I will forever be grateful to Mary Bacon and John Crowder, who almost 20 years ago engaged this green (and I mean inexperienced, NOT environmentally savvy) landscape designer to work with them on their charming stone cottage, one of four Ernest Flagg designed houses in the neighborhood. Out of our 18 year collaboration  came three major phases of garden transformation and an enduring friendship. When Mary and John moved into the cottage, what would become their front entrance was hidden by overgrown boxwood (some taller than the doorway) and HVAC units.  The footprint of the h ..read more

Ok, that sounds a bit cheeky, but it is not an exaggeration. We need a robust insect population to survive.  Why am I writing about the importance of insects on a garden design blog?  Because the world’s insect population has fallen precipitously in recent years, and those of us who garden can do our part to  help restore the balance.  Insects are a critical part of the earth’s ecosystem. First, as pollinators, they are a necessary part of food production.   Perennials that draw pollinating insects are planted alongside vegetables in Gravetye Manor’s  kitchen garden. Second, they are a tast ..read more