Michael Holt — Nashville
Company Name: Holt Landscape Design
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: It’s definitely at the core of my being. Even after 40 years of professional work I continue to take classes, travel, read, research, network, and take on projects that stretch my abilities.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: I was born and raised in Nashville, fortunately just up the hill from a cool, rocky creek. Once I could crawl I was out discovering bugs, weeds, plants, dirt, and rocks. My grandparents next door had a suburban truck farm. I grew up helping my family garden, plant trees, and dig drainage ditches around the house foundation. My early professional jobs were landscape laborer, UT Knoxville horticulture research assistant, and Oregon forester. I served as university horticulturist for Vanderbilt. For the past 14 years my own private practice has emphasized design, solving soil problems, creating lush plantings, water features, rock work, and tree preservation.
Your favorite part of the project: My interactions with the owner were enjoyable because of his interest in the project. I also enjoyed creating the waterfall with planting pockets for perennial plants.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? It’s about finding a way to balance a client’s desires and budget with the site’s potential—highlighting its assets, minimizing its liabilities, using appropriate planting groups, positive and negative space harmonized with delightful hardscape, rock work, and hopefully the magic of water and lighting.
How has the interest in landscaping/waterscaping changed since you entered the profession? In the past 10 years there has been a dramatic rise in more naturalistic landscape features and use of plants that grow well in local soils and climate. Clients are also more interested in water conserving irrigation systems and outdoor lighting.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: All parts are equally rewarding to me. I am blessed to be involved with so many aspects of the design/build process.
Areas in which you work: Middle Tennessee.
Projects price range: $5,000 - $50,000.
Paul Lively — Nashville
Company Name: The Lively Landscape Company, Inc.
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: I have a passion for designing custom landscape themes and concepts which continue to receive high praise. I continuously research and study different design concepts through reading and touring gardens.
What is your landscaping/ waterscaping background: I am an award-winning landscape designer with an extensive and varied background in residential gardens (from modest homes to large estates), horticulture, and project management. I earned my degree in ornamental horticulture and landscape design from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: Our goal is to exceed client expectations and build long-term relationships by making outdoor areas more enjoyable. If it’s more enjoyable it will be used; if it is used it become more valuable.
Areas in which you work: Middle Tennessee.
Dalton Quigley — Thompson's Station
Company Name: Quigleys Landscaping
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: I love being outside and watching things grow. I also like making something beautiful in the outdoors. I am a people-person and enjoy working with my clients to make their landscape dreams come true.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: I have been in the landscaping industry for 14 years. I started with a lawn service and then worked for a landscaper who taught me a lot. I went into business on my own and have enjoyed every day since.
Your favorite part of the project: I loved the pagoda placement and the glossy boulders in the Japanese zen garden.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? Focal points draw your attention and bring you near, but the rich texture, color fragrence, etc., of the specimen plantings keep you there.
What has been your largest landscaping/ waterscaping challenge? Drainage and erosion problems are always the biggest challenge, but we really enjoy those projects as well.
How has the interest in landscaping/waterscaping changed since you entered the profession? While in the past a lot of space was reserved for recreation and sports, today people want a special place to which they can retreat in privacy and peace.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: My favorite part is enjoying the finished project.
Areas in which you work: All of Middle Tennessee.
Projects price range: $1,000 - $20,000.
Josh Smith — Murfreesboro
Company Name: Southbranch Nursery Co.
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: I was attracted by my love of nature, plants, and the outdoors.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: At age 10 I started with baseball field and lawn care. I had more direct experience in high school and years at Middle Tennessee State University, and at Quality Land Management.
Your favorite part of the project: I enjoyed creating this waterscape from start to finish. There was a bare spot of land, and two weeks later this beautiful water feature was installed. I like being able to choose the plants.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? A creative design and an accurate execution of the design make it work in residential circumstances.
What has been your largest landscaping/ waterscaping challenge? A hill side with a slope of about 60 degrees. It was an extremely challenging project that was incredibly rewarding once we finished it.
How has the interest in landscaping/waterscaping changed since you entered the profession? Customers are beginning to realize the importance of landscaping for aesthetics and property value. With the increased interest in outdoor living, waterscapes are becoming increasingly popular.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: Teaching the customer and using my creativity as much as the client allows me. I like seeing the finished product.
Areas in which you work: Middle Tennessee.
Projects price range: $1,200 - $800,000.
