Susan Cohan: Crafting Outdoor Spaces With Heart And Purpose

Have you ever walked into an outdoor space and felt an immediate sense of peace, or perhaps a burst of pure joy? That feeling, that connection with nature and thoughtful design, is something Susan Cohan brings to life in her work. She creates places that truly feel good, spaces where people can relax and connect with the world around them. It's really something special to see, you know, how a place can make you feel.

Susan Cohan is, in fact, a landscape designer who has earned international recognition for her work. She was given the title of "Designer of the Year" by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers back in 2021, which is a pretty big deal in the world of garden creation. This honor shows just how much her peers respect what she does and the quality of her ideas, so it's a significant achievement.

Her work goes beyond just planting flowers; it's about making places that live and breathe, spaces that are good for people and the planet. She believes that a well-designed garden can truly make our lives better, and honestly, who could argue with that? It's all about creating outdoor areas that are both beautiful to look at and kind to the environment, which is a philosophy many people are looking for these days.

Who is Susan Cohan?
A Philosophy of Thoughtful Design
Award-Winning Show Gardens
Creating Residential Havens
- The Lee's Hill Garden
- A Thorough Design Process
The Gift of Greenery
Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Cohan
Connect with Susan Cohan Gardens

Who is Susan Cohan?

Susan Cohan is a name that stands for thoughtful and environmentally responsible outdoor design. She leads Susan Cohan Gardens, a place where art and nature come together to create truly special outdoor areas. Her work has been recognized globally, which is pretty amazing when you think about it.

Here's a quick look at some details about her and her work:

Detail	Information
Name	Susan Cohan
Profession	Internationally Award-Winning Landscape Designer
Key Recognition	Designer of the Year (2021) by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)
Location of Studio	550 West Main Street, Boonton, New Jersey 07005
Notable Projects	Philadelphia Flower Show gardens (2022, 2023, 2025), Residential gardens like Lee's Hill
Design Philosophy	Thoughtfully designed, environmentally responsible landscapes that enhance lives

A Philosophy of Thoughtful Design

At the heart of Susan Cohan's work is a simple yet powerful idea: outdoor spaces should make our lives better. She believes that when a garden is designed with care and respect for the environment, it can truly add something wonderful to our daily existence. This way of thinking guides every project, from small home gardens to large show installations, so it's a core belief.

Her approach is about creating places that are not only pretty but also work well and are good for the earth. This means considering everything from the kinds of plants that will thrive to how water will be used and how materials will be sourced. It's a very complete way of looking at design, and honestly, it makes a lot of sense.

The team at Susan Cohan Gardens provides comprehensive plans for landscape design. This means they think about every single part of an outdoor space. From the plants that will grow there to the stone paths, the decorative items, the seating, and even the smaller bits and pieces, everything is chosen with great care. This detailed attention is what makes her gardens feel so complete and inviting, you know, like they've always been there.

Award-Winning Show Gardens

Susan Cohan has a history of creating show gardens that really capture people's attention and win awards. These gardens are like big art installations, showing off new ideas and how design can connect with important topics. They are a way to share her creative vision with a much wider audience, which is pretty cool.

Swingtime at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2023

In early March 2023, the Philadelphia Flower Show saw a creation called "Swingtime" built right inside the city’s convention center. This particular garden received several awards for both its design and how well it considered the environment. It was, in fact, a project that showed how beauty and being kind to the planet can go hand in hand, which is something many people care about.

The success of "Swingtime" at such a big event really highlights Susan Cohan's ability to produce work that stands out. It demonstrates her skill in putting together a garden that not only looks good but also has a deeper message about sustainability. People really responded to it, and it was a popular spot for visitors, apparently.

PHS Silver Trophy at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2022

The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society invited Susan Cohan Gardens to create a show garden for the 2022 Philadelphia Flower Show. This was a chance to present new ideas and show what's possible in garden design. Their garden for that year earned the PHS Silver Trophy, and also a gold medal, which is quite an honor.

Winning both the PHS Silver Trophy and a gold medal speaks volumes about the quality and impact of their creation. It shows that their work meets a very high standard and that the judges truly appreciated their efforts. This kind of recognition helps people understand the level of artistry involved in her projects, you know?

