Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. This week, let's explore the power of COMMUNITY and how it helps us grow as designers. ♥︎

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One of the things I love most about garden design is the people. Over the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of learning and growing alongside some of the kindest, most generous designers you’ll ever meet. The garden design world is full of vibrant, welcoming communities…and if you haven’t found your people yet, I hope you will get some ideas below. Because a solid community changes everything.

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Above left photo: APLD and Garden Design Collective members in Charleston, South Carolina for the 2024 Annual APLD Conference and right photo above is a lovely garden designed by Lani Freymiller in Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

Both of the amazing gardens above were designed by Joel Berlin in San Diego, California

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SOLITARY TO CONNECTED

When you’re starting out, landscape design can feel like a quiet, solo pursuit. It’s just you, your drawings, your ideas…and a lot of time spent wondering if you’re getting it “right.” You’re learning plant names, exploring hardscape materials, wrestling with scale, space, and flow...then trying to bring those ideas to life. It can be exciting. And a little lonely.

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Whether you’re stuck on a tricky site, second-guessing a planting combination, or just wondering if your idea even works, being in a community can give you fresh perspective. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come from the smallest encouragement.

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Why community matters...especially for new designers.

Design is vulnerable. You’re putting your creative voice on paper, and eventually out into the world. That takes guts. When you’re surrounded by people who are on a similar path...people who get what it means to take that risk, you begin to take bigger, braver steps. You become more confident. You experiment more. You worry less about whether you’re doing it “right” and more about whether it feels true.

Left above: More awesome APLD and Garden Design Collective members in San Diego, California for the 2025 Annual APLD Conference and right photo is a magical garden designed by Wanda Mallen in Fallbrook, California

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FIND YOUR PEOPLE

You don’t have to join every group out there. The best communities are the ones where you feel seen, encouraged, and stretched in all the right ways.

A few places to look:

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Garden Clubs. There’s a quiet magic in garden clubs. They bring together people at all stages...from newbies to lifelong gardeners...and create space for learning, inspiration, and connection. If you’re just dipping your toe into the design world, this is a great way to meet others, tour local gardens, and even start speaking or sharing your work in a low-pressure way.

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Master Gardeners. The Master Gardener program isn’t design-specific, but it’s an amazing way to deepen your plant knowledge and connect with others who love horticulture. I’ve met so many generous, knowledgeable people through this program...people who are always happy to answer questions, share stories, and help you grow.

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The Garden Design Collective. This is the online membership community I created specifically for new and aspiring garden designers. Each month we explore a focused design topic together then apply it via sketching prompts, conversations, and plenty of support. What makes it special isn’t just the lessons...it’s the people. The shared momentum. The way members lift each other up, celebrate progress, and keep showing up for their own growth. Learn more here.

Left above: Enjoying the 2022 Annual APLD Conference in Chicago, Illinois and right photo is a beautiful garden designed by Greenhaven Landscapes, also in Chicago.

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Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD). If you’re looking to connect with peers on the professional level, APLD offers education, mentorship, resources, and an international network of landscape designers. One of my favorite things is the annual conference, where we tour gardens, meet other designers, and come away with fresh energy and ideas. It’s a reminder that we’re part of something much bigger...and that our work matters. Learn more here.

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Or Start Your Own Group. If you can’t find a local community that fits, make one. Several of my colleagues have done just that successfully via a garden book club. It can also be as simple as gathering a few fellow designers for coffee. Or organizing a garden tour. Or starting a group text to swap ideas, challenges, and wins. When you build your own community, you’re not just offering something to others, you’re creating structure, accountability, and inspiration for your own practice, too.

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Yes, design starts with you...your ideas, your creativity, your point of view. But it can grow through dialogue and connection with a larger group of talented people. Find your people. Or better yet, gather them. It's definitely worth the effort.

Left above: Tangelo trees in Fallbrook, California and right photo is a cute little garden in Charleston, South Carolina.

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Let's do this!

Think about what garden design community you could join or create...then reach out. Or perhaps you are already part of a fabulous design community? Please share by hitting reply to this email.

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If you’re ready to grow your garden design skills and step into your identity as a designer, the GARDEN DESIGN COLLECTIVE is here for you. 
Join the waitlist to learn when enrollment opens again.

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We've pulled together 100 design tips for you in our 10x10 GARDEN DESIGN TIPS series for only $10. This is a fun way to gently start learning about garden design one day at a time.

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for being an important part of this community too!

All my best, Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP

Thank you to Mandy Orgler for designing the lovely graphics in all these newsletters.