OCTOBER 2026 | PROLANDSCAPERMAGAZINE.COM/US
DESIGN • BUILD • MAINTAIN
Generational ROOTS
AUNE FERNANDEZ LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
Let’s Hear It From Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture’s John Feldman Florida’s Green Rush Inside Florida’s booming landscaping industry Replanting the Palisades Collective action and rebuilding a community
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CONTENTS October 2026
BUSINESS
10 14 17
FutureScape USA Retrospective Highlights from FutureScape USA Santa Monica: innovation and awards The Wage Gap Problem How to close landscaping’s maintenance-construction pay gap Owned by Purpose Mainscape’s perpetual purpose trust succession model
INSPIRE
21 37 42
Let’s Hear It From: John Feldman John Feldman on mastering Southern California’s complex hillside landscapes Generational Roots A family retreat preserves century-old oaks through sensitive landscape design Meet the Supplier: Greenbelt Growers Greenbelt Growers on ornamental grasses and meadow design
FEATURE
46 49 52
Fire and Form Elena Colombo on sculptural fire features as placemaking, not amenities Florida’s Growing Industry How Florida’s booming population is shaping its multi-billion-dollar industry Replanting the Palisades Resilient Palisades on rebuilding after the 2025 devastating wildfire
PEOPLE
59 60 63 prolandscapermagazine.com/us
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Cheap Isn’t Cheap Why the cheapest gate bid hides costs—and value always wins Peak Framing’s Approach Peak Framing brothers on earning trust and NADRA’s value Materials Matter Choosing between natural stone and manufactured hardscape
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WELCOME CONTACT
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EDITORIAL
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CIRCULATION
Subscription enquiries - Dan Green dan.green@eljays44.com +1 210 8194 761 Printed by Southwest Offset Printing Published by Eljays44 LLC – Connecting Horticulture. Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Pro Landscaper USA is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2026 subscription price is $160. Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 LLC, 1807 Montopolis Dr, Unit 1327 Austin, TX 78741-5169. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 LLC and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.
F
resh off the heels of FutureScape USA | Santa Monica, we’re diving into a new season and the slow wind-down into the holidays. Read the breakdown of the FutureScape USA | Santa Monica event on page 10. But despite the shorter days and colder weather—the Pro Landscaper USA team will be as active as ever, bringing you the latest news and knowledge from across the industry in every issue. We’re also heading to the East Coast for the first time, December 9–10, for FutureScape USA | West Palm Beach. Find out more at futurescapeusa.com. This issue is packed with exceptional expert-led stories. Our lead ‘Let’s Hear It From’ interview is with John Feldman, principal of Ecocentrix, a luxury landscape architecture firm renowned for hillside development in Southern California (page 21). In a similar vein, we hear from Resilient Palisades about their work to rebuild the Pacific Palisades community stronger than ever in the aftermath of last year’s devastating wildfire (page 52). Going deeper, the CEO and founder of Mainscape explain why they’re taking a novel approach to succession planning by piloting a perpetual purpose trust model (page 17). We also hear from an on-the-ground Florida-based company, who provides a snapshot of the state’s landscaping industry amid a considerable recent boom (page 49). Alongside our usual ‘Association News’ and ‘Project Portfolios’, we also break down the merger and acquisition process with Capstone Strategic (page 56) and explore specifying fire features with industry legend Elena Colombo (page 46). As always, take a moment to share in the knowledge—and have a Happy Halloween!
Edward
Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasize that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.
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BUSINESS
ASSOCIATION NEWS NALP announces 2026 Leadership Award winners
APLD welcomes landscape design enthusiasts You don’t have to be a practicing landscape designer to have a deep appreciation for thoughtful, beautiful landscapes, states the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). Maybe you’re a master gardener who loves creating and caring for your own garden. Perhaps you write about gardens, photograph them or work in interior design or lighting design. Or maybe your work connects you to the landscape industry as a grower, nursery professional or a contractor. If you’re passionate about landscape design and want to connect with others who share that passion, APLD argues it has a place for you. The association’s Landscape Design Enthusiast membership category welcomes individuals working in related or associated fields, as well as design enthusiasts who simply want to learn, connect and be part of the landscape design community. There are no educational requirements or other restrictions for joining. As an Enthusiast member, you’ll become part of a community that appreciates the art, creativity and thought that go into creating exceptional landscapes. You’ll have opportunities to connect with landscape designers and other professionals, expand your knowledge, discover new ideas and build relationships with people who share your interest in the world of landscape design. For $225 in annual dues, your APLD membership includes membership in the geographic chapter serving your area or the virtual chapter. A community for people who love landscapes APLD is more than a professional designation or job title. It’s a shared appreciation for the power of landscape design—to create beautiful spaces, connect people with nature, and transform the way we experience the places around us. If landscape design inspires you, APLD invites you to become part of its community. Visit the association’s website to learn more: apld.org.
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The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Leadership Awards, honoring four individuals for outstanding contributions to the $150bn landscape industry. Bob Grover, founder and chairman of Pacific Landscape Management, received the Lifetime Leadership Award for his decades of industry dedication and commitment to employee growth. Nada Duna, chief operating officer of Gothic Landscape’s maintenance division, was named Woman Leader of the Year. Under her leadership, the division grew from $29m to $136m while maintaining a 90% retention rate. Josh Canfield, founder and CEO of Pinstripe Lawn Care & Landscaping, earned Young Professional of the Year honors after scaling his company to $6m in just six years. Keven Stratton Jr, general counsel with Stratton Landscape Group, received the Advocate of the Year Award for his work on NALP’s Government Relations Council, championing the H-2B program and other industry priorities. The awards will be presented Monday, November 9, in Tampa, Florida, during NALP’s annual ELEVATE conference. For more information, visit landscapeprofessionals.org.
CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS 2026 NALP LIFETIME 2026 NALP YOUNG LEADERSHIP PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT AWARD RECIPIENT Josh Canfield
Bob Grover
Pacific Landscape CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS Pinstripe Lawn Care Management 2026 NALP ADVOCATE 2026 NALP WOMAN prolandscapermagazine.com/us & Landscaping
OF THE YEAR LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENT AWARD RECIPIENT 16/09/2026 19:49
BUSINESS
Pool & Hot Tub Alliance launches Women of Water podcast
Emily Kelly joins Irrigation Association as director of workforce and professional development The Irrigation Association (IA) has appointed Emily Kelly, CAE, as its new director of workforce and professional development. Kelly brings over 20 years of experience advancing professional communities through learning, operations and strategic execution. In her new role, she will build and lead an ecosystem of programs, partnerships and pathways that help irrigation professionals enter, advance and remain in the industry—from career awareness through to credential attainment and lifelong learning. She previously served as director of learning and professional development at the Association of College and University Housing Officers International, and as vice president of professional development at the Houston Apartment Association, where she grew credential program participation by 400%. “Emily’s experience strengthening professional communities and elevating industry standards make her an ideal leader to help transform the IA’s workforce and credentialing strategy into measurable growth,” says IA CEO Natasha Rankin. Kelly says she looks forward to working with IA members, volunteers, staff and partners to strengthen professional development across the industry. She holds a CAE designation and studied communications and political science at Indiana University Indianapolis. irrigation.org
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) has announced the launch of Women of Water, a video and audio podcast highlighting women working across the pool, spa and hot tub industry. The series premiered September 22, 2026. Hosted by PHTA president and CEO Sabeena Hickman, the twice-monthly podcast features candid conversations with women about their career journeys, including pivotal moments, mentorship, risks, setbacks and successes. Topics range from career transitions and navigating barriers to building confidence and leading through change. “Women are shaping every part of the pool, spa and hot tub industry, and their stories deserve a platform,” Hickman says, adding that the podcast aims to strengthen industry connections and encourage emerging leaders. Episodes will be available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other major platforms, supported by short-form video content. The podcast extends the broader Women of Water initiative, launched in 2025 by PHTA and founding sponsor POOLCORP, which also includes in-person events and virtual learning sessions. A dedicated task force guides programing to reflect the interests of women across the aquatics industry. To watch, listen and subscribe to Women of Water, visit phta.org/education-certification/podcasts.
NADRA Northeast networking event heads to Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays The North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA) will host its next Northeast networking event on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay, Pennsylvania. The event is open to members and non-members and combines target shooting, networking, lunch and industry updates. Registration and lunch run from 12:00 to 12:45PM, followed by a safety briefing at 12:45PM and target shooting at 1:00PM. A networking session with sponsor introductions and awards is scheduled from approximately 3:30 to 4:30PM. Awards include Top Shooter, Top Team and Most Honest Shooter. Target shooting participants must preregister. Costs are $99 for members and $129 for non-members, with discount codes available. Lunch-only attendance is $40 for members and $55 for non-members. nadra.org
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BUSINESS
FROM COAST
to Coast
What does the future of American landscaping look like? For two days at FutureScape USA | Santa Monica, the answer was on full display
I
n September, the second annual FutureScape USA trade show descended upon the iconic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Held across September 1–2, the event transcended the traditional trade show format, evolving into a vibrant hub of shared learning, networking and forward-thinking innovation. For two packed days, professionals from every corner of the landscaping and built environment sectors gathered to connect, celebrate excellence and collectively chart the course for the industry’s future. The event’s success was not just in its attendance but in its ability to capture the pulse of an industry in dynamic flux. From the pressing need for sustainable solutions to the integration of cutting-edge technology and the celebration of emerging talent, FutureScape USA | Santa Monica provided a comprehensive snapshot of where landscaping is today and, more importantly, where it is heading.
“FutureScape USA represents a transformative force in the landscaping industry, elevating it to new heights by showcasing its crucial role in environmental stewardship, public health and community wellbeing. Through our platform, we’re not just discussing the future of landscaping—we’re actively shaping it, fostering innovations that create more sustainable, resilient and vibrant outdoor spaces across America.
Celebrating suppliers A core pillar of the FutureScape experience is its commitment to recognizing the brands actively shaping the industry. The Exhibitor Awards celebrated standout exhibitors delivering exceptional quality and forward-thinking solutions across four categories. Westlake Dimex took home the top honor in Sustainability & Biodiversity, underscoring the growing importance of eco-conscious practices. TopFleet GPS won in Business Service, a testament to the critical role of operational efficiency and technology. Biolift was awarded for Innovation, spotlighting genuine pioneering spirit, while TAU Manufacturing was celebrated for Design Excellence, proving aesthetics and functionality go hand-in-hand. These winners represent an industry increasingly looking towards a future where environmental responsibility, technological sophistication, and forward-thinking design are not just valued but expected.
“At the Santa Monica show, we were delighted with the turnout and, more importantly, the quality of visitors who came through the doors. Landscapers, landscape designers, architects and industry professionals from across the US came together for some fantastic conversations, connections and opportunities. “The feedback from exhibitors, visitors and speakers has been fantastic, and it’s clear there is a real appetite for FutureScape in the US. A huge thank you to everyone who exhibited, visited, spoke, partnered with us and helped make our second year such a success.”
LUKE CHAPLIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FUTURESCAPE USA
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Global ambitions The scope of FutureScape USA is global, a fact vividly illustrated by the Pro Landscaper International Project Awards North & South America Heat. Held in partnership with the Outdoor Shower Company, the North & South America Heat recognized outstanding landscaping projects from across the region, showcasing breathtaking designs and impeccable execution. Ten finalists presented their projects to a distinguished panel of judges across the two-day Santa Monica show. The judging panel included Alex Salazar, co-owner of Groundcare Landscape Company and president of the California Landscape Contractors Association; Francesca Corra, owner of Dirt Diva Designs and board member of the APLD CA; and Xinni Zhang, senior project manager at Fiore Perttula Landscape Design. The four winners, spread across five categories, represent the pinnacle of achievement in their respective fields: • Residential Project Over $500k and Conceptual Project: Depieri Paisagismo for the ‘A Private Oasis’ and ‘Fazenda de Matta’ projects respectively. • Commercial Project: BASE Landscape Architecture for the ‘Merrit College of Landscape and Horticulture Campus’ project. • Residential Project Under $500k: Evoscapes for the ‘Garfield Road’ project. • City Landscape Project: Landscape Craft Studio for the ‘South County Regional Park’ project. A key detail that adds a layer of high-stakes excitement to these awards is the promise of what comes next. The winners of these five categories will go head-to-head with the winners of the next world-wide heats for a chance to become global champions at the final event in Saudi Arabia in 2027. This structure further underlines the increasingly interconnected nature of the global landscaping industry, positioning FutureScape USA as a vital springboard for American talent onto the world stage.