Field of Vision for the Philadelphia Flower Show 2025

Looking ahead, Susan Cohan Gardens is already planning for the 2025 Philadelphia Flower Show with a garden called "Field of Vision." This garden imagines a future where old industrial buildings, the ones that once had a job to do, become common places for communal homes. It’s a pretty thought-provoking idea, to be honest.

"Field of Vision" envisions these future homes keeping and reusing the original building parts, giving them new life while honoring their past. This project is about seeing possibilities in what's already there and creating something new and useful from it. It’s a way of thinking about how we can live in a more connected and resourceful way, which is something many people are thinking about these days.

Creating Residential Havens

While her show gardens capture public attention, Susan Cohan also puts her creative energy into making private outdoor spaces for homes. These residential gardens are designed to fit the lives of the people who live there, offering a quiet place or a spot for fun. It's about making someone's personal outdoor area feel just right for them, which is a very personal kind of work.

The Lee's Hill Garden

One particular project, the Lee's Hill garden, involved designing a space within the footprint of a garden that had been there a century before. This was a unique challenge, working with the echoes of a past design while bringing in new life. It's kind of like honoring history while creating something fresh, you know?

Starting with some old, forgotten plans, new plants were chosen to be easy to care for. The design included a large patio area with a line of plants around it, like a necklace, and a very long border of formal plants for privacy, stretching about 175 feet. This project shows how older ideas can be brought into the present with a fresh look, still.

A Thorough Design Process

The design process with Susan Cohan Gardens is very complete. They consider every detail, making sure that everything from the plants to the stone, to the decorative pieces, the furniture, and even the smaller accessories are chosen with great thought. This careful selection ensures that the final garden feels cohesive and well-put-together, which is something clients really appreciate.

They provide detailed landscape design plans, giving clients a clear picture of what their outdoor space will become. This step-by-step approach helps people understand the vision and feel confident in the outcome. It's a way of making sure everyone is on the same page, and that's pretty important for a big project like a garden.

The Gift of Greenery

Beyond creating large-scale gardens, Susan Cohan Gardens also understands the joy that a simple plant can bring. They suggest that giving the gift of greenery is a thoughtful idea, perhaps even more so than flowers, because plants tend to last much longer. It's a lasting way to show you care, so it's a pretty good idea for a present.

With a gift card from Susan Cohan Gardens, someone can pick out a potted plant to brighten up their home, office, or even a college dorm room. It’s a way to bring a bit of nature indoors, adding a touch of life and color to any space. This shows a broader love for plants and how they can improve daily living, which is a nice touch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Cohan

People often have questions about Susan Cohan and her work. Here are some common ones that might come up:

What kind of recognition has Susan Cohan received for her work?

Susan Cohan was named "Designer of the Year" by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers in 2021. Her show gardens have also won multiple awards, including the PHS Silver Trophy and gold medals at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which is a significant achievement in the field. She's really made a name for herself, you know?

What is Susan Cohan's approach to landscape design?

Her philosophy centers on creating outdoor spaces that are both beautiful and good for the environment. She believes that thoughtful design and responsible choices about nature can truly make our lives better. This means focusing on sustainable practices and creating places that feel right for the people who use them, which is a very human-centered way of thinking.

Where is Susan Cohan Gardens located?

The studio for Susan Cohan Gardens is located at 550 West Main Street, Boonton, New Jersey 07005. This is where the creative work happens, and where the team plans out all the amazing outdoor spaces they bring to life. You can find more details about their location and services on their official website, like this one from the APLD website.

Connect with Susan Cohan Gardens

To see more of Susan Cohan's inspiring projects and learn about her design philosophy, you can visit the Susan Cohan Gardens website. It's a great place to explore her past work, from award-winning show gardens to peaceful residential retreats. Learn more about Susan Cohan on our site, and you can also find out about her latest projects by visiting this page here.

Her work truly shows how outdoor spaces can be transformed into places that bring joy and serve a purpose, all while respecting the natural world. It's a way of thinking about design that many people find very appealing, and honestly, it's pretty inspiring to see what she creates.