Our Story

Rooted in biology, ecological gardening, and over a decade of hands-on work in client landscapes.

Hi ~ I’m Sam, the Mindful B behind Mindful Botanica™, LLC. I founded the company in 2018 with a passion for plants and a desire to help people reconnect with the natural world through thoughtful, intentional gardens.

My journey into the green industry began while I was pursuing my undergraduate degree at Eastern Michigan University. What I initially thought would be a one-time summer landscaping job quickly turned into a multi-season commitment ~ and ultimately a career rooted in working with plants and the landscapes they inhabit.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Eastern Michigan University in December 2017, and Mindful Botanica™, LLC was born shortly after. During that first year, I worked alongside and was advised by my mentor Linda, the now-retired owner of Homewood Gardens, LLC, whose guidance helped shape the early foundation of my work.

In the spring of 2018, I became an MSU Extension Master Gardener. I continue to remain active in the program through ongoing education and volunteer service. Growing Hope and Natural Area Preservation are two local organizations where I enjoy contributing an extra set of hands.

Over the past decade, I’ve spent thousands of hours working directly in client gardens across Southeast Michigan, observing how landscapes change through seasons, weather, and time. From ongoing garden care to plant installation and design projects, this hands-on experience has shaped the way I approach every landscape. Many of the gardens I care for have been tended season after season, allowing me to watch them mature and evolve alongside the people who enjoy them. Over time, this work has grown largely through word-of-mouth and long-standing client relationships.

As my work continued to grow, I also pursued additional education to deepen my approach to ecological gardening and landscape design. In the winter of 2021, I completed a Permaculture Design Certificate, expanding my understanding of regenerative land stewardship and holistic landscape systems. The following summer, in 2021, I obtained my Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification with a sub-category in Ornamental Plants, which provided formal training in plant health care, pest identification, and integrated pest management practices.

In the fall of 2022, I began studying landscape architecture at the University of Michigan, completing one year of coursework through the spring of 2023 to further strengthen my design perspective and understanding of how landscapes function both aesthetically and ecologically.

Over the years, I’ve found that thoughtful planning, careful plant selection, and attentive long-term care ultimately save clients time, money, and frustration while creating gardens that grow more beautiful with each season. Working closely in gardens season after season has also taught me that the most successful landscapes are the ones that grow in partnership with nature.

Unlike traditional landscaping approaches that focus primarily on aesthetics or quick results, my work emphasizes ecological balance and long-term garden health. Mindful Botanica integrates practices such as soil building, plant diversity, thoughtful plant selection, and integrated pest management to support resilient landscapes and ecologically balanced gardens. I believe gardeners have an opportunity - and a responsibility - to act as allies to the earth by creating spaces that support pollinators, wildlife, and thriving plant communities.

Through both garden care and design work, I help clients shape landscapes that grow more beautiful and resilient over time.

What began as a small Michigan gardening business has now grown beyond Michigan. In the fall of 2024, Mindful Botanica expanded to offer services in southwest Costa Rica, where I now work alongside my husband Wesley to support landscape and garden projects in the region. This new chapter has deepened our connection to tropical plants, biodiversity, and regenerative land stewardship while continuing the same mindful approach that guides our work in Michigan.

Whether working in Michigan or Costa Rica, the goal remains the same: to create gardens that feel alive, intentional, and in harmony with the natural world ~ spaces where plants, people, and wildlife can thrive together.

If you're interested in working together, I invite you to explore the services offered through Mindful Botanica or reach out to start a conversation about your garden.