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A hub of knowledge The Seminar Theater at FutureScape USA | Santa Monica was the information sharing engine of the event, delivering two days of expertled sessions, panel discussions and case studies designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge and fresh perspectives. On day one, water dominated the conversation, reflecting California’s tightening restrictions and the approaching ban on potable irrigation for non-functional turf. Panels explored water policy navigation, waterwise garden design and the future of landscape maintenance amid clean air and conservation regulations. Additionally, seminars included biochar expert Michael Wittman’s presentation on building regenerative living soil, while Kathleen Hallal, vice president of Landcare and Municipalities at FireHawk Bioherbicide, made the business case for sustainable landcare. Business growth was equally prominent on day two. Sessions covered mergers and acquisitions, the H-2B labor shortage with specialist Meagan Kirchner, marketing in the age of AI and Chris Breen’s ‘BOOKED SOLID’ sales framework. Deck builders received dedicated attention with a fast-paced panel on leads, pricing and profitability. Design innovation also took center stage. Landscape Craft Studio presented South County Regional Park, a 100-acre urban transformation, while Michael Bernier challenged attendees to view landscape design as essential social infrastructure rather than mere decoration.
Leadership material While established brands are crucial, the lifeblood of any industry lies in its emerging talent. Pro Landscaper USA’s Rising Stars awards honored at the show the individuals making a noteworthy impact in their careers. This recognition was more than just a pat on the back; it was a platform that spotlights emerging leaders and innovators, celebrating their ambition, skill and contribution to the sector. This year’s nominated honorees, who represent a crosssection of the industry’s brightest talents, included: • Volodymr Dragan and Viktor Peshekhonov, GreenPlace USA • Jayson Stolp, BW Sauna • Zachary Stevenson, BSquared Pools • Felipe Salgado, Park West • Joseph Corti, Los Angeles Native Landscaping • Jordan Smith, SageCoast • Jason Craig Prado, El Mereteuetengue • Alison Nieves, Nieves Landscape • Chris Breen, Legacy Decks Academy • Jessie Salazar, SLA Landscaping • Tomer Levi, Double Green Landscapes The diversity of their backgrounds and specializations— from pool design and landscaping to sauna building and deck construction—is a significant reflection of the multifaceted nature of the modern landscaping profession. These individuals are not just workers; they are craftspeople, designers, entrepreneurs and innovators who are collectively redefining what it means to be a landscaping professional.
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What’s Next? The momentum from Santa Monica is set to carry across the country. FutureScape USA is making its East Coast premiere at the West Palm Beach Fairgrounds, South Florida, on December 9–10. This expansion is a clear sign of the event’s growing national footprint. Over two days, attendees can expect the same high-caliber experience, with a fresh program of seminars, panel discussion and live demonstrations led by industry experts and top suppliers. Furthermore, the call is out for nominations for “The 50,” an initiative to identify the 50 most influential individuals shaping the US landscaping sector. Open to leaders, innovators and advocates across all segments of the industry. The full roster, along with ten publicvote winners, will be recognized at FutureScape USA | West Palm Beach. This is a prime opportunity for the landscaping industry to help recognize the titans from across the country.
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CREW AND CULTURE
BUSINESS
THE
WAGE GAP The maintenance-construction pay gap is draining skilled labor from your steady revenue base. These strategies can close the exit door, writes Rose Morrison
I
Problem
t’s becoming an all-too-familiar and supports premium wages. scenario. A maintenance crew This structural difference in landscape member you spent months training worker wages creates a pay gap that drains just accepted an offer from a rival firm supervisory talent from your maintenance for a landscaping division. According construction role to Aspire’s 2026 paying $5 more Commercial “The economic realities per hour. Another Landscape Industry of maintenance contracts experienced report, commercial versus landscape worker is leaving to maintenance construction work create move into full-on accounts for 83% of fundamentally different construction. The contractor revenue, compensation structures” landscaping labor so losing crew shortage and the members has a maintenance vs construction pay gap have direct impact on your bottom created a retention crisis that threatens line. The scale of the issue the steady revenue base most landscape becomes clear when you businesses depend on. look at the numbers. ● Bureau of Labor Understanding the landscape maintenance Statistics data shows pay deficit the median wage for The economic realities of maintenance grounds maintenance contracts versus landscape construction workers was $19.27 per work create fundamentally different hour in 2025. compensation structures. Maintenance ● Industry data suggests that the operates as an operational cost center, facing difference between maintenance and competitive bidding and price-sensitive construction pay is around $4 to $5 per clients. Construction, by contrast, follows a hour, and regionally, it can be considerably project-based budget, yields higher margins more. The mean wage for construction
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workers can be around $33 per hour in metropolitan markets such as Trenton, NJ. ● The number of supervisors employed in landscaping fell to 86,000 in 2025, down from 107,000 in 2024, illustrating the decline in leadership talent. ● To counteract the problem, 70% of contractors surveyed by Aspire intend to increase wages in 2026, with 44% planning an increase of at least 4%.
However, while base wages are the most obvious hurdle, geography also impacts the labor pool. How seasonality and location compound the crisis Florida, California and New York have the highest concentration of landscaping companies, due to year-round maintenance windows and large, concentrated customer bases. However, the construction windows in such states are long, and there is a construction labor shortage, too, driving up competition. Where seasonality is more defined, landscaping competes against infrastructure
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BUSINESS or construction projects that offer year-round stability and sign-on bonuses. The H-2B visa program offers little relief since it’s now capped at just 66,000 workers per fiscal year. When these compounding pressures cause workers to leave, the resulting loss of steady contracts severely damages the business.
one-call contractor. They rightly view preventive maintenance as key to averting costly problems down the line, but when your crew levels fluctuate, you lose the ability to be that dependable, single-source partner. To stop this revenue drain, companies must move beyond merely matching construction pay.
The hidden costs of losing recurring revenue Bridging the gap with actionable Your maintenance division unintentionally retention strategies becomes a training ground for the construction While you may not be able to beat side. However, maintenance crews are the lifeblood construction hourly rates outright, you of a full-service can build a landscaping business, total employment serving the steady, package that workers “While you may not be able to recurring revenue won’t want to leave. beat construction hourly rates base that funds daily The solution to outright, you can build a total operations. Owners in landscaping employee employment package that this situation have to retention and the workers won’t want to leave” either raise contract landscaping labor prices and risk losing shortage is to address bids or accept higher career development, staff turnover. compensation structure and company culture. High churn is not free. Lawn care worker pay disparities carry direct costs, such as recruitment Building clear career pathways and onboarding expenses. Indirect costs include According to industry data, 79% of landscaping lost knowledge and declining morale among firms lack clear career paths for their field remaining staff. teams. Workers want to know they have a The impact on service quality and reputation future with your firm. Documenting compounds these losses: and showing a clear trajectory ● Inconsistent service delivery leads to client complaints and cancellations. ● New, inexperienced workers are more likely to make costly mistakes. ● Your company’s reputation for reliability and expertise suffers when quality drops. Commercial facility owners want a reliable,
from entry-level laborer to supervisor or account manager makes a significant difference. Myatt Landscaping and Construction implemented this approach successfully. The firm told the NALP in an interview that it introduced five levels with specific tasks to master and pay increases at each level. This approach includes an emphasis on ongoing training and celebrating team wins, which helped the company maintain a retention rate between 94% and 95%. Implementing pay-for-skill compensation Landscape maintenance pay can be sustainably increased by tying pay to direct value addition. When maintenance workers acquire specialized credentials, such as becoming an irrigation technician, a certified pesticide applicator or getting arborist training, they increase their billable value to the company. This allows you to legally and profitably raise their wages closer to construction levels. Offering benefits and performance incentives Landscaping employee retention goes beyond the hourly wage. Offering benefits and implementing performance-based bonuses can rival the sign-on bonuses seen in infrastructure jobs. Securing the future of your landscaping business The landscaping labor shortage is real, and the wage gap makes the challenge even tougher. However, it is manageable through strategic career pathing, skill-based pay and clear communication of value. Start implementing retention strategies today to protect your recurring revenue base and build a maintenance team that stays.
ABOUT
Rose Morrison is a landscaping and home improvement expert. As managing editor of Renovated Magazine, she stays on top of the latest trends in outdoor design and sustainable practices. With a passion for creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces, Rose brings her expertise to Pro Landscaper Magazine, offering insights and inspiration for professionals. roseamorrison.com Instagram @life_tintedrose
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OWNED BY
Purpose
Thinking about succession? Ask what you’re really trying to achieve. Mainscape’s journey shows why clarity of purpose can show the way
T
ypically, succession planning means choosing between a family handover, an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) or a lucrative sale to private equity. However, Mark Forsythe, CEO of Mainscape, and founder David Mazanowski have spent years exploring a different path—one that keeps their commercial landscaping company permanently in the hands of the people who work in it, without the exit pressure of a traditional ownership model. Mainscape was founded roughly 46 years ago, operates in 11 states and employs about 1,000 people. This year the company announced it is gradually transferring ownership into a perpetual purpose trust (PPT), named the Mainscape Jubilee Trust, a structure spearheaded by pioneers like Patagonia and Anthropic. Rather than being owned by shareholders or a family, it will be owned by a trust legally bound to a specific purpose—in Mainscape’s case, taking care of its team members. The road to a purpose The journey to this decision was not quick. Mazanowski says succession planning has
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been a topic for decades. “Everybody kept saying, ‘When you die, something’s going to happen.’ I said, ‘Can we stop talking about my death and figure out what we’re going to do first?’” Mainscape first implemented a charitable trust model through the National Christian Foundation, but it “didn’t hit the mark completely.” Forsythe continued researching alternatives and eventually landed on the perpetual purpose trust. “We grabbed onto that and took about two years to understand if it fit,” Mazanowski says. “When it all shook out, it lined up perfectly for our vision, our mission.” A 10% stake in the trust then served as Mainscape’s pilot, watching how it flowed through the company’s financials and tax returns before committing larger portions—a cautious approach, given the structure
remains relatively untested in the US. Why not an ESOP or private equity? The leadership team at Mainscape state that their final decision on the side of a PPT came down to legal responsibility. “An ESOP has a fiduciary responsibility, a legal responsibility to the shareholder,” Forsythe explains. “If a company comes in and offers enough money, the trustee of the ESOP could say, ‘We need to sell because I have a fiduciary responsibility to get the shareholders the best return.’ On the other hand, the PPT’s fiduciary responsibility is to the purpose, and the purpose is to have a great company that takes care of its people and shares profits with them.” Another key distinction is timing. In an ESOP, employee-owners typically receive
POLICY AND PROFITABILITY
BUSINESS
HOW IT WORKS
Once the trust owns 100% of the company, a Trust Stewardship Committee will oversee it. “Their job is to make sure that all of the member companies of that trust are fulfilling the purpose of the trust,” Forsythe says. That committee appoints the board of directors for the company. “It’s no different than any other model. The board of directors are accountable to shareholders. It’s just the shareholder is the trust.” Crucially, the trustees have no financial stake. “They have no other purpose than to go, ‘Our job is to fulfill the purpose of the trust,’” Forsythe says. “They don’t get any money out of this.”
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“It’s taken us six years to ramp up on this topic. We’re happy to help somebody accelerate their learning” their shares upon retirement or departure. Mainscape’s model distributes profitsharing checks annually. “We take 10% of the profits of the company, put it into a pool and distribute that to everybody,” Forsythe says. “Everybody at the end of the year gets a nice check that they can go stick in their 401k, or they can go use to buy Christmas presents.” Nevertheless, both men emphasize that, in the context of succession, the decision came down to clarity about what they were trying to achieve. Forsythe recalls a conversation when private equity offers were on the table. “I said, ‘Does this help you achieve the purpose of what you set the company up for?’ And he said, ‘No, it will not help us do that.’ That’s how you make the decision.” Mazanowski frames it as a test of worldviews. “You need to establish your worldview,” he says. “Everybody will say, ‘I care about my people.’ But when it gets time to make a decision around money, it’s no longer about the people. They will rationalize it.” Advice for other owners Regarding business owners considering their own succession, Forsythe offers a straightforward directive: know your purpose. “You have to understand what it is you’re trying to accomplish,” he says. “You only have one chance to do this—and it’s only when you’re in control and you can make the decisions.” Mazanowski agrees. “If their worldview is, ‘I want to be rich,’ then that’s important for you to know,” he says. “But it is a test of what you really believe.” Both men say they are willing to share their journey with other business owners. “We’re more than happy to talk to anybody in our industry about the process and to help them streamline their ramp-up,” Forsythe says. “It’s taken us six years to ramp up on this topic. We’re happy to help somebody accelerate their learning.” As Mainscape continues its transition, Mazanowski says the company is already operating as it intends to at 100% trust ownership. “Whether you have 10% in the trust or 100% in the trust, we’re still doing profit sharing at the level that we can maximize now,” he says. “What we want to do is memorialize it in a way that it can’t change.” In succinct terms, for Mainscape’s leadership, the goal is not simply to hand over the business—it is to lock in a purpose that outlasts any single owner.
