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Native Plants

Want to learn more about native plants and gardening with nature? I can help.

If you love native plants but could use help on how to proceed in a suburban setting, an hour with a garden coach might be just the right solution. I’m a passionate native plant gardener and nature lover, certified Rutgers Environmental Steward, and longtime Environmental Commission member. I love helping others create natural habitat that’s beautiful and humming with life.

My goal is to empower you. I can give you guidance on plant selection, sourcing, plant identification, planting and management techniques, shrinking the lawn, pollinator- and wildlife-friendly practices, water conservation, and more—including referrals to and collaboration with trusted professionals such as garden designers, landscape architects, invasive species specialists, and quieter landscapers who use only electric power equipment and manual tools. If you’re working with a designer or landscaper, I encourage you to use my services to review the proposed plant list to ensure it meets your goals.

Services

  • Consultation only: $125
    Consultation + follow-up email: $175

    Ask me your questions, pick my brain, talk to me about your goals. I’ll share my experience and recommendations. I’ll ask you to complete a brief online questionnaire in advance, so we can use our time together efficiently. Afterwards, how we work together will be tailored to your individual needs and goals.

    Pricing showing is for clients in the Madison-Chatham-Morristown, NJ area. I also welcome clients outside this area.

  • $125/hr.

    If you’re looking for ongoing support, you can purchase a package of one or more hours and reach out to me on an as-needed basis for help and advice, planting, or garden management.

  • Please message me to request a site-specific quote.

    Depending on your site requirements, I can help you:

    • Carefully remove weeds and invasives growing among your native plants. We’ll minimize soil disturbance and leave seedlings of beneficial natives—including offspring of those you’ve planted and “volunteers” you may be pleasantly surprised by.

    • Leave the leaves and stems to create natural bird feeders and habitat for stem-nesting bees

    • Provide guidance on plants to add to fill in gaps and create abundant blooms and visual interest throughout the seasons

  • $300 for a garden with 10 native plant species

    Get to know the native plants in your yard with a customized reference guide that provides practical and interesting info, including photos. Input on what you want to know is welcome. Pricing for more or fewer species available on request. See a sample.

 

Let’s talk!

More than controlling anything, natural gardening is an art of observation and thoughtful response.
— Kelly D. Norris

I encourage you to visit my Rutgers Environmental Stewards project, the Madison Public Schools Pollinator Habitat, for inspiration!