D E S I G N

Artistically-driven native plant communities
that solve environmental challenges.

S P E A K I N G

C L A S S E S
Bringing passion, new thinking, and humor to audiences around the world.
Videos on researching, installing, & managing your designed habitat garden.


M I S S I O N

In a time of climate change and mass extinction gardens matter more than ever.

We don't have to default to high-maintenance expanses of lawn, or to beds that need annual mulch applications or use the same exotic plants we see in any garden in any state. Plants don't want to be marooned several feet apart; plants want to cavort and mingle and be their own mulch while naturally improving soil with layered root systems. When we discover our ecoregion we find our home place -- and we bring the power of local nature into our lives. As we witness wildlife use the garden's plants, we understand that ours is not the only voice on this planet. And we are liberated.

Gardens should be as beautiful to us as to other species.


U N I Q U E   P R O C E S S

We use 95% native plants to support wildlife.

Our plants are younger which helps them establish sooner.

We use high-density plant communities in artistic designs that mimic nature to increase ecological function and decrease maintenance over time.

Our gardens don't rely on amending soil, annual wood mulch / fertilizer applications, or post-install herbicides. Plus we use 100% electric equipment.

We specialize in lawn conversions and urban shade meadows of any scale.
Monarch Gardens did a wonderful job understanding my needs and complementing my vision.... Easy to work with, prompt, and mindful of budget."

Monarch Garden's philosophy is exactly what we've been looking for."

I wish there were more stars than five as an option! Benjamin showed up when expected and completed the work in a timely manner. We've been surprised by how much it's already grown in just the first year. We couldn't recommend Benjamin enough."
client reviews
L A N D S C A P E S

2 0 2 3  A P P E A R A N C E S

"Absolutely moving, inspired, poetic message. This lecture will change the way I garden forever after. So. Very. Worthwhile.”

"An honest, authentic, and stirring call to action."

1/24 -- PRAIRIE UP Book Launch -- online

1/28 -- North Central Wisconsin Master Gardeners -- online

2/17 -- GreenScapes Symposium, Brookside Gardens -- online

2/19 -- Georgia Native Plant Society -- online

3/15 -- The Nature Foundation of Will County -- online

3/18 -- Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County -- online

4/1 -- Penn State Extension Master Gardeners -- online

4/19 -- Wild About Saskatoon -- online

4/19 -- Bostion Scientific

4/20 -- Boston Scientific

5/3 -- Sag Moraine Native Plant Community -- online

6/14 -- The Nature Foundation of Will county -- online

6/20 -- International Master Gardener Conference, KC -- design workshop and lecture

8/8 -- City of Kearney, NE -- online

8/10 -- City of Laurel, MD -- online

9/30 -- Plant Native Oklahoma -- recorded / online

11/15 -- The Nature Foundation of Will county -- online

1/18/24 -- Jenkins Arboretum and Gardens -- online
C O M M U N I T Y
G A R D E N   G U I D E S

W O R K S H O P
A membership community devoted to intermediate native plant gardeners. Through an ecology-based forum and collaborative work, we empower one another to garden sustainably with intentional design.
These 15 pocket guides provide essential information in an easy-to-digest format, perfect for referring back to time and again as you design, plant, and manage your natural landscape.
In this self-paced, four-part series you will explore how to research native plants, employ layers in various ecological niches, use a matrix composed of plugs, and practice design based on plant habit and succession.

B O O K S
"Absolutely extraordinary."
"More than a garden book."
"A call to arms and a joy to read."
"The manual for getting started."
"Finally a beginner native plant book."
"Hands down the most useful."

as seen in

Monarch Gardens