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ABOUT
Mainscape is a national commercial landscaping company founded in 1980, providing landscape management, irrigation, agronomy and snow removal services across the United States. mainscape.com linkedin.com/company/mainscape
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BUSINESS
“WE RUN FOR THE HILLS, WHEREAS OTHERS RUN FROM THE HILLS”
©Kathy Schuh Ph oto gra ph
Drafting table to hillside pioneer—John Feldman reflects on a career spent solving California’s most complex residential landscape puzzles
y
J
ohn Feldman has spent more than three decades designing landscapes on some of Southern California’s most complex terrain. As principal of Ecocentrix Landscape Architecture, a premier boutique firm based in Santa Monica that specializes in hillside development and luxury residential resort-style exterior environments, he has built a career on sites that most designers would rather avoid. With the firm marking its 20th anniversary, Feldman spoke with Pro Landscaper USA about his path into the profession, his problem-solving method and his view of where luxury Californian residential landscape architecture is heading.
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At the drafting table Feldman’s route into his trade began in childhood, though he did not know it at the time. It started at his grandfather’s drafting table, where, at five years old, he encountered the tools and practices of an architect’s trade. “At his drafting table, he was teaching me how to hold my pencil, how to twirl it to keep the lead sharp,” Feldman recalls. His grandfather worked in Los Angeles movie studios, including for a short period with Jack Warner’s right-hand person in set design, before building a substantial career as an architect. He worked for noted Los Angeles architect Gordon Kaufmann, later operating his own architectural
and design firms and fostering the careers of talented architects. By the time Feldman was born, he had transitioned into general contracting, building extraordinary homes for celebrity and other high-end clients throughout Malibu and Beverly Hills—an unconventional apprenticeship that gave Feldman early exposure to both the artistry and construction reality of ambitious homes. Nevertheless, the lessons that shaped his design sensibility and determined his route into designing landscapes came from somewhere wilder. Summers spent fishing the Eastern Sierras with his father, and boyhood afternoons cycling into the Santa
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BUSINESS Monica Mountains, gave him what he describes as a deep appreciation for nature and for being at one with those influences. Growing up on the edges of Los Angeles, he could lose himself in vast natural systems within minutes of leaving the city—an experience that would later underpin his conviction that residential landscapes should feel rooted in their surroundings rather than imposed upon them. At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Feldman encountered landscape architecture as a discipline of regional scale. “We were learning about the big issues—global impact, regional studies, urbanism and city planning type efforts,” he explains. Yet he found himself drawn back to the intimacy of residential work. “There was something that was more personal and intimate to me about residential, and that’s really where my interest started.” That tension—between the analytical rigor of large-scale planning and the human scale of a private garden— became the foundation of Ecocentrix, which Feldman founded in 2006.
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Pragmatism first foundation piles that represent “a small fortune If Ecocentrix has a guiding principle, Feldman sums that’s buried underground, essential to the project it up in a single word: pragmatism. “I’ve always but never visible in the finished landscape.” This said that it’s pragmatism is why Feldman states that first,” he says. “We have to he invests so heavily in make sure we can solve this, long-term relationships “As the designer, it’s or we stop and not waste with engineering and our challenge to meet anybody’s time and money.” permitting professionals. how can we achieve a In practice, that means “It’s a puzzle, and we don’t client’s interest, create every project begins with mind constraints of codes something that works a feasibility study before a and these limitations,” he and becomes aesthetic single design line is drawn. says. “As the designer, it’s at the same time” Feldman and his team take our challenge to meet how a client’s wish list and test it can we achieve a client’s against the hard realities of the site—zoning codes, interest, create something that works and becomes slope stability, access routes and geology. “The very aesthetic at the same time.” first thing that we’re going to do is unpack that and see what can even exist on this site from a code Running for the hills standpoint,” he explains. “After that, it’s a feasibility His puzzle-solving instinct is precisely what draws standpoint: can anybody gain site access? What are Feldman to hillside work. Where many designers the repercussions?” see liability, he sees opportunity. The firm’s The answers often rest on early input unofficial tagline says it all: “We run for the hills, from geologists and engineers, who may whereas others run from the hills.” He notes that recommend deep even the most experienced builders in the flats have told him they can make comparable money faster by avoiding hillside projects altogether. “We aim to not have it be a major
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BUSINESS liability. We believe that we’re actually solidifying these properties, our solutions are fortifying them.” Fortification begins with diagnosis. Feldman has developed a sharp eye for the warning signs of slope failure—starting with swimming pools. “If I see that the water line—water is inherently self-leveling—is way high up on one side of the pool and the water line seems down on another, there’s been some serious subsidence,” he explains. “It’s not just additional evidence like the deck is cracked and things are pulling away.” He has witnessed the consequences of unpermitted work and inadequate engineering many times over. Clients who hired gung-ho designbuild companies—firms willing to take risks or, worse, never mention them—often find themselves calling Feldman years later. One cautionary tale involved a client who bought a property with no disclosures about unpermitted work, including a retaining wall that eventually failed. The client pursued legal recourse but could not assign blame because the work had passed through several owners. “Now they can’t afford the $1m wall solution, and they’ll never have the equity in that property that they’ll be able to unbury themselves— literally and financially,” Feldman says. The technical demands of hillside work extend to materials. Feldman describes a project featuring a zero-edge and infinity-edge pool, where the tolerance for movement was virtually nonexistent. “It cannot
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move a 16th of an inch, or suddenly you’ve got a dry because there’s trust. The engineers really believe in edge to your water vessel.” His solution was natural us—they know we’ve got good knowledge, we lead stone cladding rather than porcelain, “because it a good process, we’re pleasant to work with, and we gives us the ability to continue shaping or grinding understand where they come into a project.” the material in the future if minor movement occurs Feldman also describes a healthy push and pull and the edge needs to be recalibrated.” He adds between designer and engineer, where each party that it is this kind of forward-thinking detail that challenges the other’s assumptions. “I might say, separates a project that endures from one that fails. ‘We’ve seen it done this way.’ And then the engineer Technical precision, however, is only half the comes back with, ‘Oh, you know what? You’re right. equation. Feldman’s most valuable skill may be We could look at it this way too.’“ He explains why knowing when to challenge a client’s assumptions. this dialogue matters: “If an engineered solution In one instance, creative collaboration with a costs $5m instead of $1m, that’s a difference that geologist produced a better outcome than the could cost all of us the project, and the client needs original plan. “What if you rethought that? Is to know that.” there a reason why that swimming pool has to This candor extends to Feldman’s advice for be so far away and 30 feet out of the ground?” he young practitioners. “I would not say start a practice recalls asking. By relocating with the most challenging infrastructure to shallower, of hillside sites,” he warns. more stable soil uphill, the “You don’t know what you “Just because you can team reduced costs and, don’t know, and what you does not mean you in Feldman’s assessment, don’t know will hurt you. should. That’s the endachieved a superior design. Learn on somebody else’s all moral of the story” “We got a killer project out dime.” He also cautions of it. It was great, probably against fear-based practice, even better for it, to tell you the truth.” That in which young designers negotiate against experience distills into a principle Feldman returns themselves to win work, then find themselves to repeatedly: “Just because you can does not mean underpaid and overwhelmed. “They’re going you should. That’s the end-all moral of the story.” to negotiate against themselves to get a project because they’re competing against people that, like Trust as currency us, have some seniority. Suddenly they’re going to Ecocentrix operates as a small, relationship-driven lose money on the project and their sanity and sleep practice, and Feldman is quick to credit the network in the whole process.” that sustains it. “Half of our business comes from our colleagues Designing for timelessness Looking at the broad picture, Feldman remains skeptical of trend-driven design. “We’re not about trends and trend
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BUSINESS setting from a style standpoint. We want things that marry well with the environment and stylistically with the house.” Whether a project is contemporary or traditional, the guiding question is whether it will still feel appropriate decades from now. “It really needs to feel that it has its place, and that somebody wouldn’t want to rip it out just because the trend had passed.” Instead, he points to longevity and timelessness as true measures of success. That philosophy has been tested repeatedly by California’s shifting regulatory landscape. Feldman recalls the mansionization era, when the City of Los Angeles imposed strict limits on retaining wall heights after a prominent hillside property became an eyesore. “That limited us,” he says. “We design within bounds that are given to us.” Water restrictions followed, forcing the firm to rethink plant palettes and irrigation systems entirely. “I used to say, ‘God, the state took away my favorite crayons.’ So, we got used to that, and we worked with that, we figured out how to work within the system and make beautiful landscapes.” Now, fire codes represent the latest challenge. Feldman notes that Zone Zero—a requirement
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for defensible space within the first five feet of a home—is moving toward adoption, with significant implications for existing and new landscapes alike. “Even if we prove that it’s actually scientifically better to have higher water use plants as the buffer in that first five feet of the house, that doesn’t mean that the insurance companies, who your whole home insurance is hinging on to be compliant with, are going to pass you,” he explains. The problem is not only the rules themselves but the contradictions within them. “The city doesn’t know,” Feldman says. “It’s saying two different things in two different sections of code right now.” Additionally, he also describes conflicts between fire safety and preservation; for instance, a native oak that is protected by law but scrapes against houses and obstruct firefighting access. “Do we protect that tree that precludes firefighting access because it’s a protected species?” Despite these conflicts, Ecocentrix has been designing fire-conscious landscapes throughout its twenty-year history, and that experience is now a competitive advantage. “Why do people come to us? It’s because we’ve been doing this my entire career.”
The fundamentals As for the broader trajectory of luxury residential landscape architecture, Feldman returns to his core philosophy: helping clients realize the greatest potential of their site. “Some people move in and say, ‘We got a great view, but we can’t access anything because immediately we have this descending hillside. What could we possibly do?’ Well, that’s where we come in.” That philosophy has carried Ecocentrix through two decades of shifting regulations, escalating material costs and a fire season that now stretches well beyond the traditional calendar. Feldman does not pretend the work has grown easier. “It’s a puzzle, and we don’t mind constraints of codes and these limitations,” he says. “As the designer, our challenge is to meet a client’s interest—to create something that works and becomes aesthetic at the same time.” After three decades, that challenge still drives him. The hillsides of Southern California remain as difficult to master as they are beautiful, and the regulations grow more demanding. That puzzle, to Feldman, is precisely the point.
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HARDSCAPE
to Habitat BACKYARD BOUNTY FROM POOL TO POLLINATOR
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REFERENCES
Plant supplier Pleasant Run Nursery pleasantrunnursery.com Sunset Farmstead sunsetfarmstead.com North Creek Nurseries northcreeknurseries.com Water feature supplier Blue Thumb shopbluethumb.com
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PORTFOLIO
T
he sound of water no longer comes from a chlorinated pool pump but from a boulder fountain drilled for songbirds. That shift—from recreational hardscape to ecological anchor— defines the transformation of a Bethesda, Maryland property, where a defunct swimming pool and a traditional lawn have given way to two acres of native habitat designed for both wildlife and human connection. Executed in two phases by the team at Backyard Bounty, the project began in the back garden.
Removal of the in-ground pool had left behind compacted soils, construction debris and fill, creating a bare canvas with significant drainage challenges. The client’s primary objectives were to replace the underused pool with a native plant garden to boost biodiversity and wildlife habitat, while managing heavy stormwater flow to protect the house from flooding. The Backyard Bounty team re-graded the site, installed swales to capture and redirect runoff and custom-drilled a boulder fountain to provide a reliable water source for migratory songbirds. The resulting meadow-
Previous page: Foamflower ‘Running Tapestry’ in bloom and yellow jessamine winds through the garden Current page left to right: Robin’s plantain adds low-growing white blooms; Creeping phlox creates a carpet of spring color; Golden ragwort blooms above the retaining wall
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surrounded by layered foliage. The design team oversaw the full scope: planting plans, stormwater management, steppingstone pathways, the boulder fountain, front bench selection, sculpture placement and a screening trellis. Installed over two phases, the project demonstrates what is possible when a whole property is reimagined through an ecological lens. In just two years, a site once defined by a drained pool, compacted soils and ecological dormancy has become a vibrant haven for birds, pollinators and people—proving that suburban gardens can function as both a space for relaxation and environmental responsibility.
Top to bottom: Eastern bluestar brings blue spring blooms and Robin’s plantain and creeping phlox soften the path; Lyreleaf sage adds burgundy foliage near the sculpture and Social sedge provides bright green texture
ABOUT
Backyard Bounty is a woman-owned landscape design-build-maintain firm based in Silver Spring, Maryland. The company specializes in native plantings, habitat creation, high-end stonework and stormwater management. Its work transforms outdoor spaces into functional ecosystems, balancing ecological integrity with aesthetic quality and a commitment to client service. backyardbounty.net Instagram @backyard_bounty
All images ©Thomas Walker Photography
scale planting immerses visitors in layered native vegetation, turning a former concrete void into a thriving ecological pocket. Pleased with the back garden, the client commissioned a second phase for the front yard. This space, previously dominated by turf grass, overgrown foundation shrubs and invasive vines, required a different approach. A mature Japanese maple (Acer palmatum) and existing roses had to be integrated into a new cohesive design. The front garden’s aesthetic was calibrated to bridge the project’s naturalistic character with the more conventional suburban streetscape, ensuring the property felt connected to its neighbors rather than isolated from them.
Across both phases, the Backyard Bounty team states that the design for the property rested on three pillars: functional, aesthetic and environmental. Functionally, grading, soil remediation and pathway circulation were prioritized to make the garden accessible for walking, working and enjoyment. Environmentally, every element was selected to maximize stormwater infiltration and support biodiversity through native plant material, locally sourced stone and a water feature for wildlife. Aesthetically, views from the house guided the layout—strategic screening blocks neighboring properties while framing sightlines so the client can see her art collection
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LAWN AND LINES CITY GARDEN COMPANY VEDADO
PROJECT DETAILS Value $90k
Build time Six weeks approx. Size 2.8k sq ft. Awards 2025 Georgia Design Awards—Bronze, Residential Landscape Design 2025 APLD Awards—Silver, Residential Landscape Design 2025 Urban Ag Council GALA Awards—Gold, Residential Landscape Design
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fter three decades in a Manhattan apartment, a couple returned to the South with a clear brief for their new Atlanta garden: calm, modern, private, low-maintenance and puppy-proof. The existing Midtown backyard, however, was a far cry from that dream. Cluttered with outdated flagstone paths, a decaying shed and an overgrown thicket of Aucuba, Nandina, Mahonia and Fatsia, the space was in need of a refresh. City Garden Company, the design-build firm behind the transformation, states that its design team approached the renovation with a commitment to clean lines and functionality. The resulting plan was organized around a central lawn, with a Pennsylvania bluestone dining patio anchoring one side and a separate seating area at the back. Low stucco walls frame the patio and raised planting beds, while flagstone steppingstones create connections across the lawn. A contemporary fence fully encloses the garden, ensuring privacy from neighboring apartment buildings and providing a secure space for the family’s dog. The project was not without its challenges. During demolition, the team uncovered a significant constraint: a large round planter was concealing a city storm drain and manhole cover that projected above the surrounding grade. To work around this, City Garden Company raised the grade across the entire project by more than ten inches, concealing the manhole cover beneath the new flagstone steppingstones. Stormwater management presented another critical hurdle. The garden was subject to runoff from higher neighboring properties, but with limited space for collection, the team needed a creative solution. They designed a system to redirect the water behind the garden walls and along the fence line. French drains run the entire route, allowing water to infiltrate gradually into the soil as it moves toward a shared drainage system behind the homes. The planting design reflects the homeowners’ journey back to the South. A request for crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia) was respected, while Previous page: Pennsylvania bluestone dining terrace, central lawn and secluded seating area Current page left to right: Steppingstones connect garden’s spaces; Lantern mounted on a stone pillar; Crisp paving pattern with variations in color and texture
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REFERENCES
Landscape contractor City Garden citygardenco.com Planting supplier Buck Jones Nursery buckjones.com Petal and Pond Garden Center petalandpond.com Fence installer Precision Fenceworks precisionfenceworks.com Hardscape material recycling Metro Green Recycling mgrecycle.com
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PORTFOLIO boxwoods anchor the garden with formal Southern character. Rows of blueberries answer the call for edible plants. Two long perennial borders frame the lawn, offering space for the homeowner to garden and add plants over time. These borders were started with a generous mix of coneflower (Echinacea), Salvia, Euphorbia, roses and Gaura, alongside Heuchera, Hosta and dwarf sasanqua camellias (Camellia sasanqua). The designers encourage leaving the camellias unpruned to maintain their loose, natural habit against the garden’s formal geometry. City Garden Company reports that sustainability was woven into the project from the outset. Stormwater management allows runoff to infiltrate gradually as it moves through the drainage system, while the decision to forgo an irrigation system in favor of hand watering reflects
a thoughtful approach to resource use. Some 40 tons of inert material from the demolished hardscape were sent to the company, Metro Green, for recycling, diverting waste from the landfill and underscoring the City Garden Company’s commitment to responsible construction practices. The project sees City Garden Company balancing constraint and creativity at every turn. From concealing a manhole cover beneath steppingstones to managing neighboring runoff without irrigation, the team delivered a garden that meets the homeowners’ requirements: calm, private, low-maintenance and puppy-friendly— creating a comforting welcome back home.
Top to bottom: Enclosed garden pairs open lawn with steppingstones linking dining and seating areas; Pond, lawn and seating alcove create a layered composition
ABOUT
City Garden Company designs and builds gardens across Atlanta. Each project begins with an assessment of the existing architecture, the natural topography and the ways in which geometry can be made to work within that terrain. These relationships inform the layout, material selection and planting choices. citygardenco.com Instagram @citygardencompany
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PORTFOLIO
Generational Roots AUNE FERNANDEZ LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS KINDRED OAKS
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PROJECT DETAILS Value $700k
Build time 9 months Size 1 acre Awards 2025 ASLA Minnesota Merit Award
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PORTFOLIO
REFERENCES
Architect Roehr Schmitt Architecture roehrschmitt.com Landscape contractor Landscape Renovations landscaperenovations.com
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H
ow do you undertake a major renovation without sacrificing the natural beauty that drew you to a property in the first place? That was the challenge Roehr Schmitt Architecture and Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects faced on a rural Wisconsin site. The trees on the property predated the cabin by decades. When the original structure was raised in the 1920s, the white oaks that now dominate the property were saplings. For the property owners, preserving those trees was essential—and that commitment became one of the organizing principles of a new intergenerational retreat, one designed to house three families while
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PORTFOLIO protecting the forest that brought them there. The motivation behind the project was a familiar challenge: the clients’ growing extended family had outgrown their historic lake cabin. As their households expanded, so did the need for private space for each family unit. Rather than scatter multiple structures across the property, the design teams chose to consolidate. By reusing the original building’s footprint for a single residence with private suites and shared common spaces, they aimed to minimize sprawl and construction access that had the potential to threaten the property’s floral heritage. Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects led
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efforts to safeguard the site’s natural character throughout the renovation. Preserving the oaks became a guiding design rationale, with the team describing the trees as “serving as organic punctuation along a rational axis of horizontal lines and planes.” Their proximity, the texture of their bark and the quality of light filtering through their leaves establish a singular sense of place that anchors the entire retreat—one the designers were determined to retain. That determination is perhaps most evident at the entry, where the design team faced a significant challenge: how to create an approach to the cabin that aligned with the building’s framed view of
the lake while passing directly through a copse of mature oaks. The solution was a metal grid bridge installed on helical piers, a method chosen specifically to avoid disturbing the trees’ root systems. Floating lightly among the oaks, the bridge forces visitors to circumnavigate the enmeshed trunks—a tactile introduction to the site that celebrates the trees as natural assets to the property. Outdoor gathering spaces followed the same restrained approach, conceived as subtle horizontal planes. Low walls divide these areas, echoing the cabin’s board-form concrete and Corten steel materiality. At the lakeside, bluestone
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PORTFOLIO
steps melt into the grade, while a linear trap rock runnel manages rainwater treatment. The design conserved and integrated existing 1920s-era stone walls and structures, with irregular-edge pathways transitioning from the old garage to the new landscape. Stone steps, railings and paved routes to the boathouse and beach house also improved accessibility for older family members without diminishing the site’s rustic character. The planting design further reinforced the forest understory, the Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects team states. Birches tucked beneath the oaks provide a layer of screening, their lacy foliage opening below the tall canopy. Fragrant sumac, ferns and Karl Foerster grass define distinct spaces, while a turf swath on the east side offers recreation for children. On the opposite side, lowmow fescue and forbs recreate a natural woodland edge, softening the transition between formal and informal areas. What sets this project apart, the landscape team notes, is the degree to which the family’s relationship with the trees shaped every design decision. The centenarian oaks functioned as a family unit in their own right, their health and longevity serving not as obstacles but as motivations. The result is a landscape in which the forest that first drew the family to the property remains its defining feature—and every visit remains an engagement with what has been preserved.
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ABOUT
Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects maintains a diverse practice across the Midwest. The firm navigates complex site conditions through rigorous design and clear graphic communication. It believes that attention to detail, respect for context and a collaborative approach produce landscapes distinguished by a strong sense of place. aflandarc.com Instagram @aflandarc
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INSPIRE
MEADOW MAKERS
A
s California grapples with persistent “At least not a broad variety and not in numbers water challenges and a cultural shift that were big enough to do a whole job. He saw an toward sustainable landscaping, opportunity and kind of dabbled in it and it’s grown Greenbelt Growers has carved out beyond that to be what we almost exclusively do.” a specialist role in the ornamental grass sector. The turning point, Pongs notes, came with The Southern California nursery, a family-run the passing of the state’s ‘non-functional turf’ business for the past 30 years, has transitioned from legislation, which will progressively mandate the a traditional plant supplier to a grower focused removal of traditional lawns across commercial, heavily on meadow institutional and species and ornamental homeowners’ grasses, supplying both association land. “We “We already grew some commercial developers already grew some ornamental grasses and there and residential clients. ornamental grasses was this sort of cultural shift Audrey Pongs, vice and there was this toward wanting to be more president of operations sort of cultural shift environmentally friendly and at Greenbelt Growers, toward wanting to be more water conscious” sits down with Pro more environmentally Landscaper USA to friendly and more discuss the company’s journey, the practical lessons water conscious.” The regulatory shift, combined learned from decades in the trade and the species with growing consumer demand for lowevery designer should know. maintenance planting, pushed Greenbelt Growers to focus on grasses suited for lawn replacement and From family business to grass specialists urban meadows. Founded by Pongs’ father, Carl Pongs, Greenbelt Growers began as a general nursery. However, The ecological role of grasses a gap in the market soon became apparent. “No While ornamental grasses are habitually selected one else was really doing grasses,” Pongs explains. for their aesthetic appeal, Pongs stresses their
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From family business to meadow specialist, Greenbelt Growers on the practicalities, misconceptions and creative potential of designing with ornamental grasses
often-overlooked ecological value. She highlights the role of grasses in supporting local biodiversity, particularly as a habitat for pollinators. “Everyone around us talks about pollinator gardens and they plant flowers to attract the pollinators,” Pongs points out. “Grasses are very important. Who thinks about where the adult butterflies and bees sleep?” She adds that grasses are vital for overwintering insects, providing shelter within their foliage during dormant periods. “Having more of these little pockets of biodiversity helps build a bridge from our existing conservation areas,” she explains. “Those bridges are important in keeping genetic populations healthy.” Pongs points to bioswales as an ideal application for many grasses and grass-like plants, including sedges and juncus, due to their adaptability to fluctuating water conditions. “They are so adaptable to changing water needs and seasonality. They’re able to handle a hot, dry summer with irrigation restrictions and still survive into winter, and they’re able to handle flooding events and still survive an extended dry period.” Dispelling misconceptions Despite their versatility, Pongs acknowledges that landscape architects and contractors often
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INSPIRE
hold misconceptions about ornamental grasses. or unattractive. We don’t always appreciate them One of the most common errors, she observes, is for what they are—their seasonal beauty.” underestimating mature size. “Often, I see them on Best-sellers and the a two- or three-foot-wide ‘best-kept secret’ “Often people see that strip in a parking lot. Then When asked about topand assume the plant is you have a maintenance selling species, Pongs cites dead or unattractive. We person coming through Carex divulsa (grey sedge) as don’t always appreciate and cutting back the edges the nursery’s most reliable them for what they are— every couple of weeks seller. “It’s extremely their seasonal beauty” because this grass wants to resilient,” she remarks. be four feet wide.” “It’s not native but it’s not She also pushes back against the perception invasive. It stays green, it can be mowed and it’s a that grasses are high-maintenance. “There’s this dependable choice for a wide range of applications. misconception that grasses require too much It’s very difficult to kill.” labor,” she argues. “The reality is they’re often Other favorites include Pennisetum spathiolatum not being used or maintained correctly. Many (slender veldt grass), prized for its delicate flowers mounding grasses don’t actually need to be cut and movement in the breeze, and Muhlenbergia back—they just need to have dried debris cleared rigens (deergrass), a resilient mounding grass out to maintain airflow and plant health. They don’t that has become a staple in Southern California require hedging.” commercial projects. For natives, Pongs Pongs also notes that some clients are put off by recommends Carex pansa, a low-growing seasonal dormancy, misinterpreting browning or sedge that serves as an excellent base for yellowing as a sign of failure. “Our more regionally meadow plantings. adapted plants have a period of dormancy where Pongs also names Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalo they do turn a little brown or they stop growing. grass) as the industry’s best-kept secret. “It’s native Often people see that and assume the plant is dead to pretty much the entire United States,” she
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reports. “It’s a good replacement for Bermuda. It’s a runner, very soft and durable, and can adapt to low-water conditions once established. Unlike many California native plants, it also responds well to regular irrigation. It can be mowed regularly and produces delicate flowers. It’s an excellent choice for low-maintenance planting schemes.” Buffalo grass also features in Greenbelt Growers’ “Meadows in a Box” product line, designed for homeowners and smaller landscapers looking to replace lawns with meadow plantings. It serves as the base for several mixes, offering quick coverage and effective weed suppression. A call for creative planting As the interview turns to broader design philosophy, Pongs argues that the real opportunity lies not in more lawns or filler planting but in a more expressive, ecologically attuned approach. “For a long time we’ve seen grasses as either a traditional lawn or as accent plants that kind of get thrown in just to fill space. There’s a lot of room to have fun with the natural environment and to create contrast between our built environment and the more organic movement that you can find with utilizing grasses.” The opportunity, she suggests, is artistic as much as ecological.
