Skills:

Extensive knowledge of rare, native, and unique plants that thrive beautifully in your garden.

3D image designs (most popular), on site rough sketches, and traditional plan view landscape plans.

Container Garden Design, creating a lively atmosphere that showcases your style.

Public speaker and educator fostering a deeper understanding horticulture, design, and ecological relationships.

Writer- Blogger – Photographer focusing on showcasing nature’s beauty and creating informative articles about all things gardening.

Work Experience:

• Beth Burrell Designs LLC (AKA Giving Tree) (1996-present) Owner and Landscape Designer, creating beautiful gardens that reflect her clients’ unique tastes. As a garden coach, she offers personalized consultations to help clients achieve their gardening goals. She enjoys designing container gardens with diverse plants that enhance outdoor spaces. With a passion for Retirement Communities, she makes sure gardens are accessible and enjoyable for all residents. Her project management skills enable smooth garden projects from design to implementation, emphasizing sustainability and practices that benefit the environment.
• Cedarfield – Senior Living (2017-2024) Horticulturist – Flourished in creating and nurturing the stunning landscapes of the expansive 97-acre campus. Fostered a vibrant community by bringing together over 30 enthusiastic resident garden volunteers and orchestrating uplifting engagement activities. Successfully enhanced outdoor services, while joyfully serving as a supportive advisor to the Gardening and Environmental Committees.
• Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (2001-2020) Enthusiastic Educator for a variety of exciting horticulture, landscape design, and container workshops/lectures, inspiring many to explore the beauty of gardening!
• Virginia Gardening Magazine -Freelance Writer(2003-2015) 
• Adjunct Professor – University of Richmond (2012-2014) Sustainable landscape design & practices in Environmental studies.
• Adjunct Professor – Reynolds Community College (2010-2014, 1986-1990) – Principles of Horticulture, Entomology, History of Landscape Design, Landscape Design Practices, Plant Propagation, Sustainable Landscape Practices.
• Westminster Canterbury Retirement Community – Landscape/Horticulture Consultant (2011)
• James River Corporation (1989-1996) Estate Manager, Passionately led the creation and implementation of an innovative horticulture department aimed at enhancing and beautifully developing the properties of both the historic (Upper Brandon) and corporate headquarters (James River Corporation), encompassing over 250 acres. Successfully managed a dedicated team of 11 staff members and an enthusiastic volunteer program, fostering a collaborative and vibrant work environment.
• Agecroft Hall – (1987-1989) As a horticulturist at this remarkable 13th-century historical site, I embraced the opportunity to plan, design, and maintain enchanting period gardens. With enthusiasm, I led growing operations for a diverse range of plant materials, fostering a vibrant landscape that inspired visitors to appreciate the beauty of nature and history together.
• Southern States – (1986-1987) Horticulturist and Nursery advisor
• Stranges Garden Center– (1985-1986) Assistant Manager for in store and nursery customer needs.

Education:

M.S., Ornamental Horticulture-Virginia Tech, 1996  www.hort.vt.edu

B.S., Landscape Design and Business Management-Virginia Tech, 1985 

A.S., Environmental Sciences – Virginia Western Community College, 1981 

Honors:

Colonial Williamsburg Internship– one of twelve selected nationally for the historical gardens and grounds

Biltmore Who’s Who – Certificate of recognition of executives and professionals in the business community

“Spruce it Up“, TV feature highlighting myself and our Giving Tree Gardens, Mechanicsville, VA.

Virginia Home Grown, PBS TV, featured Guest speaker for two shows

The Hot List– 10 Most Intriguing Finds in Richmond – Richmond Magazine

Dementia Friends USA – an honor to take such important courses for understanding and care of aging populations.

What’s Important: My Christian faith, my husband Scott, quality family time (preferably over pizza), our energetic puppy Bubbles and cat Lucy, fishing for the big one (or at least pretending to), buying plants (aka my jungle retreat), travel adventures, and outdoor escapades where I inevitably trip over something!