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I’m a garden designer on tv and IRL. I’m also an author and entrepreneur who thinks she can save the world by teaching everyone a little something about landscape design.

In The Garden With: Garden Porn

August 5, 2010

Michelle Derviss is one of those people that I look up to in this industry.  She has simply been there and done that, longer and better than most.  So I am excited to share her and her site Garden Porn and have her participate in this series. Michelle:

I have allergies towards certain plants and I’m deathly allergic to bee stings, yet I’m a gardener. Go figure, it must be the S+M in me.
Speaking of S+M,  I  fling snails over my fence into oncoming traffic.  It’s not very zen of me yet I derive great pleasure from it.  ( I will forever be banned from my sangha now )

I’m embarrassed to let  anyone in my pick up truck.  It smells like a cross between wet beach dog and an old bag of organic compost. That’s because there is usually a slightly damp dog and a odd bag of compost in the cab.  I’m immune to it, I don’t even smell it anymore much to my boyfriends disgust.

michelle derviss design APLD winner

Exhibition garden at the S.F. Garden Show 2008 – Best in Show , APLD award, Gold medal.

My Favorite things: Michelle Derviss

My landscape architectural  books are my most coveted thing followed by my colored pencils, clay and other art equipment.
I don’t have a television so entertaining myself with reading and art projects is paramount to my life.
When not working on a project I enjoy visiting places of inspiration in San Francisco, Berkeley, Sonoma and Napa Valley, which are all within a short drive from my home studio.
I love visiting Japan town, especially SoKo Hardware, which is the coolest hardware shop you’ll ever encounter outside of  Japan.
succulents

What do you do to find inspiration?

I look forward to visiting gardens with The Hortisexuals , a wild and whacky group of people who also have a penchant for viewing out of the ordinary gardens in the US and beyond.
I also adore the yearly  garden tour with the S.F. Bromeliad Club .

Best Garden or Design Advice Ever (Given or Received)?

From Roberto Burle Marx : “Make gardens works of Art”.

From Gary Koller, professor at The Arnold Arboretum and the GSD : “Garden maintenance can be your bread and butter within the horticulture industry”.


Visiting resort gardens in Bali with The Hortisexuals

From Unknown : “ If you are interested , you’ll do what is convenient, If you are committed you’ll do what ever it takes”.

My mantra : “ You cannot make a great garden without great clients”.

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  1. Susan aka Miss R says:

    Fantastic as always…particularly love the Burle Marx quote. I’m surprised Michelle hasn’t been on Studio G before this…

  2. Delphine says:

    Waoo, good advices !!
    Michelle is my garden guru and she makes me regret to live in Europe . I would like to know her better. She is also an artist. You have to see her creations on her blog.

  3. Michelle D. says:

    Thanks Rochelle for the opportunity to be on your inspiring blog.
    I feel fortunate to be amongst the other very very talented sculptors, artisans and design craftspeople here at Studio G.
    Safe travels and adventurous exploring ,
    Michelle

  4. Denise says:

    Brava, Michelle. I saw your 2008 SF show exhibit and it was stunning. Photos can’t begin to do it justice.

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