The secret? Hire a Fine Gardener

One of my specialties is fine gardening for the residential environment.

What is Fine Gardening?

It's the detail work with plants in the landscape that take a garden from a humdrum yard to an enchanting landscape. You may see finely pruned topiaries and espaliers or experience what looks like an untouched perennial bed that has been honed with specific hands-on care. 

Anyone who wants to have a changing repertoire of plants, variety, and vitality can bring fine gardening to their home landscape. As a fine gardener, I anticipate what nature will do, making specific plant choices to bring out the best feature and knowing how to work with given conditions, whether moisture, sun, soil, or other factors. Capitalize on my extensive knowledge of native and exotic plants to make selections. I will work with you and your existing plants so they will grow their best. Have a garden that brings you joy each time you spend time in your yard or garden!

Sadly, many homeowners look for a 'set it and forget it' mentality, with basic maintenance and unexciting forms that often defy the plants' natural enchanting habits and features. Others are stuck with plants the builder gave them, often the wrong plant in the wrong place. While owners are unhappy with the poor aesthetics, the plants are resigned to a life of suffering in the wrong cultural spot (light and moisture) or often require ceaseless pruning to curb their natural growth drive since they are the wrong plant for the location. 

Gaining Experience at Oak Spring Garden Foundation

I earned a deeper level of fine gardening skills at a preeminent historical horticultural property, Oak Spring Garden Foundation, on 700 acres in Upperville, Va., in 2022. I worked primarily in the historic walled garden and surrounding areas and on the Biocultural Conservation Farm, doing hands-on care and a design project planned to be installed on the property.

The foundation is dedicated to preserving the mission of Bunny Mellon, the former owner and self-trained horticulturalist of the property. To fulfill her motto that 'nothing should be noticed,' teams of people worked to create the lovely, timeless, and beguiling gardens and greenhouse.

Some of the elements I worked on in the walled garden and immediate area included:

• The historic Martha Washington Crabapple allee
• Stepover Cordons
• Espaliers, Hawthorn, Rose, Pear, Quince, wisteria, and other
• Crack gardens
• Pruning of historic topiary trees, Holly, Hawthorn, and Hardy Orange
• Everyday care of the perennials, annual flowers, vegetables, herbs, and shrubs