Design Philosophy

What makes a garden successful?

A successful garden is one that remains beautiful throughout the year, not just during peak bloom. Structure, texture, seasonal progression, and the relationship between plants are often more important than individual flowers. The goal is to create a garden that rewards repeated visits and continues to evolve over time.

What is your design philosophy?

Gardens should be experienced, not simply viewed. Every project begins with understanding how people will move through a space, where they will gather, what they will see, and how the landscape will change through the seasons. Plants are selected to support those experiences.

Do you design around specific plants?

The design begins with the site, the architecture, and the way the space will be used. Plant selection comes later. The most memorable gardens are not collections of plants; they are coherent places where every element works together.

Why do your gardens feel full without feeling crowded?

Layering is an important design tool. Plants are arranged to create depth and visual interest at multiple scales, while still allowing each plant enough room to express its character. The result is abundance without chaos.

Do you prefer native plants?

Native plants have ecological value and adaptability, but every plant is chosen because it contributes to the overall design. The goal is to create gardens that are beautiful, resilient, and appropriate to their setting. Native plants offer tremendous ecological benefits, but they do not dictate the appearance of a garden. A well-designed landscape can support pollinators and wildlife while still expressing a strong sense of order, structure, and design.

What role do flowers play in your designs?

I love flowers, but they are only one part of the composition. Foliage, texture, form, seed heads, bark, and seasonal structure often carry the garden for far more of the year than flowers do.

What do you look for when designing a small space?

Small gardens benefit from the same principles as large landscapes: structure, destinations, and a sense of discovery. Carefully placed screens, pathways, focal points, and layered planting can make even a compact garden feel larger and more interesting.

How do you approach seasonal interest?

The garden should have something to offer in every season. Spring bulbs, summer flowers, autumn color and seed heads, winter structure, bark, and evergreen elements are all considered from the beginning of the design process.

What is the most common mistake homeowners make?

Focusing on individual plants and separate spaces rather than the overall composition. A garden becomes more successful when attention shifts from "What should I plant here?" to "How should this space function and feel?"

What do you hope people experience in a garden you have designed?

A sense of discovery, comfort, and connection. The most successful gardens reveal themselves gradually and encourage people to linger, explore, and return throughout the year.