Michael was raised in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1977 with a degree in Landscape Architecture. After college Michael worked as a Landscape Designer in San Francisco, Boston and the Hamptons on Long Island. In 1982 Michael returned to Portland to begin his own landscape design business. While many of Michael’s gardens are in Portland and neighboring cities additional projects can be found in California, Maine, New York and Missouri. Michael’s extensive botanical knowledge is evident in his rich use of plant texture, form and color. He is well known for innovative and creative use of hardscape in his gardens. Michael’s imaginative blending of stone, rock, brick and dyed acid washed concrete compliments his horticultural strengths. From traditional to contemporary Michael has created hundreds of gardens in many different styles over his celebrated 32 year career. In addition to his plant and hardscape strengths, Michael often designs other garden elements. Images of his bridges, water features, arbors, gates, railings, fountain heads, walkways, stairways and swimming pools are featured on this site. Michael’s gardens have been published in Martha Stewart Living, Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Better Homes & Gardens, Sunset and other periodicals. A complete list is on this site. His gardens have appeared in many gardening books by such authors as Ann Lovejoy, Helen Dillion and Ken Druse.