Meet Mardi
An eighth generation North Carolinian, Mardi grew up on a small farm in Marion, surrounded by chickens, berry brambles, gardens and horse pastures, all tucked in a little valley in Pisgah National Forest. So began her love of the Earth's natural beauty and diversity.
She brings her longtime interests in art, horticulture, and the natural world to the discipline of garden design, and her outdoor spaces reflect a marriage of these fields.
Mardi received degrees in art history from Davidson College, social work from UNC-Chapel Hill, and Garden Design (with Merit) from Oxford College of Garden Design in England.
She studied English art and architecture in London and completed horticulture training at Haywood Community College. She is a NC Certified Plant Professional, a former licensed clinical social worker, and a former NC Licensed Landscape Contractor. She has received Gold and Bronze Awards in Residential Design from the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD), where she served as President of the Virtual Chapter of APLD.
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Mardi was a founding member and former chair of Women for Women, an initiative of the Community Foundation of WNC who mission is to improve the lives of women and girls across the region. She currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Historic Newton Cemetery.
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When she bought her current home in 1999, the landscape was nearly a blank canvas on a double lot in a historic North Asheville neighborhood. Since then, the development of her garden has provided practical experience, inspiration, and opportunities for experimentation.
Kind Words
“We love the design, variety of plants, and that many of the plants in the old landscape were incorporated into the new one. We love working with Mardi!"
Susan Van Tassel
“Mardi and her subcontractors transformed our front yard! Mardi ensured that everything she had designed in the master plan was just what took place. Her attention to detail and involvement in the process is simply amazing. We could not be happier with the end result.”
Stephanie Jones
“Mardi is one of a kind. She listens, engages, and is a pleasure to work with. She came up with a design that is so lovely and adds so much charm and value to our home. She has an artist’s eye! I am so pleased with the flagstone walk and the reorienting of the front porch, as well as the layout of the plants.”
Beth Chestnut
“Working with Mardi is a delight! She listens well and designs with the eye of an artist. Her design brings us joy every day!”
Anne Bleynat
