Sustainable Horticultural Environments

Teresa recently completed a walkway and new plantings at our home, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. What impressed me the most her creativity ⸻she desogmed a beautiful, cohesive look while incorporating many of the plants we already had, which saved us money and made the whole space feel like it truly belonged to our home. The walkway is both functional and lovely, and the plantings frame it perfectly. Teresa was professional, thoughtful, and clearly takes pride in her work. Highly recommend!

⸻ Lisa C., Orlando 2026 client

Teresa, I thought you would like to know how absolutely gorgeous the butterfly garden is! I want to thank you for my “book.” I am not familiar with most of the plants you chose other than the pentas and the salvia, of course. I am reading the book and I am learning a lot while I look out the window from my dining room at my new garden. Also, I’m getting lots of compliments. I never thought for a minute I would ever like that huge clump of palmettos in the front yard, but I think it looks amazing now that it’s all cleaned up! I actually like looking at it!

⸻ Donna D., Orlando 2026 client

Just a note to tell you how beautiful the planting you did for us is.  It is such a joy.  Thank you, Thank you.  We need more work and will be in touch next month.

⸻ D. and H. Orlando, FL 2025 client

We were sitting on the swing tonight talking about what a great experience it was working with you, Mickey, Charity and their crew of hard workers. Everything looks so good now we can only imagine how beautiful it will be as it ages with us. This was an exciting experience for us and one that we would recommend very highly to everyone we know. 

You and Mickey being so open about calling anytime for questions is rare to find in the work world today and we recognize and appreciate it very much. Looking forward to staying in touch with you all. Many thanks!

⸻ M. and F., Orlando, 2025 client 

I’ve gardened a lot over the years, but my efforts never quite achieved the results I was looking for. Enter the wonderful Teresa Watkins… What a difference she made with her ideas and plant suggestions and selections. I am so very pleased with the results, especially now that winter is over and my yard is blooming with abundance.  It all looked wonderful the day she finished the project, but it’s looking even more wonderful as plants flower and mature.  Everything she installed is Florida friendly or a Florida native, so not only am I happy, but my plants are happy and thriving.

⸻ Louise W. Orlando, FL 2025 client

Thank you, Teresa, not only for your wonderful landscaping ideas but for being so fabulously YOU.  I only wish I had a bigger yard, so I could see even more of your ideas. We are long time experienced “do it ourselves” gardeners who were overwhelmed with our big project.  Meeting Teresa Watkins was a fortunate turning point for us.  She immediately determined and interacted with us based on our gardening goals, joys and challenges.  She deftly wove her expertise into guidance that was engaging, astute, and generated new perspectives for us. We are thrilled with the momentum and outcomes from our initial consultation.  She gave us confidence, practical information and tools, and an exciting vision.  We look forward to her further astute guidance as we now proudly evolve our garden into a functional and aesthetic point of pride.

⸻ Jim and Shirley J. West Palm Beach, FL 2024 client

Teresa Watkins is smart and kind and knowledgeable about plants. Better yet, she also listens. When I asked for plants that would encourage birds, she created a mini bird sanctuary for me. Frankly, no matter what I asked for, she cheerfully and enthusiastically and thoughtfully delivered. She knew my needs better than I did. Not only did she consider the aesthetics, but she also considered my need for more privacy and my desire to hide unsightly equipment. She delivered and delivered and delivered. Every area of my yard is interesting and appropriate and functional. My yard is now home to a variety of plants and every single one serves at least two purposes, whether it be a habitat for birds and bunnies, or a source of fragrance, or a dramatic focal point, or attractive blooms, or more privacy.

⸻ Jessica W. FL, 2024 client

Teresa knows her stuff. She listened to what I was trying to achieve and came up with a great design. Glad to recommend her.

⸻ Tony, Longwood, 2024 client

Teresa is a very knowledgeable and talented landscape artist. She transformed our boring front yard into a beautifully blended oasis of tropical and succulent plants, pleasing both my husband and I. My desk is next to the window that overlooks our yard, and I look forward to taking in the gorgeous view every day. Teresa is extremely creative but also listens to her clients' wishes. We would highly recommend her for any landscaping challenge.”

⸻ Lucy W. Maitland, FL 2024 client

I spent 40 years as a real-estate broker and residential contractor in West Orange County Florida. Landscaping tends to be the last thing on builders and developers’ minds, and it all ends up looking the same as all the neighbors. When I decided to build several additions to my home  I wanted new  landscaping. Teresa was the answer.  To making my new landscaping: POP". Teresa is meticulous and thorough. She is so knowledgeable and knows what plants work together to compliment and enhance the overall landscaping. I am so glad I found her. It wasn't hard to find out about her. She was highly recommended by everyone I talked to! We discussed a budget and she stayed right with it. Teresa coordinated the installation and her contractor was the best ! Teresa was on top of the job, start to finish.  She also coordinated my new paver driveways and irrigation. The landscaping was finished last  March and it has grown and flourished over the summer, and it looks fabulous! I recommend Teresa to everyone looking for landscape help without hesitation because I know that Teresa will always give a 5 star+ job!

