Objective

To create and nurture vibrant, thriving gardens while educating myself and others about ecologically based solutions to horticultural and design challenges.

Education

Department of Environmental Horticulture, Foothill College. AS, Environmental Horticulture and Garden Design, 06/2000. Dean’s Award, Phi Theta Kappa.

The University of Maryland, University College. BS, Government and Politics, 05/1987.

Maryland Certified Professional Horticulturist. 1993.

DC Pesticide Applicator Training Course, Category III. 1989.

Master Gardener Certification Course, DC Cooperative Extension. 1988.

Safety and CPR training. 1984-present.

Garden Design Awards

San Francisco Flower & Garden Show 2000. Served on steering committee which conceived of, designed, and installed Urban Waves, a bold, colorful garden of drought-tolerant plants. The garden won 5 gold medals including the People’s Choice and Thomas Church Excellence in Design Award for Foothill College & Ballingary Gardens.

Washington Flower & Garden Show 1990 and 1991, Washington, DC. Won three design cups for gardens designed on behalf of the Washington National Cathedral Greenhouse.

Experience

Green Willow Gardens, Sausalito, CA 03/1998 - Present

Previously Blue Door Design, Palo Alto, CA

Owner. Specializes in the design, maintenance, renovation, and enhancement of complex residential gardens. Provides consulting and design services, plans and coordinates a broad range of maintenance and installation activities. Currently contracts in the maintenance and long-term renovation of an exquisite estate garden in collaboration with Rosalind Creasy, a leading national authority in edible landscaping and sustainable horticulture. Teaches classes in garden design and maintenance for Palo Alto Adult School and Foothill College, and lectures to garden clubs.

Peninsula Plant and Flower, San Mateo, CA 11/1996 - 03/1998

Natural Gardens, Los Altos, CA 08/1996 - 11/1996

Gardener. Maintained and installed fine residential gardens. Introduced IPM methods and sustainable gardening techniques. Performed expert pruning of a broad variety of plants, and renovated established gardens. Contributed to design, scheduling, and planting decisions. Learned new techniques and broadened understanding of California garden plants and horticultural methods.

Bean Tree Garden Service, Takoma Park, MD 01/1993 - 05/1996

Owner. Specialized in maintaining, renovating and enhancing complex residential gardens, including large collections of native plants. Provided consulting and design services, planned and executed a broad range of maintenance and installation activities.

The National Herb Garden, US National Arboretum 04/1992 - 11/1993

Herb Society Fellowship. Propagated, planted, and maintained extensive collection of herbs including unusual medicinal, industrial, and native plants. Led and educated volunteers in the performance of maintenance and planting tasks, maintained planting records, and was responsible for labeling. Gave garden tours and answered public inquiries.

Victorian Horticultural Services, Washington, DC 07/1991 - 04/1992

Gardener. Provided fine garden maintenance services. Apprenticed, under the supervision of a gardener trained at Dumbarton Oaks, in some of the loveliest private gardens in Washington, DC.

The Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC 04/1988 - 06/1991

Bishop’s Garden Gardener. Maintained historic garden, including rose garden, herb gardens,

perennial borders, and turf. Participated in major garden installations. Coordinated with volunteers to develop plant lists, maintain plant labels, and research garden history.

Greenhouse Manager. Responsible for all horticultural and administrative operations for a retail garden center specializing in herbs and perennials. Recruited, trained, and supervised employees and volunteers. Developed budgets and prepared financial reports and long-range plan. Conducted education and outreach programs including tours and lectures.

The National Zoo, Washington, DC 03/1988 - 07/1991

Volunteer Garden Coordinator. Recruited and directed fellow volunteers. Developed maintenance schedules for a large demonstration garden. Coordinated with Cooperative Extension Service and Zoo personnel to move the garden during zoo renovation.

Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD 09/1987 - 12/1987

Gardener. Seasonal temporary employment. Planted and maintained extensive annual, bulb, and perennial gardens. Identified and labeled botanic slides.

US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 04/1984 - 09/1987

Student Research Technician. Executed planting and maintenance schedules for the successful completion of long-term experiments in biological pest control. Reared a wide variety of insect pests, including leaf miners, aphids, white fly, and spider mites. Participated in a 5-year Gypsy Moth survey and study of parasitoids and hyper parasitoids of the Gypsy Moth. Collected and reported field data, invented new insect rearing techniques. Biocontrols and botanical-based pesticides used in our pre-market research are now commonly employed in the green industry and agriculture: Neem, Bt, NPV.

Fallen Oak Farm, Beltsville, MD 03/1983 - 01/1987

Managing Partner. Grew and marketed specialty organic vegetables herbs and flowers on a 2.5-acre market garden. Coordinated community garden plots. Managed 20-acre property, maintaining agricultural tax status while property was in probate.

Current Memberships

Association of Professional Landscape Designers, Strybing Arboretum Society, Elizabeth F. Gamble Garden Center, California Garden & Landscape History Society.