Category: Landscape Design
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Why You Should Never Play to the Gallery
I recently found this interview by David Bowie. I agree. When checking boxes, my work is droll and lifeless—my designs are like a pile of boxes left out for recycling. I work with nature, combining traditional knowledge with intuition, creating unique landscape solutions. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re…
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Winter Wonderland
Today, February 28, 2023, we received our FIRST accumulating snow this winter in Connecticut. Once again, mother nature did not let me down with the photo opportunities. Barn Wood Bird House Last weekend I visited the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show and purchased a barn wood birdhouse. It gives the garden an instant old-timey feel.…
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Problem Solving. That’s what I do!
I had a meeting with a prospective client yesterday to discuss a design for the front of their home. When I drove up their driveway one thought came to my mind. This the most challenging space I will ever design. I stepped out of my car looked at the landscape and the ideas started to…
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Plants are People Too!
Today I spotted flowers on a stewartia seedling in the yard. I was beyond ecstatic. I felt the rush only gardeners and adrenaline junkies know. There was something special about those flowers. The flowers were flatter,brighter and more delicate than the parent. A flower on the parent stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia). The parent Stewartia growing in…
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Impatiens Glowing in the Landscape
While some consider impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) old-fashioned; I consider them reliable, easy to grow and gorgeous. Impatiens thrive in shady spots. If you have a shady patio or deck pots of impatiens will brighten the space immediately. Once impatiens start blooming they don’t stop until frost. I planted impatiens in pots around an outdoor outlet for…
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No One Wants an Adequate Landscape
How often do people call and say, “John, I want you to design an adequate landscape for me. It doesn’t matter the plants or materials you use. Make it look adequate.” The short answer. Never. When I meet clients I meet people who want to make their home more beautiful. Clients want interest in all seasons.…
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It’s All About Self-Expression – INFJ Personality Type
I was watching a video on Myers-Briggs Personality Types today and learned that my type has an artistic side. Well duh! The speaker mentioned INFJ‘s often draw, paint or play an instrument. This left me feeling a bit perplexed. I’ve never felt a desire to draw or paint. Yes, I took piano lessons for a…
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3 Landscaping Pet Peeves
Some landscaping practices should be avoided. Below are my top three landscaping pet peeves. Tags left on Plants Why would anyone leave plant tags fluttering in the wind? Leaving tags on plants takes a beautiful landscape and makes it look like the side of the highway. Please remove all tags before leaving the job. I…
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Early-March Garden Inspiration
I woke early today, I don’t know why, perhaps because of Daylight Savings. Seeing the sunrise inspired me to wander the garden with the Pentax. The only other flower in bloom this week is Dorothy Wycoff Andromeda (Pieris japonica ‘Dorothy Wycoff’). It’s early-March with little else going on and Dorothy is covered with red buds.…