A well-respected leader in the world of public gardens and horticulture for over 30 years, Holly Shimizu has tended and managed public gardens around the world and recently retired as the Executive Director of the U.S. Botanic Garden. In 2015, she was recognized as one of the public horticulture industry’s most influential, inspirational, and pioneering individuals with The American Public Gardens Association (APGA)’s Honorary Life Member Award. Holly was instrumental in developing the Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) which provides professional standards for sustainability in landscape design and maintenance, and its residential counterpart, Landscape for Life. See her complete bio here.

 

Holly is able to consult public gardens in the areas of planning, education, interpretation, volunteer programs, plant selection, human resources, conservation, review and evaluation. In addition, she helps individuals envision and create peaceful and sustainable gardens. Please contact Holly for more information about her consulting services and read her blog here.

 

“Holly Shimizu is everything one could hope for in a public garden leader and advocate. Entering a room, she is often described as a “breath of fresh air.”

 

– Stephen T. Ayers and Ari Novy, in their nomination letter to APGA