Community Involvement
San Antonio Botanical Garden
John has been actively volunteering his expertise to the San Antonio Botanical Gardens since 1988, serving as its Board President from 2016-2019, as well as a member of the Executive Board, the Master Planning Core Design Committee, the Education and Science Committee, and the Buildings and Gardens Committee. He participated in many sub-committees as well as co-chaired two Splendor in The Garden fundraising events. He believes that helping the Botanical Garden achieve its mission of connecting people with the world of plants is a way of giving back to the entire community.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF)
John has been on TCLF’s Stewardship Council since 2019. The City of San Antonio partnered with TCLF to coordinate a “What’s Out There” San Antonio guidebook and a weekend tour of important cultural landscapes of the city. John served as the local co-chair.
Profile from the TCLF Stewardship Council
John S. Troy has practiced residential landscape architecture in the San Antonio, TX region since 1981, focusing on classic design with sustainable principles. He has also been a steadfast supporter of the San Antonio Botanical Garden, serving on its board for over 30 years and as its president from 2016-2019, advocating for the thoughtful use of landscape architectural stewardship and design to advance the Garden’s mission of connecting people with the world of plants. For this dedication, the Texas ASLA recognized him with its 2016 Community Service Award and was elevated to the ASLA Council of Fellows in 2020 in Service. Texas ASLA has also recognized his design work with two honor and several merit awards.
Early in his career, the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture recognized John with an Outstanding Educator award at West Virginia University. He has also been an enthusiastic member of the Garden Conservancy, exploring private and public gardens in the U.S. on its Garden Study Tours and enjoys tending a small bonsai collection. He received his B.A. in Biology with a minor in Fine Arts from Case Western Reserve University, and a Masters of Landscape Architecture from the University of Michigan.
Social Media
2020, Apr: World Landscape Architecture Month
Featured Articles
Longshadow Catalogue
Photography of the Elizabeth Road project has been included in the catalogue on the opening page and on page 57 to illustrate beautiful examples of their cast stone pots and urns. View Catalogue
The Garden Conservancy
2016, June: The Garden Conservancy: June Society of Fellows Focus: John S. Troy, ASLA
Landscape Architecture Magazine
2007, Sept: Sans Signature Style, Hines, Susan, Landscape Architecture Magazine, pp. 86-91
Garden Design Magazine
2002, Mar: Bali by Way of Texas, Marken, Bill, Garden Design Magazine, pp. 28-33
Interviews
Community Partner
2022 AIA San Antonio recognized the South Texas section of Texas ASLA with its Community Service Award. John was among a number of local landscape architects who have been active in building the relationship between the ASLA section and AIA San Antonio. The following are John’s comments used for the award ceremony.
Secret to a luxurious landscape without the high water bill
San Antonio Water System’s 2017 interview of John to discuss water conserving residential landscapes
Presentations
2020, Aug: The Culinary Connection, Texas ASLA Annual Conference, Initiator, Organizer and Moderator
2019, Oct: San Antonio Botanical Garden (SABG) Role in S.A. Water History, S.A. Conservation Society, Speaker
2019, Feb: Public Art Across the Border, Trinity University’s course, Guest Lecturer/Tour Host at SABG
2017-2018: SABG Expansion Groundbreaking and Grand Opening ceremonies with press coverage, Speaker
2018, Oct: SABG-Transformation of a Garden, High Line Leadership and Staff, Speaker
2018, Oct: Botanical Gardens in the 21st Century, National ASLA Annual Conference Education Session, Initiator, Moderator and Speaker
2018, Jan: SABG Expansion Design and Messaging, Oehme, van Sweden, Speaker
2017, July: SABG Expansion Project, Sasaki Associates, Inc., Watertown, MA
2017, Apr: Design Collaboration at the SABG, Texas Chapter ASLA Annual Conference, Austin, TX
2015, Aug: SABG Expansion Design, South Texas Chapter ASLA Meeting, San Antonio, TX
Periodicals
Southern Home
2023, Nov/Dec: A Collected Finish, Miller, Blake. Southern Home, pp. 69-78,107.
