Two Landscape Designers Create a Garden Oasis in Healdsburg

CLC Landscape Design, a family-run business based at 58 Ringwood Avenue in Ringwood, New Jersey, has been providing comprehensive landscape architecture and construction services for over 50 years. Founded in 1973 by Rich Cording Sr., Art Laster, and Joanne Cording, the company is now led by Rich Sr. and his sons, Rich Jr. and Eric. Their core philosophy is that "great landscapes begin with great design ideas," and they aim to create outdoor spaces tailored to each client's specific preferences and needs in Northern New Jersey. The firm offers a wide array of services to transform and enhance outdoor living areas. These services include detailed landscape design, where the team develops master plans for pools, patios, planting schemes, landscape lighting, drainage, and grading. This process often incorporates 3D renderings and coverage analyses to help clients visualize the final outcome. For planting and gardening, CLC Landscape Design handles everything from new plantings and transplanting to mulching, soil preparation, seeding, pruning, and fertilizing. They are equipped to realize diverse gardening visions, from simple aesthetic enhancements to complex garden bed designs. CLC Landscape Design is also proficient in hardscape installations, constructing various elements such as patios, retaining walls, walkways, steps, and outdoor kitchens. They also build built-in barbecues and firepits, adding functional and recreational features to backyards. Beyond hardscaping, their carpentry and masonry expertise allows them to build custom wood, cedar, and ipe decks, pergolas, fireplaces, and pavilions. These custom constructions aim to extend indoor living spaces into the outdoors, providing areas for relaxation and entertainment. A significant part of their offering is waterscaping, which involves designing and building swimming pools, zen waterfalls, streams, ponds, and fountains. The team specializes in maximizing lawn areas to integrate these water features seamlessly into the landscape. The process for engaging CLC Landscape Design typically begins with a free consultation to discuss the client's vision. If a landscape plan is required, they will develop a detailed proposal and estimate that aligns with the client's budget and desires. Once approved, their team proceeds with the installation. For projects that require specialized skills not within CLC's direct expertise, they leverage long-standing relationships with industry specialists to ensure all aspects of the job are completed to high standards. CLC Landscape Design is dedicated to delivering complete and beautiful outdoor transformations. #LandscapeDesign #BackyardTransformation #OutdoorLiving #Hardscape #Waterscape #NorthernNewJersey #HomeImprovement #FamilyBusiness #CustomLandscaping

The article highlights 11 influential female landscape designers and architects who are transforming outdoor spaces globally. These professionals are recognized for their imaginative, functional, and healing green spaces, catering to both private and public enjoyment. Their work emphasizes the growing importance of green spaces as refuges, especially for urban dwellers seeking verdant landscapes and safe outdoor areas for various activities. Among the featured designers is Jinny Blom, a U.K.-based garden designer who transitioned from psychotherapy to landscape design in 2000. Her award-winning projects include contributions to five Chelsea Flower Shows, one for HRH the Prince of Wales, and another for Prince Harry. Blom is also an Artist in Residence for Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and a board member of the Therapeutic Landscapes Network in the U.S. Her book, "The Thoughtful Gardener: An Intelligent Approach to Garden Design," and her column for the Times further showcase her expertise. Nahal Sohbati, cofounder of Topophyla, is another notable figure. Based in Tehran and serving California, Sohbati's background in interior architecture led her to pursue landscape architecture with a focus on public open spaces and social impact. Her award-winning community service project, Ridge Lane, exemplifies her belief in design as a tool for advocacy to improve social well-being and connect communities to their environment. Martha Schwartz is introduced as a landscape architect, urbanist, and climate activist, heading Martha Schwartz Partners with offices in London, New York, and Shanghai. She is also a tenured professor at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a member of its Climate Change Working Group. Schwartz's career is dedicated to urban public realm landscapes and developing "climate-ready" cities. She has received numerous international accolades, including the 2020 ASLA Design Medal, and founded Mayday.Earth, a non-profit focusing on global solutions for landscape architecture to protect the planet. Janice Parker, a world-renowned landscape architect, established her firm in 1984, undertaking projects worldwide from the Hamptons to Russia. Her work, which combines creativity with technical expertise, earned her a VERANDA's 2020 Outdoor Living Award for "Magnificent Farm Rescue." Parker's contributions extend to public initiatives like New York City's Million Trees Project and the Cherry Tree Project for the Harlem River Esplanade. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, advocating for greener urban neighborhoods. Edwina von Gal, a New York-based landscape designer and environmentalist, is celebrated for her chemical-free ecological landscapes that support wildlife. She founded Edwina von Gal + Co. and later the Perfect Earth Project in 2013, a non-profit promoting chemical-free landscapes for the health of people, pets, and the planet. Her accolades include the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art’s Arthur Ross Award and the Quogue Wildlife Refuge Conservator Award. Grace Fuller Marroquín, founder of Grace Fuller Design, brings a romantic and wild approach to garden and landscape designs in New York. Influenced by her artist mother and a protégé of Edwina von Gal, Marroquín emphasizes sustainability in her work. Her background includes a career in fashion and jewelry before she pursued horticulture at the New York Botanical Garden’s School of Horticulture. Wambui Ippolito, a New York-based landscape designer, draws inspiration from her upbringing on a Kenyan farm and her diplomat parents' global travels. She champions the power of plants to convey heritage and place, creating native gardens for clients such as Martha Stewart. Ippolito also works with international organizations to develop horticultural programming and teaches at institutions like Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Andrea Cochran, a San Francisco-based landscape architect, is renowned for her minimalist and sustainable designs. A Harvard Graduate School of Design alumna, her firm handles projects from Napa wineries to residential properties in Hawaii. Cochran is a fellow of ASLA and has received prestigious awards, including the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Architecture. She is committed to creating well-designed spaces for all, balancing high-end and affordable housing projects. Margie Grace, a Southern California-based landscape and garden designer, has managed over 350 global projects. Her expertise in life and earth sciences, combined with her appreciation for California's natural beauty and ecosystems, has garnered her multiple Landscape Designer of the Year awards. Grace's firm, Grace Design Associates, is widely recognized, and she authored "Private Gardens of Santa Barbara: The Art of Outdoor Living." Pamela Burton, founder and principal of Pamela Burton & Company, boasts over 40 years of experience. Her work uniquely blends plants, architecture, and art, reflecting her studies at UCLA and her involvement with earth-work art. Burton's designs focus on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces that enhance the natural environment, with projects spanning from Idaho to Japan. She is also an ASLA fellow and author of two landscape design books. Finally, Blythe Yost, a Cornell graduate in Landscape Architecture, has 15 years of experience. She is the founder of two New York-based high-end landscape companies and recently launched Tilly, an online platform providing affordable access to diverse landscape design talent across the U.S. Tilly has revolutionized the industry by designing various landscapes, from English-inspired gardens to desert-like environments, in nearly all 50 states. #LandscapeDesign #FemaleArchitects #GardenDesign #Sustainability #OutdoorSpaces #Horticulture #EnvironmentalDesign #UrbanPlanning #AwardWinningDesigners

