Welcome!
I would love to:
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Encourage *you to create outdoor spaces that matter.
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Empower *you to bring *your vision to life.
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Equip *you with the inspiration to get *your outdoor plans in motion.
*You / Your = Homeowners – Contractors – Business Owners
Michelle Riley Horticulturist
About Michelle Riley Horticulturist & LIC
Michelle is a Horticulturist, Independent Landscape Designer, LIC (Landscape Industry Certified), Speaker, Consultant, Columnist, Author, Trainer and Landscape Concierge.
President of All About You Signature Landscape Design Inc. Founder of NeOhioGarden.com. Chief Joy Maker at ThePLantMall.com & Garden Columnist for The Joy of Medina County Magazine.
Michelle is passionate about the land and gardens in Northeast Ohio. She’s designed, implemented and maintained gardens, estates, and commercial landscapes around the Akron and Cleveland areas for over 25 years. She has completed projects in Chicago, New York and Washington. She is certified through the Ohio Department of Agriculture and is a member of the Ohio Landscape Association.
A story of – WHY I DO WHAT I DO – by Michelle Riley Horticulturist
August of 2017, It had been a long day pulling through a hot summer. I recall the heat that day did not dampen the laughter and smiles I met at each appointment. This particular evening I received a time lapse video from a good friend. The video held a gorgeous display of spring flowers blooming in rapid succession.
Earlier that day I had been asked, by one of my delightful customers, why I do what I do. This was the first time I had been asked that question in all of the years I have been in the green industry.
Great question === Why Do I Do What I Do?
Usually I tell my customers the story of how I serendipitously became a horticulturist instead of the child psychologist I had always thought I would be. After watching the video my friend had sent and hearing the customer’s question dance through my head, I immediately knew there was a profound answer deep within my core – much more meaningful than the mantra I have spoken for the past twenty years.
Why Do I Do What I Do === This is Why I Do What I Do…
Nature moves, breathes, thinks, feels, communicates – Most people are so busy with life they often do not take the time to stop and notice. The flowers are the silent guests at every garden.
When you stop, slow your mind to perceive the majesty and true wonder that surrounds us, a certain peace lies within. It is that peace, once noted, which may change your mind and draw you to a place of certainty and rest.
Horses offer the same peace to me as well. They have this majestic sense of being. Once in their presence, you cannot help but to slow your mind. With them there is no dire hurry to get to a destination. Days filled with watchful curiosity, simply enjoying the fields of lush green grass along the way.
This should be the essence of life. (Not that we should not have more).We humans tend to lose sight of our peace in the process of striving to live grandiose lives, when life itself should be more than enough.
This, my friends, is Why I Do What I Do and Why I LOVE to help ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED – Find the ESSENCE of LIFE in the GARDEN.