Current Affiliations:

 

• Owner of Shannon’s Garden Gallery

• Chair of the Harmony Elementary Outdoor Classroom 1998-2006

• 2005 President of the Gwinnett Master Gardeners

• Member of the Georgia Native Plant Society (past board member)

• Regular contributor to the Georgia Gardening Magazine

• Past member of Gwinnett Extension Advisory Board

• 2005 Co-Chair of the Southeastern Flowershow Landscape Division

• Certified Arborist & member of International Society of Arboriculture

She is also a member of the following organizations: Georgia and Gwinnett Master Gardener Associations, National Wildlife Federation, The National Parks Conservation Association, The American & Georgia Herbalist's Guilds, The Sierra Club, Georgia Organics, The Garden Writer’s Association of America, and The American Horticultural Society.

Training

Shannon is a Certified Georgia Master Gardener (Advanced, Silver Star Status) and has taken classes through the UGA/cooperative extension service which include:
* Landscape Maintenance
*Woody Plant ID
*Tree ID

*Gardening for Wildlife
*Pesticide Use & Application License through Ga Dept of Agr

*GA Soil & Water Erosion & Sediment Control Certified-through GA Soil and Water Conservation Commission

 

Shannon has also taken classes in arboriculture and is a Certified Arborist.  Other classes have included drafting, architecture, landscape design, drawing, plant clinics, native plant symposiums. She has also taken numerous classes in plant identification (wild and cultivated), wilderness survival skills, edible and medicinal plant classes.

Formal Education and Past Employment
Graduated Florida Institute of Technology in 1987 with a BS in Electrical Engineering and BS in Computer Engineering. Worked as a project engineer from 1987 to 1997 in process control and automation. Job objectives included drafting, panel design, power distribution layout, PLC programming, graphics design, job startup, end user training, software demos.  1990 to present, Owner of Artistic Innovations, a mural & Trompe L’oeil company.  2001-2004 former Co-Owner of Eco-Terra Landscape Consultants.

 

Awards & Publications:

• 1999 mural work was published in by Phyllis Sloan Allen, Miriam Stimpson, Lynn M. Jones, miria Stimpson

• Illustrator for Tara Dillard’s two books: and to be released April 2005

• June 25, 2004, AJC article on Shannon’s garden; Well by Rebecca McCarthy

• October 7, 2004, Gwinnett Daily Post article on one of Shannon’s designs; by Steve Pettis

• Contributions to the Georgia Gardening Magazine; Monthly Native Plant Profile and Design Articles.

• Contributions to Danny Flanders and Walter Reeve’s columns in the AJC garden sections

• 2003 Southeastern Flowershow Awards (while co-owner of Eco-Terra Landscape Consultants; Shannon was the designer of the exhibit).

  • Atlanta Botanical Garden Trustee's Award for Best of Show for the small garden category-an exceptional exhibit which best exemplifies the goals of the Southeastern Flower Show
    "Clever, humorous theme well-orientated with many authentic Japanese elements and a Southern accent. Innovative use of American look-alikes for Japanese plants."

  • The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Medal for Best Execution of Design
    "An A+++ effort in research, design, and execution!"

  • Men's Garden Club Trophy of Atlanta for an exhibit of excellence
    using plants best suited for the Piedmont area.
    "Masterful job using native plants in an Asian design. Attention to detail is exceptional."

  • 
    "Go evocative: Eco-Terra Landscape Consultants' garden shows just what's possible using low-maintenance, drought-tolerant and native plants, all with an eye for detail rivaling that of a jeweler."- Danny C. Flanders

 

• 2004 Southeastern Flowershow Awards (Shannon was the designer & Chair for the Georgia Native Plant Society’s exhibit) http://www.gnps.org/SEFS041.HTM

  • Governor's trophy  (Best in Show for Discovery Division) for the educational exhibit of greatest distinction.

  • Certificate of Excellence in Conservation - Garden Club of America,  for an exhibit of exceptional merit which educates the public on conservation issues and promotes respect for natural resources and responsibility for environmental stewardship. This is a special panel award.

  • Magnolia Garden Club Scholarship Award for the exhibit created by an Academic institution that best exemplifies excellence in environmental education.

