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I do lots of things - I write (for magazines and with other authors), I teach (both in person and through my garden design boot camps) and I help lifestyle and garden - focused industries authentically reach out to new audiences. After 18 years of schlepping around the gardens of the wildly wealthy - I finally found a way to help normal budgeted people. If you want my help with your garden, sign up for a boot camp course. Everyone gets my feedback on their plan - it is my way of being the Target of garden design. Design for everyone!

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as featured in:

So I give you Cultivating Garden Style (October 2014, Timber Press) - a guide to designing a garden or outdoor place that perfectly suits you and your unique style.

It is twenty-three chapters, each a unique modern garden style and how to create the look. There are in-depth discussions of a broad range of practical design considerations (from how to pick the right tree and how to stylishly combine plants and containers to creating optical illusions for problem solving and the basics of permaculture) and essential lessons in gardening and design for anyone who is interested in garden making.

I also killed myself over creating a bunch of step-by-step projects (a macramé plant hanger, interesting planters, outdoor light fixtures and other decorative outdoor details) - I am pretty sure I will never do this in a book again (so get it while you can). But I think some of the best bits are the pages about things like working with railroad ties, outdoor fabric, decking, masonry and more.

Somehow I managed to assemble more than 1,500 color photographs, so there is no shortage of inspiration for everyone. I like to think I have at least one photo in there that will inspire anyone who picks it up - no matter what your style.

I really hope you find it as inspiring and useful as I do.

Cultivating Garden Style

my book

The Garden Design Workbook - with Rosemary Alexander 
The Garden Makers Manual - with Rosemary Alexander + Richard Sneesby 
Keeping Bees In Towns + Cities by Luke Dixon - (Contributor) 

Other books I've worked on:

Pith + Vigor the Newpaper, The Gardenist - Apartment therapy, Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens, Coastal Home, Design New England. 

Other Places you can find my writing:

Some days I still can't believe that I wrote a book. A book! And it isn't a flimsy little thing, it's a heavy duty resource sort of book that I hope will inspire gardeners for years. And I wrote it!

I wanted to help my clients open up their imaginations. I wanted to help advance the style part of garden design. I wanted to share knowledge. And I want more people to fall in love with taking care of the land and nature and doing it in a way that expresses their own aesthetic and creative style.

my book

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Get your Own Copy of Cultivating Garden Style

I can speak to a wide variety of topics including garden design, planting design, garden travel, and garden styles as well as my experiences in growing my business (as a designer, an influencer, and a traditional and social media professional). If you are interested in a customized talk, I am happy to create a new experience for your audience.

Established Lecture Topics:

Express Yourself: Cultivate Garden Style- Learn how to take a critical look at your tastes in many areas of life (fashion, home décor, hobbies), then translate it into a unique, imaginative, cohesive, and beautiful garden plan that exudes your or your client’s personality.
 
Modern Garden Styles: Exploring The World Of Design- Take a trip around the world in garden design styles. Learn about cultures, plants, and ways of garden building across the globe that will inspire your own garden making.

How to Book a Talk

Well, YES - I'd love to speak at your conference or event! Email me directly to set something up.

Longwood Garden's Today's Horticulture Symposium - Philadelphia, PA
Meet the Editors - Garden Writers Association - Atlanta, GA
Nantucket Garden Festival, Nantucket, MA
Tower Hill Botanic Garden, Boylston, MA
Columbus Botanical Garden, Columbus, GA
Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle, WA
Philadelphia Flower Show, Philadelphia, PA
New England Spring Flower Show, Boston, MA
Coastal Maine Botanical Garden, Booth Bay, ME
Disney's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Orlando, FL
Garden Blogger's Conference - Atlanta, GA
+ bookstores and garden clubs nationwide.

more info

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Select Recent Engagements Include:

Knowledgeable and entertaining on-air personality.

Here is a sample of my work with TroyBilt on their Fresh Cut Garden Makeover series, a few clips of me talking about plants for Leaf & Petal Designs on The Home Shopping Network (HSN) and a fun video I did with Better Homes & Gardens Magazine about some of those trickier houseplants.

on Camera

Let's collaborate and make some TV magic.

Tough to Grow (But Worth It) Houseplants

with Better Homes & Gardens

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Fresh Cut - Episode One

with Troy Bilt

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Hardy Summer Hibiscus

with Home Shopping Network

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Gourmet Foodie Tomato Plant

with Home Shopping Network

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