Based in San Diego, Bishop Garden Design is owned and operated by Jim Bishop. Jim believes that even with our continual water shortages, some of the most beautiful garden in the world can be created in San Diego. Jim specializes in helping homeowners transform their thirsty lawns to water-wise gardens using combinations of succulents, palms, bulbs, drought-tolerant ground covers, natives, and plants from arid regions around the world. Our climate is a lot like South Africa and Australia--some of the most beautiful plants in the world come from these regions. Jim designs gardens with a sense of place, reflecting the climate, the style of the house, and its location.
Garden Designer
A self-confessed plantaholic, Jim's hand have been in the dirt as long as anyone in his family can remember. College friends say his apartment was the only with a garden. In 1983 he transferred to San Diego. Years later he created a garden masterpiece at his home in Encinitas, where he learned about gardening in Southern California. His backyard became a test area for every new plant he could find. Moving to his current home, a Spanish-revival hillside villa, put his creative drive into high gear, creating a garden that is routinely featured on garden tours as well as in books and magazines.
Jim put his talents to work at the San Diego County Fair in 2009 and 2010, coordinating the outdoor Flower and Garden Show. He designed and built many of the gardens and displays and coordinated over 80 speakers.
An active volunteer, Jim has twice co-chaired the Mission Hills Garden Walk, and served on the board of the Mission Hills Garden Club. He is currently on the board of directors of the San Diego Horticultural Society and is slated to take the helm as President in 2012.
Education
From the University of Texas at Austin, Jim has degrees in Mechanical Engineering and MBA. After completing college, Jim moved to northern California, taking his first job in the high-tech field. He spent 28 years working for software companies as diverse as Computer Aided Design, Document Management and Online Fraud Detection. He studied Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design at Cuyamaca College and has attended many seminars on Landscape Design and Sustainable Landscaping.
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