  • Boxwood Garden Club Trophy for the most year-round interestemphasizing the use of native Southeastern plants.

 

• 2005 Southeastern Flowershow Awards (Shannon was the designer for Unlimited Landscaping’s exhibit for the Landscaping Division)

  • Atlanta Botanical Garden Trustee's Award for Best of Show for the small garden category-an exceptional exhibit which best exemplifies the goals of the Southeastern Flower Show.

  • Georgia Lighting Company Trophy for most distinctive and creative use of hardscapes in a garden.

  • Robinson Whimsical Trophy for a garden that exhibits humor, fantasy, and/or whimsy and displays horticultural skill and beauty.

  • Mayor’s Trophy: The People’s Choice Award for favorite landscape garden by vote of show attendees.

 

• Southeastern Flowershow Awards and Judges’ comments

Shannon assisted Unique Environmental www.unique-environmental.com  w/ design, prep & installation– “La Piazza del Mercado”

• Mayor’s Trophy- People’s Choice Award for favorite landscape garden by vote of show attendees.

• Massachusetts Horticultural Society Medal- for best execution of design

  • Plant material is visually complex without being overdone.The cobblestone design installation adds authenticity to the setting.Color and texture combinations of the plantings are exceptional.Tremendous attention to detail.Selection of architectural elements, doors, containers, and ironwork makes it a memorable experience.

• Planters Garden Club Trophy- for most creative interpretation of the theme.

  • “Would that one, we could have had dinner at Bellinis!”Bellissimo!

  • What a wonderful way to represent Italy.Well crafted, richly detailed, alive with color and water.This street scene made us want to purchase plane tickets.Represents the theme extremely well.

• American Society of Landscape Architects Trophy- for best use of annuals and/or perennials as a design element.

  • This garden is a sensory delight with exceptional hardscape details.Exquisite color harmonies are obtained through the use of well-grown annuals and perennials.

• Ann Lyon Crammond Trophy- for “the garden that invites you in”.

  • “la Piazza del Mercado” Very realistic and transports you to an Italian marketplace.Wonderful attention to finishing detail; cobblestone, moss in crevices, lace curtains, and patina of the walls.The tables and chairs along with running water invite you to stay.

 

• Southeastern Flowershow Awards and Judges’ comments- Shannon assisted Unique Environmental www.unique-environmental.com  w/ design, prep, topiaries, & installation – “North Georgia with a French Accent”

• Southeastern Flower Show Trustees’ Trophy for Best in Show- large garden- for an exceptional garden that exemplifies the goals of the Southeastern Flower Show.

  • Plant-rich design, enhanced by excellent garden lighting.Love the cyclists

• Massachusetts Horticultural Society Medal- for best execution of design

  • Whether a backyard garden or a major park, the success of this design is that it holds together as a complete unit.Great attention to detail.Water feature accenting succulent garden demonstrates impressive use of design and color principals.Great vistas from inside and outside the garden.Beautiful scale and form.Soothing color scheme with spectacular diversity.Lovely lighting of Japanese maples.Nice detail in antique tools.Multi-access points foster invitation to enter.Good touch with cold frames, appropriate to a French garden.Tour de France cyclists add an element of whimsy.This garden has it all- pathways, gardens, water feature, architectural elements, and an incredible amount of zip!

• Bulkley Medal Garden Club of America- for a special exhibit in the fields of horticulture, botany or conservation.  The exhibit must be one of exceptional educational merit that increases the knowledge and awareness of the viewing public.

  • “This is an exceptional French garden from start to finish.Unique in the suitability of plant material, it is truly a “Tour de Force!”

• Lynn Dowden Trophy- for best use of water in a garden setting.

  • The waterfall to the left of the house is so brilliantly done and so subtly conceived: don’t miss it!

• Ann Lyon Crammond Trophy- for “the garden that invites you in”.

  • “Cyclists coming down the hill will never get past this house without stopping to say “Bonjour!”

