Stan Dombrowski
Horticulturalist | Designer
Touchstones
Klinta Trädgård, Sweden
After spending time with plantsman Peter Korn at Klinta, I recognized the potential of using bareroot plants and mineral substrates in the American garden to increase durability and sustainability in our changing and variable climate.
Native Plants on the Horizon
Whether I was looking at the short grass prairies of Montana, the mixed Boreal forests of Acadia national park, or the novel plant communities in the brownfields of Waltham Massachusetts, I encountered landscapes where every plant was in the exact right ecological niche for both utility and beauty.
From Lawn to Meadow
Driving through the American west to the east coast, and down to through the mid-Atlantic, I never get sick of seeing wild plant communities- homogenous lawns on the other hand, have lost their flavor. Converting high resource landscapes to biodiverse durable plantings has become my passion.
My philosophy combines naturalistic planting methods, applied ecology and an aesthetic curiosity. A forward-thinking approach for climate resistance that blends horticultural science with artistic design. My aim is to craft outdoor spaces that support biodiversity, conserve resources, and reflect the beauty of natural plant communities.
Key principles:
Designed mineral based substrates and bare-root plants for reduced weed pressure and drought tolerance
Creating dynamic systems rather than static gardens that change week to week with the seasons
Deep rooting and draught tolerant plants require 80% less water than traditional lawn
Blending native & climate adapted plants to fill pollination gaps and provide habitat
Resisting variable climates with free draining yet moisture retentive substrates
Creating an aesthetic solution to sustainable landscapes
Reducing over all inputs; water, fertilizer, new plants & labor- by working with nature not against it
Garden Services
Design
Lawn conversion
Rain gardens
Hellstrips
Mineral meadows
Super Orchards
Installation
High density planting
Minmal water to establishment
Climate adapted plants
Bare root plants
Low fertility substrates
Stewardship
Ongoing maintenance
Seasonal containers
Fine gardening
Ornamental pruning
Editing and cutbacks
Ways of seeing
My experience is rooted in over a decade of hands-on horticulture experience with a degree in sustainable landcape management from Edmonds College in Seattle, years working for Organic farms, landscape install and fine gardening companies, as a passion for self conducted research. I stay curious, attend industry conferences, and pilot new techniques—ensuring I am always looking, always finding new ways of seeing.
Hear me talk more about my experience and philosophy on the P is for Parterre podcast.
