The Garden Gal

Having spent years growing up in Africa and the Middle East, playing veterinarian with native wildlife, and watching my mother become an expert gardener in desert and tropical climates, it's no wonder that horticulture and landscape design finally became my passion and my career.

When I walk my clients through the design process, I simultaneously make them aware of the Mediterranean climate that we share with four other parts of the world. Thus, we can successfully grow plants and trees from Africa and Australia, just to name a few.

Along with the experience of having designed numerous front yards, backyards, and acreage, I have implemented numerous aspects of a design in order to transfer personal hands-on experience to the do-it-yourselfer. And when personal experience hasn't taught me the necessary skills, I defer such knowledge to a handful of skilled professionals ready to assist you.

"It was a real pleasure doing business with you.  I was a little skeptical in the beginning.  My thoughts were, 'we already know pretty much what we want, why spend the money on having it laid out?'  But when I saw what you were doing and could actually see it come to life, I wondered why we hadn't done this sooner! I would recommend you to anyone. You are a real pleasure to work with. You keep things moving, but aren't pushy. Professional, yet personable." Laurie M., Elk Grove 

"I found Katrina professional and personable."

"Very professional and eager to please."

"Katrina, thanks so much for the design plan for our unimproved acre. We are excited to imagine how it will look...your vision for best use of some tricky sloped areas will bring us the privacy we need plus plant variety for enjoyment. It was fun to work with you!"  Terrie T.,  Auburn

Credentials

• Certified Landscape Designer by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD)

Education

• Environmental Horticulture degree
• Formal studies in Landscape Design
• Continuing Education in Advanced Landscape Design

Class Instructor

• Community Education instructor at Sierra College in "Basic Landscape Design", "Hardscape Smart" and "Waterwise Landscaping"

Experience

• Over 20 years gardening in California, Oregon, Texas, Florida, and North Carolina
• Professional landscape design since 2001
• Retail nursery sales
• Former owner of "hanging gardens" business
• DIY landscape builder
• Grew up in Africa, Europe and the Middle East, gardening in various countries with my avid-gardener mother

Association Memberships

• Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) -- past APLD-Sacramento Board Member 
• The Mediterranean Garden Society
• Partner in GreenScapes Alliance