Anne Henley
Landscape architect for native plant garden at Spruce Creek Park
Background
She is the principal of Liriodendron, professional landscape design services–specializing in harmonizing enriched natural habitats with development of sustainable lifestyles. By sharing elements of her design process, she educate others about the value and joys inherent in responsible stewardship of the land in their community. Through writing and by providing additional horticultural and literary travel planning services, she encourages clients to share their discoveries and make learning a life-long process.
Experience
Born to an extensive southern family of naturalists, botanists, builders, and gardeners, she played in the woods all her life, and encourages clients, friends, and family to find their own ways of enjoying the natural world. Among my her most appreciated qualities are talents for envisioning enduring, sustainable landscapes; siting design features to maximize their enjoyment; and selecting the right plants for the right place and the right role.
Her bachelor’s degree in art history continues to inform her work, through affinity with the fundamental principles of design; the historical precedents for various approaches to nature; and a facility for playing with design concepts, to create new forms that revitalize our relationships with the natural world.
Through her Master’s degree in landscape architecture, she has developed a durable foundation in the ecological principles that drive natural processes. She is familiar with the practical requirements of effective landscape construction and enjoys observing and mimicking natural patterns that harmonize with human adaptations of our surroundings.
Publications
Virginia Gardener magazine
She has written numerous articles on sustainable landscape topics, including but not limited to: selecting the most expressive plants for our local regional character and traditions; appreciating the key role of time in the garden; creative water conservation features; use of common and botanical plant names; selecting and using seeds and bulbs; design for front entries and driveways; designing effective winter landscapes; woodland gardens; and profiles and reviews of exemplary gardens and allied books.
Why plant natives?
- Plants are the foundation of wildlife habitat. Native plants provide better habitat for wildlife than non-native and ornamental plants.
- Native plants have evolved with our ecosystem, which makes them easier to care for. They don’t require fertilizer and don’t use as much water as traditional garden plants.
- Most natives have developed their own natural defenses against local diseases and pests.
- Native plants can be just as showy as their traditional counterparts! There are native plants available for every type of garden or landscape.
- Some non-natives can become invasive (e.g. Stiltgrass, Autumn Olive, Tree of Heaven)
