Mount Hood Gardens, Inc.

The Healing Garden at Hospice of the Gorge is intended as a retreat, a contemplative place where garden visitors can find an opportunity to reflect, spend quiet time, remember and heal.

The long, narrow garden site stretching along the north side of the Hospice building was designed as a metaphor for life’s journey by Marion McNew of Mount Hood Gardens. A low stucco wall envelops the garden, to afford privacy and inward reflection. It also gives structure to the garden and provides its framework. Four different garden rooms, connected by a wide, sweeping path, lure the visitor to explore the garden, a journey akin to walking along the path of life.

GARDEN ROOMS: Each garden room evokes different feelings and reactions and the inner stucco wall colors correspond to each room’s theme. Upon entering the cheery, sunlit Rose Garden room, the trickling birdbath fountain, curved benches and sheltering arbors invite sitting down. Further exploration will take the garden visitor through a doorway to the Gallery Garden, sporting a Bamboo Forest mural by Mark Nilsson, two large vessels and blue glass mimicking a streambed.

The adjacent Discovery Garden displays a Japanese-style garden theme and a soft purple wall color, evoking a thought-provoking mood. Large boulders and several small trees and conifers give the illusion of a larger space and encourage the visitor to explore the garden. The wooden benches are private and create cozy seating nooks. Flowing water from the tiered water feature transcends everyday sounds.

Finally, an open gate draws the visitor into the small, intimate Zen Garden, a place for quiet contemplation. The circular sphere fountain in the center of the room provides the focal point, and is the source of the soothing sound of slowly cascading water. Simple bench seats, verdant small trees, misty blue walls and garden art combine to form a calming, uncluttered space.

Additional information about this garden design and Hospice of the Gorge can be found in the following articles:

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