Each spring I have worked in greenhouses I have always tossed a ton of tags that the business doesn't have uses for as they either create combos with plugs, or have their own branded tags. After filling a dumpster the height of myself and width of a pallet of tags last spring, I was determined to create something out of the wastefulness of all the tags that can't be recycled easily. I present a work in progress, but the Tag Rain Suit.

An art of folding, stringing and balancing on a fine wire. A process that takes patience building and balancing from the bottom up.

Impressionist Aquatic School, 2022

Since taking a course of floriculture design in 2023, I have been unstoppable at creating wreaths and different potted arangements. Many for each season, as well as teaching a workshop with Betty Ford Alpine Gardens which we are planning for the following multiple(!!) classes in 2025!

During college, I took great pride in transforming the yard of my house into a vibrant and rejuvenated garden. What was previously an overgrown, weedy space became a carefully curated garden full of life and intention. Around the edges of the clothesline, I established a perennial garden using many three-year-old plants being removed from the CSU trial gardens, as well as any extra trial entries I could experiment with.

While working on the southeastern corner of the property, I discovered a buried flagstone area that had been overtaken by weeds. Inspired by this find, I repurposed the materials to create a crevice garden. In hindsight, I realized I should have shifted the garden about three feet to the left, as part of it was under the house’s eaves, providing a true test of a dry garden environment. Despite the challenges, the plants flourished, and maintaining the space became a careful balancing act—almost like a bonsai exercise—keeping the sedums in check to allow other perennials to thrive.

In my final summer, I planted a variety of hollyhocks in bold colors like burgundy, black, and hot pink. I humorously nicknamed the black and pink blooms “Barbie and Oppenheimer” in honor of the popular movies released that summer. The hollyhocks not only enhanced the yard’s aesthetic but also added a layer of privacy by screening the property from neighboring houses.

My long-term vision for the yard was to create a sustainable and enduring space. I wanted to plant trees to eventually replace the aging silver maple and add low-maintenance plants that could thrive with minimal care for future tenants. This project gave me a deep appreciation for creating spaces that balance beauty, function, and longevity.