It doesn't take three feet of snow to fully understand how difficult it is for our gardens to adjust to the many challenges of being planted in the zones between the North and the South, but it does emphasize how important it is to consider all the vagaries of this 'in-between' climate before planting.

Fortunately, Hunt Country gardeners will now benefit from Elizabeth Norman's expertise as a garden designer who specializes in the Fauquier and Loudoun climates and in non-toxic garden practices for new, established and historic gardens.

Elizabeth moved from Alexandria to Hunt Country in 2005, and she has been restoring the historic gardens at her own home ever since. Recently, she took on two new commissions to launch her design firm in Fauquier and Loudoun counties. Elizabeth has been designing, installing, appointing and maintaining gardens and landscapes for over 15 years.

"Country living demands nontoxic gardening, and non-toxic landscape care are essential to our firm's services," she emphasizes.

"Most of my clients own livestock, have numerous pets, and care for horses," says Norman.

"Additionally, we are all on wells and our watersheds drain directly into our neighbors' properties. Using pesticides – organic or otherwise -- that can harm animals or drain into an adjoining property -- is not an option, so I spend a lot of time investigating natural controls and cultivation techniques that maximize the opportunity for integrated pest management, provide generous air flow in the garden environment, and use beneficial organisms in the landscape to deter damage from insects, disease, and even deer."

Elizabeth is very committed to teaching her clients how to garden in a sustainable way.

"The best investment gardeners can make is in their dirt. The most talented gardeners I know only plant what the ground is prepared to accept," says Elizabeth.

"I always encourage my clients to feed their dirt, not their plants. Nature has a way of caring for herself when we provide or restore balance to the earth herself. A light touch is the best touch."

She also underscores her belief that just because something is labeled organic, does not mean it is non-toxic.

"We make every attempt to use techniques that are all natural, USDA approved organic, biological controls that do enhance habitat and are safe for animals. This takes work, but the payoff is happy clients and manageable gardens – even roses and boxwood!"

"I am an avid rose gardener, and I have found a way to have beautiful roses without the chemicals. Additionally, I've grown many different types of boxwood over the years. Protecting these valuable and beautiful plants is something we do very well."

Another aspect of sustainable gardening is to have sound respect for the way clients really live after the garden fantasy has become the real thing – living, breathing, and needing care year round.

Without taking this into consideration, the garden will soon succumb to any number of challenges we have here in hardiness zones 6 and 7.

"We are all familiar with the damage deer can do, but our hardiness zone presents challenges in and of itself. We are the transitional zone between the northern states and the southern states. This takes finessing from year to year because, quite simply, we just never know what bugs, diseases, and weather we are going to get – the differences can be so extreme from year to year."

Elizabeth Norman has a committed team of trustworthy industry professionals who care for and install her gardens.

"My team is key to our success. I cannot fathom installing a garden and then just leaving it," says Norman, "…we need to be there until it is established and then carry on – it's not just gardens for me, it's a relationship with the land, the habitat, the people and animals who love it."

To contact Elizabeth Norman, please telephone (703) 346-6807 or email eliztnorman@verizon.net.