Kentucky native, Jon Carloftis, award-winning garden designer, garden writer, television guest, author, and lecturer, is a great American gardener. His career in gardening began in 1988, far from home in New York City where he became one of America’s pioneers and leading authorities in rooftop/small space gardening.  

Jon grew up on the banks of the Rockcastle River in South Central Kentucky, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. It was there he began a love affair with nature.  He attended the University of Kentucky, graduating in 1986 with a B.A. degree in communications. Jon is the owner of the Rockcastle River Trading Company, a popular home and garden store located on his family’s property in Livingston, Kentucky.  The beautiful gardens, designed by Jon, that surround the Carloftis home and store have been featured in BMW Magazine, Country Home, Garden & Gun, Outdoor Rooms, and Southern Living.

In 1988 Jon moved to New York City to start his business, Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens. His first clients were noted art collectors Barbara and Eugene Schwartz. Word of mouth became his advertising vehicle, and demand for his services grew. In 1993 Jon moved to picturesque Bucks County, Pennsylvania, his current residence.  His home and gardens have appeared in Country Gardens, Country Living, Garden Design, Martha Stewart Living, and Metropolitan Home.

Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens provides a variety of garden services and products dedicated to beautiful and functional outdoor living.  Jon Carloftis Fine Gardens strives to produce and use only sustainable, earth-friendly products.

Awards: 

Jon Carloftis is the recipient of a landscaping design award, given for his overall body of work, from the Museum of the City of New York City.  For their revitalization of an average commercial property into an immaculate landscape and hidden treasure incorporating the use of traditional and modern design elements,  Client Nancy Barron was the recipient of Lexington, Kentucky’s DLC 2007 Landscape and Streetscape Award. Commercial client, The Lofts at Main & Rose, was the recipient of Lexington, Kentucky’s DLC 2008 Landscape and Streetscape Award.