 

• 2008 Southeastern Flowershow Awards and Judges’ comments -Shannon assisted Unique Environmental www.unique-environmental.com  w/ installation– “Elegance & Innovation”

  • Southeastern Flower Show Trustees’ Trophy for Best in Show- Medium garden- for an exceptional garden that exemplifies the goals of the Southeastern Flower Show.

  • The Georgia Lighting Trophy – for the most distinctive and creative use of hardscapes in a garden.

  • Southern Living-Southern Accents Trophy – for best designed Southern Garden.

 

• 2009 Southeastern Flowershow Awards - Landscape Division
  (Shannon assisted in the building of the exhibit ""Simple Tranquility " for Unique Environmental for the Landscaping Division)).

  • Atlanta Botanical Garden Trustee's Award for Best of Show for the Large garden category-an exceptional exhibit which best exemplifies the goals of the Southeastern Flower Show

  • Charlotte Robertson Edwards Trophy The garden which maximizes a shady area
    Men's Garden Club Trophy of Atlanta for an exhibit of excellence
    using plants best suited for the Piedmont area.

  • Grace L. Hightower Trophy most distinguished woodland garden

  • Southern Living Southern Accents Trophy best designed southern garden

  • Lynn Dowden Trophy for the best use of water in a garden setting

 

• Southeastern Flowershow Awards

Shannon was the Chair & Designer for this Exhibit representing the GA Native Plant Society in the Discovery Division- title ‘Rescue, Reuse, Recycle’

• SFS Best of Show for Discovery Division 2010

• Governor's Trophy - for the educational exhibit of greatest distinction. A silver trumpet vase donated by Callie Huger Efird. A maroon/light green rosette given to recipient.

• American Horticultural Society Environmental Award- for an exhibit of horticultural excellence that best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment, and inspires the viewer to beautify the home and community through skillful design and appropriate plant material. A crystal trophy from the Society given to recipient.

• Boxwood Garden Club Trophy  - for the educational garden with most year-round interest emphasizing the use of native Southeastern plants. An etched crystal flower basket donated by the Club.

• Certificate of Excellence in Conservation - Garden Club of America, for an exhibit of exceptional merit which educates the public on conservation issues and promotes respect for natural resources and responsibility for environmental stewardship. This is a special panel award.

• SFS Trophy of Merit  - for a garden of special merit. Silver compote.

 

Referrals:

 

• Georgia Native Plant Society’s 2004 exhibit http://www.gnps.org/SEFS041.HTM

• Georgia Native Plant Society’s 2010 exhibit Go to ‘Announcements’ www.gnps.org

• ‘s Landscape Solutions guest designer for a woodland garden:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/gl_design_other/article/0,1785,HGTV_3566_2358203,00.html

• Clients & other references:

  • Walter Reeves- georgiagardener@yahoo.com client

  • Sandi Payne (formerly Reeves

  • Mary Kay Woodworth, MALTA Director

  • Joe Lamp’l- joe@joegardener.com Garden Media- DIY, radio, TV

  • Ed McDowell- ed.mcdowell@cox.net ; 2006 President GMGA, 2003-2004 President GNPS

  • Unlimited Landscaping- Ron Schneiberg 770-318-9318

  • Robert Brannen- Gwinnett Extension Agent Agri & Natural Resources Agent

  • Kathy Parent- Gwinnett

  • Susan & Alex Bardi, Bardi Heating & Air, Norc-770-263-0987susanbardi@bardi.com Client

  • Cindy and David Affolder, Suwanee- 770-932-6261 Client

  • Debbie & Steve Guthrie, Berkeley Lake 770-447-9812 d-guthrie@comcast.net Client

  • Sue Shaw, Suwanee- 770-813-0986, client

  • Lora & Greg Garner, Suwanee- 770-932-3752, client

  • Dr. Ashley Currington, Riverclub Subdiv 770-932-1115 (office #) client

  • Tom & Lisa Zaken, L’ville C 678-357-5154 lzaken@the1818club.org client

  • Linda Kaplan, Atlanta, 404-634-

  • Outback Steakhouse, Alph, Curt Steinlage client

  • Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, Catherine Long Program Director Catherine.Long@gwinnettcounty.com, Client

  • Hilary Abbott, Alpharetta- 770/753-8144 client