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TECHNOLOGY & QUALITY | COVER From Heat Trap to Hot Spot | INSPIRATIONAL WORKS Fall 2025
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FALL 2025
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 4 TECHNOLOGY & QUALITY
our community
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From the Publisher How Vision Takes Root: Lessons From a Changing Season News Clippings News on one of Kentucky’s first certified B Corps, a new guide for today’s landscape professional, Soake Pools and Harbor Saunas synergize, urture’s Vermont flagship store, and The Landscape Rodeo
inspirational works
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Steel in the Landscape Column: Angelica & Matt Norton Open Envelope Studio
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Project: Restoring Beauty With Backbone Building Quality That Lasts in El Paso Project: Crafting Timeless Curb Appeal An Outerspace Creations Transformation Synkd Live 2026 Let’s build the future of our industry—Together. Bring your expertise. Bring your questions. Bring an open mind. Join us in New Orleans.
JAN. 28-30, 2026 NEW ORLEANS, LA
COVER STORY FROM HEAT TRAP TO HOT SPOT Shade structures turn a dead zone into a desert oasis.
Bring your expertise. Bring your questions. Bring an open mind.
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Cover photo: Gensler–Ryan Gobuty
For latest content, to view digital issues & to find out about upcoming events, visit www.synkd.io. Follow us on these social media platforms: @synkd.landscape
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raise the bar
FOUNDER & CEO
Angelique Robb
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angelique@synkd.io | (337) 852–6318 The Landscape Designer’s Perspective Handling Challenges With Confidence, Part 1 How Plants—and People— Shape Extraordinary Gardens Where Artistry and Ecology Meet to Create Living Works of Art
SALES DIRECTOR
Tom Schoen
tom@synkd.io | (773) 490–9557 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Mike Watts
mike@synkd.io | (252) 256-8086 EDITOR
Erin Z. Bass GRAPHIC DESIGNER
28 GROUNDBREAKER DUANE DRAUGHON A leader changing the landscape design Industry.
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Advice From the Pros On Technology and Better Practices Company Profile Tierra Viva Landscapes: A Living Brand Rooted in Integrity
Trisha Klaus
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Using AI Column: Kelly Dowell onlawn Seeds of Wisdom Short Takes From the Podcasts of Synkd On Air Products: Comfort at Home Amenities From Outdoor TVs to Smart Mosquito Control A Crystal Ball for Trees Marie Ambusk envisions a world where trees can grow longer and healthier. PHOTOsynthesis Darwin Perennials Day, Cultivate ‘25, and the Takeuchi TllR3 Launch
Next Issue: SYNKD Winter 2026 Plan for Success
WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Olivia Guethling | pg. 12 Trevor Blackann | pg. 12 Angelica & Matt Norton | pg. 16 George Ocampo | pg. 18 Pete Lugo | pg. 18 Stephen Schultz | pg. 22 Duane Draughon | pg. 28 Marie Ambusk | pg. 32, 48 Greyson Walldorff | pg. 32 Joe Langton | pg. 33 Steve Garland | pg. 33 Federico (Fred) Trejo | pg. 34 Mardi Dover | pg. 38 Adam Woodruff | pg. 40 Kelly Dowell | pg. 44 Mark Woolbright | pg. 45 Brent Markus | pg. 45 Chris Major | pg. 45 PRINTED BY Modern Litho | www.modernlitho.com Published by ©SYNKD SYNKD is published four times a year and distributed to 15,000 qualified members of the green industry. Postmaster: Send address changes to 323 Polk St., Lafayette, LA 70501. SYNKD verifies information as much as possible. The views expressed by editorial contributors and the products advertised herein are not necessarily endorsements of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.
Contact Angelique Robb at angelique@synkd.io for more information on how you and your company can be featured in upcoming issues.
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synkd | our community
— FROM THE PUBLISHER —
HOW VISION TAKES ROOT Lessons From a Changing Season Angelique Robb, SYNKD Founder & CEO
-Angelique
JANUARY 28-30, 2026 NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
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SYNKD Fall 2025
Summer 2025
& sust Innovation
ainability for
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s the leaves begin to turn, fall reminds us that change isn’t just seasonal—it’s necessary. In this issue of SYNKD, we explore how the landscape industry is evolving, and what it takes to stay ahead while staying grounded. We start by tackling technology, a topic that’s no longer optional, but essential. From AI-assisted tools to robotics to materials that work harder and last longer, technology is shaping how we design, build, and maintain. But adopting it doesn’t have to mean abandoning what works. This issue breaks down what’s worth integrating—and how to do it in ways that add value, not complexity. We also showcase three standout projects that prove great outdoor spaces are equal parts art and engineering. Two high-end residential landscapes highlight layered design with detailed craftsmanship. Think intricate retaining walls, custom lighting, and natural stonework that blends function with elegance. A third public space project centers on a quieter design challenge: building with shade. It’s a smart, subtle lesson in comfort, usability, and community-first thinking. We’re also excited to feature Duane Draughon, an industry leader known for his bold, creative design work across the country. Draughon’s approach doesn’t just follow trends—it sets them. His story is a reminder that innovation in landscape design is as much about vision as it is about skill. Speaking of bold decisions, don’t miss the profile on Tierra Viva, a new full-service company in Dallas, TX. When the new owner had just 72 hours to decide whether to take over the struggling business, it wasn’t just a leap of faith—it was a team effort. His journey is relatable for anyone who’s ever taken a risk in this industry. And, finally, this issue launches a new three-part series by Mardi Dover, written for landscape studio owners navigating growth, leadership, and the business of creativity. Her insights will resonate with anyone looking to build a strong, sustainable practice in today’s fast-changing market. And one last thing... Good content doesn’t grow on trees—but your support helps it bloom. Love what we do? Help keep the ideas flowing (and the caffeine brewing). Become a paid subscriber and keep the creativity alive—plus, get extra goodies along the way.
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