High up in the NW hills of Portland, just about 50 feet lower than the Pittock Mansion, is a beautiful modern home. Most of the property is a steep slope below the home and from inside you look right over it. But along the street in the front yard is a narrow strip, ready to be garden.

This was a very collaborative project, with the homeowners providing a vision and feedback. One is a bonsai enthusiast and so we tried the pull from that world. The focal point pine tree was selected by the homeowner at Bentwood Tree Farm. The basalt squares were sourced from a now defunct stone yard in Washington. They stand in for the boulders we would normally set, while bringing to mind the stands used to display bonsai.

Granite chips were used to create a very clean dry garden feel around the conifers and stone monuments.