Interior designer Evans Geisler and her architect husband undertook a significant renovation of their two-story Williamsburg row house, transforming it from a dual-unit bachelor pad into a single-family home tailored for a family with three young sons. The couple purchased the house in 2014 from Geisler’s brother, who had acquired it in 2007. The initial state of the house was characterized by two separate units: one on the ground floor occupied by Geisler's brother's college roommate, and the second floor where her brother resided. The primary goal of the renovation was to consolidate these into a cohesive single-family residence, while also incorporating a small pied-à-terre apartment at the back of the second floor. Geisler described the house's original aesthetic as typical of two young men living in Williamsburg, lacking architectural personality and requiring a comprehensive update. The row houses in Williamsburg are often narrow and basic, prompting Geisler's initial improvement to be the removal of the entryway hallway, which she believed contributed to a sense of confinement. On the main floor, the design strategy focused on creating an open-plan layout by removing as many interior walls as possible, integrating the kitchen and living room into a single fluid space. A key element of this transformation was the restoration of the original staircase, which, along with a newly installed built-in bookcase, became prominent focal points upon entering the home. The original staircase, deemed the only element possessing inherent character, underwent extensive restoration. Layers of paint were meticulously stripped from the newel post, missing balusters were replaced, and the treads and handrail were stained dark, contrasting with white-painted balusters. In the kitchen, the design incorporated Caesarstone countertops and Ikea cabinets, complemented by open shelving. Geisler highlighted her preference for open shelving in the kitchen, noting that maintaining a coordinated look with white, off-white, and wood elements facilitated a clean and harmonious aesthetic. The renovation also extended to the rear of the first floor, where the bathroom was enlarged. A playroom was created in this area, featuring a Murphy bed for accommodating guests and a built-in desk designed for homework, catering to the needs of a growing family. Upstairs, new walls were constructed to define two bedrooms and to functionally separate the aforementioned rear apartment from the main living quarters of the house. Geisler's overarching design philosophy for the home was to create a casual and highly kid-friendly environment, given that she had a toddler and was pregnant during the renovation. This involved avoiding overly fussy or expensive elements and implementing organizational systems to mitigate clutter and manage the daily demands of family life. All three sons share a single bedroom, which is equipped with a crib and custom bunk beds. Geisler acknowledged that some might find this arrangement unconventional but noted its general effectiveness, particularly in fostering interaction among the boys. The interior walls throughout the house were uniformly painted in Benjamin Moore's Chalk White, and the floors were stained to the darkest possible shade. Geisler emphasized the importance of a cohesive design throughout the entire house, asserting that a consistent aesthetic facilitates a smooth transition between rooms and contributes to a unified overall impression. #WilliamsburgRenovation #InteriorDesign #KidFriendlyHome #OpenPlanLiving #StaircaseRestoration #KitchenDesign #CustomBunkBeds #FamilyHome #BrooklynDesign

The increasing importance of outdoor spaces for activities like socializing, working, exercising, and schooling has led to a greater demand for professional landscape design solutions. Yardzen, an online landscape design and build platform, offers a streamlined approach to creating custom outdoor spaces by connecting homeowners with skilled designers and vetted local contractors. This platform aims to make the design process accessible, affordable, and efficient, eliminating the need for frequent in-person site visits and lengthy planning periods. Yardzen's process begins with clients uploading various details about their yards. This includes photos and videos of the current space, inspirational images, architectural plans, drawings, and surveys. Homeowners also complete questionnaires detailing their aesthetic preferences, desired plant types, budget constraints, and how they envision utilizing their outdoor areas. This comprehensive initial input allows Yardzen to gain a thorough understanding of the client's vision and property specifics. Following the data submission, Yardzen pairs clients with a professional landscape designer. The designer then develops an outdoor space concept that aligns with the client's aesthetic, functional needs, and financial parameters. During this stage, the designer considers various property characteristics such as sun and shade patterns, terrain slope, and native plant compatibility. The entire consultation and design development process is conducted through Yardzen's interactive online platform, ensuring a collaborative and convenient experience for the homeowner. To generate detailed design renderings, Yardzen leverages advanced technology, including satellite imagery and 3D modeling software. The platform also utilizes an extensive database of plants, trees, and ground covers, which are carefully matched to specific planting zones, sun exposure requirements, shade tolerance, and water needs. These technological tools allow Yardzen to produce custom design renderings that clients can review and provide feedback on within a dedicated online feedback studio, facilitating iterative adjustments and refinements. Upon finalizing the design, Yardzen delivers a comprehensive package in lifelike 3D. This package includes CAD plans with approximate dimensions, a detailed planting layout specifying plant names, a shoppable furniture list featuring items from partners like Crate & Barrel, CB2, Rejuvenation, and Yardbird, and material callouts for hardscaping elements. This detailed output provides clients with a clear and actionable blueprint for their outdoor transformation. Finally, Yardzen assists clients in bringing their designs to fruition by matching them with a local, vetted contractor from its nationwide ProNetwork. Yardzen maintains its role as a trusted partner throughout the installation phase, ensuring a smooth bidding and construction experience. The platform offers various design packages, ranging from custom planting designs to comprehensive options that include planting, hardscape, and exterior design elements such as paint, windows, trim, doors, and roofing, catering to diverse project scopes and client requirements. #LandscapeDesign #OnlineDesign #OutdoorSpace #Yardzen #HomeImprovement #Gardening #3DRendering #ContractorMatching

