HC&G: You are a native of Brazil. Were you a landscape designer there before coming to the U.S.?
Frederico Azevedo: Yes, but I was doing more residential work in Brazil. I studied landscape design in England, then came to the States and began designing both commercial and residential landscapes.
Roberto Burle Marx, a Brazilian, was one of the world’s most famous garden designers. What’s your favorite project of his?
The Aterro do Flamengo Park in Rio de Janeiro, which stretches across the whole east side of the city, from the beach to downtown. And I love the Sitio Roberto Burle Marx, his home and garden in Rio, which is open to the public. You can visit the gardens and see the art he created in his studio. The mix of his own art and other art by Brazilians is interesting—everything relates, including the tile murals that he designed as a backdrop to the gardens.
What’s your own garden like?
I have a wooded area in the back and flower gardens in the front. I live in North Haven, and I don’t even have a deer fence! Gardening at home and co-existing with the deer has given me a lot of experience, so I always test plants in my own garden first. When I first came to the Hamptons, deer south of the highway weren’t even heard of. Now if you’re on Middle Lane in the middle of the day, you’ll see deer. In Brazil we don’t have deer. The first time I saw a deer was in Salzburg, Austria. I thought it was so great to see Bambi alive!
Is there such a thing as a low-maintenance garden?
I think low-maintenance does exist, but not no-maintenance. Maintenance is essential for a garden’s survival. Sometimes people who travel to Europe are amazed by its historic gardens. They don’t realize that these gardens have been carefully maintained for hundreds of years. Gardens need care.
If you could design gardens anywhere else, where would it be?
Probably France. I love Paris because of its art and climate for growing, as it has a true four seasons. And I love the Parisians’ passion for beauty—the way they wrap things, how they serve your food, even coffee service is an art. They take the simple things in life and make them special. I have the same philosophy with my gardens. That’s why all my projects are important to me, even if they’re small.
You’re celebrating 20 years in business this summer, so you’ve seen a lot. What’s the latest gardening trend?
Right now it’s about contemporary architecture, and in tandem with that, a modern style of landscaping has developed. We’re seeing more linear and geometric plantings, and also lots of ornamental grasses, fields of lavender, and modern beach-y plants massed together. But I will always love flowers, and lots of color. I love color!
