + ecological integration
The result: edible systems that thrive in maritime Northwest conditions, not just survive.
Areas We Serve
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Orcas Island, Shaw, Lopez Island and San Juan Island
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Other islands by appointment
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Skagit Valley and Bellingham
Pacific NW Landscaping FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Pacific Northwest Landscape Design
01. What makes Pacific Northwest landscaping unique?
The Pacific Northwest blends a maritime climate with mountainous microclimates — meaning wet winters, dry summers, and diverse soil types. Successful landscape design here requires managing water flow, soil texture, and plant selection tuned to these shifts. Our edible and vineyard designs are engineered around those dynamics: drainage in winter, resilience in summer.
02. Can I really grow fruit trees or vineyards in the Puget Sound region?
Absolutely. The maritime Northwest supports dozens of cool-climate grape cultivars and fruiting trees, from figs and persimmons to apples and medlars. Success depends on sun exposure, airflow, and cultivar choice — not heat. We specialize in site assessment and trellis orientation to capture solar gain and extend ripening.
03. What kinds of plants thrive in a Pacific Northwest edible landscape?
We focus on climate-appropriate perennials: blueberries, currants, hazelnuts, strawberries, aronia, sea buckthorn, and hardy herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme. For orchards and vineyards, we match rootstock and cultivar to soil and slope, ensuring both productivity and ecological balance.
04. How does soil type affect my landscape design?
Soil in the Northwest ranges from glacial till to marine clay. We test pH, structure, and organic content before design begins. Loamy or amended soils allow deeper root systems, while rocky or silty profiles may require biochar, compost, or terracing for stability and drainage. Healthy soil is the foundation of every edible or ornamental design we build.
05. Do I need irrigation if I live in the Pacific Northwest?
Yes — even here. Summer droughts have become longer and hotter. We integrate drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and soil mulching to retain moisture efficiently. Smart irrigation isn’t about excess water — it’s about precision and timing.
06. How do you design for deer and wildlife pressure on the islands?
We use layered strategies: plant selection (deer-resistant understory), subtle fencing, and scent barriers. On the San Juan Islands, where deer density is high, we design defensible plant zones and selective fencing that preserves the aesthetic while protecting young trees and vines.
07. What are the benefits of edible landscape design?
Edible design transforms a landscape from decorative to functional and nourishing. It creates habitat, reduces grocery miles, and deepens connection with the land. A well-designed edible landscape offers beauty, productivity, and seasonal abundance — a perennial investment in both food and place.
08. What is your design process?
Our process includes:
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Site visit and analysis
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Client interview and goal setting
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Soil and water testing
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GIS-based mapping and draft design
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Review and refinement phases
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Final master plan and installation guidance
This ensures every design is rooted in ecology and tailored to your property’s unique potential.
More questions? Contact us.
