Eco-chic Landscape/Garden Designer Encourages Use of Plant Introduction Programs

As the recipient of the 2008 ‘Turn America from Eco-weak to Eco-chic’ award sponsored by Project Evergreen and Hines Horticulture, for 2009, I want to encourage consumers to identify and use regional plant introduction programs.

Eco-weak to Eco-chic, green America’s landscape!
Whether experienced or a novice, the challenge for the present-day homeowner is to create a landscape/garden from an eco-chic point of view, a “waste not, and want not” ecological commitment: be a caretaker for the environmental community. In any style garden, plants should not simply be selected to provide contrast of structure, texture or color, but make environmental contributions.

The 2009 Difference –
Historically, earth-friendly strategies are defined in terms of reduce, reuse and recycle but eco-chic takes this definition a step further. Eco-chic spaces are not just the result of a lifestyle choice but a reflection of how we feel about the environment. While keeping it simple (as in simple living) is the name of the game, there is a more important underlying factor – a commitment to ultimate greening: providing for the present without sacrificing the future.
Through participating in nation-wide regional plant testing, I've gained familiarity with programs such as the ‘Southern Living Plant Collection’, ‘Proven Winners’, ‘Plants that Work’ and many more. Still, for 2009, I advocate the idea that consumers take the concept of sustainability a step further, not simply the use of plants that works-well in their region but those that contribute to regional economic sustainability: developed, grown and distributed within their community.

Beautiful Gardens™ –
As a Central Virginia gardener, to me this advocacy means supporting the use of a newly released line of plants, Beautiful Gardens™. While many plant introduction programs tempt the gardening public’s need to acquire the latest and greatest plants, Beautiful Gardens™ 2009 focus is ‘Plants of Distinction’, plants tested across varied climactic zones of the state of Virginia. Resulting in the fact that Independent Garden Center partners and their customers have confidence in the success of a Beautiful Gardens™ selection.
Through creating a Virginia based production and marketing infrastructure and research-based technical and educational information, Beautiful Gardens™ is expected to boost ornamental horticulture production and sales across the state. One specific goal is to provide alternative crop choices in the tobacco regions of south-side Virginia. For details of Beautiful Gardens™ and VTICRC affiliation, see web site www.beautifulgardens.org ‘news’ option.

2009 Challenge -
Sometimes, I jokingly refer to the history of my present-day title, eco-chic landscape gardener. For, initially, media referred to my strategies as the by-product of a naturalist. Then, when I started contributing to state-wide Virginia media publications, I became known as eco-wise. After speaking and publishing in the DC area, my work was referred to as eco- savvy. And, it was through participating in the annual Green Festival held in DC that I picked up the label, eco-chic.
Nevertheless, regardless of my title as long as people hear my message – strive to achieve ‘ultimate green’, I’m happy.”