Amy Henderson: Twice a Designer

Posted in Adult Education on December 30 2013, by Lansing Moore

It’s not only the born-and-raised green thumbs who find their way into professional horticulture. Among some of our Horticulture Certificate program’s accomplished alumni you’ll find horticulturists and landscape designers who started their careers in very different fields, and Amy Henderson, who spent much of her working life designing without a trowel at her side, is just such a person. We recently caught up with Amy to get her take on entering a Horticulture Certificate program, working in garden design, and more.

What drew you to the NYBG Horticulture Certificate Program?

Around 2009 I started visiting the Garden frequently and treated myself to a few Gardening classes. I was looking for a change from my decades of work in graphic design, and it dawned on me that I could use my design skills with a new, living medium—plants—and that maybe the Horticulture certificate could lay the foundation of a path to a new career. I settled on the Garden Design Horticulture track because to me, the plants are what it’s all about.

Horticulture, like art, requires the artist to know her medium. What is your approach in working with plants?

When I’m putting together a plant palette and design, I try to think: “Who are you? Where would you choose to live? Who do you like to hang out with? What are you going to be when you grow up?” It sounds unconventional, but I find it helps me make sure I’m designing a garden with the plants’ peak growing potential in mind.

What would you tell other people thinking of earning a Certificate in Horticulture?

There is always more to learn about plants, and you just can’t know enough! The instructors and curriculum give you an in-depth understanding of plants, how they function, how they grow, and how to best care for them.  My number one recommendation for current horticulture students is to walk around the Garden as often as you can, in every season! Observe plants when they’re just coming to life, at their peak, and when they’re fading and disheveled. Note what plant partners work well and how the NYBG staff cares for them.

How did you get your start? And what do you enjoy the most about garden design as you take on your own clients?

While finishing up the certificate, I worked for a season doing maintenance on residential properties, then another season in the perennials department of Hardscrabble Farms, a wonderful wholesale nursery where the work was educational, satisfying, and good physical exercise! A few years ago I started taking on my own clients. I really enjoy that garden design combines dream and reality—taking a client’s wishes, assessing the reality of their property, and coming up with my vision for the space with a design that looks great and has plants that thrive.

We understand you’ve been continuing to rely on NYBG’s classes, instructors, and alumni network. What has drawn you back to NYBG?

For several recent projects, a garden design has evolved into a hardscape design. So I have taken the occasional class in NYBG’s Landscape Design program to better equip me. I’ve also become involved in the Landscape Design Students and Alumni association, which draws professionals in gardening and horticulture as well, and which has been a great source of inspiration and support. I find people in the plant industry to be a wonderful group—wise, warm, and generous.

Amy Henderson will be returning to the Garden in March as an instructor for a Bulbs class in Horticulture.