About Us

Retreat Landscape Design Ltd. was established in 2013 by co-owners Patrick Thompson and his wife, Heather Hackson. Patrick began his lifelong career and passion for landscaping when he was 16 years old. He is a Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) and has over 20 years’ experience in technical installations, plus 15 years of design training and expertise. Together with Heather's experience with plants, soft-scaping and garden maintenance, the two have a combined 45+ years’ experience in landscaping. 

Previously working with and for other landscaping companies, the dynamic duo decided in 2013 to start their own business in Collingwood and Retreat Landscape Design Ltd. was born. 

Each of Retreat's landscape designs is a passion project, where Patrick in particular fully immerses himself, never pausing his mind about how else to make a client’s garden project even more exciting for them. Meanwhile, Heather is the steadfast Office Manager who takes care of clients and inquiries, ordering materials, keeping our team in check, and so much more. 

We provide exceptional quality and service that always goes above and beyond, and each of our designs and installations adds substantial long-term value to our clients’ homes. We pride ourselves on top craftsmanship that we achieve by working with a small, yet highly skilled crew. Our team of passionate, certified professionals offer high quality installations and materials for projects of any size, scale or budget. 

Our preferred clients are home-owners, who are looking to enhance their outdoor living spaces for years of enjoyment for themselves, their families and friends. Our service area includes the Georgian Triangle, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Thornbury, Craigleith, and Wasaga Beach. 

Read more details about our co-owners and main crew in the biographies of Our Team.

Patrick is a self-confessed “landscaping junkie”. Ever since he started with landscaping summer jobs at age 16, he has been constantly upgrading his knowledge through practical experience, as well as formal education in landscaping, horticulture and design from Humber College. After a decade of building award-winning landscapes for other companies, it was time for him to start his own company with his wife and co-owner, Heather, in 2013. 

Now, with over 20 years’ experience in technical installations, plus 15 years of design training and experience, he still absolutely loves his work. Patrick immerses himself so fully into each project that it becomes all he can – and wants to – think about and he ensures that every client gets ‘the biggest bang for their buck’.  

Patrick also has a unique gift of intuition and reading people. He is perceptive and intuitive about a client’s dream or vision even before they know or can express fully what they want. 

Patrick’s on-site experience is invaluable, and he wears many hats at Retreat Landscape Design. He has a hand in each aspect of the company, from sales and design to quoting and construction. He has a keen eye for detail and a very high standard for quality. 

While his passion for landscaping takes up most of his time, his other passion is for his family; his wife and daughter. Patrick and wife, Heather, are also loving owners of rescued Dobermans and have had several over the years. For some true down-time, Patrick enjoys reading and fishing.

Heather’s love for landscaping can be traced back to her family’s involvement in this industry, which nurtured her interest in the physical aspect of it and learning how to identify and care for plants. Her husband, Patrick, has worked in landscaping his whole life, so it was only natural that the pair became a formidable team and together, in 2013, started their own company, Retreat Landscape Design.

Initially working in their business part-time, Heather took the plunge to join full-time in 2016/17 and since then has been passionately taking care of all office and management related tasks, as well as initially working hands-on on job sites too. 

Heather’s professional training is in Hospitality, where she gained experience in customer service and administrative work, as well as past jobs in landscape gardening and golf course maintenance. Now, she applies her hands-on experience as the friendly voice of customer service at Retreat Landscape Design, handles all administrative and office-based aspects, and assists Patrick with marketing. 

Outside of work, Heather’s biggest joy is her dogs! She and husband, Patrick, currently have two rescued Dobermans. She also loves spending time at home doing home improvements and her own gardening. Heather and her husband took up ice fishing during the pandemic and - to her own surprise - she enjoys it immensely.

John joined us because he wanted to work with his hands, and learn and grow in a trade. He discovered landscaping and has not looked back! His professional background includes mechanical engineering from Sheridan College, a degree in HVAC technologies from George Brown College, and working as a carpenter in residential home construction. He is also certified in working from heights, and has professional training in operating various heavy equipment. The bulk of John’s landscaping training comes from our owner-operator, Patrick.

At Retreat Landscape Design, John is one of our heavy equipment experts. He operates our excavator skid steer and our dump truck to prepare each job site for the base layers, drainage or water pipes etc. and is in charge of removing excavated materials. John is equally experienced at safely handling boom lifts, scissor lifts and forklifts. On the ground, he is skilled at cutting, laying and finishing paving stones and walls.

Outside of work, John loves spending time with his wife and two children, and when time allows he enjoys going fishing or relaxing at the cottage.