Jay Tucker — Gallatin
Company Name: Swim World Pools
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: Water is so theraputic in many ways. It always amazes me the value that water in the back yard can bring to a family. For me to be able to create these environments for over 25 years has been a blessing.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: I have grown up in our family business and have had the honor to learn from my grandfather and fellow swimming pool mentors. I have performed all phases from the design to the finished product.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? It has to be an extension of the home. The colors and textures
must compliment the house and the finished product must look like it is another room but in the back yard.
How has the interest in landscaping/waterscaping changed since you entered the profession? The growth in popularity of television design shows, such as shown on HGTV, has given people more inspiration for design. It has also made people more aware of possibilities and generated excitement for back yard projects.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: My favorite part of creating a waterscape for a customer is listening to them explain their vision and make it come alive.
Areas in which you work: Middle Tennessee, southern Kentucky, and northern Alabama.
Projects price range: $30,000 - $230,000.
Barbara Wise — Franklin
Company Name: Southern Land Co.
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: I grew up on a farm in Georgia and my father was a forester. Playing with plants has always been in my blood. My favorite reading materials are gardening magazines and plant books. Even in a tough economy, a little bit of beauty at your home in containers is still very desirable.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: I’ve been trained by some of the best in the business; I’m a Master Gardener, Auburn graduate, and am constantly learning more to provide a better product.
Your favorite part of the project: I love to help a client feel successful in their gardening endeavors. This involves finding the right plant for the right spot for the right person.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? Looking at the many facets that make a home—the homeowner’s lifestyle, preferences, home style, watering issues, sun position, pets, hardscapes desired, and then looking at what the chosen design will be like in 15 years.
What has been your largest landscaping/ waterscaping challenge? My biggest challenge has been finding plant materials that need little water but will stil look beautiful and interesting. I’ve been researching soil and soil additives that will hold water without causing root rot. I’ve also started planting in inserts so that the planting is done in our greenhouse and inserts are placed in the clients’ containers, eliminating much of the mess.
Areas in which you work: Westhaven, Laurelbrook, Windstone, and McEwen, but we are now providing planted containers to local landscapers and other homeowners.
Projects price range: $150 - $150,000.
Diann Woodall — Unionville
Company Name: Your Personal Gardener
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: I love working outside, and I love working with plants. I got involved quite by accident when I couldn’t find work as a graphic artist. My graphic background ties into doing landscape design. My business was built on word-of-mouth referrals, and I have about 50 clients.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: I worked for two ompanies. In one case I did some design for the company and ran a crew of 5-10 guys. I had a few clients on the side, and I eventually went into business for myself.
Your favorite part of the project: Keeping it natural looking, the clients are big environmentalists.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? Flow! Texture! Color! The same plants need to be used in different parts of the landscape to tie it together.
What has been your largest landscaping/ waterscaping challenge? I have a couple of challenging sites on hillsides. I usually get along famously with clients, and they usually trust my advice.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: The big smile on a client’s face when the job is complete. There is nothing quite as satisfying as a beautiful, quality job.
Areas in which you work: Franklin, Brentwood, Green Hills and Belle Meade areas.
Projects price range: $500 - $10,000.
Randy Young — Franklin
Company Name: Tranquil Waterscape, LLC.
Describe your enthusiasm for landscaping/ waterscaping: We have been designing and installing one-of-a-kind water features for eight years. A properly designed and installed feature is technically challenging but utilizes our artistic/ creative abilities.
What is your landscaping/waterscaping background: Eight years installing, seven years as the first and only Certified Contractor in water features. Also the advisory board member governing installation in Tennesee and North and South Carolina.
Your favorite part of the project: Taking difficult terrain and a useless yard and creating a private retreat for our customers.
What makes a landscape/waterscape project work within a residential space? Water features bring the landscape to life and are the focal point of the entire installation.
What has been your largest landscaping/ waterscaping challenge? I worked with fellow installers to create a feature three football fields long and 1.5 foorball fields wide with a walk-behind waterfall and underwater cave.
How has the interest in landscaping/waterscaping changed since you entered the profession? The public is starting to learn that a properly installed water feature is the easiest low-maintenance landscape feature.
Your favorite part of creating a landscape/waterscape for a client: The reaction we get when the client sees their feature, using it for the first time, and the long-term relationship we have with each of the customers for whom we install a water feature.
Areas in which you work: Primarily Middle Tennessee.
Projects price range: $2,500 - $250,000.