The article explores the resurgence of functional front yards and porches as extensions of outdoor living spaces, moving beyond their traditional role of mere curb appeal. This trend is driven by a desire for increased social interaction and community connection, a shift that became particularly pronounced during the recent pandemic. Initially, front yards primarily consisted of concrete slabs and grass, but a growing number of homeowners are now transforming them into vibrant social hubs. Yardzen, an online landscape design platform, reports that 37% of its customers are seeking designs for functional front yards, indicating a significant demand for this type of outdoor space. Allison Messner, CEO and co-founder of Yardzen, highlights how people's relationship with their homes evolved, leading to a desire to utilize front yards for eating, playing, and relaxing while interacting with neighbors. Designer Mindy Gayer also observes this trend, noting that new build clients frequently request these spaces, reflecting a more neighborly and communal approach to leisure. The article presents five key reasons why homeowners should consider enhancing their front yards. Firstly, an inviting front yard with comfortable seating encourages social interaction, effectively creating an “outdoor living room.” The author recounts a personal anecdote about friends who, upon moving into a historic home, found their front porch became a natural gathering spot for neighbors, fostering a strong sense of community. Even basic additions like outdoor furniture can transform a space into a social magnet, fulfilling a desire for connection within the neighborhood. Secondly, edible front yards are gaining popularity, especially for those with limited backyard space. These gardens not only provide fresh produce but also become community gathering spots, where neighbors can share harvests and connect. Kendra Poppy, Yardzen’s growth developer, shares her experience of how her front yard vegetable garden became a focal point for community interaction. Thirdly, functional front yards offer a safe and convenient space for children to play, allowing parents to supervise them while also enjoying their own outdoor experience. While elaborate play structures are uncommon, open spaces for children to run are still valued. Designers like Mindy Gayer incorporate existing patio areas into front yard redesigns, ensuring that families can enjoy integrated indoor/outdoor living. Fourthly, while promoting an open and inviting atmosphere, homeowners can still establish boundaries in their social front yards. Row fences are recommended as they offer a sense of enclosure without obstructing views of the street. Privacy hedges are less suitable for this purpose, but low-water plants like Little Ollie Dwarf Olive and Hebe Addenda Variegata can provide subtle demarcation without isolating the space. Finally, the article emphasizes the “easy out” aspect of a social front yard. Homeowners can engage with their community on their own terms, retreating indoors or to the backyard when they desire privacy. This flexibility allows for a dynamic balance between community engagement and personal space, making the social front yard a highly adaptable and beneficial addition to a home. #OutdoorLiving #FrontYardDesign #CommunityEngagement #HomeImprovement #LandscapeDesign #SocialSpaces #EdibleGardens #PorchLife

Front yards, serving as the outdoor equivalent of an entryway, are highly visible spaces that often receive less aesthetic attention compared to other parts of a home. Despite their potential to enhance a home's curb appeal, practical considerations such as the need for vehicle accommodation or limited space can lead to neglect. However, transforming a front yard does not necessitate extensive planting or a complete overhaul; significant improvements can be achieved through non-planting methods. One effective strategy is to incorporate potted plants. While not planted directly into the ground, containers introduce greenery, texture, and color without the need for digging. Grouping various-sized planters, potentially with different textures or colors, can create dramatic displays. These can be filled with annuals, perennials, or evergreen shrubs, and even small trees suitable for pots can add height and visual interest. Landscape designers emphasize using containers to soften entryways and create 'container gardens' in areas where in-ground planting is not feasible, suggesting odd numbers for a more organic arrangement. Updating pathways is another crucial step. Pathways and driveways are dominant features of a front yard, and their condition significantly impacts the overall appearance. A simple cleaning or weeding can refresh an existing path, but for a more substantial transformation, replacing old, worn hardscaping materials can have a profound effect. Current trends lean towards organic, natural, and zen-like spaces, favoring materials like gravel or a combination of gravel with stepping stones over solid, bland paving. This approach not only enhances aesthetics but also supports nature. For instance, a Japanese garden-inspired design can blur the lines between the garden and the interior, creating a calm and peaceful transition. Extending interior style to the outdoors can transform a front yard into a more sociable and inviting space. Many homeowners are now utilizing front yards as additional entertaining areas. This involves bringing weather-resistant furniture and decorative planters to create an 'indoor-outdoor' effect. By treating the front yard as an outdoor foyer, individuals can translate their home's interior design principles to this exterior space, making it as comfortable and appealing as a backyard. Incorporating rocks offers a trendy and low-maintenance way to update a front yard. Whether through large boulders for a dry garden feel or smaller pebbles and stones for texture and zoning, rocks can add interest without requiring any planting. This can be a DIY-friendly project, and the choice of rocks can also convey a specific aesthetic, such as coastal or mountainous, depending on their type and arrangement. Rocks can also be used for edging pathways or patios, and when thoughtfully placed, they can contribute to a Japanese garden aesthetic. Adding a water feature can introduce a sense of tranquility and chicness to a front yard. While elaborate installations like ponds might be budget-dependent, smaller, achievable water features can still provide a zen-inducing ambiance. Options range from gentle trickling water over stones to wall-mounted fountains, which are particularly suitable for limited spaces. Beyond their visual appeal, water features contribute to a serene atmosphere with their soothing sounds, and can even attract wildlife. Finally, using sculptures and decorative elements can create focal points and enhance curb appeal. This involves selecting tasteful pieces that complement the home's exterior and personal style, rather than generic garden ornaments. For front yards where planting is impossible due to hardscaping, sculptures, combined with strategically placed planters, can elevate the space. Antique stone furniture or terracotta vessels with patina can add character and a sense of history, and lighting can be used to highlight these features, transforming the yard into an intriguing outdoor environment. These non-planting methods offer diverse ways to beautify a front yard, ensuring it is a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing introduction to the home. #FrontYardDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #OutdoorLiving #ContainerGardening #PathwayDesign #WaterFeatures #GardenSculptures #CurbAppeal #HomeExterior

