iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Traffic circles are a huge missed opportunity. I volunteered a layered planting design w/ native plants to enhance the ecological value of this one. We can't have this in the US b/c the landscape industry can't care for it, become commercialized, based on labor and chemicals rather than knowledge.

A picture from the late summer. A large traffic circle island with plantings and no turf grass. A 15' Sugar Maple Tree in the center contrasts the other finer textures with a dark black-green hue. Diverse plantings with various shades of tan, light and medium green, along with ground cover and the remnant flowers of 'Fireworks' Goldenrod.

A traffic island planting showing the dormant winter form of perennials, sedges, and ground covers. Colors range from yellow-tan, to light tan, and shades of brown.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The thought of potentially loosing employees to larger companies that can afford to pay for health ins. is depressing. We do good work here for people, pollinators, and planet and people like it here, but right now they have to choose between a job they love and health care. Doesn't seem right.

A fall garden scene comprised of native plants, turning fall colors. The copper, tan, black and grey of the season contrast with evergreen Inkberry and bright red berries of Winterberry.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Mission #1: churn out as fast as possible ecologically rich landscapes that restore biodiversity and beauty to the places people live and work. Replace turf with diverse, native plant communities is essential to reversing the biodiversity crisis and building a more resilient future! #nativeplants

Pic from late June: A small front yard native flower meadow started from seed is vibrant with the blooms of Purple Coneflower, yellow Black Eyed Susan, and bright orange Butterfly Flower.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Rendering of this design depicting late July. This design will also have a peak in late spring with 5 different Allium creating an effect. Having some grass matrix was also important to us here. Native grasses should be the backbone of any open canopy planting, holding the fall and winter.

Rendering of a lush native garden designed by Native Havens, featuring a winding gravel path through layered plantings of colorful wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs beside a brick house. The design includes a mix of blooming perennials such as bee balm, coneflowers, and asters, framed by small trees and evergreens. The composition creates a naturalistic, ecologically rich landscape that supports pollinators and provides year-round beauty.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Can you smell it? Come in. Plant #nativeplants so wildlife can continue to share this amazing place with us.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

Project w/ family. I'm not messing around when it comes to fairy gardens 💙

Closeup of a small fairy garden constructed in a container that's about 12 inches across. A stone "river" made of blue and turquoise pebbles held in by larger natural rocks runs through the center. A water lily floats and the owl watches, the bunnies play and the fairy holds her baby. Lanterns wait unlit for the eve. A fern, groundcover and tiny tree set the scene.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Not exactly sure what's happening here. It looks like this burl is supporting a tree directly alongside the main tree. Or, distorting the shape of the main trunk? Sorry, I don't have a pics from the other side. Curious!

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Pic from August 30th after this planting roasted in the heat and drought for months.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Senescence of the perennials leaves behind seed head points of black, grey and tan, the colors of winter.

View looking up concrete paver steps, winding through a planting of mostly native plants. Black seed heads of spent Black Eyed Susan contrast with other colors of fall like the yellowing of Sweetshrub foliage, red hues of Little Bluestem, punctuated by the tan color of a potted annual entering dormancy.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 13/10/2025

I'm here tonight to remind you that it's awesome planting season out there right now. Not all plants, use your judgement. Perennials: only focus on things that either grow actively in the cool season, or don't go totally dormant. Seeds: yes, Woodies: go for it. Watch for voles. Alligator River, NC

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

This garden has been prolific all year with succession of bloom and now it will shine into the winter. I do like when Coreopsis can be all black (foreground, due to the drought and heat stress this year) and actually add to the garden because of the beautiful contrasts in color, form, life/death.

A front garden of this small cottage showing hints of the season. Black foliage of the spent Coreopsis contrasts with white misty flowers, reddish tones of the Little Bluestem grass, groundcovers, a dwarf conifer, and pale yellow Threadleaf Bluestar creates the backdrop and separation from the neighboring property.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

I can't get enough Goldenrod and Allium. Here is A. 'Summer Beauty', S. 'Golden Fleece' (center), and S. 'Fireworks' (back right).

Spent blooms on the Onion punctuate the foreground with yellow Goldenrods proliferating the garden. The short one in the center is bright yellow with compact spikes. The 'Fireworks' in the background has a lacy flower texture.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

After the summer heat and drought, 'Ha Ha Tonka' Little Bluestem takes the stage. Bravo. #nativeplants

An extraordinarily fuzzy grass lights up red and glowy in the foreground... a see through effect, with the black seed heads of Coneflower behind. Yellow in the upper left is 'Fireworks' Goldenrod. Lots of seed heads from the 'Summer Beauty' Onion remain and punctuate. A stylized meadow effect in this garden.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

Our designer chose to hug this front porch with lots of yellow in the fall :) 'Golden Fleece' Goldenrod (front center) 'Fireworks' Goldenrod (far left) Yeah, another one on the right (sorry) var. Fulgida Black Eyed Susan And groundcover too, in between the taller plants :) Plant more.

