APLD Members ~ Member of the Month

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APLD Member of the Month – September 2008

Steven D. Thoms, MCN, APLD, CLP
Thoms Bros. Landscaping, Inc.
www.thomsbros.com
steventhoms@thomsbros.com
Romeo, Michigan

Basic Project Turns to Spiritual Oasis

In the spring of 2002, Thoms Bros. was called out to this 1970’s suburban ranch to bid on a small project that consisted of replacing a cracked concrete patio, adding a brick paved sidewalk, and renewing an overgrown foundation planting in the front of the home.   After 6 years, several additions and changes to the original design, along with a new relationship with the client, this suburban Detroit landscape has received the following recognitions:

  • MGIA Environmental Improvements Gold Award for Residential Reconstruction $25,000 - $50,000.
  • MGIA Environmental Improvements Design Award
  • City of Troy 2008 Home and Garden Award
  • One of seven houses selected for the 34th Annual Troy, Michigan Garden Walk

Back in 2002, the homeowner was recently widowed.  She was use to her husband making the house decisions and was very distraught with her loss.  Dealing with the client at the beginning was a little difficult do to her indecisiveness.  As the first project was completed, she learned to trust our firm and as a result the project grew.  Plant material was arranged around the backyard to add privacy and allow the removal of an old cyclone fence.  This plant material included flowering trees, shrubs, and perennials; many which were native.  A pond and waterfall were added to allow the client personal time as well as to entertain guest.  A stone bench was added next to the pond engraved with a Bible passage.

In the first stage of the project, a flowing brick paved walkway was installed around the side and back of the house leading to a new patio.  As you turn the corner of the path, you come to the Red & White Garden.  To one side of the garden, all of the plant material is either flowering and/or foliage of white, which includes phlox, liatris, and bellflower to name a few.  On the other side of the garden is red plant material.  These plants include but are not limited to monarda, astilbe, and achillea.  In the center of this garden, is a piece of flagstone engraved with another Bible passage. Alongside this garden is the brick paved patio, which was enlarged a few years later after the original installation to accommodate the client’s new found love for entertaining guest. 

Just on the other side of the patio and water feature is a rain garden.  This was one of the last projects completed in this landscape.  From years of neighbors raising their yards and a continually running sump pump, the client had a worsening moisture problem in the yard.  Without any nearby storm sewers, and or desire to protect the environment a rain garden was added.  Many native, moisture loving plants were added to this area.  In this garden, the client desired a large specimen size boulder in which she wanted another scripture added. Since the landscape was completed, a hand lift truck was brought in to set this 1,000 lb. boulder.

This was definitely a collorbate effort between the designer and the homeowner. As the client was quoted in a local newspaper, “I get my ideas from magazines and from garden walks,” she said.  “I’m a person of prayer, and I pray about it and God gives me ideas.”  Thoms Bros was delighted to be a part of this project and to help the client in more ways than one.  “It was a wonderful way to heal after the death of my husband,” she said.  Not only was the designer a part of this process, but he also become friends with the client, even traveling together on a mission trip to South Africa. 

 

About the Designer

Steven D. Thoms, Vice President and Chief Designer of Thoms Bros. Landscaping and President of Thoms Farms, LLC, has been in the green industry since 1987.  His love for plants and drafting, and his skills in creativity made it an easy decision to get involved in the landscaping field.   Starting the company with his brother in 1991, Thoms Bros. Landscaping is a complete design, build, and management firm meeting the needs of high-end residential, commercial, and multi-residential clients in the southeastern Michigan area.  Started in 2002, Thoms Farms is a shade and ornamental tree production nursery serving the needs of landscape contractors and wholesale nurseries throughout the Great Lakes Region.

  • Steve has the following qualifications:
    • Certified Landscape Designer since 2003
    • Certified Landscape Professional (PLANET)
    • Michigan Certified Nurseryman (Michigan Nursery & Landscape Assoc.)
    • Certified Brick Paver Installer (ICPI).
  • Steve is licensed in the state of Michigan for the following:
    • Pesticide Applicator
    • Builder
    • Real Estate
  • Steve’s proactiveness in the industry includes:
    • Serving as a Member-At-Large on the Michigan Certified Nurseryman Committee.
    • Serving as a judge for Michigan Green Industry Association’s Environmental Improvement Awards Program.
    • Serving as test judge for the Certified Landscape Technician’s program.
    • Past Treasurer/Secretary of ICPI’s Great Lakes Chapter.
    • Writing articles in the Landsculptor, an award winning green industry magazine serving the State of Michigan.
    • Frequent guest on 97.1FM the Ticket’s show, Hire It Done.
  • Steve’s education includes:
    • Associate in Applied Science in Landscape Technology from Oakland Community College.
    • Bachelor in Business Administration from Davenport University.
    • Completion of Mike Lin Graphic Workshop (2 week).
    • Completion of Michigan State University/MNLA Planting Design short courses.

Certified Members seeking to be profiled should send before and after photos with SHORT design intent statement to:

Martin Speece
Email: promote@apld.org
Phone: 717-238-9780

* PHOTOS SHOULD BE CLEAR COLOR PRINTS OR JPEG COMPRESSED FILES