Wild Works of Whimsy

05/28/2026

We have a giant terrier mix who is… very committed to chasing wildlife.

Unfortunately for him, we’re also very committed to hosting wildlife.

When we’ve replaced sections of our fence line, we’ve done it thoughtfully: keeping shrub cover where we can and intentionally leaving small openings underneath in select areas.

Why?

Because residential habitat doesn’t stop at property lines.

Rabbits, turtles, lizards, frogs, small mammals — they move through neighborhoods looking for cover, food, nesting areas, and safe passage.

This morning, a rabbit bolted through before the dog could catch up. When I looked down near the fence afterward, there was a tiny yearling box turtle tucked into the vegetation. Absolutely adorable. Also a good reminder that even small landscape decisions can create safer movement pathways for wildlife.

For us, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s thoughtful coexistence:

✔ habitat structure
✔ visual screening
✔ dog safely contained
✔ room for wildlife to move through the neighborhood

Sometimes ecological landscaping looks less like a pristine magazine fence line… and more like designing around the realities of dogs, neighbors, and living systems.

Dog people: how do you balance pets and wildlife habitat at home?

05/26/2026

I’m probably NOT your landscape designer if…

❌ You want every trendy plant your neighbor has… even after learning they’re invasive.

❌ You need a full landscape plan by yesterday.

❌ You prefer long surprise phone calls but haven’t checked email since 2018.

❌ You want a copy-paste yard instead of a landscape built for your site.

❌ “Low maintenance” means “I never want to look at this yard again.”

I AM your designer if…

✅ You’re willing to trust a thoughtful process instead of a rushed one.

✅ You care about habitat value, stormwater management, and what your landscape is actually doing for your property.

✅ You want a plan designed around your conditions — sun, soil, drainage, goals, lifestyle, and coastal Virginia realities.

✅ You value long-term resilience over instant gratification.

✅ You’re open to learning, collaborating, and creating something that actually belongs here.

Not every designer is the right fit for every project — and that’s okay.

The best landscapes start with aligned expectations.

05/14/2026

A very surreal moment for our little corner of coastal Virginia 💃

Wild Works of Whimsy (and ) was featured in the Best of Virginia 2026 issue from Virginia Living Magazine in their Eastern Virginia Services section.

When we started this journey, the goal was never to become the biggest landscape business. The goal was to help people reconnect with place through native plants, ecological design, and practical education rooted in the Chesapeake Bay region.

To see that work recognized in a statewide publication is incredibly meaningful.

Thank you to our clients, nursery customers, workshop attendees, conservation partners, and fellow plant nerds who continue to support what we do. We’re grateful every day to be part of this community 🌿

05/11/2026

I recently had the opportunity to speak with a student writer from ODU’s HerCampus.com chapter about entrepreneurship, conservation-focused business ownership, and some of the realities of building a small business in Hampton Roads.

We talked about everything from networking and hiring decisions to sustainability, uncertainty, and navigating a traditionally male-dominated industry. I always appreciate opportunities to have honest conversations about what small business ownership actually looks like behind the scenes.

Thank you to Faith Sweazy for including me in the piece alongside other local women business owners. 🤗

Social media “aesthetics” of business ownership certainly blur the line between expectations and reality, so I reached out to local women entrepreneurs to gather their best advice for aspiring business owners.

05/06/2026

Not yet tired of us posting about plants? Join us for our last Habitat Heroes Native Plant Workshop of the spring on May 12 from 6 - 7:30pm! 🦋

Here you’ll learn how to create a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife and thrives in the Hampton Roads environment, plus, you'll get a native plant to take home! 🪴

This workshop is designed with adult learners in mind. The content may be more advanced than what younger participants typically engage with, and seating is limited to a total capacity of 20 people. Reserve your spot to join us at this link: https://virginiazoo.org/event/native-plant-workshop-3/

04/30/2026

Last fall, this was lawn. ☠️

This spring, it’s becoming habitat. 🦋

Peg didn’t install this overnight—and she didn’t do it alone. Through a consultation, a clear plant plan, and phased planting, she transformed this space step by step.

✔️ Started with a design + plant guidance
✔️ Used a mix of 1-gallon plants + plugs
✔️ Installed over 2,000 plugs herself (yes, really)
✔️ Kept learning along the way (blogs, videos, real support)

Her words say it best:
‘I could not have planned, visualized and designed this project myself without your team’s help… I love the changes and all the insects and birds that these native plants attract.’

This is what we mean when we say landscapes are a process.

Not instant. Not perfect. But real—and incredibly rewarding.

If you’ve been thinking about starting, this is your sign that you can do this—with the right guidance.

04/18/2026

This will be so good!

04/14/2026

Hope to see you there this Sunday!

Spring is here and now is your chance to start an eco-friendly garden with our help! 🌱 Join us at our Habitat Heroes - Native Plant Workshop this Sunday, April 19 from 1 - 2:30pm! This beginner-friendly workshop will teach YOU how to create a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape that supports local wildlife 🐝 and thrives in the Hampton Roads environment.

Visit this link to learn more and sign up today: https://virginiazoo.org/event/native-plant-workshop-2/

03/26/2025

Come pick up a native plant!

Our Native Spring Fling is coming up Saturday, April 12th!

Come on out to our office "backyard" to check out vendors like Wild Works of Whimsy, Tidewater Compost, EverGreen EcoScapes, an arborist from Bartlett Tree Experts, a librarian from the Virginia Beach Library and Native Roots and Fruits.

If you're lucky, you may even be able to catch a peak at Ms. Marine De Bris!

Evergreen Eco-Scapes Wild Works of Whimsy

02/08/2025

Excited to share that I’ve been appointed to the Chesapeake Agricultural Advisory Commission! 🎉 Proud to represent the horticultural community and advocate for sustainable practices, native plants, and our region’s agricultural future. Looking forward to collaborating with others to support Chesapeake’s growers, land stewards, and green industry professionals!