Gretta is a professional Horticulturist and Theodore Payne Certified Native Plant Landscaper
I was trained by the incredible staff of the Huntington Botanical Gardens where I spent 6 years caring for, then managing, The Ranch and Kitchen Gardens. The Ranch is a 2 acre permaculture garden with ~150 fruiting trees, grapes, nopales, vegetables, regionally appropriate perennials, medicinal and soil building annuals, cover crops, guilds, native shrubs and wildflowers. The Kitchen Garden celebrates in decadent diversity the wonderful world of edible plants with 3,000 square feet of raised beds, trellises and fruit trees.
For the last year + I have cared for the Rose and Herb gardens at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, reviving historic roses and a deeply impressive collection of healing herbal specimens.
Rooted in art, ecology, and permaculture I focus on nurturing biodiversity and creating vibrant multi-sensory healing garden spaces. My goal is to maintain ecosystem health, attracting birds and insects while bringing beauty and abundance to the garden.
Gardens are my greatest passion and I’d love to help you transform yours into a thriving, joyful space.
If you want to be happy forever, plant a garden.
Endorsements
“Gretta has an unstoppable curiosity and drive to understand the natural systems at work in the garden. This coupled with strong aesthetic sensibilities, make her gardening a respectful artistry"
- Cara Hanstein
Former Head Gardener, The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
“I’ve known and worked with Gretta for over ten years. She is, hands-down, the finest and most careful gardener I’ve ever worked with. Her passionate engagement is evident from her conception of a realistic work plan to the most careful execution of it. Not a minute is wasted, ever. Her strengths lie in many areas, including growing edibles and caring for fruit trees and roses. She and I have exchanged experience highlighting nutritious soils and the reduction of resources normally needed to create a beautiful, flourishing landscape. Gretta will help you do more with less. Trust me when I say that you will be more than pleased inviting her into your treasured gardens and home landscapes.”
-John Latsko
Interpretive Horticulturist, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
"Gretta is a professional with extensive horticultural knowledge in soil science, botany, and an exceptional talent with an eye for landscape design and aesthetics. I observed her care of the Arboretum's Rose Garden, Herb Garden, and additional gardens when requested. She has excellent management skills and exceptional communication with our volunteers and visitors. She provided instruction on the care of Roses to staff (myself included) interns, volunteers, and public. Her care for life shows through in her work and how she treats not only plants but also people."
-Leena Waller
Plant Science Librarian, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
“Gretta is an amazing gardener and a pleasure to work with. I have had the pleasure of crossing paths with her twice, at the Huntington Botanic Gardens and at the LA County Arboretum. She is always pushing for better, better for her garden, better for her coworkers, and better for the world. She voraciously seeks out new knowledge and puts everything she learns into practice. At the Huntington, she helped turn the ranch garden into a magical place full of pollinators and produce, and at the Arboretum, she reclaimed the herb garden from the weeds and set it on a path for success. I have every confidence she will continue to do the same for your gardens as well.”
- Edward Kardish
Horticulturist, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
“As a volunteer at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, I worked closely with Gretta in the Rose Garden. I learned so much from her. Each session was like a clinic in which she discussed pest control, treating rose diseases, soil microbiology, history of roses, and of course pruning. Her approach to pruning can only be described as “artistic.” She always encouraged me to step back and visualize how I wanted the plants to look after pruning. “Go slow! It will come to you.” Gretta should be your go-to person for all things horticultural.”
-Dave Evans, Ph.D.
Volunteer, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
“Gretta possesses the rare quality of listening, without interruption or judgment; a most valuable but uncommon trait.
There is a well known quote from Hamlet that begins..."To Thine Own Self Be True"... Gretta is the embodiment of these words.
Her knowledge of the plant world is beyond question; what puts her apart is her passion for what she does. She is rather like the plants she loves and serves; resilient, genuine, determined, adaptable, able to thrive in diverse conditions.
The hours I spent with her as a volunteer will always be among my most cherished. I recall the morning she explained mulching. I knew one reason for mulching; she knew nine, and her engagement with her subject was something to behold. Whenever we had completed a project, she would say…"now you must step back and look at your work…appreciate it."
