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WLDflora Landscape + Design

For over 20 years, John Miller has been shaping outdoor spaces with an approach that transcends the ordinary. His Louisville, Kentucky based landscape design build company, WLDflora Landscape, blends artistic, site specific landscape design with deep philosophical roots drawn from Japanese traditions, his love for the outdoors and a commitment to whole-family, whole-life wellness. As a unique designer, craftsman/maker and landscape trendsetter, John Miller creates not just landscapes, but lasting experiences—ones that bring balance, serenity and harmony to the homes and lives of his clients.

Philosophy: Inspired by Nature

Miller’s design ethos is heavily influenced by Japanese philosophies like Wabi-Sabi, which embraces imperfection and transience and Ikigai, the concept of living a life with purpose. His work seeks to reflect these principles by creating spaces that are not only beautiful but deeply functional, spiritually enriching and environmentally harmonious. Every project by WLDflora Landscape aims to build a seamless connection between people and nature, using these philosophies to guide both form and function. The concepts of Yutori (cultivating spaciousness), Nai-ku (inner sanctuaries) and Misogi (a cleansing ritual for the mind and body) are also woven into his designs. Whether it’s a tranquil backyard escape or a communal outdoor space, these ideas provide the foundation for spaces that promote mindfulness, reflection and rejuvenation. At the core of Miller’s approach is Shinrin-Yoku or forest bathing, which emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of immersing oneself in natural environments. His landscape designs aim to recreate the calm and healing effect of the forest, enabling clients to experience relaxation and clarity without ever leaving their homes.

The SYNKD Home + Garden: (2025)

John Miller is preparing to release his latest visionary project: SYNKD Home + Garden. This innovative concept aims to “sync” indoor and outdoor spaces in such a way that the boundaries between them blur, creating a harmonious living environment that seamlessly integrates both. From open-air courtyards to glass-walled rooms with garden views, the SYNKD Home + Gardens are designed to foster an ongoing relationship with nature. By using the Wabi-Sabi approach to accept natural imperfections and changes in seasons, SYNKD Homes + Gardens will emphasize organic, sustainable materials and minimalist design choices. The goal is not just to make homes beautiful, but to make them contribute positively to the mental, emotional and physical well-being of those who inhabit them.

Bringing It Back Home to Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana

John Miller’s deep connection with the natural world extends beyond his design philosophy into how he conducts business and builds relationships in Louisville and Southern Indiana. WLDflora Landscape is grounded in sustainable practices, choosing native plants, organic materials and environmentally friendly techniques to minimize its ecological footprint. His love for the outdoors, shaped by years of exploring local and national landscapes, informs his landscape design work, ensuring each project is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and resilient to local environmental conditions.

Creating Healthy Outdoor Lifestyles for Whole Families

Miller’s work goes beyond design—he’s deeply invested in promoting whole-family, whole-life outdoor lifestyles. His landscapes are built to be enjoyed by all generations, offering spaces where families can gather, relax and grow closer through shared experiences in nature. His projects often feature multi-season gardens with year-round interest, as well as spaces for recreation, meditation, and personal reflection.

Minimalism as a Way of Life

In his personal and professional life, John Miller embraces minimalism. His approach to design and lifestyle focuses on stripping away excess and focusing on what truly matters—creating peace, balance and harmony. This simplicity is reflected in his use of clean lines, uncluttered spaces and purposeful design elements that allow nature to speak for itself. His love for minimalism has shaped his brand’s aesthetic, making it timeless and quietly sophisticated.

More Than Landscape:

John Miller’s design expertise doesn’t stop at landscapes. His brand also includes several other landscape design build ventures. WLDscapes Outdoor Adventure Structures: For those looking to add an element of adventure to their outdoor space, Miller’s WLDscapes division creates custom structures like treehouses, glamping setups, and recreational builds designed to immerse people in the outdoors.

WLDflora Native + Wildflower Farm (2025): Dedicated to preserving and promoting the beauty of native plants, WLDflora’s farm grows a wide variety of wildflowers and other native species that bring biodiversity and ecological health to landscapes. By using these plants, Miller ensures his designs are not only beautiful but also sustainable and aligned with the local environment.

WLDthings: As a way to make storage solutions trendy, WLDthings focuses on innovative, aesthetically pleasing outdoor storage options. From potting sheds to creative storage structures for adventure gear, WLDthings merges functionality with design.

John Miller’s work as the head of WLDflora Landscape/WLDscapes is reshaping how outdoor spaces are designed and experienced in Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Through his unique blend of ancient philosophies, minimalism and over two decades of experience, he creates landscapes that aren’t just for living—they’re for experiencing. By helping clients reconnect with nature, Miller’s designs offer more than aesthetic appeal; they provide a path to well-being and deeper family connections, making him a true innovator in the design-build field.

