Gardens By Design

Gardens By Design is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals in creating inviting beautiful outdoor spaces that are designed to minimize maintenance wherever possible. Each project is customized to reflect our clients' view of what makes an attractive garden while applying our horticultural knowledge and good design techniques. We work with residential, commercial and government clients throughout the southern Kenai Peninsula.

The owner and principal designer for Gardens By Design is Brenda Adams. She has enjoyed gardens and "digging in the dirt" since she learned to walk. She has designed exquisite gardens for homes in California, Arizona and at the Eastern Seaboard. However, she found her true gardening passion in Alaska.

Brenda's design work has been recognized with two National Landscape Design Awards by the Perennial Plant Association (PPA). The PPA organizes an intense national competition among professional garden designers and landscapers across the United States. Brenda won this prestigious award in 2007 for a local residential garden and in 2009 for a commercial project in Homer. She is the only Alaskan designer to have won such an award. On a local level, Brenda was very pleased to accept the Beautification Award from the Homer Chamber of Commerce on behalf of one of her commercial customers whose gardens she designed and implemented.

Brenda works closely with her customers to understand their wishes. Then, using her skill and knowledge of horticulture and the Alaskan environment, she develops a unique plan that suits their goals and the conditions of the site. She encourages those clients who enjoy gardening to participate in any or all phases of the project. Brenda is also happy to take complete responsibility for the project, though she believes each garden is for her clients' delight and must incorporate their desires.

Gardens By Design and Brenda Adams have been featured in articles in the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Home Magazine, the Homer Tribune and the Homer News. One of the Homer News articles titled, 'The Art of Gardening', captures the essence of her work. It is three-dimensional, ever-evolving art. The article also highlights Ms. Adams' view that "a garden should be a place of joy." To read the article and accompanying side-bar, 'Brenda Adams' gardening tips', please go to
'The art of gardening' and 'Brenda Adams' gardening tips.

Brenda is a Master Gardener. She was President of the 150 member strong Homer Garden Club for six years for whom she chaired and co-edited a major revision of the club's book, Kachemak Cultivating from Seaside to Summit. She is currently putting the finishing touches on her own book about gardening in Alaska.