Our Philosophy
"It will be as if we were never there - only better."
We strive to create the most verdant landscapes by imparting a holistic approach to each setting. As Earth's ambassador our goal is to seamlessly
unite a site's existing characteristics with the perfect plan.
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Nature Dictates Design
A design begins with one's needs, desires. From there we look to Nature.
We believe that both Human Nature and Mother Nature are of the utmost importance when developing a new or existing garden.
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Plan(t) Perfect
Healthy plants are beautiful plants. Beautiful plants make
a garden exceptional. We create healthy, beautiful plantings
using a site-specific plant approach.
Viridissima services
GARDEN DESIGN
INSTALLATION & CARE
Specializing in
- container gardening
- entry gardens
- planting design
- holistic estate garden
management
- conservatory & greenhouse
plant care
"We garden organically — even in pots."
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Gallery
Events & Educational offerings
click button below to sign up and receive our monthly newsletter & blog post announcements and other timely news and information.
UPCOMING CLASSES
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FEBRUARY 11TH, 2023
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
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click button below to sign up and receive our monthly newsletter & blog post announcements and other timely news and information.
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Container Garden Design Class
3 Wednesdays, MARCH 16, 23 & 30, 2022
5:30 - 8:30 PM
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preregistration required
horticultural certificate program
onsite berkshire botanical garden
Acquire the skills required for beautiful and successful container gardens with Jenna O’Brien, owner of Viridissima Horticulture and Design. Start with techniques for overwintering tropicals, tender perennials, bulbs, annuals and more without a greenhouse, through storage of dormant plants, seed collection, cuttings, divisions and other simple techniques. Get to know the plants that thrive in containers and how to care for them. This three-part class will cover practical aspects of gardening with plants that do double duty as housescape plants in the winter and container plants in summer. Consider container selection, siting, planting, growing, controlling pests and maintaining moveable gardens.
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to check for availability of class listing and registration click button below
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Container Garden Design Lecture
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coming in Spring 2022
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ward's nursery and garden center
great barrington, ma
Jenna's slide presentation, lecture and live demonstration on her container soil mix, potting up a mixed plant design and containter care have been a yearly presentation at Wards for several years, This year the presentation will be filmed.
Digging Dahlias
preregistration required
onsite berkshire botanical garden
These tender perennials are garden stars, but left in the ground they won't last through a New England winter. With a few tricks, you can preserve and multiply your dahlias, enjoying them for years to come! BBG faculty member Jenna O'Brien will guide students through digging, cleaning, division, and overwintering techniques. She'll also share insights on a few of her favorite varieties. This is a hands-on workshop; students are encouraged to bring their own clippers, and are welcome to bring dahlia tubers from home!
Overwintering your plants
2 Wednesdays, April 14 & 28, 2021
5:30 - 8:30 PM
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preregistration required
horticultural certificate program
onsite berkshire botanical garden
At the end of the summer, what do you do with all those special patio plants that you have fussed over for the summer months? This class will give gardeners tricks of the trade to protect their tender perennials, house plants, woody potted specimens and succulent collections and encourage them to thrive during the winter season. Taught by Jenna O’Brien, topics of this class will include cultivation, fertilizing, watering and healthcare. Learn by doing and take home some plant companions.
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to check for availability of class listing and registration click button below
understanding woody plants
date to be announced
preregistration required
horticultural certificate program
onsite berkshire botanical garden
Taught by Jenna O’Brien, this four-session course will focus on the bones of the garden with a survey of ornamental woody plants for residential landscape design. It will cover ornamental shrubs, small flowering trees, shade trees and broadleaf and needle evergreens. Students will become familiar with the many garden-worthy woody plants that thrive in Zone 5. The course covers plant ID, selection, siting, cultivation and possible design uses.
Acquire the skills required for beautiful and successful container gardens with Jenna O’Brien, owner of Viridissima Horticulture and Design. Start with techniques for overwintering tropicals, tender perennials, bulbs, annuals and more without a greenhouse, through storage of dormant plants, seed collection, cuttings, divisions and other simple techniques. Get to know the plants that thrive in containers and how to care for them. This three-part class will cover practical aspects of gardening with plants that do double duty as housescape plants in the winter and container plants in summer. Consider container selection, siting, planting, growing, controlling pests and maintaining moveable gardens.
“Jenna, as I watered today I was struck by your genius. You are a truly talented designer, plant savvy, but with tremendous style. Who would think of tearing all the leaves off the good plant to make it match the dead one? THAT is genius. Also, how did youfind the welded tree branches to prop up the conifers at the pool? They look great, as does everything. It is official, you will be doing the pots at BBF in the future. Thank you, thank you.”
Matt Larkin
“I am so grateful to have found Jenna. She is very knowledgeable, thoughtful in her approach, efficient and so artistic. She has really transformed my gardens. She has a complete understanding of my needs in the garden and has wonderful ideas. I very much appreciate her work.”
Madeleine Miller
"Good morning! Just toured the garden and am filled with gratitude for your work and presence. Even though I am a gardener, I need compost and inspiration– new ideas and sisterly attention. The bones of what you did all last year hold strong, much of what we planted is thriving. And I look forward to what is next. That little comphrey is up. The big leaf stuff (Brownwilla?) is coming up. Happy. Grateful."
Suzi Banks Baum
Testimonials
“Jenna is a treasure. She's an extremely knowledgeable plants person, who never ceases to learn about new varieties, different planting techniques and management regimens that keep plants looking their best, as well as the pests and diseases that are always threatening. She has a knack for making wonderful container displays, beautiful as well as productive vegetable gardens and spectacular flower arrangements. She also has a strong work ethic and is tireless in the garden. In addition, she's a good manager of people, who supervises and trains her staff very effectively. Finally, she is a delight to work with, always listening to others' ideas and opinions and inserting her own suggestions into the discussion with thoughtfullness and charm.”
Ian Hooper
“Jenna O'Brien and her Viridissima team have been helping me with our gardens for the last 8 years. It has been 8 years of joy and pleasure. Jenna is prompt, reliable, well organized, always cheerful, and very hardworking. But much more than that she is a gifted designer and a curious and eager learner and explorer in horticultural subjects. She is the best thing in my garden.”​
Georgeanne Rousseau
“She adopts a holistic approach to gardening where the relationship between landscape and client is interconnected and harmonious. First and foremost Jenna is an excellent listener. She thoughtfully ponders and considers the concerns and desires of the client, makes suggestions, and is flexible and willing to change direction if needed. Jenna devises creative solutions and follows up with sketches and images of proposed plantings and designs, thereby greatly facilitating the process. Jenna and her crew have a great attitude, are serious and professional about their work and, in essence are a lot of fun to work with. My gardens have never looked so good!”
Rebekah Tressel Wise
Berkshire Garden Style
the Viridissima blog -
