Meet Ian and Catharine

Gardens designed and planted by principal owners Ian Gribble and Catharine Cooke have transformed many properties in the Connecticut and New York areas into landscapes of quiet charm and beauty. Their own home and garden, as well as many of their client's, have been featured on several garden tours and the repeat requests for tours from various organizations is ongoing.

Prior to moving to the U.S. in 1987, Ian managed the land on his family's 160-acre dairy farm in Kent, England. Catharine, after graduating from Parson's School of Design, had a successful graphic arts studio in New York City for about 16 years.

The couple met in New Zealand and traveled extensively for several months. They married in 1988, settling in the U.S. and dividing their time between NYC and Connecticut. Ian & Catharine then went on to attend The New York Botanical Gardens, where Catharine received a Certificate of Landscape Design and Ian earned a Diploma in Horticulture. Together they have over fifty years of professional gardening experience.

Very active in their community, Ian sits on the Board of Directors for Naromi Land Trust.  Previously, Catharine has served on the Board of Directors for the Sherman Chamber Ensemble and the Senior Housing Commission. They have volunteered extensively for a variety of town organizations, events and have donated several town gardens for all to enjoy. 

Catharine designed their home in Connecticut, set on fifteen acres. The highest compliment paid to them is "how beautifully their home sits in the land." Integrating home and land and letting the inside and outside flow together easily is very important to them. This holistic approach is  reflected in their work.

Their approach of letting the land reveal its own beauty allows the pair's natural creativity to evolve into beautiful landscape designs. Ian, the horticulturist, pays attention to existing soil and light conditions and is committed to the concept of "right plant in the right place." Catharine is always looking at shapes, the play of light and shadow, color, and the relationship of objects -- always striving to stay true to the "genius of a place" -- its history, architecture, and inhabitants.