LNAGSL Member Adam Woodruff featured in ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Deb Peterson Column

Botany degree leads to growth of a garden design business
By Deb Peterson
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Adam Woodruff, 38, owner and founder of Adam Woodruff + Associates, Garden Artisans.

FAMILY — Partner is Sean Muthian, a research scientist at Pfizer Inc. They live in University City with a second house in Springfield, Ill., near where Woodruff grew up in Virden, Ill. Woodruff is the second of five children born to Bill and Marcia Woodruff. Bill is retired from a career with the Air National Guard; Marcia is a homemaker. Elder sibling is Eric Woodruff, 39, a self-employed race-car engine builder in Virden. Younger siblings are Jerrod Woodruff, 36, a graduate school student studying education in Rockford, Ill.; Sara Gwinn, 27, a mother and a student at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield; and Marc Woodruff, 23, works for Adam in Springfield.

EDUCATION — Virden High School, class of 1989, class treasurer; Eastern Illinois University, bachelor of science in botany, 1994; has done some graduate school work in biology, also at EIU.

What spawned your love of gardening? — When I was a kid, there was a little lady in her 90s who lived down the street. She needed help in her garden — she had a somewhat substantial garden for Virden — and I took care of her garden through junior high and high school. I really loved the work.

Did you start out studying botany in college? — No, I studied finance for the first year and a half. One day I thought, 'Why am I doing this?' I had always been interested in flowers, so I thought, 'Why not botany?'

Did you enjoy it? — Yes, but it was pure science. It's rare to go from botany into horticulture. We had a very hands-on program and did a lot of traveling. I even had an entire course in lichenology. We were out on prairies a lot and just did a lot of traveling and field work for the major.

Was that what made you decide to go into garden design? — Partly, I guess. I was thinking of medical school, which is why I studied biology in graduate school. Meanwhile, I was doing gardening work on the side and really enjoying it.

Did you have other jobs? — Oh, yes. I was a bookkeeper for Bauer's restaurant in Springfield for a number of years. It was a great job and I learned a lot about business from working there. Then I worked in sales for the Illinois Association of Realtors, which also turned out to be great experience because I learned about marketing and how to draw attention to projects.

When did you commit yourself full time to being a garden designer? — In 2004, I left the Realtors association because I got an offer to design the gardens for the new Bank of Springfield's flagship, which was being expanded and included more than 22,000 square feet for gardens.

When did you move to St. Louis? — Also in 2004. I met Terry Crow at a party in Springfield. He was the founding president of Edward Jones Trust Co. and was running for state rep when I met him. He and his partner, Tom, became good friends and helped integrate me into the St. Louis community.

Your gardens are unique. What sets your work apart? — I think my training in botany, along with my travels and collaboration with other designers. For instance, following a trip two years ago to Singapore and Malaysia, I expanded the use of tropical foliage in my designs. I visited last fall in the Netherlands with Piet Oudolf, a leading figure in the naturalistic plant movement, and I toured his private garden. I found his work inspiring. I like to blend plant material that is not conventionally grouped together — I think that gives my work a twist that is unique.

What do you like best about being a garden designer? — I love the creativity. I also really like helping a client realize his or her vision for what they want in a garden. And I love the hands-on part. I really like getting my hands in the dirt and working with the plants.

Where can we see examples of your work? — On my website: woodruffassociates.blogspot.com.

What do you do other than gardening? — I love to travel and I love to cook. I'm learning to cook Malaysian cuisine now.

What are you reading? — I recently read "The Kite Runner," by Khaled Hosseini. That was a powerful book. I also read "Foliage: Astonishing Color and Texture Beyond Flowers," by Nancy J. Ondra. And I regularly enjoy several gardening magazines.

So what kind of vehicle do you use to cart all those plants and gardening supplies around? — My work truck is a 2005 black Dodge Dakota. And I just bought a new Land Rover. It's a navy blue LR3.