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FALL READY
Stellar by Heat & Glo Endulge Outdoor Open Hearth Fireplace Endulge Outdoor Open Hearth Fireplace offers clean-lined contemporary styling, expansive viewing areas and new sizing capabilities to transform patios, courtyards, rooftop terraces and outdoor entertaining spaces into architectural focal points. The premium gas fireplace is available in standard widths from 3-10 ft, with custom dimensions also available, allowing designers to tailor the fire feature to any project scale. Unlike many custom outdoor fireplace solutions that require field fabrication, the Endulge is engineered as a complete, factory-built unit, reducing on-site installation time while delivering the high level of craftsmanship that’s expected in luxury residential projects. stellar.heatnglo.com
Heat & Glo Lanai Linear Outdoor Gas Fireplace The Lanai Linear Outdoor Gas Fireplace series from Heat & Glo has been expanded with new 72” single-sided and 60” seethrough configurations, now offering five models across 48”, 60” and 72” sizes to suit a wide range of outdoor living designs. Built from rust-resistant 304 stainless steel, the Lanai delivers an end-to-end ribbon flame set against translucent crushed glass and a reflective stainless interior. With no chimney or venting required, a spacesaving 13” depth and a slim 3” glass wind guard, the Lanai installs virtually anywhere. It can be further customized with optional log sets, stone kits and a variety of colored glass media. heatnglo.com
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As temperatures drop, these fire features, pergolas, furniture and lights keep outdoor entertaining going strong through fall and beyond
Fire features
Maison Backyards 43-Inch Aluminum Propane Fire Pit Table This 43-inch propane fire pit table is built for installs that need a fire feature without a gas line. It runs on a standard 20 lb tank concealed behind a magnetic side door, so there is no plumbing, no trenching and no permit involved. The tabletop and frame are powdercoated aluminum, which contains no iron and cannot rust, and the burner is 304 stainless steel. A tempered glass wind guard holds the flame steady in open sites, and the included lid converts the unit to a full-size table when the fire is off. maisonbackyards.com
Furniture
Polly Products NOVA Adirondack At 90 pounds, the NOVA Adirondack chair is touted as one of the heaviest, most stable Adirondack style chair available in the market. Made entirely in Mulliken, MI from 100% premium recycled plastic and warrantied for 20-years for residential or commercial use. pollyproducts.com
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Pergolas Lighting
Boulder Timber Frame Pergola The Boulder Pergola is a heavy timber wood pergola built to honor the raw, original pergola look. Great for modern, rustic homes or retreat centers, the Boulder Timber Frame Pergola is made from Douglas Fir and is available in a number of stains, colors and sizes. A bolder take on a standard, commercial pergola, this wooden pergola is great for open-air patios, gathering spaces and landscapes where natural wood and craftsmanship are meant to stand out.
Cancun Pergola The Cancun Pergola is made from high-end vinyl and designed with either square or round columns. The larger post sizes and decorative cuts into the rafters make the structure great for high-end and modern spaces. Ideal beside pools and above seating areas, the lower-maintenance vinyl material provides clean lines and an open-beam structure for the perfect balance of shade and sunlight.
Bar Stool Comforts Catalina 5-Piece Outdoor Swivel Pub Table Set for 4 Made for relaxed outdoor entertaining, the Catalina set is a comfortable place to gather for drinks, dinner or a long evening outside. The four swivel stools make it easy to settle in and socialize, while the pub-height table keeps the whole setup feeling casual and inviting. Made in the USA, it has the durability for outdoor use without looking overly patio furniture. barstoolcomforts.com
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BROKIS AT EDC brokisedc.com
Bonbori Outdoor Collection Inspired by Japanese shrine lamps, Fumie Shibata’s Bonbori collection brings architectural elegance to gardens and terraces. It features a powder-coated stainless steel base with laser-cut openings and a multi-layered handblown glass shade. Weatherproofed for exterior use, Bonbori casts an inviting, diffuse glow for high-end landscape projects.
Knot Cilindro Table Battery Pairing coarse natural rope with handblown glass, Chiaramonte Marin’s Knot Cilindro brings cordless freedom to landscape designs. IP44-compliant with an integrated touch dimmer, it delivers 4.5 hours of warm illumination per charge via a magnetic connector—eliminating hardwiring constraints for outdoor dining and pool decks.
Dome Nomad Outdoor Portable Light Inspired by Roman architecture, LCM Marin’s Dome Nomad is a rechargeable luminaire built from stainless steel and handblown glass. IP44-rated with freeze-resistant LEDs and a touch dimmer, it offers 4.5 hours of cordless light per charge to elevate garden paths, patios and outdoor venues.
Pro Landscaper USA | October 2026
All Brokis at EDC images ©Martin Chum
LANCASTER COUNTY BACKYARD
lancastercountybackyard.net
INSPIRE
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FEATURE
FIRE AND FORM FireFeatures founder Elena Colombo on why the hearth is more than an amenity, and how landscape architects can specify sculptural fire with confidence
I
n landscape architecture, a fire pit is often one of the final items on an amenities checklist. Yet for Elena Colombo, founder and sculptor behind FireFeatures, the hearth is not an amenity; it is a “place.” Since
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founding her company in 2001, Colombo has built a practice that blurs the line between fine art and functional appliance, operating under the maxim: “art that works.” For Colombo, the impulse to make things that belong to a place is deeply ingrained. Her career path—spanning fine arts and years in film and television production—taught her how to take an idea and make it exist in the physical world. “Both
sides have to succeed,” she states, referring to the dual identity of her work as both a sculptural piece and a functioning gas appliance. This ethos fundamentally changes the design process. According to Colombo, landscape architects and designers cannot treat the artistic idea and the technical infrastructure as separate stages. “You can’t design a beautiful object and figure out the gas, electrical, drainage, ignition
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FEATURE and service access at the end. The earlier we’re TOP TIPS: SPECIFYING FIRE FEATURES involved, the more successfully we can integrate According to Colombo, the single biggest mistake she sees landscape architects and designers all of that complexity and make it disappear.” The make is calling the fabricator too late. She has encountered projects where the hardscape is already craftsmanship, she explains, lies in ensuring the built before anyone has resolved the fire system, resulting in undersized gas lines or missing electrical provision for electronic ignition. Her advice is to bring the fire-feature fabricator into the viewer experiences the fire and the sculpture, not conversation while still drawing, and to resolve fuel type, BTU requirement, gas pressure, pipe the machinery that makes them possible. sizing, ignition and electrical requirements, drainage, controls, clearances and service access before concrete is poured. Colombo describes fire as having a “gravitational quality,” organizing people around it When a client says they want a fire pit, Colombo urges designers to uncover the emotional brief rather than simply the dimensional one. Asking what the client imagines happening around the naturally. To encourage this sense of “commune,” fire—whether two people with wine, ten after dinner, or children roasting marshmallows—helps the design must support instinct rather than determine the experience, after which the dimensions become much easier to establish. interfere. “Scale matters. Distance from the For those considering custom work, Colombo recommends starting with the idea and the site, flame matters. The height of the vessel, seating involving the maker early and being candid about budget. Custom work often improves through discoveries made during fabrication, and as Colombo puts it, “The computer lets us predict. The orientation, views, circulation and the relationship fabrication shop lets us discover.” Finally, she offers three non-negotiable technical questions for to the architecture all matter.” The larger goal, any fabricator: what does the burner require in terms of fuel and pressure; how will it ignite, shut down and meet safety requirements; and how will it drain, weather and be serviced long-term? she notes, is to stop experiencing outdoor features as separate products and start experiencing a unified place. When selecting materials for these sculptural a private residence or a large-scale public intended to read across a public plaza, which is features, Colombo encourages designers to move commission. While a residential project allows for very different from the flame desired two feet beyond aesthetics. “I don’t think of material as greater intimacy, public work requires situating it from someone’s knees in a garden. “The sculpture a finish applied after in its broader context. and burner have to be considered as one system,” the form is chosen,” she “A significant public she explains, emphasizing that burner geometry, explains. “Material is part work has to belong not BTU output and gas pressure all affect behavior. “How should this object of the idea.” She notes only to a physical site Nonetheless, she concedes, “fire ultimately age? Should it disappear the elemental quality but to the history and gets a vote. I can make the vessel and create the into the landscape or of Corten, the depth of identity of a community,” conditions, but the fire gets to be fire. It moves, remain visually precise? bronze as it patinates, and she says, referencing changes and reacts to wind. That unpredictability is Do we want evidence of the crispness of stainless her “The Bridge” fire part of what makes it so compelling.” weather and time?” steel. Her advice to sculpture, a 35-ton Colombo also contemplates the role of fire in designers is to ask specific Corten arc in Bethlehem, placemaking, whether in a private backyard or a questions: “How should this object age? Pennsylvania, which pays homage to the region’s civic plaza. The sculpture, she insists, must earn Should it disappear into the landscape or remain steelmaking history. its place before the flame comes on. Its silhouette, visually precise? Do we want evidence of weather Reflecting on “The Bridge” further, she also scale, material and relationship to the architecture and time?” underlines the differing technical demands must succeed without relying on spectacle. In This attention to material and form is between private and public projects. Colombo “The Bridge,” the arc responds to the industrial consistent whether Colombo is working on remarks that the monumental sculpture was architecture of Bethlehem Steel by day, while at night the line of flame transforms it into an animate gathering point. Whether designing for a residential terrace or a mixed-use development, Colombo returns to the same question: what does this particular piece, in this place, for these people, actually require? It is this approach, she believes, that elevates custom work from product specification to genuine placemaking.
ABOUT
FireFeatures is a designand-build practice creating sculptural fire, water and wind features for private gardens, resorts and civic spaces worldwide. Founded by sculptor Elena Colombo, the firm is guided by a simple philosophy: “art that works.” firefeatures.com Instagram @fire.features
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16/09/2026 18:52
FEATURE
FLORIDA’S
Growing Industry As millions move to Florida, how is the state’s green industry keeping up?
A
sprawling peninsula bordered by water on three sides, Florida— officially nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’—is defined by its year-round warmth and subtropical to tropical climate. That climate, in turn, has given rise to remarkably diverse environments, from the sawgrass expanse of the Everglades and spring-fed crystal-clear rivers to the sandy Atlantic beaches and barrier islands strung along its coast. Beneath it all lies a geography shaped by millennia of shifting sea levels and sedimentary deposition—the low, flat topography and hydric soils that underpin the state’s distinct flora. This environmental context has fueled Florida’s landscaping industry—a multi-billion-dollar sector driven by climate, demographics and unwavering demand for outdoor living. To understand the market’s nuances, Pro Landscaper USA spoke with Jesse Dewey, co-owner of Citrus Landscape Solutions. Based in Central Florida, Dewey’s firm offers a ground-up, turnkey approach to landscape contracting.
