A Better Way
to Landscape.
Our Nature-Driven Design Methodology helps Landscape Designers and Gardeners to create biodiverse, resilient landscapes that provide ecological function while preserving a cultivated aesthetic.
Traditional Landscaping – A Broken System.
Frequently mowed and carefully maintained, giving an impression of order and control, perfectly manicured lawns began as a status symbol in 17th century European estates. With advancements in machinery and chemicals, this approach reached its peak in the mid 20th century and remains that way to this day.
Now, the typical residential landscape consists of:
- Turfgrass lawns covering 90% or more of the available property
- Evergreen shrubs – Usually non-native – such as yews and boxwood, tightly clipped into geometric shapes.
- Quick-growing, short-lived non-native trees such as Callery Pear
- Widely spaced-apart plants with beds of bark mulch or stone as the ground cover
This all comes at a cost. By forcing nature into a rigid mold, we’ve built an unsustainable system – one that consumes vast amounts of time, money, and resources while giving little back in return. Today, in the US, we mow, irrigate, and blast with chemicals over 49,000 square miles – An area the size of Florida.
The result? High maintenance, low ecological value landscapes that require us to fight nature at every turn instead of working with it.
Changing Perspectives and a New Approach
Traditional landscaping has always been about control – trimming, mowing, shaping, and ultimately beating nature into submission. But what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of fighting nature, we brought it to the forefront to guide landscapes that are aesthetic, yet functional?
That shift is already happening.
Forward-thinking landscape designers, high-end estates, and progressive municipalities are moving away from outdated, high-maintenance landscapes. This is visible in iconic public spaces – Places like Millenium Park in Chicago and Brooklyn Bridge Park in New York City have very effectively utilized naturalistic landscaping, displaying it as a cutting-edge advancement in landscape design.
We are willing to bet that over the next decades, traditional landscaping – once a symbol of status, order, and prestige – is going to become a relic of the past, relegated to low-end landscapes where turfgass, callery pears, and yews were just the quickest and cheapest initial option.
In its place, a new design ethos will drive the new landscape of status – one that unites aesthetics with ecological function, creating outdoor spaces that are as beautiful as they are life-sustaining.
At Paddle Creek Gardens, we call our approach to this new concept Nature-Driven Landscape Design.
A Smarter Way to Work With Nature
Traditional landscaping methodologies work against natural systems – Ours works with them.
Our systems-based approach to landscape design helps you to create thriving, low-maintenance landscapes that enhance biodiversity without sacrificing aesthetics.
Want to learn more? Explore how our Nature-Driven Design methodology can transform your approach.
The Tool Shed
Our personal recommendations for products, informational resources and services, specifically geared towards our mission of sustainability and ecological function in the landscape.
Latest Articles
- Schizachyrium scoparium (Little Bluestem)
One of the widest-ranging native grasses, Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a highly ornamental and widely tolerant native prairie grass. Beginning with bluish-green new growth in Spring and finishing with orange to russet fall color that lasts well into the winter, Little Bluestem is an all-seasons interest plant to include in the landscape. Growing from … Read more - Restore Life to Your Landscape – How to Build Your Plant PaletteThe species you choose are more than just a list of pretty-looking plants, they are the foundation of your design’s success. Taking a little time to work through species selection to create a species palette ensures your landscape not only thrives in your site’s conditions, but also contributes to the broader ecological web, supporting biodiversity and ecological function.
- Pycnanthemum muticum (Short-Tooth Mountain Mint)
Short-Tooth Mountain Mint is a vigorous, interesting-looking native perennial. All parts of the plant smell strongly of camphor and peppermint, a feature that prevents deer and rabbits from eating the plants. Dusty-colored plants give way to white flowers backed by bracts that look as if they have been painted, the color reminiscent of the old-fashioned garden annual Dusty Miller. - Native Plant Library for Landscape DesignDiscover the best native plants for ecological landscaping with the Paddle Creek Gardens Native Plant Library. Explore profiles based on ecological function and design role.
- Seed Starting and Plant Propagation Supplies
Our tried-and-proven seed starting supplies we’ve used on the nursery and still use for propagating native plants, as well as starting vegetables and annuals indoors.
About Paddle Creek Gardens
Mission
To realize the potential in every landscape to support life.
Vision
To Be the trusted voice in today’s landscape design ethic and aesthetic.
Values
- Ecological Function First – Supporting life and biodiversity should be the first goal of a vegetated landscape.
- Preserve a Cultivated Aesthetic – We don’t have to forgo aesthetics to achieve garden full of life.
- Make Impactful Choices – The 80/20 Rule can help us make design choices that will provide the most impact, visually and ecologically.
Our Story
Started in 2013 as a GreenTec Nursery, Paddle Creek Gardens has its roots in propagating and supplying native plants. We have transitioned away from nursery stock since 2023, focusing more on providing information and services to promote a new approach to landscape design.
As humanity develops more land and take up more space, it’s becoming even more important to ensure our gardens are providing ecological function in addition to aesthetics. Our mission at Paddle Creek Gardens is to ensure that the potential to support life is realized in every garden, and it’s our passion to provide gardeners, landscapers and property owners – Professionals and amateurs alike – with the tools and resources they need to bring their landscapes to life.
Our Nature-Driven Design methodology clarifies our ideas, redefining landscape design with an ecology-first, practical approach to designing, planting and maintaining landscapes.