“All Along the Watch Tower“- a design by Nick McCullough for the Philadelphia Flower Show – March 2-10, 2019

By Debra Knapke

We often look back on a person’s career and think we see the pivotal career-moment:  “Ah, this is where it happened”. But Nick McCullough is not new to the world of landscape and garden design, and the Philadelphia Garden Show is his next – giant – step.

Nick has been building his skills for close to 20 years. First as a student of art history and horticulture and, then with training in design in England, Nick positioned himself to blend art, plants and a creative eye to create contemporary gardens.

Teresa and I had a sneak preview of Nick’s talent when he submitted a design for the Perennial Plant Association Landscape Design Award program.  The shade garden design was a subtle interplay of green, gold, silver and white perennials and shrubs. It was stunning.

His design for the Philadelphia Flower Show is the polar opposite of a calm, enfolding shade garden. Think sun, mirrors, colors exploding, and immersion in nature. For a more detailed description of his design, visit his Thinking Outside the Boxwood blog where Nick explains his inspirations and the execution of his design.

We wish Nick success as he presents his garden to the public, and we look forward to his future ventures.