A Wildflower in a World of Lawns

John Miller, founder of WLDflora Landscape, took a transformative trip to Southern Utah a while ago that forever changed the trajectory of his life, his design philosophy and his approach to the natural world. Known for its otherworldly beauty, Southern Utah—home to majestic red rock formations, expansive deserts and delicate ecosystems—ignited a spark in Miller that deeply influenced his work and personal philosophy. Miller found himself in awe of Southern Utah’s raw, untouched landscapes. The sprawling canyons, windswept mesas and resilient wildflowers stood in stark contrast to the meticulously manicured lawns of suburban America. The natural beauty of this rugged environment emphasized resilience, adaptability and the subtle elegance of nature’s design—values Miller would later integrate into WLDflora Landscape.

“I realized,” Miller recalls, “that true beauty exists in the harmony of nature’s chaos. The wildflowers that bloom in the desert aren’t coddled, they survive because they belong there … there’s something deeply meaningful in that—the idea of creating spaces where both plants and people thrive naturally.” This revelation led to a new design ethos: to be a wildflower in a world of lawns. Instead of creating sterile, overly manicured landscapes, Miller became dedicated to designing environments that embraced the natural beauty of each plant and material. His goal is not only to transform physical spaces but to create a lifestyle that encouraged a return to nature’s authenticity.

WLDflora Landscape was born out of a philosophy of bringing the wild home, with a mission to reconnect people to the wild beauty around them. Through every project, Miller strives to cultivate landscapes that speak to the spirit of the land, drawing on principles of sustainability, minimalism, site specifics and natural design.

“We often treat landscapes like blank canvases where we can impose our will,” says Miller. “But landscapes aren’t meant to be dominated—they’re meant to be nurtured, nudged a little and free. The philosophy of WLDflora Landscape is to design in sync with the seasons, the soil and the local ecosystem.” A key element of this philosophy is the rejection of traditional lawns in favor of wildflower meadows, native plantings and natural materials. Miller sees lawns as symbols of human control, environments that require constant upkeep and disruption of the natural order. His alternative approach, inspired by the landscapes, prairies, meadows and mountains of America, focuses on low-maintenance, sustainable plantings that thrive in their environments—just like the resilient wildflowers and plants of the Southern Utah landscape. Miller’s trip to Southern Utah didn’t just change his business—it changed his life. He adopted a minimalist, nature-centric lifestyle that mirrors his approach to landscape design. He believes in simplifying both life and the land, focusing on essentials and allowing space for growth, just like the untamed wilderness of the American Southwest. His design philosophy incorporates ideas from Wabi-Sabi (embracing imperfection), Ikigai (finding purpose in what you do) and Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing and connecting with nature). These principles guide his belief that landscapes should promote whole family, whole life health, creating outdoor spaces that are both functional and restorative.

“For me, design is about creating sanctuaries,” Miller explains. “Spaces where families can slow down, feel connected to the earth and experience the changing seasons in their own backyards. Just like the wildflowers in nature, these spaces are resilient, adaptive and beautiful in every season.”

Under Miller’s leadership, WLDflora Landscape hopes to become a landscape design-build firm known for its unique approach and redefining the outdoor living. The company stands as a wildflower in the world of lawns, constantly pushing boundaries in sustainable design, natural architecture and creative outdoor solutions. Whether it’s incorporating natural materials like stone and wood, designing water features that mimic natural streams or planting native species that encourage local wildlife, WLDflora Landscape always brings the essence of the wild to suburban and urban spaces. Miller’s Southern Utah journey was just the beginning of a lifelong passion for creating landscapes that are more than just beautiful—they are environments that heal, restore and inspire. As Miller brings these values to Louisville, Kentucky and Southern Indiana, his designs continue to reflect the spirit of the wild, proving that even in our backyards, we can live as wildflowers in a world of lawns. (June 2024)

A Conversation on Creating a Connection with Nature through Design : A Walk in the Garden with Landscape Designer John Miller:

By: Elizabeth Harding for Garden Living Magazine

It’s a crisp, sunny morning in Cincinnati, and I find myself walking through a lush, native wildflower garden that feels like an oasis hidden in the middle of the city. John Miller, the quiet force behind the soon to be WLDflora Landscape (2024), leads the way. He moves through the space like someone who knows every curve of the land, every bend of the flowers. His presence is calm, humble, but it’s clear that underneath that quiet exterior, there’s a deep well of passion for the natural world and his innovative nature inspired design philosophy.

We stop by a small bench made of driftwood nestled beneath the shade of a black locust tree, and Miller gestures for me to sit. I can tell that for him, this garden isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life.