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POLITICAL CLIMATE
A business built on demand Citrus Landscape Solutions, now approaching its sixth year, was born from the shared vision of two industry veterans. “Joe [the other co-owner] and I met previously working in the landscape industry for another company,” Dewey explains. “We decided to start our own business but in a different branch of landscaping.” That branch is full-service landscape contracting. The company’s portfolio spans sod and artificial turf, retaining walls, paver patios, plant design, landscape lighting, concrete curbing, irrigation systems and tree removal and stump grinding. Dewey states that this model suits a state experiencing a sustained population boom. “More people are moving to Florida,” Dewey states, creating a clientele that is “extremely competitive yet in high demand.” Navigating regulation While the overall market is robust, operating in Florida requires adaptability to specific environmental and regulatory conditions. One
Signed into law on March 23, 2026, Florida’s SB 290 includes a provision that preempts local governments from restricting gaspowered landscape equipment such as leaf blowers. The law, effective July 1, 2026, was framed by state governor Ron DeSantis as a matter of personal choice: “If you want to use different stuff, fine, it’s a free country. But I like the gas-powered better; I just think it’s more reliable.” The measure passed the Florida Senate unanimously (38-0) and the House 94-10.
perennial concern is water management. With regions like Tampa Bay implementing once-weekly watering restrictions due to drought conditions. Dewey notes that the impact is highly localized. “It’s all based off of the area. It’s primarily a concern in peak summertime,” he says, adding that spring, fall and winter present fewer issues. The critical factor, he explains, is the establishment phase of a new landscape. “People’s landscape is primarily only struggling if it’s a newly installed landscape. If it’s established, it doesn’t have as much of an issue with a drought.” To mitigate this, Dewey’s team works closely with local
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FEATURE authorities. “We just have to work around those restrictions and ensure that the plants are getting adequate watering,” he says. This often involves breaking up irrigation run times and collaborating with cities, counties and HOAs, which are typically “flexible” with new installations for a temporary period until plants are established. Florida’s ample summertime rainfall also helps alleviate broader concerns. Interestingly, the solution to drought concerns is not a widespread shift toward native planting. While other states may prioritize indigenous flora, Florida’s aesthetic preferences lean in a different direction. “Typically, in Florida, it’s not as popular for installing native plants,” Dewey reveals, estimating that only “2 to 5% of people” request them. The reason is purely aesthetic. “The landscapes in Florida are very clean-cut and symmetrical. Not an overgrown style of landscape,” he describes.
ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT
Florida’s green industries—encompassing nurseries, lawn care and landscape services—generated a $42bn economic impact in 2023 alone, according to a 2025 study by Farm Credit of Central Florida and the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. The sector supports an estimated 279,000 jobs and accounts for roughly $14bn in labor income. Furthermore, between 2020 and 2023, the industry’s total impact reportedly grew by 48%—driven largely by Florida’s population boom of 1.83 million residents in the same period.
is composed of species equipped to thrive in its specific microclimate. The labor market While many industries across the US grapple with labor shortages, the H-2B visa program and retention issues, Florida’s landscaping sector appears to be an exception. “Landscape is such a big business in Florida,” Dewey states. “There’s always an influx of people that have both knowledge in the business and are looking for employment.”
Employee retention, however, is still important. “We take care of our employees. They’re part of the family, is what we like to say,” Dewey comments, highlighting a culture of appreciation and fair compensation. The company runs internal competitions with prizes and incentives to exceed client expectations. “Keeping our employees is really just showing our appreciation from an owner aspect but also offering additional insight to make it a fun workplace, but at the same time, keeping it well structured.”
Designing for extremes Florida’s reputation for extreme weather, particularly hurricanes, is a consideration in landscape design and installation. Dewey’s approach is grounded in proper preparation and post-storm remediation. “Hurricanes are only going to be a concern if it has to be a very strong storm and a freshly installed landscape,” he says. The key defense, he emphasizes, is the quality of the
“Hurricanes are only going to be a concern if it has to be a very strong storm and a freshly installed landscape”
initial work. “If you install the plants properly, if you harness the trees properly, they’ll be good.” In a worst-case scenario, he notes, the team simply has to return after a storm to “readjust” any plants that have been blown over. This resilience extends to coastal regions, where salt tolerance is a primary design criterion. Dewey confirms that plant and sod selection is highly specific to location. “The East Coast is different than the West Coast, which is also different from Central Florida,” he explains. These variations are defined by USDA plant hardiness zones. “For Florida, there’s 8B, 9A, 9B, 10A and 10B,” he says. Citrus Landscape Solutions operates primarily in Zones 10A, 9B and 9A. This zonebased approach ensures that every installation
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FEATURE The future is green and artificial Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, Dewey sees no signs of a slowdown. The primary driver is the continued influx of new residents. “We continue to see more and more developments being built,” he observes. “Based off what we see and being in the industry for so long in Florida, it’s going to continue to increase because of the influx of people that are moving here.” This growth is accompanied by evolving client preferences. “We’ve noticed that artificial turf has become a very big part of people’s landscapes because it’s low maintenance,”
NATURAL THREATS
Florida’s 2026 wildfire season has been reported as one of the worst on record, with over 2.1 thousand fires burning more than 130,000 acres by mid-May and drought conditions extending the danger period into August. Hurricanes remain a perennial threat; for instance, in 2022, Hurricane Ian’s storm surge suffocated mangrove forests in Southwest Florida, with recovery expected to take years. Meanwhile, invasive species such as Lantana camara, Epipremnum aureum and the Albizia julibrissin tree continue to escape gardens, displacing native vegetation and, in Lantana’s case, contributing to wildfire spread.
Dewey notes. He also points to a significant increase in hardscape elements, as residents seek to maximize their outdoor living spaces with minimal upkeep. Another underestimated driver of business, he mentions, is Florida’s pests and diseases. “There’s so many insects, fungus and disease issues here with people’s landscapes,” Dewey explains. This biological pressure, combined with strict HOA regulations that prohibit dead lawns, forces homeowners to invest continuously. In summer, the biggest problems are chinch bugs and sod webworms, he adds, while Pythium root rot can decimate sod in shaded areas with insufficient sunlight. Winter brings brown patch fungus—also known as large patch— which lies dormant in warmer months. Other persistent threats include mealybugs, scale, powdery mildew and whiteflies, regularly forcing the replacement of dead plants and grass.
“We’ve noticed that artificial turf has become a very big part of people’s landscapes” The Sunshine State The snapshot of Florida’s landscape industry provided by Dewey is one of a dynamic, resilient and growing sector. It is a market defined by relentless demand, driven by population growth and the constant need to maintain properties against their natural environment. In a state where the labor pool is vast, true competitive advantage comes not just from operational excellence but from a company culture that retains key talent. As long as people continue to move to the Sunshine State, demand for lush, functional landscapes will keep the industry a vital part of Florida’s economy.
ABOUT
Citrus Landscape Solutions is a full-service, turnkey landscape contracting company based in Central Florida. It specializes in complete outdoor transformations—from sod and pavers to irrigation and lighting. citruslandscapesolutions.com facebook.com/people/Citrus-Landscape-Solutions/61574601801065
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FEATURE
Replanting
THE PALISADES F
More than 21 months after the Palisades Fire, can thoughtful landscaping and collective action help rebuild the community?
ire has long been woven into the seasonal fabric of California’s sundrenched landscape. Over the millennia, Indigenous peoples have viewed fire as an integral part of land stewardship, practicing “good fire” to carefully de-risk and cultivate biodiverse ecosystems. In more recent times, however, scientific research has offered a different lens on the state’s fire patterns. A 2015 study published in the journal ‘Environmental Research Letters’ identified two distinct wildfire seasons. The first is sparked by the hot, dry conditions of summer, while the second, occurring from October to April, is driven by the Santa Ana winds—strong, dry offshore gusts capable of rapidly fanning small ignitions into devastating, fast-moving fires. It was this latter season that catalyzed the devastating January 2025 Palisades Fire, which claimed 12 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. Now, more than twenty-one months on, recovery in the Pacific Palisades community has been slow; only a small fraction of homes have been completed, despite hundreds of permits being issued. Guiding rebuilding efforts towards a more sustainable and fire-resilient future is Resilient Palisades, a local grassroots environmental organization. Sara Marti, a board member and communications director, spoke about the recovery challenges and the critical role of landscape design in the community’s recovery. A grassroots response to catastrophe “We started Resilient Palisades in 2019 as a small group of neighbors who wanted to take on the global climate and ecological crisis through local action, because we knew that waiting for systemic change was going to take too long,” Marti explains. The volunteer-led organization grew rapidly, forming dedicated teams. “We had clean energy, water conservation, zero waste, native plants, composting—all sorts of initiatives,” she says. “And we were focused on wildfire mitigation,
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invasive plant management and stormwater to regroup and mobilize pretty quickly to meet capture to keep landscapes well hydrated. We were the new immediate needs of our community.” already thinking about The organization wildfires before the fire developed a set of happened.” “guiding principles for “It was our homes, grocery Led by Jordan Corral, rebuilding”—available stores, computers and Resilient Palisades’ on their website—to dishwashers that burned. Removal of Invasive help the community “do So, we use fungi, microbes Plants team works across it right the second time and native plants to make public and private land around.” Their efforts [decontamination] happen” to identify and remove earned them recognition invasive species. as California Nonprofit When the fire arrived, the impact on Resilient of the Year for their district. Palisades members was devastating. “Most of In the aftermath, the group reorganized to our volunteers lost their homes—about 80% of meet shifting demands. “We rebranded our clean us,” she states. Yet the group’s existing structure energy team to electrify the rebuild, focused on proved invaluable. “Because of that, we were able cleaner, healthier environments with fewer ignition
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FEATURE sources,” Marti explains. They also launched the Post-Fire Bioremediation and Landscape Recovery Consortium. “That is focused on teaching the community about nature-based methods to extract or stabilize the contaminants left behind in our soil,” she says, adding the fire was not a typical brush burn. “It was our homes, grocery stores, computers and dishwashers that burned. So, we use fungi, microbes and native plants to make [decontamination] happen.” Resilient Palisades leads community education and consortium building, while its scientific partner, the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation, designs and executes the technical work. Challenges to rebuilding Unsurprisingly, due to the extent of the damage, the rebuilding process at Pacific Palisades has been fraught with challenges, and Marti identifies financial barriers as a primary obstacle. “The average insurance gap between what people are given versus what it will actually take to rebuild is about $500k,” she states, citing the July 2026 LA Fire Recovery Report from the Department of Angels. Many residents are still uncertain whether they can afford to rebuild as they exhaust their temporary housing allowances. “People are really strapped for cash right now and they’re facing really scary situations.” Beyond the financial strain, there are other pervasive fears for relocated community members. “What am I returning to? Are there particulates in the air from the constant construction? Will our community be back? The answer right now is no,” Marti says. “There’s a lot of activity, but this is still very much a post-disaster environment.” These concerns, combined with financial pressures, have led some residents to make difficult decisions. “A
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2025 lot of people took their insurance money and decided to up and leave.” On the subject of insurance and rebuilding, Marti emphasizes the need for a collective approach. “One of the things that we say is, rebuilding sustainably is rebuilding in a way that’s also insurable,” she explains. “And it’s not just about individual households anymore, because you can make the safest house possible, but your house is still in a neighborhood. So, this really has to be collective action. Everyone has to get in on some of these safety measures.” The role of landscape and “Zone Zero” Few subjects are as critical for landscape
professionals working in fire-prone regions as fire-safe landscaping, and the trend is undeniable: nearly all of California’s largest wildfires on record have occurred since 2000. According to Marti, the solution begins with planting choices. “A lot of it does start at what you plant in your garden, and not just in your garden, but the areas in between houses, public lands surrounding the houses. We focus on native plants exclusively and being aware of the invasive plants in our environment,” she says. Marti notes that the “Zone Zero” state policy— which focuses on clearing the critical five feet around a structure—is just one piece of a larger puzzle. “We strongly support the purpose of Zone Zero,” she says. “Residents should remove dead vegetation, dry debris, combustible mulch, attached wooden fencing and other materials that carry the fire directly to a structure.” She also highlights the danger of “fire ladders,” where vegetation allows flames to climb to the eaves of a house. “After what we experienced, we take ember protection and
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FEATURE
2024
2026 “You would think that landscapers would be familiar with native plants, and that they would also be familiar with invasive and highly flammable plants,” she says. “But from what I’ve seen, even post-fire, that’s not always the case.” This highlights a critical need for education about plants Resilient Palisades advises residents to avoid in fire-prone Southern California landscapes, including English ivy, bigleaf periwinkle or vinca, bougainvillea vines, palms such as Canary Island date palm and Mexican fan home hardening extremely seriously,” she stresses. palm, bamboo and all non-native grasses. “The fact “It’s not just about the first five feet outside your that people intentionally put those in their garden house; it’s so many things combined.” and that landscapers allow that—it’s just mindNevertheless, home hardening and defensible blowing,” Marti says. space are not a guarantee of survival. “We’ve seen She continues by underlining that native houses that were very hardened—they had clean species have evolved with the region’s fire cycles energy, native gardens and and are often more firegraywater systems— resistant and droughtand they survived,” Marti tolerant. “They hold “If professionals want says. “But we’ve also seen extra moisture and they to participate in houses like that which hold onto it for a long education efforts that did not survive because time. Whereas a lot of would be significant they were surrounded by these invasive plants are because most people unhardened homes. We’ve highly flammable.” These don’t even have invasive also seen houses made of biological realities are even plants on their radar” wood be the one that for relevant when planning whatever reason survived long-term fire-mitigation on that block.” strategies such as brush clearance, where even well-intentioned efforts can backfire. “Contractors An urgent call for native planting frequently come in and do brush clearance on Marti’s most urgent message for landscape public lands, but what they do is indiscriminately architects and contractors is about plant selection. clear all vegetation in an area,” she says. “Though if
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you clear the native plants too, you’ve created more space for invasive plants to return.” The result, she explains, is a counterproductive cycle: invasive regrowth outcompetes native plants, turning cleared land into a source of increased long-term fire risk. For landscape professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge, Marti recommends resources such as the California Native Plant Society, Cal-IPC and Theodore Payne Foundation, and suggests they could support recovery efforts through education and community engagement. “If professionals want to participate in education efforts that would be significant,” she says, “because most people don’t even have invasive plants on their radar.” Fundamentally, the path forward for Pacific Palisades will require collective action—resilience, as the community has learned, depends not on individual effort alone, but on shared knowledge and a coordinated commitment to rebuilding in a way that is sustainable. Landscape professionals have a vital role to play in this effort, helping clients make informed choices that protect both their homes and the wider community.
