A Garden Full of Joy in Portland Starts with Planning & Hardscaping

Before Landscape Design shows worn out patio pavers in tiny backyard NE Portland with with sweet old apple tree. (Eliot Neighborhood)

I always love designing for small city backyards.  Then there’s something incredibly rewarding about working with a repeat client—especially one like Leslie, whose vision challenges me to push my creativity and expertise. I first designed a landscape for Leslie’s North Portland home two years ago, so when she approached me with her latest project—a mixed-use investment property in the Eliot neighborhood of NE Portland—I was intrigued.  This wasn’t a typical residential landscape; our design would encompass both a residential rental home plus Leslie’s private entry office, and her dream garden surrounding it.

Let me share how we transformed this unique space, showcasing how valuable design experience, know-how and collaboration can truly create the perfect fit.

Creating privacy without giving up sunlight was a tricky balance for this NE Portland backyard – photo is before landscape design.

Planning A Garden Full of Joy 

Starting with the backyard, we needed to incorporate Leslie’s remodeling plans, which included adding an entry door to her private office. She envisioned a back porch or patio accessible from the kitchen’s new French doors, serving as a dining and entertaining space for her tenant. However, designing this area posed a spatial challenge due to the kitchen threshold, which sits 42 inches above the ground.

Infill houses surround this tiny backyard before landscape design. Note vine maple and Oregon grape in foreground.

It quickly became apparent that a patio wouldn’t work; the number of stairs required would consume too much of the small yard. Instead, we designed a dining deck that both Leslie and I loved. The deck integrates an existing old apple tree with low branches that naturally adds privacy to the dining area, and its one-sided growth adds charm. This tree is not just aesthetic; it will support patio lights, adding a magical touch to evening gatherings.

Leslies Dream Garden

With the hardscape layout finalized, it was time to bring Leslie’s dream garden to life.  I shaped the planting beds and the path together. There is a minimum of 36″ walkway around the birdbath and a wider area for placing two chairs in the back corner for sitting.  I centered a birdbath on the office door and surrounded it with flowering plants that offer four seasons of interest. There is a tendency to make the paths too small when working with a tiny backyard.  36 inches is big enough to accommodate a wheelbarrow.

Continue reading about Leslie’s dream garden in our upcoming Part 2 blog.

What is Your Dream Garden?

A carefully crafted garden springs from a practical design with well-situated paths and functional spaces, paired with a planting plan that delights the eye (and suits your garden care skills). This is my passion—creating custom landscape designs for small city properties.

Contact me to bring your dream garden to life.