From bonsais to bold landscapes, Damon Johnson has spent four decades turning green dreams into living art. And he’s only just getting started.
Damon Johnson’s love story with gardens began when he was just 13, helping his mum dig, plant and potter around their backyard. “We’d garden together, go to nurseries and buy plants.” Then came the gift that changed everything. A bonsai. “That one bonsai became an obsession … eventually we had about 300 of them!”
It was here that Damon’s fascination with shaping, nurturing and experimenting with plants truly began. Four decades later, his own garden is still his favourite playground. “It’s forever transforming. Even after many years, there’s always something new to tweak or improve.”
As owner of Terra Firma Landscapers, Damon Johnson has scooped up multiple awards for his work – recognition that reflects both his technical mastery and creative vision. But he’s not one to sit back and coast. At 52, he’s busy tackling two master’s degrees, in Landscape Architecture and Interior Design. “Who would have thought I’d be doing this at this stage of my life?”
A man of many favourites
Ask Damon to pick a favourite plant and he doesn’t hesitate to laugh. “All plants love me and I love all plants!” Still, a few hold a special place: the fiery Bougainvillea, the elegant Sacred Bamboo (Nandina), the fragrant Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, and the breathtaking purple Petrea volubilis currently in flower. He adores Bromeliads, Wisteria and Gaura belleza too.
His Achilles heel? Orchids. “I think that’s the one plant that tests me!”
If he had to choose one plant to sum up his personality, it would be a Dwarf Nandina. “It’s resilient during tough times, colourful in winter, always adapting through the seasons, consistent, steadfast, reliable, and it never disappoints.”
Always learning, always dreaming
Damon’s creative fingerprint can be found everywhere from golf estates to shopping malls, townhouse complexes and even the gardens of the Union Buildings. He’s also the man other companies call on for his sharp eye and 3D design skills.
But he’s never just ticking boxes. “Chelsea Flower Show is every designer’s dream, sure. But what I’d really love is to transform CBDs into multi-level gardens, giving city dwellers green escapes. Designing community spaces for underdeveloped areas would also be a huge passion of mine – the positive impact it could have on youth, families and the elderly is massive.”
A philosophy to live (and design) by
Ask Damon what advice he’d give to someone following in his footsteps, and he doesn’t miss a beat. “Don’t be constrained by the rules that exist. Think out of the box. In fact, think what box? Stay true to your nature, follow your heart, and pursue your passion with conviction. Regret is far more painful than failure.”
His own garden, if it could talk, would probably tease him: “We love you, but there’s no more space for the plants you keep bringing home or yay, more brothers and sisters to join the jungle!”
And honestly, they wouldn’t be wrong. His garden is crammed with love, colour and character. For him, gardens aren’t only about plants. They’re about people. About creating havens that calm the mind, lift the spirit, and make us feel at home in our own skin. “Gardens remind us to slow down. To appreciate growth, patience, and the beauty that comes with time.”
And if you’re lucky enough to learn from Damon, you’ll quickly discover that gardening isn’t just about soil and sunlight. It’s about joy. “Over the years, I’ve grown to absolutely love this industry. I’ve got an unquenchable thirst for creating gardens for exceptional clients – from grannies in retirement villages right through to very high-profile clients.”
Green at heart
Ask him what he does to relax, and he’ll laugh because his downtime looks a lot like his day job. Whether he’s sketching ideas at 4am after a dream, tweaking his own ever-evolving garden, or enjoying coffee in the company of his Scotties and family, his world always circles back to greenery.
Lucky for us, Damon doesn’t keep all that green wisdom to himself. He’s brimming with clever, practical advice to help anyone – no matter the size of their space – turn it into a little oasis of their own.
Details: terrafirma@global.co.za or follow @TerraFirmaLandscapers on Facebook.