Achieving a magazine-worthy urban garden is often more complex than simply purchasing plants and placing them in unprepared soil. This process involves multiple facets such as excavation, grading, drainage, masonry, fencing, irrigation, lighting, and soil amendment before any planting occurs, and necessitates selecting the appropriate plants for their specific locations. Alice S. Marcus Krieg, co-founder of Groundworks, a Brooklyn-based garden design-build firm established in 2001 with Carmen DeVito, notes that clients often present magazine images of gardens, unaware that these designs may be unsuitable for a Brooklyn climate, like those from Southern California. Many Brooklyn homeowners desire a lush green lawn, but Krieg points out that lawns are high-maintenance, requiring full sun, frequent mowing (every seven to ten days), and substantial water and fertilizer. Groundworks addresses these challenges through a structured process. An initial consultation focuses on understanding client desires and intended use for the space. Subsequently, the team presents three garden layout options with estimated costs. Once a design is chosen, a budget set, and an agreement signed, the installation phase begins. Groundworks manages all aspects of the project, including subcontracting masonry and carpentry, overseeing installation, and personally handling soil preparation and planting. Following installation, they offer ongoing maintenance services or provide a monthly to-do list for clients who prefer a hands-on approach. A significant portion of their work, approximately 65%, involves rear yards of row houses in Brooklyn. This type of project presents unique challenges, as all materials—from fencing and pavers to soil and plants—must be manually transported through the house, increasing labor and delivery costs, which often exceed client expectations. Structural elements represent a substantial part of the cost. For example, fencing for a typical 20-foot-by-40-foot backyard, a common initial client request, can range from $5,000 to $7,000 for cedar stockade and up to $20,000 for high-end ipé horizontal slat fencing. A comprehensive garden project, including fencing, a patio or deck, soil, plants, lighting, and irrigation, can reach mid-five figures, with some brownstone garden projects totaling up to $60,000. Plant material typically constitutes only about 10% of this overall cost. Despite these figures, cost-saving strategies exist. Krieg highlights that many clients inherit existing gardens with valuable but unmaintained elements such as old lilacs, roses, or viburnums. Groundworks assesses these existing plants, pruning and editing them to become focal points, emphasizing that in small urban gardens, each plant must be carefully selected to maximize its contribution. Economical plant choices that thrive year-round are preferred over those that require frequent replacement. For the dappled shade common in Brooklyn backyards, Groundworks recommends plants such as rhododendrons, pieris, climbing hydrangea, and low-growing ornamental grasses like carex and sedge for ground cover. Hardy, shade-tolerant camellias are suggested for floral displays, producing rose-like blooms in spring and fall. Creative solutions for budget-conscious designs include "limbing up" existing trees to expose their trunks and building decks or patios around them, or adding an ipé wood lip to an inexpensive fence to create a custom appearance. Groundworks also utilizes faux turf for children’s play areas, describing it as a high-end product made from recycled, permeable materials with subtle coloration. While costing $25 to $35 per square foot, it offers a 15-year lifespan, negating the annual struggles associated with natural lawns. Krieg and DeVito often encounter homeowners who have attempted to create attractive and functional outdoor spaces themselves, only to find the process more challenging than anticipated. The firm’s decades of knowledge and experience are presented as a solution for those seeking professional assistance with their backyard projects. #GardenDesign #BackyardGardens #UrbanGardening #LandscapeDesign #GroundworksInc #BrooklynGardens #HomeImprovement #OutdoorLiving #FauxTurf

This article explores how to create a mid-century modern outdoor oasis, drawing inspiration from design experts. The mid-century modern aesthetic, characterized by clean lines, natural materials, and a focus on both ergonomic comfort and style, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity for outdoor spaces. The design philosophy emphasizes simplicity and repetition, avoiding excessive embellishment while still maintaining visual interest. Key to achieving this look is the selection of outdoor patio furniture. Pieces with clean lines and neutral colors are foundational, though accents of traditional mid-century colors like turquoise, green, pink, and yellow can be incorporated through throw pillows on built-in seating. Vintage or reproduction fiberglass loungers, freestanding hammocks, and Cesca-style outdoor chairs are suggested for their classic appeal and functional shapes. The article recommends focusing on sculptural shapes and lines for accent chairs and tables, while more comfortable elements can provide a canvas for color and pattern. Adding texture is another crucial aspect. The use of materials such as wire mesh in chairs, like Acapulco or Bertoia designs, or metal furniture with vinyl webbing (often seen in mid-century Brown Jordan pieces) can provide tactile contrast. Combining bamboo furniture with fabric pillows is also suggested to enhance textural variety. Russell Woodard's Sculptura line of metal mesh furniture is highlighted for its versatility in matching various decors and being enhanced with contrasting cushions. Woven furniture like rattan, wicker, and bamboo are recommended for covered patios and sunrooms to cultivate a cozy mid-century atmosphere. Modern outdoor lighting and shade solutions are essential for both day and night aesthetics. Instead of string lights, the article suggests incorporating mid-century style table and floor lamps made from weather-resistant materials. Rechargeable LED light cubes are presented as a versatile option, capable of serving as both lighting elements and side tables. For shade, square, cantilever umbrellas with clean edges, minimal pole height, and square bases are ideal. Case Study umbrellas, originally designed by Charles and Ray Eames and Aero Saarenin and now reproduced by Modernica, are also referenced as exemplary mid-century shade options. Finally, the integration of modern planters and pots helps complete the outdoor oasis. Ceramic planters, often placed on metal stands, contribute to staggered heights and add color. The article stresses the importance of low-maintenance and drought-tolerant specimen plants and shrubs to maintain the clean lines and overall aesthetic of the modern backyard. Regular lawn maintenance is also emphasized to keep the space looking immaculate, ensuring the mid-century outdoor setup remains free from distractions like mosquitoes. The approach prioritizes a cohesive and uncluttered look that complements the minimalist yet sophisticated mid-century modern design. #MidCenturyModern #OutdoorDesign #PatioFurniture #LandscapeDesign #HomeDecoration #GardenDecor #ModernLighting #OutdoorLiving #DesignTips

