Episode 174: Native Landscape Design

In this episode, Kate Brittenham—an ecological landscape designer—chats with Tim and Jean about how native plant gardens can be both beautiful and practical. These kinds of landscapes do more than just look good—they support local biodiversity and give homeowners a sustainable alternative to the typical lawn. Kate grew up surrounded by native plants at Flying Trillium Gardens and Preserve, a special place in the southern Catskills created by her mother, Carolyn Summers. She shares how her design approach has shifted over time: from having to educate clients about the benefits of native plants to now working with folks who are already excited about creating ecological gardens. Kate also talks about how to strike the right balance between habitat and curb appeal, especially in suburban neighborhoods or places with HOA rules.

Kate also talks about how things have really changed in recent years—more people are paying attention to pollinators, invasive plants, along with an increasing awareness of the downsides of keeping a traditional lawn. Since the pandemic, she’s seen a real shift in what clients are asking for, and it’s changed how she approaches her work. She shares practical advice for anyone looking to make their yard more habitat-friendly, from choosing the right native plants to dealing with invasives and designing with the local environment in mind. The conversation also dives into the updated edition of Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East, the book she co-wrote with her mom, Carolyn Summers. Kate brings a great mix of honesty, plant knowledge, and optimism to the conversation—something gardeners of all experience levels will really enjoy.

So if you're thinking about ditching some of your lawn or just want to learn more about plants that support pollinators, listen in as Kate Brittenham shares smart, approachable advice to help you take that first step!

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guest: Kate Brittenham

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Deven Connelly, Teresa Golden, Tim Kennelty, Amy Meadow, Xandra Powers, Annie Scibienski, Eileen Simpson, Robin Smith, Jean Thomas

Resources

• Flying Trillium Gardens & Preserve - Native Plants in the Catskills
• Designing Gardens with Flora of the American East by Carolyn Summers and Kate Brittenham (published by Rutgers University)

Last updated May 22, 2025