jim douthit
A native of Hawaii, Jim came to Boston in 1991 and brought with him a passion for lush and livable gardens. He has studied throughout New England and continues to participate in design seminars both as a speaker and student. In 1994 he started a landscape design business – a Blade of Grass – and has since created many of Boston's most desirable properties. An avid athlete, Jim competes in triathlons and spends his free time kayaking, playing volleyball and reading.
heather lashbrook jones
An archeologist by trade, Heather spent much of her childhood planting and pruning in her mother's gardens. That hands-on approach, and a serendipitous meeting in the fall of 1994 has led to the successful partnership that is a Blade of Grass. Heather finds her greatest pleasure in container design and is always looking for an excuse to get her hands in the dirt. Heather continues her design studies at Harvard's Arnold Arboretum and spends her precious leisure time with her family.
joanna mccoy
Joanna is Blade's senior designer and a self-proclaimed "plant geek". While her college studies focused on art, her youth was spent on a flower farm where her interest in nature's varied textures and colors took hold. She enjoys incorporating unconventional plantings in her designs and employing stone as a garden element. Joanna is a ardent believer in usable outdoor spaces that encourage use by the entire family.
miriam hellweg
Miriam's specialty is the inner workings of plants, understanding their needs and keeping them healthy. Her degree in biology also aides in finding organic solutions and preventative measures to maximize plant growth. She is Blade's Maintenance Manager and Safety Director, ensuring a hazard-free environment at every property.
the crew
Part muscle, part magic, the Blade crew is dedicated to every detail of our clients properties. With backgrounds ranging from biology to design and horticulture, many have worked with the same clients for several seasons, gaining an intimate knowledge of their gardens.