Landscape designer Kathy Moreau emphasizes creating immersive outdoor spaces rather than mere visual spectacles. Her approach, termed "total immersion," focuses on engaging all five senses to draw individuals fully into the landscape, as exemplified by her work on a lakeside bungalow in northern Westchester County. Moreau, through her practice Verdant View, combines her expertise in horticulture and design, allowing her to select the most appropriate plants for any given environment, with a particular affinity for native species and their ecological benefits. This philosophy was central to her design for the Craftsman-style lakefront property, where she collaborated closely with the client, an enthusiastic gardener herself. Moreau's initial task involved transforming a simple rectangular swimming pool area. The existing coping was bordered only by crabgrass leading to a retaining wall. Her solution introduced a "brocade" of groundcovers, including creeping thyme, stonecrop, and Irish moss, alongside annual vinca, to create a textured, walkable, and playable surface. This transformation encouraged the family to interact more frequently with the revitalized space. Beyond the pool, Moreau extended her design to the lake's horizon, framing the view with a diverse array of perennials and shrubs. She integrated irises with existing daylilies and added wand flowers, garden phlox, sedum, Russian sage, asters, cimicifuga, and lady's mantle to create an animated and visually rich experience. At the water's edge, near the dock, Moreau planted rudbeckias and helianthus to attract pollinators and extend the blooming season, complementing these additions with a rustic wood gate for a sense of enclosure. To encourage outdoor living, she designed a dining area close to the house, shaded by a pergola adorned with grapevines and 'New Dawn' roses, ensuring a fragrant environment throughout the growing season. This area is further sheltered by 'Annabelle' hydrangeas and lilacs, contributing to both texture and aroma. The front entrance also received attention, with a dense interplay of ferns and creeping phlox, subtly edged with blue-eyed grass for a burst of purple flowers from spring to midsummer. Moreau's design philosophy culminates in dynamic, memorable landscapes that evolve over time and continuously engage the homeowners. The goal is to inspire residents to deeply connect with their outdoor environment, perhaps even to the point of removing their shoes and wading into the garden. The project details also highlight the involvement of Verdant View for landscape design services by Katherine Moreau and Fedele Landscaping for implementation, both operating out of Westchester County, New York, reinforcing the regional focus of the article. #LandscapeDesign #GardenImmersion #WestchesterGardens #NativePlants #OutdoorLiving #Horticulture #SensoryGardens #PerennialGardens #LakesideProperty

Piet Oudolf, a renowned Dutch garden designer, emphasizes that stepping into one of his gardens is akin to entering a dreamlike meadowscape. His unique ability to craft such immersive private gardens extends to urban public spaces, making his work accessible in bustling cities. Oudolf prioritizes the 'architecture' of a plant as highly as its bloom color, creating complex plantings layered with numerous species. This approach evokes a sense of spontaneity, despite meticulous planning. His notable projects include gardens for Serpentine Galleries in London, Noma in Copenhagen, and a significant installation at Hauser & Wirth’s Somerset garden, which featured 57,000 plants. He also designed a perennial-rich rooftop garden in Manhattan and, believing in the therapeutic power of plants, completed the garden for Maggie’s Centre at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton in 2019. From his home, an old farmhouse in Hummelo, Netherlands, where he has resided with his wife Anja since 1982, Oudolf shared insights during an interview. He discusses transforming miniature plots, his work for Vitra’s HQ, and the increasing reliance on local pleasures, particularly gardens. He advises aspiring gardeners to 'Buy the plants you like, don’t try to be a designer,' encouraging them to observe successful plant combinations in gardens they admire and apply these ideas to their own smaller spaces. Oudolf considers public gardens and private gardens differently. While private gardens are highly personal, catering to a family's or owner's specific preferences and potentially complicated by individual needs like play areas for grandchildren, public gardens serve a broader audience. Public spaces come with their own set of restrictions, such as safety concerns, but offer a unique opportunity to expose urban dwellers to nature. He believes that projects like the High Line in New York encourage people to engage with and ask questions about the natural world, even if the seemingly wild appearance is carefully curated. When designing, texture is Oudolf's primary consideration, followed by color. He views texture as the 'architecture' or 'character' of a plant, explaining that a plant's personality is evident even without flowers. While flowers are beautiful, their ephemeral nature means that a garden needs plants that offer interest beyond just blooms. His approach to garden design is holistic, considering all seasons. He emphasizes that every season and its unfolding events contribute to the garden's enjoyment, from the freshness of spring to the subtle details that capture attention. His planning process for a new garden takes at least a year, ensuring the availability of specific plants for his unique planting palette, which sometimes requires sourcing from international locations. Oudolf has been involved in significant current projects, including the Vitra campus garden and the Detroit Oudolf Garden in Michigan, both managed with remote collaboration due to travel restrictions. He highlights the importance of trusted teams and a strong network for successful implementation. Reflecting on the impact of events like the Covid-19 pandemic, Oudolf believes that people are rethinking their lives, leading to a greater appreciation for nature and local resources. He anticipates a future where communities become more self-sufficient, travel for pleasure decreases, and gardening gains increasing importance as people seek satisfaction closer to home. #PietOudolf #GardenDesign #LandscapeArchitecture #UrbanGardening #PlantingDesign #HummeloGarden #VitraGarden #HighLine #HauserWirth

