Marie A. McKinsey CPH

In 1991, Marie left the corporate world behind to study at South Seattle Community College, where she earned her degree in Landscape Design and Environmental Horticulture. She has also met the requirements to be designated a Certified Professional Horticulturalist (CPH) by the Washington State Nursery and Landscape Association.

In addition to her landscape design and consulting experience, Marie has managed a retail garden center and worked for a landscape contractor. As a volunteer, Marie has been involved in community tree planting and city parks projects. She draws on nearly 30 years of experience with growing things, from her farming days in Illinois, through her 'house-plant-itis' phase, to her current adventures in sand gardening near Alki Beach in Seattle.

Of all the experiences Marie has had, her favorite work is doing Horticultural House Calls. She enjoys working one-on-one with gardeners whether they are beginners learning the basics or are experienced plant people needing landscape design ideas. Her practice now focuses on these consultations.

See examples of Marie's work:
Eastlake Project | Waterside Garden | Shoebotham Residence

Marie's rates are:
Horticultural House Calls $75/hour

There is a $15/hour charge for travel time outside of Seattle

Susan Rafanelli - Botanica Designs

Loathing gardening chores yet growing up in a family of gardeners, Susan chose to ignore her destiny, until, like many of us, until she bought her first home. The mystery and beauty of the garden took hold. She studied gardening with a passion.

Susan established Botanica Designs in 1994. Her experience includes creating outdoor spaces with plants, arbors, fences, patios, decks and rock-work. The majority of her work has been designing residential landscapes. Previous work experiences include management, sales, display and retail nursery experience. New endeavors bring her back to her education "roots" where she is a landscape design instructor at SSCC. She enjoys her involvement in community efforts revolving around the environment, education and gardening.

Susan calls a scant half-acre of land in Seattle her home and test garden. She lives there with her husband. Their two older children come and go; not the best garden helpers although they have learned the botanical names of most of the plants in their garden.

Susan's rates are:
Landscape Design $60/hour
Horticultural House Calls $75/hour

There is a $15 per hour charge for travel time for calls outside of Seattle.

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