New York City is where I discovered my love of horticulture and garden design. In 2014 I was hired at age 26 to work at a small, yet sought after, high-end gardening company, Groundworks Inc. The owners, Carmen DeVito and Alice Marcus Krieg, worked side-by-side with our team of four, teaching us everything they knew about the artistic world of plant design and encouraging us to continue our education in the field outside of the work environment. They financially supported my ongoing training at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and took our team on yearly field trips to some of NYC’s most esteemed gardens - such as Wave Hill in the Bronx and Robert Dash’s Madoo Conservancy in the Hamptons. My experience working for this company inspired me to eventually create my own business, built on the same ethos, but specific to my particular vision and new environment.

East River Gardens takes those same high-end quality services and levels of expertise provided to the penthouses of Manhattan, and applies them to our work in the gardens of East Vancouver and North Van.

 

 

 

 

Our team is made up of plant enthusiasts, innovative artists, skilled trades people, and certified horticulturists. As professional gardeners, we are dedicated to constantly growing our skills and expanding our horticultural knowledge. If we are not hard at work in our clients' gardens, you can probably find us attending a weekend class at the botanical garden, nerding-out on a hike with our Plants of Coastal British Columbia book in hand, or fussing about in our own messy gardens (Cass Turnbull's trusty Guide to Pruning collecting more dirt at our feet). 

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As of Spring 2024, we have committed to incorporating a minimum of 65% native plants into all of our garden designs going forward. PNW native plants bring beautiful colours, textures, and fragrances to our gardens all year round. Beyond their visual appeal, these plants play a crucial role in supporting the ecosystem by providing essential habitats for beneficial insects and birds, which are vital for maintaining the health and sustainability of our environment.

 

Looking to boost the health of our local ecosystem and bring more hummingbirds, butterflies, and wild bees to your garden? Frustrated with the same plants dying each year because of the changing climate? Adding more biodiversity with native plants might just be the answer! Native flora are better suited to our area and can handle shifts in the weather. Plus, they help support local wildlife and are easier to care for. Let's create a vibrant and sustainable garden together that thrives year after year!

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- Founder, Robin Simurda

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Learn more about the benefits of incorporating native plants into our outdoor green spaces here: