Whatever the nature of the project we pay close attention to the site ecology including soils, microclimates and the creation of integrated plant communities. Special attention is also paid the future maintainability of the garden. Unfortunately, designers and landscape architects all too often ignore these vital considerations. Gardens are not, and cannot be, a static canvas. Designs that fail to consider the evolution of the landscape in the coming years or decades are simply unacceptably shallow work. A properly designed and maintained landscape should continue to grow more interesting and attractive with the passage of time.

We also carefully consider the relationship between landscape and architecture. We strive to produce designs that are appropriate to the style and scale of each home, and take into consideration the views of the landscape as seen from within the home. If you are building a home, involving a landscape designer in the design process can have significant benefits.

Our areas of special interest include (but are not limited to) woodland/shade gardens, gardening for wildlife, Japanese gardens, and cottage/Arts & Crafts gardens.

I am Bruce Blake, the owner of Blake Garden & Design. I have a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Macalester College with additional college work in horticulture and landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota. In addition to my academic work I have gardened in well over one hundred fine gardens in the Upper Midwest and New England.

In recent years I have become very interested in Japanese gardening. In this pursuit I have to thank the following:

• Mary Bigelow, head gardener for the Japanese gardens at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Carlton College


• David Slawson, author of Secret Teachings in the Art of Japanese Gardening and creator of extraordinary landscape designs throughout the United States


• Douglas Roth and Tamao Goda, editors and publishers of The Journal of Japanese Gardening

They have all been extremely generous in sharing their expertise, advice, encouragement, and most importantly, friendship. I also keep in touch with other designers and a number of the best nurserymen (and women) in North America. I'm passionate about plants and my interests range from under utilized native species to the newest and rarest introductions from temperate climates around the world.

I am a member of the following societies and organizations:

1. The Arnold Arboretum
2. The American Horticulture Society
3. The Garden Conservancy
4. The New England Wildflower Society
5. MOFGA — Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
6. The American Bamboo Society
7. The American Conifer Society
8. The American Fern Society
9. The American Iris Society including the Siberian, Japanese, SIGNA and Spuria sections
10. The American Peony Society
11. The American Primrose Society
12. The American Rhododendron Society
13. The Cardigan Welsh Corgi Club of America