The Circa Flora Philosophy

  • Circa: approximately
    Flora: the plants of a certain region, habitat, or geological period

    My definition of “native” plants extends beyond Cincinnati or Ohio to include species from the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Eastern U.S., and at times further South and West within the United States.

    I believe this broader, regional approach is one of our best opportunities to encourage the use of native plants while reducing the presence of invasive species.

    While I deeply love native plants, I am not a strict purist. There’s no denying that Russian sage, for example, is stunning and attracts a huge number of pollinators. My approach is simple: I will never plant or design with invasive species. Instead, I focus primarily on approximately native plants and their cultivars, while thoughtfully incorporating other valuable non-native plants when they serve the ecosystem and the design.

  • You’ll notice that I share pricing on the Services page.

    Seeking landscaping services can feel intimidating—especially if it’s new to you. Many people simply don’t have a reference point for what these services cost.

    By sharing pricing openly, I hope to remove some of that uncertainty. I’m always happy to talk more about how pricing is structured beyond what’s listed.

  • Beautiful outdoor spaces should not be limited to a small group of people.

    I offer sliding-scale payment options and bartering opportunities, and I encourage you to reach out if those options would make working together more accessible. I’ve been inspired by many incredible Cincinnati businesses that operate this way, and I believe there’s no reason landscaping should be different.

    Everyone deserves access to spaces that feel alive, restorative, and meaningful.

  • Many landscape companies overlook DIY clients—but if you enjoy getting your hands in the soil, you’re my kind of client.

    I offer design options specifically created for DIY gardeners. When it comes to installation, I’m happy to create collaborative approaches where you can do the hands-on work while receiving the guidance, planning, and expertise you need.

    You’ll get both the support and the soil-beneath-your-fingernails experience.

  • More than anything, I want to be your gardener.

    I want to get to know you and your yard, and bring a nurturing presence back into this work.

    I’ve intentionally moved away from the term landscaping, because it can sometimes feel sterile—often focused on large, one-time installations. Nature doesn’t work that way. Gardens are living systems: constantly growing, shifting, and evolving. They require care, observation, and relationship.

    That ongoing connection is where the magic lives.

    I remember the first time a professor pointed out the seed heads of a purple coneflower in winter. They were half-eaten. Over the next month, I returned again and again, sitting quietly on a bench nearby, watching as goldfinches swooped down to eat the seeds.

    Winter had always felt heavy to me. But in those moments, watching that tiny ecosystem at work, the weight lifted.

    Today, I grow coneflowers right outside the window where I eat breakfast every morning.

    And that sense of connection to the living world is something I hope to share with you.

  • Less competition. More collaboration.

    Gardening is an art form.

    Across Cincinnati—from painters to musicians to chefs—artists collaborate to create a vibrant and inspiring city. I believe our outdoor spaces should be created in that same spirit.

    If you’re a business owner, designer, gardener, landscaper, organizer, or creative, and you’re interested in collaborating to create meaningful spaces, I would love to connect.

    There is room for everyone in this work.

    And together, we can help transform our communities into healthier, more beautiful, and more resilient places.