Verdant Visions Horticultural Planning

Professional Garden Design for the Do-It-Yourselfer

Phone: 410-517-1697susan@verdantvisions.com

Meet Susan Heidebrecht, owner of Verdant Visions Horticultural Planning

I first became interested in horticulture when I was a young child. But at the time, I didn't even know the word "horticulture"! All I knew was that I was interested in plants and that I loved spending as much time as possible digging in the dirt. I had found my calling. In 1993, I graduated with a four-year degree in horticulture from Virginia Tech.

I have had a variety of experiences in the field of horticulture. My career has taken me through working as a horticulturist at The Baltimore Zoo, to working as a consulting project manager on State Highway landscape projects.

After earning my horticulture degree, I went on to earn several professional certifications. I earned my Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) in 1995, and then later that year earned a certificate as a Specialist in Herbaceous Perennials through the CPH program. A few years later in 1999 I earned my A.A.S. in Computer Information Technology from Essex Community College. In the year 2000, I successfully passed the exam for ISA Certified Arborist, thus earning that certification. I am also a Pesticide Consultant (Category XII) through the MD Department of Agriculture. In addition to these certifications, I am also a member of the MD Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA), the International Society of Arboriculture (including the local mid-Atlantic Chapter), and a member of the American Horticultural Society. I have over 10 years of experience in the field of horticulture, and love to apply my expertise!

In my "spare" time I enjoy the art of paper quilling, a centuries-old paper art. Paper quilling involves rolling narrow strips of paper around a quilling needle to create small, coiled shapes. These shapes are then assembled to form three-dimensional pieces such as flower arrangements or songbirds. If you would like to see examples of my work, please visit www.creativeartworks.cc/a_146.html. It is very unique and beautiful to look at!

I look forward to using my horticultural and artistic talents to create the gardens you have been envisioning.