Shobha Vanchiswar, Chappaqua, NY

Shobha is a molecular biologist, artist, poet, and garden designer. As the ultimate nexus of science and art, Shobha’s garden, she says, “permits me to indulge both sides of my brain.” Her modest-sized and organically maintained garden features a cottage garden of bulbs and perennials, a Belgian espalier of fruit trees, a grape arbor, an herb garden, a checkerboard garden, and a “meadow” with naturalized bulbs, native plants, a Domenico Belli sculpture, and a greenhouse. There are many European touches, such as rose arbors, window boxes, a fountain, and Anduze pots. There is also a terrace with a wisteria-covered pergola for outdoor dining. Shobha has also been involved with the HIV/AIDS children at the orphanage at Mukta Jeevan in Shahpur, India; creates sustainable home goods made with fabrics that use watercolors inspired by her garden; and has a weekly garden blog.

“I think of my garden as being like a poem. They both need to say something in a fresh, new way and with just the right balance of depth/ gravitas and playfulness/humor.”

seedsofdesignllc.com @shobhavanchiswar