Landscape Designer Spotlight: Jeff Collins of REWILD Landscapes Podcast By cover art

Landscape Designer Spotlight: Jeff Collins of REWILD Landscapes

Landscape Designer Spotlight: Jeff Collins of REWILD Landscapes

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This month on Down the Garden Path, Joanne welcomes five talented landscape designers, each with their own style, story, and specialty. What connects them all is a shared passion for creating beautiful, thoughtful outdoor spaces for their clients. Tune in each week in March as they share their experiences, perspectives, and the many ways landscape design can shape how we live outdoors. In this episode, Joanne speaks with Jeff Collins of Ottawa's REWILD Landscapes about ecological landscaping, native plants, edible gardens, and outdoor spaces that support both people and wildlife. Topics Covered Jeff Collins is the owner of REWILD Landscapes, a queer-owned ecological landscaping company in Ottawa.Their work combines horticulture, landscape design, food security, and ecological restoration.Jeff's childhood experience with food insecurity strongly influenced their interest in growing food and building community through landscapes.They studied horticulture at Algonquin College, where they focused on urban agriculture, sustainability, and native plants.Their landscape philosophy centres on creating spaces that support life from the soil microbes up to people and wildlife.Jeff encourages homeowners to rethink the role of the front lawn, replacing it with meadows, native gardens, rain gardens, and habitat-rich planting.They focus primarily on native plants and also incorporate non-invasive edible plants where appropriate.One of their favourite plants is the pawpaw, a native fruit tree they describe as delicious and underappreciated.Jeff looks for plants that do more than fill space; they should also provide ecological function, food value, or habitat.They often replace invasive plants with alternatives that match both the look and the ecological role of the original plant.Examples of native replacements discussed include serviceberry, sweet crabapple, switchgrass, little bluestem, and false sorghum.Jeff often uses plugs instead of one-gallon nursery plants for large-scale planting projects.They explain that plugs are more affordable, easier to plant in large numbers, quicker to adapt to site conditions and better at forming strong root systems over time.While plugs require patience, Jeff believes they create a more resilient, cooperative plant community.They encourage clients to accept a more natural look and allow landscapes to evolve.A recurring theme is that larger garden beds can be lower-maintenance than tightly packed, narrow planting strips.Jeff challenges the common assumption that "small garden = less work."They emphasize that native gardens often become easier to care for as plants establish and fill in naturally.Joanne and Jeff discuss how homeowners often begin with hesitation, then become more engaged as they notice wildlife, seedlings, and seasonal changes.Jeff sees gardens as a way to rebuild a connection to nature, food, childhood memories and place. They talk about the emotional pull of foraging, berry picking, and growing food at home.Jeff notes that many clients are motivated not just by food prices but also by a desire for meaningful outdoor experiences.Their three common client groups include families with children, professionals seeking a restorative retreat at home and retirees wanting to give back and reconnect with nature.Water management is another major focus of Jeff's work.They incorporate features such as rain gardens, permeable bases and dry creek beds and deep-rooted plantings that improve infiltration.They explain that lawns do a poor job of recharging groundwater compared to diverse plantings with deeper roots.Joanne and Jeff discuss Ottawa's Rain Ready rebate program and how it helps create opportunities for stormwater-friendly landscapes.Jeff uses flagstone and cedar structures rather than interlock whenever possible, aligning hardscape choices with their ecological values.Joanne reflects on the importance of sharing knowledge among landscape designers, rather than reinventing the wheel.Jeff shares their experience appearing on Dragon's Den, where they pitched their business as an ecological, food-focused, inclusive landscaping company. Takeaways and Tips Replace at least part of your lawn with planting that provides habitat, beauty, and ecological function.Do not assume a smaller garden is easier: well-sized planting beds are often lower maintenance.Native plants can support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects while also reducing long-term upkeep.Consider adding edible plants to create a stronger personal connection to your outdoor space.Use rain gardens and deep-rooted plants to help manage water and reduce runoff.For larger naturalized projects, plugs can be a smart and affordable planting strategy.Be cautious about accepting shared plants from friends and neighbours, since invasive species can spread that way.Focus on creating a garden that invites you outside to observe, harvest, explore, and participate.A thoughtful design plan can save money, reduce mistakes, ...
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