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Press and Media
MARTHA STEWART GARDENING
Press, Martha Stewart
MARTHA STEWART GARDENING
Press, Martha Stewart

Everything outside is connected—from the treetops to the soil, and all the plants in between. Treat your yard like an ecosystem, and it will flourish. This home’s meadow was designed by Refugia, a Philadelphia-based firm that specializes in creating eco-conscious landscapes with native plants.

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Press, Martha Stewart
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Press
ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Press

“We have head-to-toe landscaping, but it requires no irrigation or chemical treatments whatsoever and the No Mow grass does not have to be cut,” says Nicole. “We wanted to respect and preserve our environment and be kind to all of the wildlife around us. We have so many more butterflies and bees in our yard now.”

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Press
GARDENISTA
Press
GARDENISTA
Press

Jeff Lorenz, the founder of Refugia Design in Philadelphia, is known for designing immersive, native landscapes, but he’s also developed something of a knack for creating gardens that effectively manage stormwater. Refugia’s style is naturally well-suited to the task: The native plants that they work with are good at Lorenz’s three rules of stormwater management:

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Press
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE
Press
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE
Press

A mid-Atlantic design/build firm is converting homeowners into native plant advocates, one lawn at a time.

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Press
GARDENISTA
Press
GARDENISTA
Press

For the past eight years, Jeff Lorenz and his team at Refugia, a landscape design-build firm, have been part of a quiet revolution in the Philadelphia suburbs. Little by little, they’re transforming yards, replacing traditional—and ecologically sterile—lawns with vibrant native gardens that teem with pollinators, handle weather extremes with ease, and flaunt their good looks four seasons of the year.

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Press
MARTHASTEWART.COM
Press, Martha Stewart Living
MARTHASTEWART.COM
Press, Martha Stewart Living

''If you live in an area where droughts are common, or if you're looking to reduce your landscape's watering needs, consider turning to xeriscaping. In its simplest form, this garden system is focused on water conservation ...”

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Press, Martha Stewart Living
MARTHA STEWART LIVING
Press, Martha Stewart, Spring
MARTHA STEWART LIVING
Press, Martha Stewart, Spring

In the suburbs of Philadelphia, a passionate landscape designer is transforming traditional cookie-cutter lawns into sustainable, low maintenance havens

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Press, Martha Stewart, Spring
FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE
Press
FINE GARDENING MAGAZINE
Press

Jeff Lorenz and his team at Refugia Design specialize in creating native landscapes in the Philadelphia area. In addition to looking better than turf grass …

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Press
PHS GROW MAGAZINE
PHS
PHS GROW MAGAZINE
PHS

“Biodiverse landscapes are not static—they are alive with movement and activity, sights, smells, and sounds that deliver us daily doses of joy, wonder, and curiosity, reminding us that nature is right outside our window…”

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PHS

Awards & Recognition

Narberth Living Landscape 

  • Gold Award—Specialty Projects/Educational; Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) 2022 International Landscape Design Awards

  • Silver Award—Residential; Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) 2022 International Landscape Design Awards

  • Award of Excellence—Residential; Perennial Plant Association (PPA) 2022 Landscape Design Awards

  • Merit Award—Residential; American Society of Landscape Architects (PA/DE) 2022 Professional Design Awards

Over the course of 4 years, the transformation of this property has made it a neighborhood landmark, gaining interest from horticulturists and curious homeowners eager to address climate change where they live. Serving as a testing and show garden for company founders Jeff and Kayla, this is the centerpiece of 90+ ‘stepping stone’ gardens within a 5 mile radius that promote habitat connectivity for plants and wildlife within Refugia's ‘Greenway Network’. Despite its modest footprint, this garden is now the epitome of functional, beautiful and resilient, made more powerful by its connectivity. A dynamic, shifting, immersive perennial garden in which everything is intentional.

The Inner Landscape – MAJOR EXHIBIT; PHS PHILADELPHIA Flower Show 2022

  • Winner of The Governor’s Trophy 2022 for Most Innovative, Visually Stimulating, Unique Design

  • Gold Award—Show Garden; Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) 2023 International Landscape Design Awards

  • Award of Merit—Show Garden; Perennial Plant Association (PPA) 2023 Landscape Design Awards

Research tells us that meaningful interactions with nature are directly related to high levels of biodiversity, old-growth trees and opportunities to experience solitude. Wonder, happiness and relaxation are to be found in such habitats that are as alive with sights, sounds and smells as we are. ‘The Inner Landscape’ integrates diverse native plants and sustainable materials with playful soundscapes, structures and immersive biodata sonification. By echoing and unveiling nature’s hidden systems and interconnections, visitors feel closer to what’s often out of sight; resilient, interdependent, and restorative amid the busyness of Philadelphia’s FDR Park.

The Sanctuarium – MAJOR EXHIBIT; PHS PHILADELPHIA Flower Show 2021

  • Silver Award—Show Garden; Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) 2022 International Landscape Design Awards

  • Award of Excellence—Show Garden; Perennial Plant Association (PPA) 2022 Landscape Design Awards

‘The Sanctuarium’ was a major exhibit for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show June 2021, staged outside for the first time since 1892. During a pandemic rife with fear and disconnection, our green spaces offered refuge; reminding us that, whatever else is happening, nature happens quietly and with optimism. ‘The Sanctuarium’s creation of dynamic native habitat immersed attendees in the aliveness, beauty and resilience of nature that is hopeful and celebratory; showcasing what is possible in our own gardens via thoughtful ecological design-build.

BRYN MAWR RESIDENTIAL

  • Go for The Green Award 2021 for Green Design & Development: Meadow Conversion; as Recognized by Lower Merion Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)

Landscape conversion from pre-existing turf grass to meadow. Deep rooted shrubs, perennials and grasses manage stormwater runoff, erosion and property flooding at the rear of property. Front, street-facing lawn transformed into a wildflower meadow offering diverse pollinator habitat, carbon sequestration and year-round shelter and sustenance for wildlife. This residential meadow conversion is the epitome of beauty with function, stopping passersby in their tracks who frequently pause to take pictures.

BRYN MAWR FILM INSTITUTe—PUBLIC GARDEN

  • Go for The Green Award 2017 for Outstanding Commercial Site Greening; as Recognized by Lower Merion Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC)

Collaboration with BMFI to fulfill the Township Natural Features Code in Bryn Mawr, PA. This code requires the conservation of natural features to maintain ecosystem function such as stormwater filtration, wildlife habitat, and air purification. We utilized a planting plan that manages stormwater via replacing lawn with a filter strip and basin to the right of the pathway thereby reducing runoff from the adjacent parking lot. This public garden is immersive and effective in delighting attendees as they exit the BMFI, while also supporting essential ecosystem function.

ADDITIONAL ACCOLADES

PHS PHILADELPHIA FLOWER SHOW AWARD WINNERS SINCE 2016

Gold Medal—2022
Silver Medal—2016, 2017, 2019, 2021
Bronze Medal—2018, 2020

The American Horticultural Society Environmental Award
PHS Educational Award & PHS Gardening for the Greater Good Award
Special Achievement Award of The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania