Christine – Horticulturist with Landscape Division

Background: Moved to Madison in 1990 to attend UW. Earned a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Environmental Studies. I have been working in Horticulture-related fields since 1999. I love gardening and being a part of the four seasons. It really strengthens my connection to nature.

First Interest in Gardening: I didn’t know it then, but my dad’s veggie garden and my mom’s flower gardens really made an impression on me. My mom always had dirt under her nails and, now, so do I!

Size of Garden: We bought a house four years ago with no gardens – Aaaah… a blank canvas. Let’s just say they get bigger each year!

Favorite Garden Style: I love all garden styles, but a must in any garden for me is a place to rest the eye, whether it be an inorganic structure, a change in plant texture or height, or repeating a plant throughout the garden.

Pets: Violet: Two-year-old black lab mix. The Best Dog in the world!  Three cats: Nero, Curry, and Lily. Violet may be bigger, but she is outnumbered.

Hobbies/Interests: Camping, road trips, making herbal remedies, cooking, going to the Monkey Bar gym, bicycling, singing to my dog, reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Personal Items of Interest: I get really excited about growing plants that can cure my ailments and improve my health. I love that plants can be more than pretty – they can be medicine, too!