Various yellow blooms fill this little cottage garden. The furniture on the cozy covered front porch beckons respite. Barely visible is a low concrete bird bath with water offered.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

A perfectly healthy Hickory was demolished directly across from my house yesterday. These people picked the one place to put their driveway where there was a 100+ year old tree growing that rose up eighty feet into the sky. There was already 2 driveway cuts into this property. My heart is torn apart

A grotesque scene: Construction worker and a bulldozer pushing the remains of a 80+ year old Hickory that was demolished to put a driveway in for a new construction.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 17/09/2025

I've been busy working on a design that uses almost all native plants for this large yard. I want a fairyland like feel here, with butterflies flying everywhere and host plants galore.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 23/08/2025

This means so many things... a life devoted to helping creatures smaller than myself, a constant reminder that we are only a piece of a much bigger system, the power wildlife has to heal and comfort, our obligation to Mother Earth to protect her and all her inhabitants. GARDENING IS CONSERVATION!

Picture of a fresh tattoo on my forearm of a Coneflower with approaching butterfly.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Lot's of yellow options. Here's 'Little Henry' Sweet Coneflower in a rain garden.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

With an amazing talented team of native plant landscape designers, we're going to change how people perceive planting and show them the multitude of stacked ecological services available like pollinator conservation, stormwater management, reduced maintenance, carbon sequestration, aesthetic, etc.

Digital rendering of a large conservation planting design. View is looking down a sedge "river" winding into the rain garden space, flow directed by berms w/ boulders covered with blocks of plantings that create a rhythm through the space. Ribbons of native plants densely vegetate this 300' x 40' area designed by the author with the intention of slowing the infiltration and temporary holding of stormwater runoff from the adjacent road, building, parking lot, and turf.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 19/07/2025

Planted strip of land w/ native plants leads into a small rain garden slowing and capturing stormwater before it can enter the Potomac river. I'd have these at every house and structure, on every street, along every parking lot, every border to a farm, every area of turf. Responsible development.

Lush diverse planting in a narrow strip between properties flows into a small depression also loaded full of plants, including the conspicuous blooms of Purple Coneflower with its pink petals and copper colored daisy-like centers.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

In the mood for Butterfly Flower, always. No, not Butterfly Bush! (that's invasive). I'm talking about Asclepias tuberosa, Butterfly Weed, it's starting to makes seed pods now.

Closeup view of the rich greens in Butterfly Weed's leaves and narrow seed pods. Some white misty Mountain Mint in the background, and a tiny spot of pink and dark copper from Purple Coneflower.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

I've created a culture in my company based on learning, science, and respect for all the living things and each other. Seven strong now, we're going to sustain a pocket of empathy here and show folks that native planting can have a profound effect on the environment and our souls.☮️

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 13/07/2025

Hi, summer evening vibes on the deck :))

A warm glow of light coming from underneath a low table at twilight illuminates a cozy nook, looking down our back deck. Brightly colored solar system prayer flags drape across the space in front of a privacy "L" shaped wall that creates a room like space. A sunflower (an important plant for some pollinator specialists) is visible in the low light.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Kill it, do it, it will bring you joy

Pink reflexed petals and bright copper colored cones of Purple Coneflower dot along with yellow blossoms of Black Eyed Susan in this dense diverse native meadow planted all by seed.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

We need you 100%. Hope you can find the rest and recharge you need to bounce back. Here's a pic of some nature that I hope can start process. Needed: one full day out on my back deck taking in plants, birds, bugs and the breeze.... and a lively conversation with me about how we can help things.🌿✨🦋💙🙏

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

A garden I designed along a road to catch stormwater, etc. #nativeplants Let me know if you have any questions, I want to help change the face of landscaping as we know it.

