MELISSA BARON
• Garden Designer • Herbalist • Permaculturalist •
Melissa began her career in 2005 working as a designer in landscape architecture offices in Victoria BC giving her a solid foundation of design principles, construction detailing and plants. She has been involved in projects ranging from Single Family Residential garden design, to Multi-family complexes, institutional & commercial landscapes, as well as Green and LEED design projects, including green roofs and storm water management.
From there she branched into Permaculture design and herbal medicine, being in line with her holistic approach to life and living vibrantly in tune with nature.
Design Approach
“My approach is based in listening. Listening carefully to my clients dreams and needs, listening to what the site can offer and to the wisdom nature provides as guidance. My job is to use my expertise to visualize an environment where all these elements work together harmoniously, and then bring it to fruition”
Treasures of the
Natural World
“I am in awe of the natural world. My passion is to share any skills or knowledge I have gained to help others find a deeper connection to what nature has to offer. Whether that’s spending more time sitting out in your garden sanctuary, learning what plants might be helpful to your wellness, or harvesting and processing garden or foraged material to make your own food and medicines. There’s a vast array of ways we can connect, each of them offering pathways to greater healing and vitality”
Specialties
Expert design in:
• low maintenance
• deer resistant
• drought tolerant
• perennial food and medicinal gardens
Style
The landscape design pulls the client’s vision, aesthetic, architecture and surrounding environment together to create a cohesive, flowing whole.
Aesthetically, styles may range from modern/contemporary, traditional, formal, informal, Mediterranean, Japanese, English cottage garden, West coast native to food forest, apothecary gardens and creative mixes of each. I find every client and every property has a slightly different story to express and my job is to help clarify that vision through to reality.
Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Science (University of Guelph)
Masters of Landscape Architecture (University of Guelph)
Permaculture Design Certificate
Alchemy of Herbal Medicine Training
Member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers
" I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in tune once more "
