Garden Design

A good garden design is complex and elegant.

I learned much at the University of Minnesota were I earned a degree in Landscape Architecture in 2006. Much I learned from Permaculture practices. Ultimately, its good old, hands on experience.

To create a solid plan many layers are considered. Spatially the size of beds, property lines, window heights and vista lines all come into play. Environmentally sunlight exposure, moisture averages, soil types and micro climates need to be considered. Visually anticipating the colors of flower and foliage, the season they bloom, texture, form and size at maturity are all thought through when choosing species and placement.

When we plant new gardens on our property we are adding to the overall ecosystem. This is why it’s exciting to us native species. These species are found here naturally, they thrive in our local conditions, they feed pollinators, butterflies and birds. They create habitat. They encourage the expansion of species that have become less common then we’d like. If you’d like native species planted on your property, reach out and we can start a conversation of doing just that.

Cut Flower Farm

For two summers I grew an all natural, cut flower farm in Independence Minnesota.

At my childhood home I tore up sod, bartered for access to a greenhouse and planted a 100’ x 40‘ bed. This exploratory venture resulted in fresh flowers and bright bouquets sold to local Coops throughout the Twin Cities. Fun fact, I mulched the garden with compost created with milfoil from Lake Minnetonka and the neighbors horse manure.

I learned the ins and outs of flower farming working for Little Boy Flowers in Northern California the year prior. It was a joy spending my days nourishing and surrounded by these beautiful blooms. I was even written up in the Lake Minnetonka magazine!

Gloria's Memorial Garden

Gloria had an appreciation for life's simple joys.  

She saw enchantment in migrational birds, returning after a long winter’s journey. Gloria welcomed these winged creatures, one generation after another, to eat, drink and dance outside her windows.

In the summer she was known to cut small bouquets of flowers, keeping them always fresh on the kitchen table.

Canning jam was a one of her specialties. 

Though her favorite jam, too precious to give away, was elderberry.  She protected the wild bush growing along her properties from the cities utility crew, and their undiscriminating eye for edible bushes.  As was her way, by the time she had explaining such matters, they didn't dare disturb this elders Elderberry.

Plant List

 1. Elderberry - for the birds and canning 2. pre-existing Rhubarb - she harvested every spring 3. Echinacea - cut flowers on her birthday, pollinator magnate, represents maintaining a strong sense of self. 4. Raspberry- a favorite of hers to harvest 5. Tiger Lily- transplanted originally from her families farm.

Charles Memorial Garden

Charles' wife chose a flowering Crab Apple to honor her late husband, a tree he had greatly enjoyed. 30 Tulips were planted representing his 6 children, 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Charles, the oldest of Charles Sr. and Lillian Hickey from Detroit, MI grew up with a brood of brothers and one little sister.  

He was a veteran, a hunter, an artist, and a businessman.  He loved fiercely and protected his kin with sharp intellect and a strong will. 

As father to 6 children, he mentored each through their education and in the subtleties of this life. Charles enjoyed a charmed marriage to his beautiful wife whom skied, danced, played cards and traveled the world alongside him.  In total he boasts 17 loving grandchildren.

Intentional Gardens

Memorial Gardens for Loved ones who’ve gone before us.

Loved ones remain in our hearts and in our minds.  Memories of their unique lives, their character and the love they shared can bring us peace, strength and reverence for the sacred nature of this life.  At times the love we feel for those who have gone before us isn't easily expressed.

Consider, the meaning of a man or woman planting a small tree with great reverence and love for future generations, or even a specific child who is expected?  What meaning does this maturing tree have to a grown person, knowing that their kin, their ancestors/family had considered them in love.  That their own well being had been a hope and prayer long before they were grown enough to understand such strength in love. 

How meaningful is it to keep a plant or a combinations of plants, each chosen with the specific intention of honoring a loved one from our lives? What happens when we plant a seed?  When we give life an opportunity to thrive? A seed is the plants greatest hope, a chance to continue on, to create progeny. 

As we navigate our unique times. In this fast paced, technological world, we can call upon the intelligence of the environment. We create sacred spaces for future generations.  We create a Garden Legacy.

Specific plant variety or even combinations of plants, uniquely chosen to honor a loved one can be quite meaningful. The symbolism we imbue onto our lives makes it richer.  If it is a place to meditate, read or have intimate conversations.  Gardens can incorporate a tribute to holy people you respect, such as Buddha, the Virgin Mary, St. Francis or Mother Nature. 

Our possibilities of co-creation with nature is endless.