9: The Curator’s Mindset: How Design Parameters Shape Every Garden I Design

Mature gardens become collections over time. Pots, plants, benches, impulse buys, inherited pieces, and at some point, that collection either feels magical or it just feels muddled. In this episode, I walk through how I use design parameters to guide every garden I design, why limitations actually make gardens better, and how they can reduce decision fatigue.

In this episode, I cover:

• How strong design parameters help you move between gardens, make faster decisions, and avoid creative fatigue
• Why mature gardens can often feel muddled instead of magical, and how design parameters fix that
• The difference between a collector's mindset and a curator's mindset when building a garden
• What immersive experiences like Meow Wolf and Disneyland can teach us about garden design, storytelling, and creating intentional spaces
• Real examples from my award-winning Northwest Flower and Garden Show gardens, and how completely different parameters created two totally distinct spaces
• Why limitations, when developed ahead of time, contribute to stronger and more well-defined gardens

Resources and Links:

• Meow Wolf
• Relish Gardens 2025 NWFGS Show Garden
• Relish Gardens 2024 NWFGS Garden
• Download our FREE Fall Gardening Guide

Connect with Us:

• Relish Gardens Website
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on YouTube

If you loved this episode, make sure to subscribe—we've got new episodes every week. And if you know a gardening friend who'd benefit from thinking about their garden through a curator's lens, send this their way. Sharing the show helps grow our little garden-loving community.

Until next time, I hope you find something in your garden to truly relish.