About Melissa
My landscape experience and approach
Melissa Hall, owner and designer
I'm a horticulturist and garden designer, and I believe that all great landscapes start with knowing the plants — not just how they look, but how they grow, how they perform, and how they'll shape your property for years to come. I bring that knowledge to every landscape project and pair it with my commitment to clear, collaborative communication.
I work with homeowners across the Triangle and Sandhills of North Carolina who want a distinctive landscape that's ecologically grounded, carefully considered, and a true reflection of how they live.
Native plants that will thrive in your region
I source native and regionally adapted plants chosen for both beauty and long-term performance, and I stay current with evolving plant knowledge and ecological practice so that every garden I design represents the best of contemporary garden thinking.
Gardens that reflect who you are
My philosophy is that a garden should be a space made for living — bringing joy, solace, and beauty to your daily life.
My focus for every project is to create a garden that reflects who you are — seamlessly bringing together landscapes with sophisticated design, deep plant knowledge, and thoughtful long-term planning. When we work together to create your landscape, you'll understand every choice, feel confident in your garden's future, and end up with an outdoor space that genuinely reflects who you are. Beautiful, ecologically sound, and built to be enjoyed for years to come.
Education & Experience
My approach to garden design has been shaped by a diverse career in quality-driven work across multiple fields.
I earned a degree in landscape gardening from Sandhills Community College working concurrently in the trees and woody plants department at Gulley's Garden Center in Southern Pines. This daily work with plants—observing their growth patterns, performance, and behavior in cultivation—provided the practical foundation that informed my formal study.
I also gained incredible experience at Oak Spring Garden Foundation, working in the renowned gardens of Bunny Mellon. After relocating to Pittsboro in 2022, I worked as a landscape designer and project estimator for a large, family-owned landscape contractor across the Raleigh area. I then partnered with Rachel's Native Plants as a landscape designer and horticultural consultant, guiding clients through plant selection and implementation. These roles—both collaborative and independent—grounded my understanding of how gardens are built, maintained, and tailored to each client's vision and site conditions.
Before focusing on horticulture, I spent years in textile production in New York City. At F. Schumacher, I developed expertise in the craft of woven fabrics for interior design, and at Liz Claiborne, I worked in the menswear woven department. These roles taught me what distinguishes excellence: the standards that govern quality, the intention behind material choices, and how those choices serve clients who value both craft and longevity.
I also hold a B.A. in Literature from Bennington College and an M.B.A. in Marketing from Columbia Business School, which ground my work in critical thinking and strategic communication.
I served as the first Sustainable Agriculture Extension Agent at NC State, where I worked with growers transitioning from commodity crops to innovative, market-driven alternatives—work that deepened my understanding of ecological practice and agricultural systems.
These experiences—in textiles, agriculture, design, and landscape management—have shaped how I approach gardens: as complex systems where material choices, ecological thinking, and intentional design converge.
Bunny Mellon's Walled Garden at Oak Spring Garden Foundation in the summer of 2022.
Courses & Certifications
- Planting Design (NC State Landscape Design program, 2022): A semester-long course in ecological planting design and plant community systems, taken alongside architecture, landscape architecture, and industry professionals.
- Rain Garden Design Certification (NC State Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering & NC Cooperative Extension, 2024)
- Certified Stormwater SCM Inspection and Maintenance Professional (NC State Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering & NC Cooperative Extension, 2025)
- Bee School (NC State Extension, February 2025): An 8-week course in honeybee production and management
Workshops Attended
- Horticulture 101 for Green Stormwater Professionals (NC State, 2026)
- Septic System Planting (NC State Extension, 2025)