New Dawn Gardens

Growing up in Louisville at the boundary of a subdivision surrounded by farmland and woods, I was lucky to spend countless hours in all seasons surrounded by nature, exploring caves and creeks. This childhood experience certainly gave me a strong bond to wildlife and the environment. I was also fortunate to experience a childhood of world travel, which I have continued in my adult life. My travel experience and study of gardens of different cultures have provided me with expertise in creating and appreciating all forms of gardening, from European Gardens to Japanese Gardens.

I came to Washington, DC to study Chinese at The George Washington University. Coming to DC brought the urban environment in focus, but I was always looking for and exploring how nature kept finding its place; ferns sprouting in a shaded brick wall, cherry blossoms bursting forth in the Spring. I graduated from GWU with a degree in Chinese and minors in horticulture and botany. I furthered my education with an advanced degree in landscape design.

I was fortunate to begin my career at Dumbarton Oaks in Georgetown, where I was trained in estate gardening. Dumbarton Oaks also rounded out my academic knowledge of plants and design. Each season held new treats and deepened my experience. In 1980, I founded my business, New Dawn Gardens. I was very fortunate to have as one of my first clients, Ms. Carolyn Agger Fortas, wife of former Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas. Ms. Fortas was intensely interested and invested in the art of gardening.

In 1994, the garden was chosen to be highlighted in "The Secret Gardens of Georgetown, " written by Adrian Higgens, the Washington Post gardening columnist and the author of several books related to gardening. I was given free artistic license to continue to redesign and maintain the gardens until Ms. Fortas' death in 1996. My artistic abilities, scope of design sense, and extensive knowledge of plant material and horticultural practices have provided me the opportunity to create and maintain residential and commercial gardens throughout the DC Metro Area.

At New Dawn Gardens, we specialize in garden design, garden renovations, installation, expert maintenance, patio and container gardens, with an ecologically-minded approach. Our goal is to maximize the enjoyment of your outdoor living space, creating your personal sanctuary. Whether you're looking to revitalize an existing garden or create a new one from scratch, we're here to help.