about GAVIN

With a background in landscape construction and environmental humanities, Gavin’s love for garden design grows out of long days in the dirt. He creates award winning, immersive gardens with the belief that plants have the power to make our lives better.

Growing up on a sheep farm in the green mountains of Vermont, Gavin developed an early appreciation for native New England flora and the historic landscapes found in both town and pasture. He has worked in landscape architecture offices in Vermont, Connecticut, and Maine, and holds a degree in landscape architecture from Cornell University. A certified horticulturist in several New England states, he strives to create landscapes grounded in their environment, culture, and circumstance.

ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS

Maine Certified Horticulturist

Vermont Certified Horticulturist

Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist

American Society of Landscape Architects - Member

Boston Society of Landscape Architects - Member

Vermont Natural Shoreland Erosion Control (Certified)

Perennial Plant Association - Member

Ecological Landscape Alliance - Member

GBR_LANDSCAPE ON INSTAGRAM

Planting design can feel a lot like painting in the way you combine colors and shapes— but there’s one additional factor in the garden that separates the two. Plants (and the gardens they inhabit) are never static. Whether we try hard f
Some days, I’m putting together construction drawings for a new installation; other days I’m meeting clients and starting from scratch on a brand new landscape concept. And then there are days like today, when I get to put my hands back
Hayscented Ferns in August. Doesn’t get much more Maine than this!
Checking in on a garden with @doe_steve this afternoon in Kennebunkport. It’s hot and humid but the plants don’t seem to mind!
Nice to check in on this New Hampshire project today. Planted a little less than 1 month ago, and already buzzing with life. There’s always editing and additions to make as gardens establish and evolve, but I’m happy with this one&rsquo
Beebalm, Milkweed, and Coneflowers providing pops of color in the bioswale. I’ve been thinking a lot recently about “meadows” and our anthropocentric view of them. While many areas we see as natural meadow wouldn’t be possib
Feeling inspired after a trip back to our old stomping grounds and a visit to the @cornellbotanicgardens It’s easy to get stuck in a routine as a designer, and gardens like this one can’t help but fill you up with new ideas again. As o
With so many new faces here this summer, I wanted to say another hello and re-introduce myself. I’m a husband, father, and landscape designer based in Maine. I long ago fell into this love for plants and landscapes through time on constructio
Penstemon in an old meadow.
Things are starting to fill in beautifully in Kennebunkport. Planted last summer, and days away from an explosion of blooms. Designed in collaboration with @doe_steve 📸: @klla2002 #landscape #landscapedesign #maine #newenglandliving #pool
Beating the heat in our newly planted Pine Park Garden. Stone and plantings put in last July, and already happy to grow on without any watering, mulching, or amendments. Keep things simple! Stonework by @dtlandworks Design & planting by @gbr
Today’s rain is doing wonders for new plantings. Clematis, Salvia, and Monarda anchoring the home garden this time of year.
This Dover entry garden is filling in beautifully in year one. Blues and greens setting the stage for a colorful month ahead. 📸: @inge.daniels.design
The first spring for this special garden. Plenty still needs to fill in and spread over time, but the bones are in, and summer beckons. Excited to watch this space flourish over the coming seasons. Thanks to @doe_steve for the pictures and for be
The rich colors of early summer on display in Glen Ridge garden.
Starting to visualize summer in our Norwich Hillside garden.
Checking in a garden planted last summer, starting to fill in beautifully in year two. Fern sod, naturalistic drifts of perennials, and tough, native shrubs. What more could you want?
The blur that is spring. It feels like we went from watching the weather app and crossing our fingers for warmer mornings to full leaf-out and hot summer-like days with no inbetween. We have gardens being built in Vermont, New Hampshire, New York,

  • “We had the pleasure of working with Gavin after competing significant renovations of our home. Gavin skillfully guided us through an extensive process that included visioning, designing, planning, implementing, and following up. He used excellent subcontractors for hardscaping, sourcing and installing plants, and maintenance; provided a detailed budget for the proposed work and came in within budget; and, at completion, shared extensive documentation of our plantings and instructions for ongoing maintenance. Gavin has vast knowledge of plants as well as excellent communication, interpersonal, and listening skills for brainstorming and collaborative work. We could not be more pleased with the process and results.”

    — J.C. (Hanover, NH)

  • “Gavin listened well to my vision, and came up with beautiful and creative solutions for a somewhat challenging site. He paid attention to practical matters including cost, easy care, and use of native plants. It was a delight working with him to create the garden that I have always wanted.”

    – N.P. (Norwich, VT)

  • “Gavin was an absolute pleasure to work with on a moderate-sized landscaping job earlier this year. He was completely professional, thoughtful, conscientious, and got the job done on budget and on time (no small feat). He has great vision for landscape design and gave us helpful suggestions, which were greatly appreciated! I would gladly have him do other projects with us in the future!”

    – G.D. (Hanover, NH)

  • “Gavin was instrumental in providing options on how to move forward with our project, and helped us determine a scope and budget. He also supported us in the selection of and communication with a contractor. He is extremely knowledgeable about landscape design and is a responsive and organized project manager!”

    -M.A. (Falmouth, ME)

  • “Gavin provided us with an excellent resolution to our garden drainage problem in a timely and cost efficient manner…On time and within estimated budget. We highly recommend him.”

    – P.M. + J.G. (Norwich, VT)

  • “Gavin did a terrific job with our landscape. He was exceptionally professional, personable, and responsive throughout our work together. We’re very pleased with the result, and we would work with him again in a heartbeat”

    -D.H. (Hanover, NH)

  • “I have worked with Gavin on two major projects and found him to be knowledgeable, friendly, and reliable. He worked with Hanover High School’s Environmental Club along with 150 students and teachers to replace several of the school’s gardens with native plants. His incredible patience with the students and willingness to share his knowledge with them was evident throughout the project. I was so impressed I asked him to design a garden at our home in Norwich. His selection of plants and their placement shows layers of color throughout the season, and attracts a host of pollinators. Gavin is a professional who is easy to work with, thoughtful in his planning, honest and responsive. I highly recommend Gavin if you are interested in pursuing any gardening project. He is top notch!”

    -J.K. (Norwich, VT)