Architectural Digest
2007, July: History Renewed near San Antonio, Turrentine, Jeff. Architectural Digest, pp. 132-139, back page photo (see pictures under selected projects: Torcido Road Residence)
Luxe Interiors + Design
2020, Nov 17: Words On A British Roadway Inspire A Relaxing Hill Country Getaway, Pantiel, Mindy
San Antonio Homes and Gardens
2007, Apr-May: To The Max, Young, Keela. San Antonio Homes & Garden, pp. 22-29 and cover.
1996, June/July: And the Winner Is…, Craft, Betty Music. San Antonio Homes and Gardens, p. 12.
1995, Aug/Sept: Gardening Notes, Tate, Jose. San Antonio Homes and Gardens, cover and pp. 32-34.
1995, Aug/Sept: San Antonio Homes and Gardens, p. 39 photograph
1995, Apr/May: San Antonio Homes and Gardens, p. 36 photograph
1989, Feb: Designing the Great Outdoors, Hendricks, Barbara. San Antonio Homes and Gardens, pp. 39-43.
1988, Spring: Classic Sophistication, Hayes, June W. San Antonio Homes and Gardens, pp. 36-37, 43.
1987, Mar: East Meets West, Hayes, June W. San Antonio Homes and Gardens, pp. 22-28.
San Antonio (SA) Magazine
2008, May: Hill of Dreams, Cook-Monroe, Nancy. SA, p. 15HG
2007, Sept: Branching Out, Young, Keela. SA, pp. 18HG-32HG
2007, June/July: Going the Distance, Kaiser, Laurie. SA, pp. 8HG-14HG
2007, May: Paradise Found..Right in Your Own Backyard, Badger, Jennie. SA, p. 33HG.
2007, May: To the Max, Young, Keela. SA, pp. 22HG-29HG.
2006-2007, June-July: Adding It Up, Young, Keela. SA (Newcomers Edition). pp. 117-129.
2006, Apr-May: What’s In Is What’s Out, Speer, Susan. SA, pp. 97-98, 107, 113.
2006, Feb-Mar: A Labor of Love, Riddick, Lynn. SA, pp. 96-101.
2006, Dec-Jan: Winter Garden Journal, Morris, Anne. SA, pp. 100-101.
Southern Accents/Southern Living
2006, Feb: Redbud Beautiful & Easy, Bender, Steve. Southern Living, p. 54-56
2000: The Second Season, Southern Living 2000 Garden Annual. Oxmoor House, p. 210.
1999, Oct: The Second Season, Druitt, Liz. Southern Living, p. 96.
1997, Aug: Lush Lawns, Bender, Steve. Southern Living, pp. 64-65.
1995, Nov: Giving Up on Grass, Kellum, Jo. Southern Living, p. 1sls.
1995, Oct: Conquer the Endless Lawn, Kellum, Jo. Southern Living, p.16tx.
1994, Sept/Oct: The Nature of a Garden, Askey, Linda C. Southern Accents, p. 112-114.
1994, Sept: Fragments of Time, Hallam, Linda. Southern Living, p. 130.
1993, Sept: Putting It All Aside, Stith, Mark. Southern Living, p. 4sls.
1992, June: Making Shade, Adding Style, Hallam, Linda. Southern Living, p. 56.
1992, Mar: For a Sense of Entry, Southern Living.
1992: Courtyards to Country Gardens, Southern Living. Birmingham, AL: Oxmoor House Inc., p. 41
1990, Oct: Making a Grand Entrance, Southern Living (October 1990), p. 54.
Newspapers
San Antonio Express-News
2023, Mar 3: San Antonio yard gets fired up with a stone-covered pizza oven and standalone fireplace
2019, Dec 10: Marini, Richard. “San Antonio’s newest parks full of amenities like dog parks, skate parks, water parks and more”. SA Express-News View Article Online
2018, July 29: Maverick Carter home gets makeover, Bennett, Steve. SA Express-News, pp. E1, E6.