This article delves into the extensive gardening journey of Molly Sedlacek, founder of landscape design studio ORCA, and her mother, Lisa, in their Oregon backyard. Their garden has been meticulously cultivated for 45 years, evolving since they acquired their house in 1980. Lisa reflects on the initial state of the yard, which featured an overgrown laurel hedge and a small lawn, and the satisfaction of transforming it into a vibrant garden. The family is now preparing to move, and while Lisa expresses sadness about leaving certain plants and established routines, she is also excited about creating a new garden that better suits their current lifestyle. Molly shares her earliest memories of the garden, highlighting the sensory experience of walking barefoot on the squishy soil and pea gravel paths. These experiences instilled in her the importance of considering materials that feel good underfoot in her professional work. She also notes that her childhood garden taught her to appreciate the 'beauty in the chaos,' characterized by informal drifts of plants, a unique rock koi pond, and the cyclical nature of life and decay represented by their brush pile. Lisa confirms the garden's organic growth over the years, adapting to changes in the house's structure and the family's needs, such as relocating bamboo for privacy. The mother-daughter duo discusses their successes and failures in gardening, with Lisa recounting triumphs in growing vegetables like purple pole beans and sunflowers, alongside setbacks such as squash failures due to powdery mildew. She emphasizes learning from mistakes and celebrating successes. The article also explores the origins of the garden's fascinating hardscaping and structures. Lisa explains that many of these elements, including arbors, gates, and plant supports, were inspired by gardening books and magazines and built by them, often with the dual purpose of controlling human and pet traffic. Molly details how her parents' approach to hardscaping, utilizing upcycled materials like stone, wood, bamboo poles, and found basins, informs her projects at ORCA, where she incorporates similar principles of using natural, patinated, and native materials. Molly's personal garden in California is a direct extension of her parents' influence, featuring bamboo clumps from her father's collection, cutting flowers for sharing, pollinator-friendly sages and milkweed, and a laurel hedge. She feels a deep connection to her mother when growing Australian plants, which her mother adores but cannot cultivate in Oregon's climate. Lisa confirms her love for Zone 9 and Australian plants, despite the challenges of growing them locally. As they prepare to leave, Lisa plans to take cuttings of beloved plants, like arbor roses, and dig up cherished heirloom roses and unusual bulbs that might not be appreciated by new owners. The hardest part of saying goodbye, for Lisa, will be the uncertainty of whether the new occupants will care for the garden's established life, such as the returning swallows and spring bulbs. Molly underscores the importance of documenting gardens, viewing them as sacred and symbolic spaces that tell a story of human life. The decision to photograph the Oregon garden in the fall was intentional, aiming to capture the juxtaposition of resilience and decay, soft beauty and late blooms, characteristic of an autumn Oregon landscape. Lisa concludes by asserting that gardens continue to exist even after their creators are gone, drawing parallels to forgotten homestead plants that persist and thrive, embodying a powerful urge to grow and live, irrespective of human presence. #Gardening #LandscapeDesign #OregonGarden #FamilyLegacy #SustainableGardening #OutdoorLiving #Horticulture #HomeGarden #GardenInspiration

The article profiles Christie Green, ASLA, a landscape architect based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, who runs a one-woman practice called Radicle. Green's work is driven by a mission to repair humanity's fractured relationship with nature, particularly with the plants and animals consumed for sustenance. A significant aspect of her personal life and professional philosophy involves hunting for the majority of her meat, an activity that has profoundly influenced her understanding of ecological systems and her design approach. She views hunting not merely as a hobby but as a visceral connection to the natural world, fostering an awareness of vegetation, water availability, and wildlife patterns that she integrates into her landscape projects. Green's journey into landscape architecture was unconventional. Raised between Alaska and Texas, she developed an early appreciation for wild landscapes. After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, and working with an environmental education organization called Bioneers, she became deeply involved in the politics of food. This led her to start a design/build company focused on edible plantings and backyard gardens, aiming to counter monoculture agriculture. However, the commercial demands of larger projects often compromised her initial vision, leading to dissatisfaction. The 2008 recession forced her to scale back, inadvertently providing an opportunity to reassess her career path. At nearly 40, she enrolled in the graduate landscape architecture program at the University of New Mexico, where she was recognized for her intelligence, humility, and dedication as a student, even as a single mother commuting daily from Santa Fe. After completing her graduate studies, Green rebranded her firm as Radicle, symbolizing the embryonic root of a seedling. She committed to undertaking only projects that aligned with her core values, such as an outdoor recreational facility for the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and the landscape for an immersive art installation. She also ventured into art, using a rented warehouse as a studio to host salons and create installations that explored themes of consumption, waste, and societal ideals. Her art often draws parallels to ecological processes, such as a piece involving mounted elk scat to highlight nature's efficient nutrient cycling. A recurring theme throughout Green's work is food and challenging the mindless approach to consumption. She advocates for a deeper connection to the provenance of food, emphasizing the importance of understanding where sustenance comes from, whether wild or cultivated. Her projects demonstrate a pragmatic and ecologically conscious aesthetic, often utilizing natural or repurposed materials and focusing on long-term sustainability. An exemplary project is the Española Healing Foods Oasis, a community garden developed with Tewa Women United. This project transforms a neglected urban space into a public ethnobotanical garden, employing traditional Tewa techniques for dryland cultivation and water harvesting. The garden not only provides edible and medicinal plants culturally significant to the Tewa people but also serves as a testing ground for innovative ecological strategies like mycoremediation to address environmental contamination. Green's approach is characterized by an intuitive and iterative process, often involving years of soil building and allowing landscapes to evolve naturally. Her designs are not merely aesthetic but deeply functional and responsive to the environment and human behavior. Her work is seen as a bridge between indigenous knowledge and Western technology, translating complex ecological ideas into tangible, community-focused projects. While her uncompromising environmental ethic may limit her clientele, it underscores her commitment to a holistic and integrated understanding of humanity's place within the natural world, reflecting a life lived in the liminal space between urban and rural, wild and cultivated. #ChristieGreen #Radicle #LandscapeArchitecture #EnvironmentalDesign #SustainableDesign #FoodSystems #IndigenousKnowledge #EcologicalRestoration #CommunityGardens

