When people think of Landscape Architects they often conjure up ideas of someone who spends all day at the nurseries or digging in the dirt but there is a lot more to Landscape Architecture than the placement of pretty plants to wrap around the exterior of a home.

As Reed Dillon sits down to tackle any upscale residential or commercial endeavor he knows his job goes well beyond sowing plants and the laying of rock work. He acts as a general contractor for most of his projects, hiring subs and managing often enormous ventures where pools are constructed, fireplaces erected, foundations transformed, this is not just about digging in the dirt.  The work requires a meticulous eye for detail, a knack for the unusual, knowing what flora thrives, having an extensive list of creative masons, sculptors, tile layers, concrete specialists and the ability to bring it all together to shape magnificence.

Reed Dillon grew up in Hutchison Kansas where the seed of plant admiration began.  His grandfather, Ray Dillon, was a horticulture hobbyist but he took gardening quite seriously and was a perfectionist with his outdoor schemes, Dillon recalls, “Growing up my grandfather owned an orchard and we’d go pick peaches, apples…one day I was around 10 years old I remember picking onions all day, ugh that was some hard work.  But, he was my first inspiration and role model for understanding and appreciating plants.”

Dillon attended The University of Kansas for his undergraduate work which is where he met his wife Stacey.  It was during that time that his maternal grandfather first gave Reed a copy of a landscape architecture magazine.  Living in Kansas landscape architecture was not prevalent and this became his first real introduction to the idea.  During his stay at KU he worked one summer at the Bartlett Arboretum outside of Wichita pruning, weeding, trimming and absorbing the life of plants.  After earning a liberal arts degree he packed his bags and moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of Pennsylvania where Dillon received a Masters Degree in landscape architecture.

Reed and Stacey left the east coast to go cash in on some Texas T, Dillon explains, “In Texas when the oil money was flowing, they spent it.  It was fun working on upper-residential areas with these huge budgets and grand ideas.”  He formed Ruckel/Dillon Landscapes with his partner Richard Ruckel and for 15 years the two beautified the homes of many Houston elite.   But with two small children Reed and Stacey thought it would be a good idea to move back to Kansas, closer to family and start anew.  Dillon says, “We were shocked when we first came back to Lawrence in the summer of 1995, there was so much growth and so many changes.  The market seemed to be big enough for me to start a thriving business.”

Reed Dillon & Associates was born, Dillon states, “Landscaping is a visceral experience, it should feel good, be energizing and calming all at the same time.”  When a client comes to the firm a careful analysis is asked of them, a questionnaire asking favorite colors, what they like to do outdoors, what they expect from a space, experiences with the outdoors.  Dillon says, “It’s a collaboration I don’t want to just impose my view on clients, and in fact most people come armed with a folder of ideas they like, images out of magazines, plants they favor, these are all great to work with.”

After the general idea is conceived a preliminary drawing is created with the hardscapes and flora placement, to convey the feeling and flow of the space.  Once that is approved a drawing of the construction phase is produced with electrical wiring, plumbing and basically the bowels of the project in place.  Reed tries to work around the existing landscape as much as possible; after all it is a shame to tear down a hundred year old tree if you can work around it.  He recommends that people hire a landscape architect in the beginning of the homes construction if at all feasible.  He reflects on his own home, “My garden was designed at the same time as the house.  The home and garden really belong together; it doesn’t just look like a garden that wraps around the house.”

His garden is his favorite because it is the most personal vision he has been able to accomplish.  Dillon’s advice on creating a really unique space, “If you are shopping at salvage yards and antique shops and you see something that is interesting  you have to be spontaneous and buy it.  Even if you don’t know where to place it now, store it away and you’ll find a perfect place one day.”

Reed Dillon & Associates feel as if they bring a different perspective than many other companies, Dillon says, “We try to incorporate the entire environment.  The hardscapes that we bring to the table have a level of sophistication that is not the norm.”

Some of Dillon’s Favorite Plant Choices:

• Hydrangeas, all types they have a wonderful scale and are blooming in the summer when most people are outdoors.
• Roses, have a great feel and look the Knockout variety are fabulous with no black spots or diseases they are worry free.
• Boxwood, they are the work horse of the garden, looking beautiful when they are sheared and bringing fabulous winter structure to the garden.
• Azaleas, as long as you site your azalea with East or North light and a little shade with lots of compost they will perform beautifully here.