Softscaping is Drift’s core design service, with natural materials favored for hardscaping wherever possible.

My naturalistic planting style grew from two influences: the English cottage gardens illustrated in my childhood picture books and many years living in Washington state, and the prairie-inspired perennial plantings championed by Piet Oudolf. I found a new rhythm of gardening in Texas when I learned about my own soil’s prairie history and blended both approaches to plant design.

Both people and places need the benefit of responsible landscape design. I believe that bringing native plants into our personal gardens and third spaces gives us a sense of place and commonality, but most importantly, it means we’re benefiting the soil beyond our time occupying it.

Whenever possible, I will expand perennial gardens into lawn spaces, or offer native lawn alternatives in a design.

One way to bring seasons into your life is through perennial gardening. Texas native an adapted perennials and self-seeding plants really put on a show, with something of interest year-round.

Native and adapted plants do well because they want to be here! They also work for you by helping to control erosion, reduce watering needs once established, and bringing pollinators and critters for added garden interest. There is a myth circulating, though, that they’re no maintenance or xeric gardens. If you plant a garden full of native plants, you will still be a gardener. Seasonal consulting in spring and fall gives you a plan for maintaining and thoughtfully adding to your space.