Kimley-Horn, a consulting firm, organized the Kimley-Horn/FIU Design Collab, an all-day landscape architecture design workshop for students at Florida International University (FIU). The initiative aimed to provide students with practical experience that simulates real-world industry processes and parameters. The event was orchestrated by five Kimley-Horn employees: Gregory González, PLA; Michelle Latte, PLA; Sami Trinchetto; George Puig, PLA; and Maggie Giraldo, PE. To further enhance the realism of the workshop, representatives from various governmental entities were invited, including two members from the City of Miami Environmental Resources group, one member from the Miami-Dade County Planning Department, and one member from the Miami-Dade County Transportation Department. This multidisciplinary collaboration allowed students to engage with diverse experts, mirroring the complexities of actual professional projects. The workshop commenced with a detailed presentation outlining the project, which was based on an authentic design criteria package developed by the Kimley-Horn team in 2022. This initial phase established the project's scope, expectations, and deadlines for the student participants. A notable aspect of the workshop was a hand-drawing session, where the team instructed students on the use of bases, overlays, and paper for manual design creation. This was a unique learning opportunity for the students, as their academic training predominantly involved digital design tools. Following the introductory and instructional segments, the twelve participating students were divided into three groups to begin developing their designs. Throughout this design phase, Kimley-Horn's landscape architects and other invited design experts circulated among the groups, offering personalized guidance and insights. These one-on-one discussions emphasized critical considerations such as civil engineering, environmental impact assessments, and urban planning issues. The experts provided practical tools and tips, helping students integrate these diverse elements into their designs. This mentorship aimed to broaden the students' understanding beyond purely aesthetic landscape design to include the practical and regulatory aspects of the profession. The culmination of the workshop involved each student team presenting their designs to the panel of multidisciplinary experts. During these presentations, the judges posed questions and highlighted potential challenges associated with the proposed designs. This required students to articulate and defend their creative and technical decisions, an experience that directly mirrored the real-world review processes for landscape architecture projects. The objective was to prepare students for the rigorous scrutiny and collaborative problem-solving inherent in professional practice. At the conclusion of the presentations, an $800 prize was awarded to the winning team, recognizing their exemplary design and presentation skills. The event concluded with a networking dinner, allowing all participating students to interact informally with the judges and other industry professionals. Gregory González, PLA, commented on the workshop's efficacy, stating that it provided students with a comprehensive understanding of what it means to be a landscape architect in professional practice, moving beyond theoretical knowledge. The initiative represented a significant investment in the professional development of aspiring landscape architects, offering them invaluable hands-on experience, direct connections with professionals, and the opportunity to work on a relevant, real-world project. #LandscapeArchitecture #StudentWorkshop #RealWorldDesign #FIUStudents #KimleyHorn #DesignCollaboration #ProfessionalDevelopment #EnvironmentalPlanning

Courtyard gardens, despite their often limited size, offer significant potential for creating personalized outdoor oases. The key to designing an effective courtyard garden lies in understanding how the space will be used and the desired atmosphere. The article presents 16 diverse ideas to transform courtyard gardens, ranging from incorporating lush foliage and clever designs to establishing tropical retreats, all aimed at enhancing the hosting experience. One approach involves a 'green scheme,' where garden designers draw inspiration from the main house's color and material palette. For instance, a small Camberwell garden utilized earthy greens and terracottas in planters and pots to blend with the plants, creating a tropical feel that belies the plot's actual size. Another strategy involves offsetting symmetry to introduce visual interest. A Bristol garden, for example, combines a uniformly shaped pergola with strategic hardscaping and intuitive planting to create layers and balance, softening geometric designs with natural elements. Incorporating 'little nooks' is also highlighted as a way to create private yet interactive spaces within the courtyard. Architects and garden designers work to ensure these pockets are functional, suitable for bistro-style tables and chairs, offering serene spots for reading or coffee while maintaining a connection to the main house. The importance of furniture selection is emphasized, particularly for narrow courtyards, where thin-profile options prevent visual obstruction. Vertical gardening is suggested as a method to maximize ground space, allowing more room for seating and creating an enveloping feel without clutter. Courtyard gardens can also be designed for entertaining, with examples like a Mexican house featuring multiple courtyards, including a raised area with a garden bar and another outdoor seating space. Lush planting and minimalist lighting contribute to a cozy and atmospheric setting for evening gatherings. Blending indoor and outdoor living is another popular theme, achieved by setting up outdoor living rooms with rugs, wall lights, and comfortable seating, effectively extending the home's living space outdoors. Centering the courtyard to create seamless flow is also discussed, ensuring easy access and views from most indoor rooms. French doors often face the courtyard, making it a focal point for hosting and dining. For a Mediterranean aesthetic, olive trees with gravel and up-lighters offer a clean, low-maintenance look, especially when combined with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that allow natural light and views into the courtyard. The concept of 'bringing the outdoors in' is further explored through designs like a Bloomsbury townhouse with an easy-access sliding door to a lush courtyard, where wooden ceilings extend from indoors to out, blurring the boundaries. Other ideas include embracing a brutalist aesthetic, characterized by raw, minimalist design with large trees and an outdoor dining area. Adding a glass roof to the courtyard allows for enjoyment of natural light year-round without weather concerns, creating an indoor garden feel. Decorating with tiles, both on patio flooring and building exteriors, can add color and dimension. Landscaping, including water features like fountains, can enhance seclusion and beauty. Transforming basement light-wells into small courtyard gardens with container plants and bistro furniture provides additional green spaces and natural light. Finally, creating a spa-like feel in a bathroom with a view of a courtyard garden, complete with potted plants and living walls, offers a calming oasis. Open-concept designs that integrate living walls and retractable glass roofs also bring nature indoors, improving air quality and acoustics while making the courtyard a central feature. #CourtyardGardens #OutdoorLiving #GardenDesign #SmallSpaceSolutions #LandscapeArchitecture #IndoorOutdoorFlow #HomeRenovation #UrbanGardening #OutdoorEntertainment

