Landscape versus Garden

The difference between “a landscape” and “a garden”

I have been a landscape architect for forty years, but what I really am is a garden designer. Designing, you know, the kind of place you’d see in Southern Living or Home and Garden Magazine, or perhaps the house you notice in your neighborhood.

Let me explain…

Most homeowners have some landscape…..greenery, a tree or two, perhaps a deck or patio, some sort of lawn, maybe a couple of flower beds, but is it a garden? I say no. Most landscapes are a collection of outdoor plants and things that are often poorly coordinated or inappropriate, lack pizzazz, life. Some landscape’s may be fairly well thought out, but they are just there, they don’t draw you in, are not beautiful, evocative or sensual the way a garden is.

A true garden will invite you in, make you smile. They’re vibrant, verdant, harmonious, lively. The best gardens are spiritual, relaxing, quiet places to refresh, connect and rejuvenate. They are places where stress and tension melt away.

Your backyard can be such a place.

Best of all, this can be accomplished very modestly and cost effectively if need be.

So, what’s the difference between “a landscape” and “a garden”? The missing ingredient is design excellence. Putting a well thought out garden together with you in mind takes real knowledge, experience, artistic talent, horticultural skill and sensitivity…

Yes, I design landscapes, but where I really shine is as your garden designer.