Portfolio — Thoughtful Gardens

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Thoughtful Gardens

Thoughtful Gardens

Work

Work

Townhouse in the Woods

Townhouse in the Woods

Enchanted Meadow

Enchanted Meadow

Urban Woodland

Urban Woodland

Dream House (work in progress)

Dream House (work in progress)

Thoughtful Gardens

Creating ecologically resilient and beautiful gardens for people and wildlife in NYC and surrounding areas.

Licensed and Fully Insured
HIC # 2136196-DCWP

To schedule an on-site or virtual consultation, email: olivia@thoughtfulgardensnyc.com

The ghost pipe issue comes out this week! 

I had my first encounter with ghost pipes on a familiar hike through the Washburn-Bull Hill-Cornish loop up in Cold Spring, NY, on Labor Day weekend. The white stems glowed in the leaf litter. My imagi

One of the things I love about stewardship is witnessing the just-before moments. They feel like cues to savor what comes. Right here Nepeta, Salvia, and Spigelia are beginning to rebloom. I’m amazed they have it in them. For a first summer, th

For all my dog people, this month’s newsletter is the Frida issue. It’s about her wisdom, the weather, and things we misunderstand in nature. And as promised, you get a packet of collard greens seeds to eat this winter 💫
💌 subscribe at

Summer vibes, stewardship, last year’s plantings thriving ☀️

A woodland edge tucked behind a Manhattan townhouse. 

We started out with a backyard in need of vision and some TLC. In early spring I removed gravel and wire mesh from the back quarter of the yard, then dug out the five stumps of trees that ha

If only I was a bird. Such a delight working with these clients to create a new story for this space now full of layers, change, mystery, happiness. Many new native and ecologically valuable plants and some of the clients’ old beloveds in the m

Some scenes from a lawn-to-native work in progress that has kept me busy for many months! The front yard in various stages of bloom from April to May, with more still to be planted. A wild delivery day in April. Mulch drop day in December (look at th

These are leaf scars on a Hydrangea quercifolia. I wrote about them in my May newsletter. You can subscribe at the link my bio. 🌱

So happy to visit this newly planted Brooklyn brownstone garden in the dapppled light, especially after a very rainy install! I love the dreamy clouds of Aruncus, and the bright bursts of Spigelia and Packera weaving through the shade. Can’t wa

Geum triflorum / prairie smoke / mountain avens / old man’s whiskers nodding in the sun. Geranium maculatum climbing towards the light. Both can be used as astringents and to heal belly aches. Both had my heart this April.