Tucked into Hidden Hills, California, Jed Smith is the largest hillside Imagine has ever landscaped. Named after the infamous mountain man, this backyard property reaches just under one acre of land. With a 40-foot elevation change, this project is the result of nearly a year of planning, 68 days, and a 40-person crew. Due to the vast elevation of this project, machinery could not be used - so, over one million pounds of material, 5,000 plants, and several Olive trees were carried up the hill by hand. All metal railings and elements were custom-designed and welded on-site by Imagine, making this project a true example of our team's strength.

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The Jed Smith concept centers around colliding the natural world and the formal world, which starts at the ground level. A signature Imagine arch transitions into "floating" concrete steps, each embellished with a natural ground cover between the joints. Along the side of each set of stairs, a drip irrigation system to combat the dry environment and support the plantings. 

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A combination of concrete, wood, and grasses, with vineyard-style Ficuses flanking either side of the path. Each pocket features a destination point to stop at along the journey up the hill, with the first landing featuring large Blue Agave plants. To accommodate the dry landscape, every plant on the property was purposefully selected as being drought-tolerant. Synthetic grass is also used throughout the landings to maintain a lush appearance while staying mindful of challenges facing the Californian environment.  

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As the second landing emerges, a California Pepper shades a custom metal daybed, topped with walnut wood slats and Wisteria accenting either side. Blue Fescue was planted at the base of the tree to emulate water flowing under a wood bridge and down to the ground level. The third landing features the "money shot" - a cantilevered, double-nest hammock, which extends the usable square footage of the space and offers a place to relax. Shaded by Olive Trees on both sides, the nests overlook all that California has to offer. 

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To tie in the details, lights were hung from native Eucalyptus trees and placed in-ground around the various low plantings. Across the other side of the hill, a Malibu Pier-inspired path and staircase carry you back down to the main property.​