I built my first garden at the age of 11 after watching Martha Stewart on television. I imagined a walkway through a field of hydrangeas, and that is exactly what I created. I rented a tiller to dig up my parents yard, and got working on the side of the house in a 6’x10’ space they let me take over. After the hydrangea garden, I then built a rose garden and an herb garden, and the rest was history. At 16 I took a floral design class and was hooked! Through high school I worked at a local floral shop on Sundays running the shop and designing the orders that came in for delivery. Expressing my creative side with plants and flowers was such an amazing outlet that I knew I found my passion.

20 years in the hospitality industry and 3 children later we found ourselves lucky enough to have a yard for the first time after 15 years of city-living. This was my chance to redesign the space- creating a balance of native plants in the pollinator garden, a fruit and vegetable garden where my children could learn where their food comes from and a nod to my love of Japanese gardens. I believe your space can be everything you want it to be- no matter how many worlds you are combining.

Starting Kalena Gardens has been an incredible journey where I am able to share these passions with friends, neighbors and my community. From working side by side with a client in their garden, to delivering custom arrangements for that special occasion, the joy that I see in my clients’ eyes is why I love my work.

Happy Gardening and Designing!

Karen Corburn

Founder and Chief Plant Mom