Our Story
Arch in Bloom is a landscape design firm and garden center dedicated to a "hand-drawn and home-grown" philosophy, pairing bespoke, sketched master plans with a deep commitment to sustainability and locally sourced plant material.
From a Simple Seed
to a Sprawling Garden
How We Began
At Arch in Bloom, we believe the best gardens aren't just built - they’re grown. Our story began in 2008 with a "soil-first" philosophy and a deep-seated passion for the landscapes of the Northeast. For our first decade, we operated as a landscape design & installation firm, providing our clientele with customized plans - including plantings, stonework, and more - to improve their outside environments.
After eleven years of leading the way in local design, our founder, Derek D’Andrea, realized it was time to share that expertise more broadly. In 2019, he opened our garden center in Greenwich, CT, and we are proud to have since become an integral part of this community - a place where we host seasonal events, talk shop with our neighbors, and help people fall in love with their own outdoor spaces.
Our Motto:
Hand-Drawn & Home-Grown
This phrase is the heartbeat of everything we do. To us, Hand-Drawn means every project starts with a pencil, a piece of paper, and Derek’s personal touch. We don’t believe in "cookie-cutter" templates; every plan is hand-sketched and tailored specifically to your vision and the unique spirit of your property.
Home-Grown reflects our deep commitment to the natural world and our local community. Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us - it’s a priority. We pride ourselves on sourcing local plant material for both our landscaping projects and our garden center. By prioritizing plants that belong in our local ecosystem, we ensure your garden is not only beautiful but resilient and environmentally responsible.
Whether we’re designing a sprawling estate or helping you find the perfect specimen for your front porch, our goal remains the same: to bridge the gap between high-end visionary design and the practical, everyday joy of gardening.
Our Founder
Meet the visionary behind Arch in Bloom and learn more about his journey to becoming a staple in the Greenwich community.
Derek D'Andrea
Owner & Founder
With nearly two decades of experience in the horticultural and landscape design industry, Derek D’Andrea has established himself as a definitive voice in the Fairfield and Westchester County landscapes. His career is a masterclass in blending technical expertise with an inherited passion for the land.
Derek’s professional journey began at the University of Delaware, where he earned his degree in Landscape Horticulture & Design. Driven by a clear vision and a relentless work ethic, he founded Arch in Bloom in 2008 immediately upon graduation. Over the past 16 years, he has transformed that initial spark into a premier landscape design firm, which has since reimagined hundreds of homes and private estates into enduring, living works of art.
The passion Derek brings to his craft is no accident; it is in his DNA. His family has been shaping the Greenwich landscape for over 100 years. Most notably, the previous generation founded D’Andrea’s Nursery, a historic mainstay that served as the cornerstone of the community and a catalyst of his early inspiration.
By launching Arch in Bloom, Derek took the torch of this century-old family legacy and evolved it into an independent, modern project. Today, his work represents the perfect intersection of heritage and innovation - honoring the generations that came before him while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in landscape design. - all while keeping his clients' visions at the heart of every project.