Not all materials age well in Oregon.

Some crack after a few freeze-thaw cycles. Others grow moss within a season. And a few look beautiful in a showroom but turn into maintenance nightmares once installed.

The right materials do more than look good on day one. They hold up to rain, resist moss, drain properly, and age with character instead of falling apart.

Here's what to consider when choosing materials for a landscape that lasts.

There's a particular smell in the air when the first fall rains hit the Portland metro. A mix of wet earth, pine needles, and the faint reminder that summer's over. The good news? Fall is the season for savvy homeowners. The work you do now pays off later.