If I had a garden, I would hire her in a heartbeat, knowing that she would bring her whole self to it. And… I would be heard and understood. She is a gift.”
-Susan Hagen
Volunteer, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
I was so lucky to be able to volunteer in the Herbal and Rose Garden that Gretta managed. Because of her passion and dedication for gardening she made it such a wonderful experience. Always so patient and willing to share her extensive knowledge, I learned so much about how to plant a garden that is ecologically responsible and sustainable. She stressed the importance of pruning, soil maintenance, and how to create a habitat for birds and nature. I am confident that any client that hires Gretta will be so thrilled to have her on their side to make the most beautiful garden they will ever have and that others will be envious of.
- Patty Matthew
Los Angeles County Arboretum Volunteer
"Gretta has a unique ability to know what a space needs within a few minutes of arriving. She has hyper specialized knowledge of plant care that encouraged our team and various homeowner clients to emotionally engage with gardens beyond the 'quick fix' or surface level approach. From beginners to long-time passionate gardeners, anyone would be lucky to have her guidance."
- Alison Conover,
Former Executive Assistant at Urban Farms LA
“Gretta is nothing short of a gardening genius, and I feel incredibly lucky to have learned from her over the past decade. She has taught me everything I know about cultivating a thriving, abundant garden— for beauty, botanicals, birds, pollinators, and food. Her backyard is her test kitchen, where she experiments, refines, and perfects her methods while sharing them with others.
Thanks to Gretta, I’ve mastered pruning my lime tree, straightening my fig tree, planting vegetables, and planting garlic—if you’ve never tasted fresh garlic straight from your own soil, you’re missing out! Since my house and my garden burned down in the Eaton fire, I've had several conversations with Gretta about planning the process of remediating my soil and other alternatives as I long for an edible garden when I rebuild.
But beyond her vast knowledge, what makes Gretta truly special is her patience, encouragement, and passion for the process. She has instilled in me the confidence to embrace gardening’s ups and downs, always reminding me, “Plants are resilient and forgiving. If something doesn’t work we can be forgiving with ourselves and try something new!” With Gretta’s guidance, you won’t just grow a garden—you’ll grow a lifelong love for it.”
- Sheryl Flynn
Alta Pine Dr. Neighbor
“Gretta is truly one of the purest souls I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting. For her, nothing is just a job—every task she takes on is a reflection of her deep passion and commitment. She pours herself into her work with an attention to detail that’s rare to find. She doesn’t simply see the garden as a space or a project, but as a living, breathing entity where beauty, peace, and connection can thrive. She’s the kind of person who believes a garden should hold space for others, offering more than just visual appeal, but an experience that nourishes the soul.
Gretta has an innate ability to deeply connect with everything she touches and approaches it all with reverence and love. That kind of devotion is a rare gift. She doesn't just tend to plants; she cultivates relationships—between the earth, the plants, and the people who get to enjoy them.
What truly sets Gretta apart is her purity of heart. In a world where genuine kindness can feel increasingly rare, she stands out as a beacon of sincerity and goodness. When Gretta speaks, it’s from the heart—there’s no pretense, no hidden agenda, just a deep, authentic care for what matters most. When she cares for your garden, you can rest assured that it’s being treated with the utmost love, respect, and attention it deserves. Gretta is one of those rare people who remind us what it means to truly be pure in both action and intention.”
- Vivian Ng
Volunteer, LA County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
We were fortunate to witness Gretta's dedication every day during our time at the Huntington Botanical Gardens, where we often enjoyed lunch at the Ranch, the biological center she oversaw. Through rainstorms, heat waves, and every challenge the weather threw her way, she maintained an astonishingly high standard of work. Her commitment was unwavering, and she consistently went the extra mile, all while wearing a cheerful smile. It’s one thing to excel in a job, but she elevates it to an art form, finishing each day with that same bright smile. For anyone considering a garden or backyard makeover, no matter the size or location, Gretta will transform it into something spectacular, leaving it pristine and ready for you to enjoy!
- Alain Touwaide and Emanuela Appetiti, Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions, Washington, DC