Projects
Slow meadows
I’ve managed these meadows and woodlands-in-progress, along with some transitional spaces adjacent to gardens, with an eye towards beauty, ecological balance, and long term, sustainable maintenance. While both meadows and woodland gardens can be created from scratch, taking a land management approach and working with existing vegetation allows me to foster plant communities that are uniquely suited to a site. This approach frequently results in surprise appearances from plants that are both beautiful and functionally important, but sometimes pricey or difficult to source commercially. Depending on their location, these managed areas can also address practical concerns like flooding, erosion, or tough soils. They can create a softer visual transition between designed garden areas and the surrounding landscape, allowing gardens to sit more harmoniously in a rural setting. I manage weedy areas with consistent, supportive care, using techniques like selective cutbacks, flame weeding, and supplemental planting to create room for desired plants to flourish.
Flower Gardens
In some of these beds, stubborn perennial weeds had become a challenge. In others, the balance of species had shifted over the years, leading to long stretches of time without any blooms. I've guided some of these gardens towards more manageable maintenance regimes by introducing plants that don't require frequent deadheading, while keeping in mind requests for exuberant color and dramatic seasonal change. As gardens evolve and opportunities for new plantings arise, I often incorporate keystone plants known to support an especially high number of caterpillars. I also propagate plants from seed collected on-site. In other beds, I've simply added to an already lovely plant palette or reduced mulched areas to make more room for perennials. Making these changes over the course of regular maintenance visits means I can continue to monitor each garden bed carefully, reserving plenty of space for clients' favorite plants, allowing existing perennials to move around and settle in where they're happiest, and selecting new additions with a deep understanding of garden conditions. A focus on tough plants with long bloom times means these beds can serve as both reliable sources of nectar for pollinators and cut flowers for dedicated volunteers or homeowners, a win-win!
Joyful Bare bones maintenance
For home gardeners or organizations working with a small budget, I assist in creating maintenance plans that feel do-able and, wherever possible, include native plants already on site. I provide support by doing hands-on gardening work, documenting what's working and what needs adjusting, and suggesting additional plants that support goals but don't stretch resources. I can swoop in for seasonal help on an as-needed basis or support a DIY garden installation by making plant lists and a plan of action. These types of projects have ranged from creating a woodland garden, to collaboratively caring for a cut flower bed, to encouraging a weed-suppressing tapestry of shrubs through selective pruning and transplanting.
