Glorious Gardens

"The earth laughs in flowers," this famous quote from Emerson is the epitome of the style and design you can expect from Frederico Azevedo, owner and creator of Unlimited Earth Care. A master gardener and landscaper, Azevedo has taken his inherent love and attachment to nature's beauty and has created many beautiful landscape designs by using his own innovative style.

Azevedo became interested in gardening as a child. "I was always obsessed with gardens and plants," he remembered. "At the age of five I had a vegetable garden at my parent's home. They allowed me to change the garden and choose different trees and vines. Since there weren't any family members interested in gardening, I taught myself." Azevedo has worked the soil in three continents and remarked that, "I love my work and it doesn't matter if I'm landscaping in the US, Brazil or Italy, I just love to design gardens. Wherever my life calls me...and it happens to be the Hampton's. It's about the project - life projects," he mused. We're lucky to have such a premier horticulturist in the Hamptons because it's not so easy to find someone with Azevedo's understanding of architecture and the environment, which gives such a perfect balance of to each of his designs.

In addition to all of this, you can now purchase modern and unusual wares for your garden this spring at Frederico Azevedo's Unlimited Earth Care Showroom in Bridgehampton. The showroom is adorned with avant-garde pieces that are only seen on the lawns in Europe. His collection of clean-lined garden accessories are so appealing because they are high-end, edgy pieces that he carries from Italy, Spain, England, France and Germany. If you're one of those international travelers who have acquired this eclectic taste, you take comfort in knowing that your cosmopolitan palate can be satisfied here.

The variety seems endless with his assortment of French designer, Philippe Starck's garden seating; stools and benches - Italian designers, Dolce & Gabbana's cache pots - Spain's Gandiablasco outdoor furniture, only seen in hip hotels in Europe - Germany's Blomus stainless steel lighting; torches and lamps, as well as antique statuary pieces from France and pottery from England. Because of his own European influences, Azevedo, who was born in Brazil, instinctually knows what his sophisticated, well-traveled Hampton clients want and he's searched all over Europe to get it. And if you've driven past The Lear Estate on Gin Lane in Southampton, or have thumbed through the pages of Architectural Digest, Casa & Estilo International, Hamptons Magazine, Dan's Papers or watched snippets of Plum TV 's "Garden and Design Show," you'll know what we mean. And when visiting the showroom, you're able to see that by watching a 15-minute video running on an endless loop, directed by Japanese filmmaker Tamako Okamura.

Azevedo's landscape designs are most recognized by the masses of flowers he utilizes. Using his hands like a brush laden with color, whether Perennial, Annual, Rose or Herb Gardens the canvas is always striking. And with a mere stroke, he's able to paint a landscape like Monet.

He certainly has come a long way since the inception of Unlimited Earth Care in 1993, and anyone who has tried to start their own business, knows the challenges one faces in the first two years. If you get a chance, stop in the show room today and find out how Frederico Azevedo can have your garden laughing with flowers.

-R.B. Stuart

Unlimited Earth Care is located at 2249 Scuttlehole Rd. Bridgehampton. Call (631) 725-7551 or visit www.unlimitedearthcare.com.