A dense, layered, diverse garden along the road and driveway edged in granite cobble and river stone is dotted with color. White and Pink Coneflower, white misty flowers of Calamint, yellow of Coreopsis, and textures abound. A mass of white Mountain Mint flowers are visible in the far left corner. Grasses are coming on the right. Fall in this garden is electric, and in the winter, forms, evergreens, and Winterberry Holly shine. A four-season garden.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

We're going to wait this out together. And, we have plants to be around. We can seek solace in nature, and lean on each other. The pendulum will swing. We can be powerful together. Many people who care are tying everything they can, smart people. Hang in there ☮️❤️

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

A favorite July combination of mine. Veronicastrum virginicum with Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline'. A tap root combined with a rhizome. A spike with on orb. But, it's all about the pollinators. We should plant more with them in mind.

White spire-shaped flowers of Veronicastrum virginicum standing six feet tall offer contrast with the vibrant red blooms of 'Jacob Cline' Beebalm.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

This explosion is more my style. Have a wonderful weekend enjoying your family, friends, pets, and/or gardens!

A cluster of fully expanded as well as emerging/opening Purple Coneflowers with their pink petals and copper colored cones.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Yesterday I talked at length with a very wise woman of 80 years. She spoke of the strong connection between people and plants, how gardens can evoke nurturing feelings in us that enrich our lives in many ways. They heal us. She wants to bring joy to the lives of her neighbors with new planting!

Afternoon light filters across this native perennial planting dotted with light purple Liatris s. 'Kobold', pink colors of Purple Coneflower, and the elegant tall strait species Liatris spicata rising up out of the foliage like an Egret.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

How about just a little money/effort from our government to ensure our grandchildren can witness the wonders of nature? We could do so much to slow the catastrophic loss of wildlife but instead we're turning a blind eye. This is ecological genocide. It will bite us. Hard. Look around. Pathetic.

A glorious Monarch butterfly feeds on light blue flower spires of Anise Hyssop amongst hundreds of Purple Coneflower blossoms. This pocket meadow sown from seed completely takes the place of turfgrass in this small front yard.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

Awesome. We followed things we learned from Larry Weaner/ NDAL to seed this small front yard. This is year #3. The keys here were to wait on sowing until we were sure that much of the weed competition and soil seed bank were depleted and a seed mix designed to have year 1,2,3,4+ in mind. Good luck!

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

I've been watching this one, hoping for a full circle 💘

Dusty rose colored petals of Purple Coneflower surround the young central cone with a full circle of bright yellow pollen around the perimeter of swirling copper and black bristly central cone.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 04/07/2025

A tight edge on this front garden composed using #nativeplants.

Vibrant orange Butterfly Weed and bright yellow flowers of Coreopsis dot all along this front foundation landscape. Colors are a bit washed out because it's such a bright sunny day in the early afternoon.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

A sunny patio planting, one year old. Yes, there were butterflies :)) Love Butterfly Weed and Coreopsis this time of year, but this planting won't stop all summer and fall. Prairie Dropseed grass emerging from Pussytoes (front/left). Asters and Goldenrod to come. Ahhhh, no deer in this yard! :)))

Sunny patio planting with vibrant yellow Coreopsis 'Zagreb' and orange flowers of Butterfly weed (I think you need some of that in your garden, because it draws you in, and the Monarch butterflies will thank you).

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

Keep planting, just do it. Normalize lushness for the sake of everything. And, be well doing so. Happy summer weekend!

Diverse flowers of blue, white, orange, and red, and forms of perennials planted along this pole barn. Definitely not just a landscape bed of sheared green meatballs in a sea of mulch : )

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

I'm really proud of what people in my company are cranking out. This second year meadow is doing very well, so much better than turf grass! What you can't see is a dense carpet of Side Oats grass that will provide long-term stability after the biennial Rudbeckia hirta's time has passed #nativeplants

Vibrant yellow Black Eyed Susan steal the show in this small front yard meadow in front of this small house with a quaint covered porch.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

This neighborhood is normalizing dense planting rather than turfgrass. I'm so happy to have worked with them designing this space that has flowering perennials blooming from March through November.

A tapestry of textures, shades of green and some flowers proliferate, vegetating a large area in front of a neighborhood's common house building.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Our plantings are getting going! We want blooms all summer and fall, through November. Happy Monarch butterfly season!

2nd year of this native perennial planting. Bright yellow of Coreopsis verticillata, and vibrant orange of Butterfly Weed. Prairie Dropseed emerges out of the Pussytoes groundcover. A summer and fall full of blooms await.

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James Dillon, PCH @nativehavens.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Gold Star has done well in this dry shaded area, along with other groundcovers with evergreen foliage like Robin's Plantain.

A tapestry of groundcovers stitching together. Yellow flowers of the Gold Star, small whitish daisies on the Robin's Plantain, light blue on Wild Geranium, red/yellow on the Columbine.

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