Transforming Gardens with Sustainable Practices
Design, Planning, Consulting
New & Existing Gardens and Orchards with a mind toward Preservation of
Historic Lanscapes
Vermont, Virginia & Around the World
About Preservation Gardening
Philosophy
Sustainability Practices
Philosophy
I believe that outdoor spaces should not only be beautiful, but also sustainable and environmentally responsible. I believe the best way to achieve this for the future is to look to the past. Historical varieties, ancient techniques, plant diversity and good planning all contribute to today's garden paradise.
Expertise
Sustainability Practices
Philosophy
Education in both Historical Preservation and Horticulture combine with practical knowledge attained over 20 years of working with both public and private gardens.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability Practices
Commited to using sustainable practices in all projects. From using heirloom plant material to implementing water-saving techniques, I strive to minimize the impact on the environment while creating beautiful outdoor spaces. I also ensure that sourcing is from small scale local producers, whenever possible.
The Serenity of a plan Realized and reclaimed
Rehabilitation of moss beds and the beginning of a pruning plan leads to a summer oasis in central Virginia
"Wild" and "Natural" can be cultivated in a way to not seem "messy" and "out of control"
After removal of several dozen "volunteer" shrubs we begin to recreate the dry river behind a Japanese "Summer House"
Winter in the Japanese Garden
Removal of years of overgrowth highlighted the serenity of the design
Hardscapes, statuary and other man-made elements can contribute to an overall plan. In this case a granite lantern draws attention to the rocky outcrop
After the removal of dozens of young Japanese Maples the moss beds now create a carpet blanketing the hillside
Nature's Canvas: Returning Historic Varieties to a Historic Garden
Bringing "Ancient Edibles" such as various Crambe and Amaranth varieties back to production
Cultivating select varieties of known plants which also serve historical purposes, such as this Alcea rosea, used for a pale pink hue used in Natural Fiber Dyeing
Reminding all of famous varieties fallen out of style... such as this heirloom tomato, kept for the last 100 years by a small seed producer in Ohio, of which so many pincushions of yesterday where modeled