Donald Pell - Private tour for 6 at Donald Pell’s Phoenixville Garden

Enjoy a tour of the private studio gardens of award-winning garden designer Donald Pell. Since 2008, He has been converting this 14-acre farm into a lush landscape of naturalistic gardens in the New American style. The farmhouse, Oval, and woodland gardens focus on exploring the beauty of plants in defined spaces that create an experience of place. Gravel pathways surrounding a historic stone farmhouse lead visitors through tall blocks of grasses and forbs, providing an intimate reaction to unique plants and novel combinations as they arrive at the rear natural-stone patio with sweeping views south. Here, viewers overlook the Oval, where large-scale perennial plantings are laid out in block and intermingled compositions to mimic natural habitats while showcasing form, texture, and color. Monolithic slab steps lead toward the grand American pecan tree that is the centerpiece of the woodland garden. Donald Pell is an accomplished horticulturist, landscape designer, and sought-after lecturer. For the past twenty-five years he has realized his revolutionary philosophy through meticulously building a well-respected Landscape Design and Consulting Firm in Pennsylvania. He is retained by notable clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. Don uses Donald Pell Gardens as a means to inspire and challenge clients to create visionary, adventurous landscapes. His creations are immersive places that magnify the beauty of connection between stunning plants and elements that applaud and accentuate space. He has developed a deep knowledge of the woody and herbaceous plants that has enabled him to embody, communicate and interpret the harmonious relationship of the localized flora. Don uses a wide palette to heighten the experience of local space. This extensive knowledge of plant species enables Pell to create layered plant communities that go beyond traditional plant groupings. His philosophy is a celebration of what we know juxtaposed with the unexpected, creating an endless wonder of visual possibility. A survey of his gardens beckon us to enjoy the moments against a backdrop of inspired creation. Don stumbled upon his passion in the extreme. Having grown up propagating plants in his parents nursery and hiking through remnant prairies, spontaneous hedgerows, and the abandoned Schwoebel's Nursery in his youth Don became fascinated with all things horticulture. After working under landscape designer Susan Jones of Peter Zimmerman Architects, a journey into the world of design emerge. The work of Roberto Burle Marx and Wolfgang Oehme led to his endless exploration of the artful garden. His work consists of research into soils, plant communities and planting design. He is supported by his staff of horticulturalists and landscape architects. He has lectured for numerous associations including being a featured speaker for the Perennial Plant Association throughout the Eastern US. His work has been featured by APLD designer of the year Carrie Preston of the Netherlands. Don's own design studio's garden has been featured by the website Houzz. This garden, open by appointment, has been toured by dozens of associations, professional and private parties both regional, national and international. Donald Pell designs immersive gardens that are evocative of regional landscapes. These gardens look to inspire circulation and realize the possibilities of place. Winner will coordinate a tour date with Donald Pell.