Phil Thornburg is the president of Winterbloom, Inc., a landscape design, installation and gardening company based in Tigard, Oregon. Phil and his wife, Barb, began the company in October of 1983.

Phil grew up in the eastern part of the Belgian Congo, called Ruanda-Urundi, from 1953-1969. During his time there it changed into Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi of post-colonial times. His parents were Quaker missionaries who were involved in helping sustainably create the secondary education system for these countries. They were also involved in distributing aid to refugees during the many wars. His family was required to be mostly self-sufficient. That included growing much of their own fruits and vegetables as well as tending any landscaping they might have around the house. He was very fortunate that the early missionaries, who began the work in the 1930’s, appreciated beauty and were accomplished horticulturists. The houses may have been simple brick and thatch, but the landscaping was beautiful.

In 1969, Phil graduated from Rift Valley Academy in Kenya. At 17 he was sent to the USA, spending two years matriculating at George Fox College, Newberg, Oregon. Following this, he spent a year in Switzerland where he maintained the landscape for a small resort and studied French at the University of Lausanne. Phil transferred to Oregon State University the next year and finally graduated in 1974 with a BS in Horticulture/Agriculture/Soil Science. Prior to and following graduation, Phil took classes in design from Oregon State University, George Fox University and the John Brooks Institution. Since 1983 Phil’s landscape design work has been published in several forms, including magazines and books.

Phil has been married to Barb since 1974. They have 2 daughters; Serenity and Samara, both married with children of their own.