The Courtney’s Hilltop Artistic Garden

While reading the open garden listings on the HPSO weekly email little alarm bells started to sound when I read this one; "Whether you stroll or relax in the various seating areas, there are gardens, views, and unique sculptures to see at our Hilltop Artistic Garden. Located on five acres in the northwest foothills in Banks, Oregon, our gardens reflect our design inspiration to convert an acre into several terraces and gardens that look out over the valley."

"Mary, the gardener, and Harlan, the sculptor, wanted to design and create a garden that was inviting and one of a kind. Circles, curves and gabion walls have become a unifying and organic theme throughout the gardens dotted with an extensive collection of Harlan’s sculptures made of copper, stainless steel, and steel." 

A quick Google search reminded me that my friend Denise had visited this garden last year (post here), and I was extremely envious that her open garden radar picked up on a "must see" that mine let fall by the wayside. I was not going to miss it this year!

After a 40-minute drive I pulled up just short of the actual property, parked, and walked in. I was immediately taken with this beefy rain gutter and downspout. 

Mary Courtney met me shortly after I entered the garden, later I would meet Harlan. In my years of open garden visits I'm not sure I've ever met a couple whom was easier to talk with. They were so knowledgeable, friendly and passionate. I could have spent an hour there chatting without taking a single photo.  

But of course taking photos is what I do, so don't worry—there is much for you to see. However if you're curious about the power couple behind this garden you'll be happy to know there's a book in the works that will take you into their process and capture better photos than I've taken. Look for it in 2025!

Until then, here we go...

Romneya coulteri

Kniphofia, blue sky and view. Sigh...

I meant to circle back around and sit in one of those chairs for a bit, before I left. I forgot. Damn.

The rounded edge cobble stones—with their uneven design and dark coloration—really captured my imagination. For some reason they had me thinking of The Flintstones.

Walking on... 

Having read Denise's post I was prepared for the fabulous "pac-man" shaped pathway of horse-stall matts, each cut to size by Harlan. They were nice to walk on and they looked fabulous.

Denise's post also prepared me for the sink, or at least warned me what I was seeing as I walked up to it.

The sink itself was a work of art.

The mechanics behind what made it work were impressive.

This post could easily have become all about the garden's hardscape, however I tried to give equal camera time to the plantings, which were fabulous in their own right (and I can't believe I just wrote that, me who is usually all about the plants!).

That eucalyptus in the center was sublime! In person it held it's own with the fun shapes at its base.

Looking up towards the house and the many levels of seating areas.

At the top of those curvy stairs in the last photo.

Thanks to Denise's post I knew the railing was designed to reference the shape of a horse. I'm not sure I would have seen it without the nudge.

Walking on...

There was quite the linear veggie garden growing in the columns.

Occasionally I remembered to stop and take in the view...

Mary really understood how to plant this garden so that the plantings are seamless. They are always right there with you as you move thru the difference spaces with their changes in height and materials, it all flows.

Even with a bit of humor.

As I told Mary I don't know that I've ever seen such happy Canna 'Cleopatra'...

A wideshoot...

Here Harlan said he was experimenting with planting bags to see how they hold up long-term.

Yep, there was an agave! Although I really wanted to reach in there and lift it up several inches.

And a Beschorneria yuccoides.

Up on the deck now, off the back of the house. Even better to take in the planting circles from up above...

This little section where the curving wall meets the cobble stone circle and the pathway leading away from it all shows the attention to detail in the garden.

Those Canna 'Cleopatra' again, along with coordinated foreground plantings.

The newest installation of planters and sitting area.  

The curvy "roof" is an old satellite dish that Harlan stripped down.

I was quite taken with the curvy stairs.

And this pillar at the top; rusty metal cage, mossy sticks, rocks... what's not to love!

Harlan's shop and it's many wonders called to me as I was making my way back to the garden's exit/entrance. I really wanted to go in there and explore! However since he was talking with another garden visitor I thought it best to wait for another time. Maybe next summer...

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All material © 2009-2023 by Loree L Bohl. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.