⸻Dan. H. Orlando, 2024 client

“Teresa Watkins brings a wealth of knowledge about horticulture and Florida specific plants, as well as contacts with local providers (growers, contractors, etc), all at very reasonable prices.  We wanted Florida friendly landscaping with a variety of trees, plants and flowers that did not require tons of maintenance, but that offered varying colors and blooms over the course of each year.  She helped us to create a beautiful oasis that we enjoy every day!  As part of her service, she left us with a binder full of easily accessible information about each plant and how to care for the plants in a sustainable way.  We also were able to include paving and stonework as part of the landscaping that turned out beautifully.  Teresa has made herself available to us for any questions and follow-up as needed - we are very happy with the outcome and the ongoing support!

⸺David and Ch’uya, Winter Park, 2024 client

We recently had the pleasure of working with Teresa and her exceptional landscaping crew to transform our front and back yard, and we are absolutely thrilled with the results. From the initial consultation to the completion of the project, Teresa displayed an unparalleled level of expertise and creativity. She took the time to understand our vision and offered  valuable insights to enhance it. SHE is great! Teresa is very friendly and knowledgeable, and created for us a lovely plan for our yard. She provided great documentation on the plants she chose for us and has really helped me not kill them all yet! 10/10, would hire again.”

⸺Nick and Marissa, Orlando, 2024 client

Teresa's passion for landscaping was evident in every suggestion she made, and her commitment to delivering a high-quality outcome was unwavering. Teresa's crew, under her leadership, worked diligently to bring our landscaping dreams to life. The attention to detail in every aspect of the project was remarkable. From planting vibrant flowers to crafting intricate hardscapes, each member of the crew demonstrated skill and dedication. The transformation of our outdoor space is nothing short of breathtaking. What sets Teresa apart is her commitment to customer satisfaction. Throughout the process, she communicated effectively, keeping us informed about progress and addressing any concerns promptly. Her professionalism and dedication to delivering beyond expectations were truly commendable.

The level of craftsmanship and artistry displayed by Teresa and her crew is a testament to their talent and passion for landscaping. Our front and back yard have been elevated to a new level of beauty and functionality, thanks to their hard work. If you're in search of a landscaping team that combines creativity, expertise, and a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction, Teresa and her crew are the ones to choose. We wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking to transform their outdoor space into a stunning haven. Thank you, Teresa, and the entire crew, for turning our landscaping dreams into a reality. Your work has brought joy and beauty to our home.

⸺ Marco and Corinne, Orlando, 2024 client

Teresa is an absolute pleasure to work with and an amazing landscape designer!  Teresa's process was a joy to go through, starting with a conversation and a wish list.  She is a great listener and can transform your ideas into beautiful designs that are even better than what you dreamed of.  She works with your landscape and unique challenges to create a design that creates impact.  In my case, I also hired her to oversee the project to ensure that everything went smoothly and I was so happy that I did because I knew I was in the hands of a professional.  I absolutely love the end result even at the outset, knowing that the garden will continue to grow and mature into it's full glory over time.  I can say that the final look was nothing short of *Magical* and would highly recommend her to anyone looking to make their home come to life in a beautiful and sustainable way.  She's truly the best!

⸺ Cheryl Z, Oakland, 2023 client

Teresa designed the front yard of our house and it is beautiful. In fact, we love it so much we are now having the backyard being designed.

⸺ WHgille, FL 2023 client

Teresa is extremely well-knowledged, professional, well-connected and personable-- a fantastic combination for what Teresa does!  She listen attentively and delivers wellbeyond expectation.  She is an EXPERT in Florida-friendly landscape plants and design. 

Consider yourself lucky that you have found her!!!

⸺ Jennifer N, Ringgold, GA, 2022  professional

Teresa worked with our existing landscape to freshen our tired look.  We wanted more blooming plants and easy care with the FL heat and rains.  We love our blooming pinwheel jasmine addition.  The overall changes made brought nice color to the front of our home.  Teresa is easy to work with and gives ideas that are FL friendly.  We love her ideas.  Thank you.

⸺ Ceme C, Orlando, 2022  client

Winter Park, 2020 Client.

