About this Service

Serving private homes and estate gardens with thoughtful care and decades of experience

With over thirty years of hands-on experience in fine gardening and a formal degree in ornamental horticulture, I bring a quiet, steady approach to garden care that honors both beauty and practicality. My work has included the design and ongoing care of perennial gardens at private homes and historic estates, with a focus on English-style borders, kitchen and herb gardens, and Mediterranean-inspired plantings.

Early in my career, I trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in England, an experience that deepened my love for traditional garden design and plants with purpose. Over the years, I’ve also worked closely with homeowners, chefs, and garden lovers to create spaces that not only look beautiful, but also support seasonal living—from cutting gardens and floral arrangements for special occasions to edible plantings that serve the kitchen.

In addition to hands-on work, I’ve written about gardening and floral design, authored the book Bouquets with Personality, and taught at institutions like the New York Botanical Garden and Longwood Gardens. My gardens and arrangements have been featured in national magazines and on home and garden television—but the heart of my work has always been in the garden itself, getting my hands in the soil.

Whether you need regular maintenance, guidance in restoring an older garden, or simply want help getting started, I offer a kind, collaborative approach and a deep respect for each unique landscape.

Services Include:

Fine gardening and perennial care
Garden consultations and restoration guidance
Kitchen, herb, and cutting garden planning and installation
Seasonal floral design for home or events
Culinary garden collaboration with chefs and home cooks
Let’s bring out the best in your garden—beautiful, bountiful, and entirely your own.

About this Lister

I grew up on a farm in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in New York, raised by my grandparents—true stewards of the land who were gardening organically long before "organic" was a label. I spent countless hours outside with my grandmother in her gardens, and it was through those quiet, formative moments that I fell in love with both gardening and cooking.

After leaving home, I moved to Vermont to attend university. My first job there was as Maria von Trapp’s housekeeper—a unique and unforgettable experience. I lived above the tea house and was introduced to a new kind of aesthetic through Maria’s gardens and her gracious approach to dining and hospitality.

Following college, I was fortunate to attend a program at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in England. It was there that everything came together—the seeds planted in my childhood, my formal education, and the realization that a life built around gardening, design, and seasonal living was not only possible, but essential for me.

Now living in the Hudson Valley after many years in Vermont, I’ve found the same passionate community of gardeners, farmers, flower lovers, hikers, and cooks that inspire me every day. It feels like home.

Background and Expertise

Training & Experience

Degree in Botany and Horticulture
Studied plant science, garden design, and landscape history with a focus on how gardens connect people to nature and place.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (England)
Completed a hands-on internship at Kew, where I deepened my appreciation for historic landscapes and naturalistic planting. It was a formative experience that continues to inform my approach today.
Garden Design & Care for Private Homes and Historic Properties
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to design and tend gardens for a variety of spaces—from tucked-away home gardens to larger estates—always with a focus on creating beauty that feels lived-in and loved.
Knowledge of Traditional Garden Elements
I enjoy incorporating time-honored materials like trellises, wattle fencing, and pot culture to add both charm and practical structure to a garden.
Author of Bouquets with Personality
A book that grew out of my love for seasonal flowers and the joy of arranging them in a way that feels personal and expressive.
Media Work
My gardens and floral work have been featured in publications such as Country Living, Victoria, Horticulture, and on HGTV and other garden programs—but my favorite place is still outside with my hands in the soil.