Design

For over 20 years, I designed gardens and helped clients create beautiful, functional and easy-care outdoor spaces that enhance their homes and lives. Today I offer on-site consultation and garden coaching services only.

Whether you want to renovate an existing garden, add a new garden space or you have new construction, I can make suggestions on how to go about making your dreams come true.

My strong interest in native plants and healthy ecosystems enables me to suggest trees, shrubs, and perennials that provide benefits for the pollinators we depend on, as well as birds and other critters in the ecological web.

The photos above illustrate a renovation of two beds at a property’s front gate a few years after planting. Before, lower right: deer had browsed these old over-sheared plantings. I designed mirror-image beds that feature deer-resistant, low-maintenance shrubs and perennials in varying textures to provide year-round interest.

Here are a few more of my projects: completed renovation of a shade garden, installation of a pollinator garden, and a custom-designed fence:

I offer several levels of service:

  1. One-time consultation at your home. We walk your property together and I tell you what plants are in your landscape and assess their health. I tell you if they need any special care and advise of any pruning needs. We discuss any new garden areas you want to establish or existing areas that you wish to renovate. The cost of this service is $150 for properties up to one acre in size within a 50-mile radius of my home. If your property is larger than one acre, please contact me for an estimate.
  2. On-site consultation for establishing or renovating one or more garden areas. We meet to discuss the garden area(s) and assess your desires for it. I provide verbal suggestions and follow up with a list of plant suggestions and a summary of our talk. Billed at an hourly rate of $45/hr. including travel time.
  3. Garden coach. I can teach you how to divide and relocate perennials and prune trees. Billed at an hourly rate of $45 including travel time.
  4. Plant acquisition. I can purchase plants if you don’t have time or can’t find them. Pricing depends on the plants you are looking for.

I love putting containers together, and am happy to help clients with that too. Here are a few of my creations:

I also enjoy designing with cut flowers. Designing containers and flower arrangements is like creating a miniature garden!