Gardentopia

Gardentopia

What's the Goal?

First the "why", then the "how"...

Jan Johnsen's avatar
Jan Johnsen
Jan 05, 2026
∙ Paid
The owners of this terrace garden knew their goal: lots of color and a place to enjoy their classic statuary. Here they sit amidst summer flowers such as dwarf Black eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’) and white phlox (Phlox paniculata ‘David’) and carefully placed artful accents. Design and Installation - Johnsen Landscapes & Pools

Researchers tell us that writing down a specific goal helps us to attain it. This is true in garden making, too.

While you may not want to sit down and draw up a design plan, you should at least define what you aim to achieve. Why is this so important? As the legendary British landscape designer, Gertrude Jekyll, once said, “The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies,” but even the most passionate love needs a path - a goal - to keep from getting lost in the brambles.

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