THE “WHAT PLANT GOES WHERE?” aspect of gardening is the hardest part for a lot of us. And as we increasingly shift our plant palette and gardening style to be more native and ecologically focused, decisions about design might seem even a little trickier. We want our landscape to be abundant and biodiverse, packed with life—but also to still hang together visually. We want it to be legible, and landscape designer Leslie Needham has advice to help us achieve that legibility—to make our gardens really read, and draw the eye and the visitor through them effectively. Leslie Needham is the founder of Leslie Needham Design in Bedford, N.Y., a 20-year-old landscape firm, and has also taught landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden Landscape Design Program, where she was accredited. Just this year, Leslie was one of the featured presenters in the 12-week “Less Lawn More Life Challenge” that we’ll tell you a little about, just another of the many ways she shares her knowledge and tactical advice for making gardens that work both ecologically and aesthetically. Read along as you listen to the Sept. 22, 2025 edition of my public-radio show and podcast using the player below. You […]

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