Elizabeth Harding: John, this garden is beautiful. You can really feel the connection to the surrounding nature. What was your inspiration behind this particular design?

John Miller: (pauses thoughtfully, looking around the garden) It all starts with the land itself. I think too many people approach landscaping wanting to shove a design into a space … it’s about listening—listening to the place, the specifics, the plants that naturally want to grow here. The goal is to mesh everything together. It’s not just about designing a garden, it’s about creating harmony between the landscape and the people who live here.

Elizabeth: Meshing nature and lifestyle, that’s a beautiful concept. Can you tell me more about that? How does that guide your approach to each project?

John: (his voice softens, but his enthusiasm shines through) It is more than just a design principle—it’s a philosophy. It’s about creating spaces where nature isn’t just a backdrop but an active part of daily life. I want the garden to evolve with the seasons, to change and grow just like we do. It’s a reminder that we’re part of nature, not separate from it.

(He pauses, glancing down at a patch of goldenrod swaying gently in the breeze.) And there’s something… I guess you could call it spiritual… about being in a space like this. You start to notice the small things—a bee on a flower, the way the light shifts through the trees. That’s what I want to create for my clients—spaces that make them slow down, take a breath and connect with the world around them.

Elizabeth: You seem to have a deep connection to nature. Where did that passion come from?

John: (smiling slightly) I’ve always been a quiet person, you know? As a kid, I spent a lot of time outdoors—just exploring. There’s a simplicity and clarity you find when you’re surrounded by nature. When I started doing landscape design, I became fascinated by how different cultures connect to the land. Japanese design, especially, influenced me. The concept of wabi-sabi, finding beauty in imperfection and transience, has always resonated with me.

Elizabeth: You can really see that influence in your work. There’s a sense of balance and flow, even in the asymmetry. Can you walk me through how you approach designing a space like this?

John: (nodding, taking a moment before he speaks) Every project starts with a conversation and a very lengthy … a book almost, questionnaire. I ask clients what they want their outdoor space to feel like. It’s not just about how it looks. Do they want a place to entertain? A quiet retreat? A space for their kids to play? I take that, combine it with the natural elements of the land, and start sketching out ideas. (He gestures toward a winding stone path that leads to a small water feature—simple, but perfectly placed.) This path, for example, I designed it to follow the natural slope of the yard. The stones are irregular, not too perfect, which gives it that sense of age, like it’s always been here. The plants—mostly natives—were chosen because they thrive in this climate with little maintenance. It’s about working with the land, not against it.

Elizabeth: I notice you use a lot of native plants in your designs. Why is that so important to you?

John: (smiling gently) Native plants are resilient. They’re meant to be here, so they require less water, fewer chemicals and they support local ecosystems—birds, pollinators, all of it. Plus, there’s a real beauty in native landscapes. They’re not overly manicured, they feel wild in the right way. I think people are craving that now—something that feels authentic, not artificial … a little chaos to shake up the restraint and constrictions of their daily lives. Its free flowing … alive.

Elizabeth: And you’ve started incorporating natural play structures into your designs as well. Tell me more about that.

John: (his face lights up slightly) Yes, that’s something I’m really excited about. Kids today are so disconnected from the natural world. I design play spaces that encourage them to explore, to climb, to use their imagination. Treehouses, climbing walls, even simple things like logs to balance on—it all becomes part of the landscape. The goal is to create an environment where play feels natural and integrated into the garden, not separate from it.

Elizabeth: That’s fantastic. It’s clear you’re not just designing for aesthetics but for a full outdoor experience—something that families can live in, grow with, and really enjoy.

John: (nodding) Exactly. I want their homes and backyards to feel alive, not just pretty to look at … creating moments—whether it’s kids running around barefoot, having a nice quiet evening by a fire pit, or someone taking a few minutes to sit and watch the clouds. Those moments are what make a garden truly special.

There’s a quiet intensity in Miller’s words. He doesn’t need to raise his voice to make an impact; his passion for nature and design comes through in every carefully chosen sentence. We continue walking through the garden, and I see how his vision—his philosophy—has created a space that feels as though it’s always been here, waiting for someone to come and notice its beauty.

Elizabeth: John, before we wrap up, what do you hope your clients take away from working with you and experiencing a space like this?

John: (he pauses, considering) I hope they feel a sense of peace. A connection. I hope the garden becomes a place where they can step outside, take a deep breath and feel like they’re part of something bigger … something bigger than all of us I guess.. Nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us what really matters … family and friends.

As we finish our walk through the garden, I realize that John Miller’s designs aren’t just about creating beautiful outdoor spaces. They’re about creating a lifestyle—a quieter, more intentional way of living that meshes with the natural world. In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, Miller is quietly building spaces that remind us to slow down and embrace the beauty of nature, one garden at a time. (October 2019)