ABOUT
Resilient Palisades is a volunteer-led nonprofit founded to address the climate crisis through local action. Following the January 2025 Palisades Fire, the organization shifted focus to guiding sustainable, fireresilient rebuilding and community recovery. resilientpalisades.org Instagram @resilientpalisades
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16/09/2026 18:36
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16/09/2026 18:53 14:13
FEATURE
THE M&A Is your business ready to sell? Brian Goodhart explains the three-stage merger and acquisition roadmap
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ergers and acquisitions are a dominant force in the US landscaping market, yet for many business owners the process remains mysterious. Brian Goodhart joined Capstone Strategic, a M&A advisory firm, four years ago to lead its dedicated sell-side team. As director of M&A advisory services he brings a wealth of experience to founder- and family-owned businesses looking to divest. “M&A is both overused and underused,” Goodhart explains. “It’s over-discussed by people in ways that don’t apply to them, and under-discussed where it should be—with business owners in the lower middle market really needing to understand it better but often don’t” Goodhart continues that Capstone operates on a retainer and success fee model, ensuring their interests remain aligned with their clients’ goals. On the sell side, he has developed a clear, three-stage roadmap to a transaction—moving from planning and preparation, through outreach and engagement, to deal advisory and close. “For most people, the largest asset they’ve ever transacted is their home, so they assume this is similar,” Goodhart reflects. “But a home is static. A business is in motion—it’s a living, breathing thing.” He outlines the three stages that can help owners navigate this complex process and achieve a successful outcome.
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Roadmap
PHASE 1: PLANNING AND PREPARATORY
The journey to a successful transaction begins long before a business is officially put on the market. Goodhart emphasizes that true “readiness” is multifaceted, extending beyond a seller’s personal desire to exit. “I explain readiness as three things,” he states. “Readiness is when you’re ready personally or professionally, when the business is ready and operating at a good level, and when the market is ready.” This initial phase, which typically runs between 60 to 90 days, involves assembling all necessary information about the business and the owner’s objectives. “In the planning and preparatory phase, we work to understand what they’re looking for when they want to sell, to understand their business, to prepare collateral material we can share and to identify potential targets we can approach,” Goodhart explains. A common pitfall is underestimating the timeline. “If I want to be out of this business in three years, I should probably be thinking about getting ready right now.” Goodhart notes that buyers often expect sellers to remain involved post-sale to ensure a smooth transition. Factoring in this transition period means business owners should begin preparations two to three years before their intended exit.
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FEATURE PHASE 2: OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT Once the groundwork is laid, the process moves into the next phase. This is where Capstone begins to approach potential buyers. Goodhart underscores that discretion is paramount throughout this stage. “Most of the firms I work with don’t want many people to know they’re for sale,” he says. “They certainly don’t want their employees to know. They probably don’t want their customers or suppliers to know either.” The concern is that any word of a potential sale could spark panic among employees or disrupt relationships with clients and vendors, ultimately harming the business’s value. The outreach process itself is highly intentional. Using the target list developed in the first phase, Capstone contacts prospective buyers—often through established connections or carefully targeted cold outreach. Initial interest is piqued with a “teaser,” an anonymized one-page document highlighting the business’s strengths. Interested parties are then asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which allows for more detailed discussions and the sharing of a confidential information memorandum (CIM). The CIM contains proprietary information, including the business’s name, location, financial performance and future projections, with the goal of prompting a formal offer. However, engaging with strategic buyers—those operating in the same industry—carries inherent risks. “There’s always an inherent level of risk you have to be willing to assume to engage like this,” Goodhart acknowledges. “Strategics operate within the same customer or supplier ecosystem, so they can pay a strategic premium. We’ve got to weigh the costs and the benefits.”
“Diligence is a very important part of the process. Unfortunately, a lot of people mistakenly assume it’s only a financial process”
PHASE 3: DEAL ADVISORY TO CLOSE The final stage is where the deal is finalized, but it is also where the most complex challenges arise. After selecting a preferred buyer, the seller enters a period of exclusivity, during which the buyer conducts extensive due diligence. “Diligence is a very important part of the process,” Goodhart states. “Unfortunately, a lot of people mistakenly assume it’s only a financial process.” In reality, due diligence is multifaceted, encompassing financial, operational, HR, technology, intellectual property, legal and tax reviews. Each of these areas is scrutinized to understand the risk profile the buyer is assuming, and any discrepancies can lead to renegotiation. Goodhart warns of the potential for a “re-trade,” where a buyer attempts to lower their offer based on findings during due diligence. To mitigate this, he emphasizes the importance of transparency and thorough preparation from the outset. “On the sell side, we’re attempting to hold the buyer to their original offer,” he explains. “The buyer is trying to make sure the numbers they put forward are justified.” A successful closing results in a seamless transition. “Ideally, what they’re looking for is a continuation of the business as before,” Goodhart says. “If they close on a Friday, the business operates on that Monday exactly the same as it did before, with no disruption.” Post-sale, the focus shifts to communicating the transaction to employees, customers and other stakeholders in a way that reassures them and builds excitement for the future.
ABOUT
Capstone Strategic is a mid-market M&A advisory firm founded in 1995. The firm has completed over $2bn in transactions across more than 100 industries, operating on both the buy side and sell side to guide businesses through strategic acquisitions and divestitures. capstonestrategic.com linkedin.com/company/capstone-strategic
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PEOPLE
FALL AUDIT
When repeat irrigation repairs point to a design problem, a fall audit helps crews fix the cause, not just the symptom
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y fall, landscape crews have spent months putting out proverbial fires: a broken sprinkler head, a dry bed, water pooling on a sidewalk or surprisingly high water bills that could signal leaks. That vigilant work keeps a property looking good. As summer demand eases, it’s worth asking whether the existing system still fits the landscape. A good place to begin is walking through the property. Run every zone, and watch where the water goes. Look for spray hitting pavement or walls, collecting at low points, dry areas that should be watered, damaged hardware, and zones serving plants with different needs. Then review the season’s work orders. If the same trouble spot shows up several times, ask why. Another quick fix could just be a Band-Aid when the real underlying problem is the layout, the schedule or the way water is being applied. A controller will handle how long a zone runs, but it can’t stop wind from carrying spray beyond a narrow median or make one schedule work for turf, shrubs and established trees. A zone stage also affect how the water is absorbed. When that stays saturated after temperatures fall might plants with very different needs share a zone, every need a seasonal adjustment. A narrow planting schedule ends up a compromise. bed showing stressed plants because water is Think about the crew that will maintain the overspraying is a design problem. system, too. Can they find the valves? Are filters The irrigation method should fit the area. and flush points accessible? Is the repair history Properly designed spray documented anywhere? heads and drip irrigation can If routine service requires work well for larger turf areas; searching or digging, a small “As summer demand however, drip irrigation is problem quickly becomes a eases, it’s worth the better option for planting time sink. asking whether the beds, narrow strips, tree zones At the end of the audit, existing system still and edges beside walkways. your client likely doesn’t want fits the landscape” During a retrofit, put the a technical report. They want budget toward areas that are actionable priorities: what to contributing to water waste, plant stress or repeat repair now, what can be adjusted, which zones need work for the crew. redesigning and what can wait for a future budget. Soil composition also deserves consideration: A fall audit is about making the next season easier. clay soils usually need shorter applications with When the system fits the landscape, crews spend soak time between cycles to prevent runoff; sandy much less time dealing with the same trouble spots soils absorb water faster and usually dry out sooner. and more time keeping the property in a healthy Plant type, sun exposure, slope and establishment and vibrant state.
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ABOUT
Rodney Patton, area specifications manager for Netafim USA, has been in the green industry nearly four decades, working with irrigation consultants, engineers and landscape architects in planning/design phases of commercial irrigation. netafimusa.com Instagram @netafim_usa
prolandscapermagazine.com/us
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PEOPLE
CHEAP ISN’T CHEAP
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The cheapest bid usually buys the most expensive gate. A contractor explains where low numbers hide their costs—and why value wins
ast year, a homeowner came to me with the weight of the gate they carry or in a single coat several bids for a custom driveway gate, of paint where a galvanized base and powder coat and mine was the highest. Instead of should be. Most often, it hides in the installation, dropping my price, I sat down with because a beautifully built gate hung on poorly set them and walked through what each bid actually posts becomes a service call within a year. contained: the gauge of the steel, the hinges and The homeowner never sees any of that on bid latch hardware, the coating system and who would day. They see two numbers, and one is smaller. Five be doing the installation. They hired us anyway. years later, they see the real comparison: the rust Not because I talked bleeding through at the anyone out of anything, but welds, the gate dragging “Stop competing on the because once they could on the driveway, the bid and start competing see where the corners get operator motor burning on the walkthrough” cut, the cheap bid stopped out because the gate was looking cheap. never balanced. By then, Fabricating and the cheap job has cost installing gates, fences and railings for a living, more than the expensive one, and the contractor I can tell you where the money hides in a low who won on price is not answering the phone. number. It hides in thinner steel that flexes and As a consequence, the advice I give fellow sags. It hides in off-the-shelf hinges rated for half tradespeople is simple: stop competing on the bid
and start competing on the walkthrough. Show the client the difference between materials in plain language, put the hardware in their hands, explain what your warranty covers and, more important, why you rarely get called on it. The clients you lose on price after that conversation are the ones who would have been your worst callbacks anyway. And for anyone advising homeowners, give them the questions that actually separate a good contractor from a cheap one. What gauge steel, and why? What is the coating system, layer by layer? Who sets the posts, and how deep? Who services the work in year three? A contractor with good answers will enjoy the conversation. A contractor without them will get defensive. The lowest bid is not a price. It is a prediction about what will go wrong later, and who will be paying for it. In my experience, that answer is never the contractor who wrote the number.
ABOUT
Ray Naftali is the founder of Iron Master Gates and Fencing in Costa Mesa, California, where he leads custom gate, fence and railing fabrication and installation for homeowners and contractors. ironmastergatesandfencing.com Instagram @ironmastergatesandfencing
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PEOPLE
Peak Framing’s
APPROACH P eak Framing is a California-based deck and patio cover specialist that has been in business for roughly two years. Owners and brothers Ramón and Eddie Fregoso spoke with Pro Landscaper USA about their approach to construction, customer relationships and the value of industry associations.
