Jack McCoy Bio
Jack McCoy designs residential and commercial landscapes in Knoxville, the Southeast United States, and beyond through his practice, Jack McCoy Garden Design Company. His work reflects a deep understanding of plants, shaped by global experiences in some of the world's most renowned gardens.
Jack's horticultural journey began in landscape construction as a teenager, followed by earning an Undergraduate Degree in landscape design and construction from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville in 2012. He furthered his design education at Inchbald School of Design in London, UK, where he received a Postgraduate Garden Design Degree.
In 2016, Jack volunteered at Great Dixter, the iconic garden of Christopher Lloyd and then returned as the Christopher Lloyd North American Scholar which is supported by Chanticleer Garden in Pennsylvania to train under head gardener Fergus Garrett. This marked the start of a transformative time at both Great Dixter and Chanticleer where he refined his design skills and plant knowledge.
Jack then received a fellowship at The Jerusalem Botanical Gardens, managing Israel’s rare and endangered plant species. He credits this experience with deepening his understanding of plant ecology and survival. To expand his propagation expertise, Jack worked at Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh, North Carolina, known for its rare and unique perennials.
In 2022, Jack returned to Knoxville to focus on garden and landscape design, drawing from his diverse experiences to create gardens that are both beautiful and enduring.
You can learn more about Jack on Instagram at @jackmccoygardendesign, where he shares updates on his projects.
SHOW NOTES
Jack shared how growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee, gave him an early connection to nature and gardening.
His passion for plants began unexpectedly when helping his father in the garden as a child initially as a form of punishment.
How studying at UT Knoxville and taking plant science classes opened up opportunities in horticulture.
The rain garden project at UT Knoxville where he focused on stormwater management and native plants.
Jack emphasized the importance of adapting designs on-site and learning to collaborate with maintenance staff for successful implementation.
Inspiration from following in the footsteps of Luciano Giubbilei
His time at the Inchbald School of Design in the UK was instrumental in shaping his design philosophy and focusing on gardens as an extension of the home.
Thinking of the whole space outside as a garden
His paper topic of looking at the trend of plant introductions over time
The influence of Great Dixter and Fergus Garrett on his understanding of planting combinations and horticultural practices.
Using boards to minimize soil compaction while gardening, a practice he continues today.
Seeing plants in the wild during his time at the Jerusalem Botanical Garden deepened his understanding of plant ecology and propagation.
He shared insights about collecting seeds from Israel’s distinct zones and developing propagation protocols tailored to each environment.
Returning to the U.S., Jack observed how plants he encountered abroad, like Salvia (sage), Nepeta (catmint), Asphodeline (king’s spear), and Ferula (giant parsley) could thrive in southeastern landscapes.
How to look at a space to create a theme and guiding future design decisions
Taking time to understand a site deeply before starting the design process
Design strategies like juxtaposing mass and void in garden plantings
His work rethinking the suburban U.S. gardens by integrating more diverse and sustainable plantings.
Jack is currently advising and designing areas at Lakeshore Park in Knoxville by balancing natural beauty with thoughtful design.
He mentioned the importance of using notebooks to document observations, ideas, and tasks, a practice he learned at Great Dixter.
Using Field Notes to write down gardening tasks
Jack cited Gardens Are for People by Thomas Church, Grace Hall, and Michael Laurie and The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden by Roy Diblik as influential books.
Propagating more horticulturists by exposing more people to the broad opportunities available in horticulture to inspire future generations.
Jack can be found on Instagram at @jackmccoygardendesign, where he shares updates on his projects.