The Japanese Zen Garden at Enger Park in Duluth, Minnesota, a testament to international friendship and dedicated community effort, reached its completion in August 2010. This project culminated years of planning, fundraising, and design, driven by the Duluth Sister Cities International (DSCI) organization. The garden's construction was a rapid two-month endeavor, with volunteers and gardeners working tirelessly to prepare it for the arrival of a Japanese delegation from Ohara, Duluth's Sister City. The history of the Zen Garden is intrinsically linked to the American-Japanese Peace Bell, which stands at its core. During World War II, a Japanese temple bell was repurposed for war efforts. Post-war, crew members of the USS Duluth discovered a surviving bell and brought it back to Duluth as a relic. After a Japanese scholar identified its origin in Ohara, the city of Duluth returned the bell in 1954, an event that fostered a lasting bond between the two cities and led to Ohara becoming Duluth's fourth Sister City in 1990. Ohara later gifted Duluth with a replica bell, housed in a traditionally constructed tower at Enger Park, symbolizing this enduring relationship. The concept for the Zen Garden emerged during a Duluth delegation visit to Ohara in 2005. Irina Haller, a member of the delegation and originally from Duluth's Sister City Petrozavodsk, Russia, became a key figure in the project. Drawing on her childhood interest in Japanese gardens, she, along with her husband Ed Haller (then DSCI president) and landscape contractor Glenn Peterson, formed the Duluth Peace Bell Garden Committee. Their goal was to create an authentic Japanese garden environment around the Peace Bell, offering a cultural learning experience. DSCI initiated fundraising and held a design competition in 2006, with a landscape architect from Ohara on the judging panel. SAS+Associates of Duluth won the commission, with Matthew Daly and Luke Sydow leading the design. The garden's blueprint emphasized traditional Japanese elements: stone, symbolic water, specific plantings, and man-made objects. Stone features, including a dry lake with perimeter boulders and rock islands, and a stone creek flowing from the bell tower, form the garden's foundation. The design allowed for flexibility, adapting to Duluth's rocky terrain by utilizing local stones from Enger Park and incorporating natural crevices into the landscape. Selecting plants suitable for Duluth's cold climate while maintaining a Japanese aesthetic was a challenge. Glenn Peterson developed a planting guide focusing on texture and shape over vibrant color, with seasonal blooms from rhododendrons, azaleas, and peonies. The garden features two main paths from the Azumaya Gate to the bell tower: a handicap-accessible route around the dry lake and another through the garden's center, offering diverse viewing opportunities. A flagstone plaza at the top provides a gathering space around the bell tower. Since its dedication, the Zen Garden has become a cherished part of Enger Park, offering serenity and a unique cultural experience. Its ongoing maintenance relies on collaborative efforts from Duluth Parks personnel, city support, and DSCI volunteers. A distinctive task involves dedicated volunteers who rake the dry lake's granite chips, creating intricate patterns representing water. Irina Haller, who rakes every Saturday, views this activity as a meditative practice, often engaging with curious visitors. The garden's 10th anniversary, celebrated in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Sister City relationship with Ohara (now Isumi-machi), underscored the symbolic significance of the Peace Bell and the garden as reminders of peace and international understanding. #ZenGarden #DuluthMinnesota #SisterCitiesInternational #PeaceBell #JapaneseGardens #EngerPark #CommunityProject #LandscapeDesign #CulturalExchange

This blog post features an interview with Matthew Giampietro, a landscape designer, discussing current trends in the landscaping industry, his career journey, and his creative mission. Giampietro highlights the increasing popularity of outdoor living spaces, attributing this trend to home remodeling shows, Instagram, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led people to spend more time at home and seek outdoor entertainment and recreation options. He notes that contemporary landscape designs often include elaborate features such as swimming pools, lounges, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, and various gardens, with covered seating areas and modern aluminum pergolas being particularly sought after. The demand for outdoor office spaces and studios has also risen due to the prevalence of remote work. Furthermore, there is a growing interest in edible gardening, with clients requesting vegetable gardens and fruit trees like mango, papaya, passion fruit, and lychee. Giampietro’s career began in his teenage years, working for his father's family business in Connecticut, which included a plant nursery and landscape design services. His father, a talented landscape designer known for naturalistic rock waterfalls, inspired Giampietro to pursue degrees in horticulture and landscape architecture. To master rock arranging, he spent several months studying in Kyoto, Japan. After his father’s passing in 2000, Giampietro continued the business. In 2003, he relocated to South Florida after being commissioned to build a waterfall there, subsequently establishing a waterfall company. About five years prior to this interview, he expanded his services to designing entire properties, similar to his work in Connecticut. He expresses satisfaction in creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that reflect his clients' personalities and help them achieve their dream lifestyles. His company offers designs in diverse styles, including modern, tropical, Mediterranean, European formal, English country cottage, and Japanese Zen. Giampietro emphasizes his commitment to continuous learning and staying updated with design trends, ideas, and styles. He views it as his responsibility to create landscape designs that will remain appealing for decades, aiming for longevity and timelessness in his work. He also shares that he has had to pivot in his career, embracing suggestions from others and taking risks to learn new approaches, indicating a flexible and adaptive mindset in his creative process. #MatthewGiampietro #LandscapeDesign #OutdoorLiving #DesignTrends #CareerJourney #Horticulture #FloridaLandscaping #CreativeProcess #EdibleGardens