Can you tell us a bit about Peak Framing? Ramón Fregoso: “We’ve been in business about two years, so we’re pretty new to the industry. Our background is in rough framing, which is where the name comes from. We worked as union carpenters in production style, fast-paced crews building apartment complexes and big buildings in the LA area. From there, we moved on to working for a custom home builder, where we got introduced to the more high-end style of framing and a little bit of the outdoor living world building decks and patio covers. When we made the jump to start our
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own business, focusing on decks and patio covers just made the most sense to us. When those jobs started coming to us, we really fell in love with it.” What is your style for decking and framing? Ramón Fregoso: “Most of the time we’re offering homeowners a longer lasting product. Traditionally around here you see Doug fir decks, painted decks. What we push now is composite and PVC decks with alternative framing. Being part of the North American Deck & Railing Association (NADRA) has introduced us to contractors who are pioneers in this approach. We believe in building long lasting decks, and we sit down with homeowners to explain the differences.” How long have you been involved with NADRA, and what benefits has the association provided? Ramón Fregoso: “From the very beginning, we’re big on learning from people who have done it
Brothers Ramón and Eddie Fregoso on building long-lasting decks, earning client trust and why industry connections matter
longer than we have and are already where we aspire to be. NADRA came up a lot because of the networking and the education they offer, and it’s been a game changer. Through their events and online resources, we’ve been able to connect with deck builders all around the country. We get to pick the brain of award-winning builders, and they help us grow on the business side as well as in how we build. Those relationships give us access to people who have been in our shoes or are leading the industry.” What is your approach to dealing with clients and customer expectations? Ramón Fregoso: “Our approach is to be a helping hand rather than seeing it as a strict transaction. What are your needs? What do you use the space for? We make it an open-ended conversation, seeing if we’re a good fit for them and if they’re a good fit for us. It’s a collaboration. Ultimately, we’re
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PEOPLE here to help people build awesome projects, and when they feel we’re not just trying to get rich off them, it makes the process smoother.” Do you ever turn away customers? Ramón Fregoso: “We do. In the beginning we said yes to almost everything, but over time you learn it’s just not worth it. We now make sure to not rush our sales process and make sure the clients goals aligns with what we do and the services we offer. A lot of that comes from conversations with builders we meet through NADRA, asking how they handle certain situations and what their sales process looks like. But it comes down to having open-ended conversations with homeowners and not rushing the process, making sure we’re all on the same page.” What’s a project that you’re especially proud of? Eddie Fregoso: “ The recent project we did was one with a Jacuzzi, and although it wasn’t a very big one I feel very proud of how clean everything came out. We plan and design these projects according to the homeowners desires and it’s always a great feeling turning a pile of lumber and a stack of decking to a good looking usable space for the homeowner to enjoy for years to come. We always aspire to get
better every project and introduce newer finishes or details we haven’t done before. Homeowner loved it and we really enjoyed building it for her. ” Ramón Fregoso: “The crazy part is her deck was only built two years ago, and we had to rebuild it because she wasn’t happy with the finished product. It was improperly built from the bottom up foundation, framing, finishes—and she called us asking what could be saved. The answer was nothing. We had to rebuild it from scratch.It was tough, because this homeowner got taken advantage of in the beginning. But she was blown away with the results.” How do you build trust with a customer in that situation? Ramón Fregoso: “During the first phone call she shared the product details and told us what was used. We said most deck board manufacturers have warranties, so let’s start there. Unfortunately, the company couldn’t help because it was improperly installed, so the warranty was voided. But we didn’t immediately give her a price. We first looked for help from the manufacturer, then let her know we’re certified installers for that manufacturer and others. She can trust us because we’re on the manufacturer’s website and keep up with
installation updates and how to avoid voiding a warranty.” Where do you see Peak Framing in the future? Ramón Fregoso: “This is a conversation we have almost every day. Do we focus on the custom, high end decks we enjoy doing, or go more standard decks, building a big corporate company with repeatable systems? Right now we’re leaning more on the side of custom decks, growing to a level where we have a good number of crews, building high quality custom decks for awesome clients. We’re all about building a company with good culture and a good team, where everyone’s excited for the projects we are blessed to take part in.”
ABOUT
Founded on rough framing roots, Peak Framing has spent two years specializing in composite and PVC decking and patio covers. Brothers Ramón and Eddie Fregoso lead the California-based company. peakframinginc.com Instagram @peakframinginc
“We’re all about building a company with good culture and a good team, where everyone’s excited for the projects we are blessed to take part in”
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PEOPLE
MATERIALS MATTER
Understanding these priorities helps narrow the options before discussing specific products.
When to use natural stone Natural stones like granite, marble and sandstone are a popular request from clients because every piece is unique. The stone is formed through geological processes spanning millions of years, which causes visually striking variations in color, pattern and shape. Incorporating natural stone Choosing between natural stone and manufactured hardscape materials starts with into any hardscape project can help create one-ofunderstanding project goals, client priorities and long-term performance expectations a-kind spaces that many clients find difficult to replicate with manufactured materials. ost hardscape projects these For some, creating their desired aesthetic is the Because of its uniqueness, natural stone often days start with an inspiration highest priority. Others may be balancing their works well for projects where aesthetics are a high photo. A client arrives with a aspirations with a fixed budget. And some may be priority, such as in historic or traditional settings, vision for their space, and they focused on ensuring the space is low maintenance or in landscaping projects where the natural beauty rely on contractors to turn those ideas into reality— and durable for decades to come. of the stone is meant to be a focal point. Natural including selecting the right materials for the job. Contractors should also stone also offers greater Today’s hardscape market offers more determine the functionality durability and longevity “Contractors who can choices than ever before between natural stone of the space. An outdoor than manufactured stone. translate a client’s and manufactured products, which has made kitchen and entertainment Depending on the type priorities in aesthetics, selecting materials a more nuanced decision. The area has different of stone, it can withstand functionality, budget right products can mean the difference between performance requirements decades of weather exposure and maintenance executing the vision or not meeting expectations. than a driveway. It’s equally without damaging its into the right product That’s why understanding the difference important to determine if appearance. selection can become between natural and manufactured products sun exposure, drainage or While natural stone trusted advisors to is increasingly important. Contractors who other wear and tear is likely. does have several benefits, execute any vision” can translate a client’s priorities in aesthetics, To evaluate these there are certain factors functionality, budget and maintenance into the factors, contractors contractors need to discuss right product selection can become trusted advisors should come to the initial with clients. Because it’s to execute any vision. consultation with a list of broad questions to guide formed by the earth, it can be difficult to find the conversation. Ask questions like, “What overall specific color ranges, patterns or sizes. Contractors Start with a conversation look are you trying to achieve?” “Is staying with a should also discuss material and application costs Before getting started, contractors should get to budget a priority?” “How much maintenance are with clients before placing their orders. Working know their clients’ main priorities for the space. you willing to perform?” with natural stone requires a specific skill set,
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PEOPLE
“One of the main advantages of manufactured hardscape products is their cost-effectiveness, making them a practical choice for budget-conscious projects”
which can make the application more expensive. In some cases, natural stone can also cost more than manufactured stone and availability can fluctuate depending on the type of stone and its source. When designing landscapes with natural stone, contractors should consider the stone type, location of origin and maintenance requirements to make the most of the material’s remarkable characteristics, ensuring it serves its intended purpose effectively and retains its aesthetic appeal over time. Where manufactured products shine Manufactured hardscape products have evolved dramatically over the past decade and are growing in popularity. These products are engineered from aggregates, pigments and other materials to mimic the appearance of natural stone. However, because they’re manufactured, they can be readily available in a wide range of colors, textures and shapes to provide a coherent look. One of the main advantages of manufactured hardscape products is their cost-effectiveness, making them a practical choice for budgetconscious projects. Because the products are consistently sized, it also simplifies installation, which can help bring down costs.
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However, just like with natural stone, there are considerations contractors should discuss with clients. While manufactured stone is durable, weatherproof and stainproof, it may have a shorter lifespan compared with natural stone. The good news is because products are manufactured under controlled conditions, replacement pieces are generally easier to source if future repairs or project expansions become necessary. Sometimes the best solution is both Choosing between natural and manufactured materials shouldn’t always be an either-or decision. Combining both in a project can be a strategic approach to leverage the strengths of each material. Natural stone can be used in focal areas where its unique textures and timeless appeal create visual impact, while manufactured products can cover
larger surface areas for their cost-effectiveness. This blend allows for creative and customizable designs that cater to specific project requirements. The key is in understanding where each material’s strengths lie and how they complement each other to create a visually appealing and functional space. An example of this could be a project that uses natural stone on entry steps where visual impact is most important. Then supplement manufactured pavers could be used across patios or walkways to manage cost without compromising the design. Become an advisor Clients have access to more inspiration and information than ever before. That makes the contractor’s role even more important by being able to offer valuable insights grounded in a client’s goals. Contractors who take the time to understand a client’s priorities can position themselves as advisors rather than salespeople. By asking questions about priorities, budgets, aesthetics and long-term goals, contractors can explain the best uses of each material. Understanding when to recommend each, and when to combine both, helps contractors deliver projects that meet client expectations while building long-term trust.
ABOUT
Ian Freeman is director of hardscapes category management at SiteOne Landscape Supply, where he leads category strategy, vendor partnerships, and initiatives for a national hardscape product portfolio. Based in Roswell, Georgia, Freeman collaborates closely with executive leadership, regional teams and supplier partners to deliver value for customers and strengthen category performance. siteone.com Instagram: @siteonesupply
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Get your products in front of the professionals who specify, buy and install. The November 2026 issue will shine a spotlight on three key product categories: • Artificial intelligence—Machine learning, smart irrigation, robotic mowers, etc. • Technology—Hardware, software and systems reshaping how landscapes are built. • Bidding software—Estimating platforms, proposal builders and pricing tools. Why partner with us? • Tap into a highly targeted, engaged audience of industry decision-makers. • Showcase your products alongside award-winning projects and expert commentary. Ways to participate: • Feature your products in our dedicated category spotlights. • Secure a brand profile for deeper storytelling. • Choose a tailored advertising package that matches your objectives. Don’t miss this chance to be seen. Contact us today to reserve your space in the November issue.
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16/09/2026 20:09
PEOPLE
THE LITTLE
INTERVIEWS Matt Lyum
Michele Chambliss
Stephanie Bartron
Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii hawaiiscape.com
Perennial Garden Consultants LLC perennialgardenconsultants.com
SB Garden Design sbgardendesign.com
You’re on vacation—lounge on the beach or explore a new city? I literally live along a beach, so I’d choose exploring a new city with my wife.
Other than the US, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Mexico and Greece. I love the beauty of resilient plants.
Best piece of advice? Keep pushing yourself to learn and grow. That often means getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
You’re on vacation—lounge on the beach or explore a new city? Why not both! After the beach it’s fun visiting new nurseries and seeing different plants— even on vacation.
Other than the US, which country’s landscape inspires you the most? Japan! Design, craftsmanship, respect for nature and natural systems. I especially appreciate the skilled landscape care and maintenance.
Karaoke song? Wagon Wheel. I’d never heard it in Hawaii, but I saw Darius Rucker perform it in Las Vegas, and the entire crowd joined in. Now it’s my go-to karaoke song. Dream project? A Native Hawaiian fishpond landscape. I think there’s an incredible opportunity to thoughtfully integrate cultural history, native plants, water and traditional Hawaiian practices into a landscape that tells a story. One thing that you think would make the industry better? Immigration reform would have one of the biggest impacts. It’s an issue that affects the landscape industry significantly, but also many other industries and the broader economy.
Best piece of advice? First seek to understand. Karaoke song? Las Vegas, by MIA. Dream project? Designing an entire residential area with every yard gloriously displaying native plants appropriate for the region! One thing that you think would make the industry better? Continued collaboration and sharing of knowledge across disciplines. Trend you’re tired of? Minimalism, beige, over-reliance on synthetic turf.
Best piece of advice? Not sure where I heard this first, but “Manage Client Expectations” is foundational. Dream project? My favorite projects are the gardens I’ve designed with and for active gardeners. I know they will continue to be engaged with soil health and care for the plants as they grow. Trend you’re tired of? Zero-Scaping. Yes, water conservation and responsible use is important. But LA is not a desert, plastic is not clean and gravel yards only make everything hotter and dryer. Couldn’t get through the week without… I love my EV. I’m grateful for my Hyundai Ioniq5 and the rooftop solar panels that keep it charged.
WANT TO TAKE PART?
Pro Landscaper USA asks quick-fire questions to gain a small insight into the people who make up our industry. To take part email edward.brown@eljays44.com.
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