“Teresa did the landscape design for my modern lakefront house and helped selecting from three landscape companies. Once we decided on the company that implemented the design, she was extremely involved in the process and kept the landscaper on his toes. Her knowledge base of plant material is extensive and while she emphasizes a Florida-friendly approach approach, she is not dogmatic by using only Florida native plants, as some nursery owners are that sell Florida native plant material only. While I was initially worried about being "overpowered" by her (she is a strong woman with strong opinions), she is flexible enough to accept change and opposite opinions. An additional positive aspect is her being very accessible by text message, email, or phone. The project was challenging and unique but Teresa delivered 100%. - Klaus, Winter Haven 2020 Client

Teresa is a very gifted landscape designer that works with her clients needs. She is passionate about what she does and extremely knowledgeable about native plants. She has an eye for the details, which is what makes our yard stand out. When her landscape plan was complete, our house looked exactly how we had envisioned it. - Sarah, Winter Garden 2020 client

We cannot speak highly enough about Teresa. We recently purchased a property (1.25 acres) that had been very poorly landscaped/maintained. We had very specific requirements with regards to the plan we had in mind (i.e. low maintenance, native plants, bird & butterfly attractors, shade/sun issues, irrigation challenges, hiding "unsightly" elements, etc.). Teresa spent a great deal of time with us, listening to everything we did (and did not) want and answering our numerous questions. We were so impressed with her knowledge, and her ideas - the plan she produced exceeded our expectations. She then returned to walk our property once again, to refine details. Her final landscape design was beyond anything we could have dreamt of. She then provided us with binders filled with information as to how to care for our trees, plants etc. Teresa is an absolute pleasure to work with, goes above and beyond and we highly recommend her. - Genelle, Lakeland 2020 Client

Happy Homeowners

“Teresa has a great eye for detail, color and balance which were perfect skills needed to achieve the look we were striving for. We look forward to working with Teresa on other landscaping design projects in the future.” - Mary, Lake Nona, 2018 Client

"With Teresa's guidance and support, I am happy to say that my landscape design is one that my wife and I enjoy every day. It is beautiful and one we're most proud of. In addition, I have received compliments from neighbors and my homeowners association on how nice my landscaping looks. From a maintenance perspective, the amount of time I spend maintaining the yard is significantly less than other homes with comparable sized yards. Finally, the amount of irrigation my yard requires is substantially less than most other yards." 
-Roberto Carrion, Montverde, FL, Client

“Teresa was a pleasure to work with. She transformed our 1980's landscaping that was in terrible condition to a beautiful, modern design. She worked with the contractors and nurseries to find us the plants and materials we needed. Her contractors were hard-working and did an amazing job. I have already recommended them to others . At the end of the project, Teresa provided us with a maintenance guide for each of the plants along with several other pieces of information in one easy to use binder. This will help us know how to care for our plants, though, Teresa is always a call away if we need a little extra guidance. She really does care about the health and longevity of your plants and comes back to check in on you well after the project is over.” - Nick Newell, Orlando ,FL Homeowner

"Fabulous concept, Fabulous design, Fabulous results.
Thank you! We love our landscape!
-Susan and Jack Follick, Plantation, Leesburg, FL

"I can’t say enough about Teresa Watkins and her amazing creativity. When we met to discuss my frustration with creating a beautiful space along our lakefront, Teresa had some thoughts but mostly she spent time listening to me describe gardens I enjoyed visiting. She took several photos and spent a great deal of time studying the space I had in mind for my new garden. When she returned with a plan, I was amazed.  

Since my husband and I enjoy gardening, we chose to take Teresa’s plan and gradually create Teresa’s vision on our own. We added soil, we raked and killed weeds and we planted according to Teresa’s plan. The transformation from a boring space to a park-like setting has not only given us the pleasure of a beautiful space to admire; but neighbors have actually left notes at my door thanking me for the garden. One neighbor said, “It’s the highlight of my morning walk”. Thanks Teresa for making me look so good!"  -Violet Irminger, Homeowner, Mount Dora, FL

Pleased Professional Colleagues

"Teresa is passionate about the works she does. If I were recommending her to a friend, which I would, I would describe her strongest attribute as her willingness to immediately communicate with her clients. This enables her to adapt to client needs on-the-fly and also keeps the client informed of the daily progress of the project.”
-Rob Manjura Orlando, 2017 Client

Florida-Friendly Landscaping Expertise

"I have had the opportunity to work with Teresa Watkins for over 10 years...I became aware of Ms. Watkins through our local Extension service and as the UF/IFAS Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program Coordinator. Upon meeting her I was impressed with her knowledge of Florida-friendly landscaping principles and water conservation issues affecting Central Florida. We were even more impressed with her ability to communicate with different age groups on topics that some would consider dry. Because of her dedication, good communication skills and background knowledge, the Lake County Water Authority contracted with Ms. Watkins to conduct FYN workshops throughout Lake County and host a weekly radio show highlighting water resource issues within the county.

I...highly recommend her as an asset to any project, program, or organization."
-Patricia Burgos, Environmental Program Manager, Lake County Water Authority, Tavares, FL

Teresa is considered a foremost authority in the area of Florida Friendly Landscaping and the new regulations established by the Florida Legislature. She has helped design resource-efficient landscapes and has won numerous awards. Teresa is one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the area of water and energy conservation in residential and commercial landscapes. I often recommend her as a consultant in the area of Florida Friendly Landscaping. 
-Tom MacCubbin, Extension Agent Emeritus, University of Florida IFA, www.betterlawns.com