2017, Oct 15: Botanical garden expansion set to bloom, Bennett, Steve. SA Express-News View Article Online
2015, Mar 28: Take the Pool Plunge, Hiller, Jennifer. SA Express-News, pp. D1, D6
2014, June 14: The fine art of living small, Murnin, Chrissie. SA Express-News, pp. D6
2013, July 14: Give Your Pool a Face-Lift, Bennett, Steve. SA Express-News, p. G1
2010, Sept 26: The green challenge, Murnin, Chrissie. SA Express-News, p. 8D
2005, Mar 20: Go With the Flow, Uhler, David. SA Express-News
2007, Jul 29: Around the Town. SA Express-News, Metro p. 2
2004, Oct 2: Every Day Pleasures, Mooman-Outz, Pamela. SA Express-News
2002, Nov 2: Dream House Was Tall Order, Hobson Lehmann, Tracy. SA Express-News
2001, Mar 25: Deck Extends Home’s Living Space (photo) SA Express-News
2000, Aug 19: Natural Surroundings, Outz, Pamela. SA Express-News
1984, Apr 15: Come on Baby, Light my Back Yard, Levy-Garza, Marie. SA Express-News
Book Entries
2012, Carpenter, Jolie. Spectacular Outdoor Living. Signature Publishing Group, pp. 297, 322-323.
2004, Grant, Greg and Holmes, Roger. Home Landscaping Texas. Creative Homeowner, pp. 5, 32-35, 80-83, 88-91.
2003, Spencer, Rex. Houston by Design. Rex Spencer Space Solutions, pp. 112-123
1999, Whitner, Jan Kowalczewski. Gardening With Stone. Macmillan, pp. 70, 80, 144.
1995, Time Life Books. The Time Life Complete Gardener: Combining Plants. Alexandria, VA: pp. 88-89, 154.
Miscellaneous
2018, Apr/May: The Bexar Cabana, Austin-San Antonio Home Design & Decor, pp. 58-60.
2015, June/July: Reviving a Classic, Elbel, Mauri. Austin-San Antonio Urban Home, pp. 26-30.
2011: Western Home Landscaping, Creative Homeowner. pp. 136-139, 180-183, 318
2010, Spring/Summer: Texas Eclectic, Rohlf, Janice Randall. New Old House, pp. 56-63
2010, Spring: Outdoor Elegance, Bechtol, Ron. San Antonio Taste, pp. 19-22
2010: Rustically Elegant, Classic Yet Compact. Ballinger, Barbara. Great Backyards. pp. 76, 96, 115, 122-123, 130-131
2008, Spring: Family-Style Outdoor Living, Nielsen, Barbara. Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living pp. 49-56, 116
2008: Enhancing an Addition, Ballinger, Barbara. Great Backyards, pp. 84-85
2008: Pleasant Outdoor Living, Ballinger, Barbara. Great Backyards. pp. 72-75
2007, July/Aug: Hill Country Haven, Barnes, Robyn. San Antonio Woman, pp. 35-42
2007, June: Lone Star Eden, Hayday, Andrea. Better Homes and Gardens, pp. Z4-Z12
2007, May/June: Little Piece of Paradise, Gonzalez, Susie Phillips. Country Lifestyle, pp. 44-49
2010, June: Mediterranean Cool, Churchin, Lauren. Texas Home & Living, pp. 60-65
2007, Jan: Rio Vista Ranch, Spencer, Ingrid. Cowboys & Indians, pp. 172-177
2006, July/Aug: A Work in Progress, Myers, Kay McKay. San Antonio Woman, pp. 32-42
2006, Spring: Lone Star Retreat, Nielsen, Barbara. Garden Ideas & Outdoor Living Better Homes and Gardens, pp. 39-45
2004, Fall: The Horchow Garden Catalog, backgrounds on pp. 10-11, 16, 20-21, 30-31; backgrounds on pp. 4-5, 7, 12-13, 23, 28-29
2003, Jan/Feb: Italy in the Heart of Texas, McKay Meyers, Kay. San Antonio Woman, pp. 20-23
2001: Aquaspaces: Backyard Rooms, Pool & Spa News Online – Idea Book
2000, Summer: Southern Living Meets Southern Hospitality, News From the Botanical Garden
1999, Mar: Flirting With Fun, Harlow, Marsha Murray. Neil Sperry’s Gardens, pp. 34-37
1998, Mar 15: Planting a Paradise, Harlow, Marsha Murray. Images
1997, Mar: Make a Lasting Impression with Creative Landscaping, Holtz, Sallyanne. Medical Gazette
1996, June: Water Ways, Clark, Elizabeth. Neil Sperry’s Gardens, pp. 22-23
1995, Oct 19: Chrysanthemum Ball, The Cover photograph