I have a confession to make. I am 100% addicted to plants. Members of my family have attempted interventions, but they finally realized the futility of their efforts and have accepted and support my obsession.
As a long time plant enthusiast, I am passionate about sharing my love and knowledge of plants with anyone who will listen. Having retired from my advertising business, I am now fortunate to be able to focus more time on gardening and helping others achieve their Dream Garden. When not immersed in my own naturalistic garden, tending to native plant communities and photographing wildlife you can usually find me with other volunteers at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. Invited to be their Volunteer Garden Coach in 2023, I help lead a large group of volunteers to nurture the extensive planting beds that are so vital to the resident, caregiver and staff experience.
university of trial and error
While largely self-taught through trial and error over 30+ years on the same property, I also completed the UNH Master Garden Program in 2008. In 2016, I had the pleasure of attending a Master Class in Garden Design at the amazing Chanticleer garden in Philadelphia, where our award-winning UK instructor, Annie Guilfoyle, encouraged us to take risks, think big and be bold!
My extensive experience with hundreds of species of perennials, grasses, shrubs, trees, bulbs, climbing vines and annuals allows me to quickly identify the perfect palette of plants for your garden sanctuary. I like to say, “I’ve made all the mistakes, so you don’t have to!”
a family affair
Dave puts out a Mason Bee house in spring!
As you’ll discover while perusing pages of this website, I am a fanatic about abolishing pesticides in the garden. And I have a special love for pollinators, especially our dozens of species of native bees.
Luckily, my husband, Dave, shares my love of the little guys and is helping to promote their habitat with a variety of bee hotels. He’s even become accepting of the annual ritual of shrinking our lawn in favor of larger and larger garden beds. What a guy!!
visitors welcome
Unless there’s a torrential downpour, you can usually find me deep within one of my perennial gardens, primping the hundreds of specimens, talking to the bees, and coaxing the plants to "be the best that you can be!"
We welcome visitors who would like to get ideas for their own gardens, learn more about the importance of biodiversity and native pollinators, or to just share notes about their favorite plants for the southern New Hampshire climate. Sign up for my newsletter here (only one or two per month) for information about shopping excursions, garden tours and plant sales!