Rooted In Place
From Soil to Soul
At Twinflower Gardening and Design, we believe that every garden starts with a story — yours, ours, and the land’s. We’re Heather and Judith, two friends who found our shared passion in creating landscapes that feel alive, purposeful, and deeply connected to place. What began as a love for plants, soil, and the quiet rhythms of nature grew into a design practice rooted in collaboration, creativity, and care.
Working together, we bring complementary strengths: one of us thrives in translating your vision into design, the other in seeing how each detail will thrive over time. Our partnership allows us to approach every project as a conversation, listening closely, responding thoughtfully, and crafting gardens that honor both your needs and the unique character of the San Juan Islands.
A bit More About Heather
Heather grew up in the PNW and spent many hours in her grandmother’s garden and exploring the mountains, lakes and forests around her hometown. This love of nature, propelled her into wanting to dig deep and she studied both biology and human genetics in cities where she still had easy access to gardens and wild nature.
After graduate school she lived in Paris for two years and worked on the Human Genome Project—mapping genes. This time in Paris opened up the world of art for her as well as gave her a larger perspective on world history and culture (and an undying love of croissants!).
After Paris she moved to New Mexico and then Seattle following work opportunities as a science educator and researcher. Once in Seattle she took exploring the mountains and Salish Sea seriously, deeply embraced old time fiddle and became an early childhood Waldorf Teacher. During this time Heather had her first perennial and vegetable gardens and also worked part-time at Sky Nursery and for a small local garden maintenance company.
In 2009, after graduating as a Waldorf Early Childhood teacher, she was ready to leave the city and moved to Lopez Island to start a Waldorf Farm Kindergarten. Heather spent 7 years at Yellow Bird kindergarten during which time she also planted and tended her home garden in the Tierra Verde community. Twinflower grew out of Heather’s love of plants, art, community and her serendipitous meeting with Judith!
A bit More About Judith
Judith grew up in New Zealand, running wild on a large property shaded by oak trees and surrounded by beautiful native plants, a rose garden, fruit trees, an extensive vegetable garden, chickens, and the occasional sheep! She spent as much of her childhood outdoors as possible, developing a deep and lasting love for the natural world.
Alongside this early connection to place and plants, Judith cultivated a strong interest in art history, architecture, and graphic design at school, later earning a degree in history. Years of travel, time spent working on organic farms, in native plant restoration, and creating her own gardens further shaped her understanding of land, place, and the ways people interact with their environments.
After moving to Lopez Island ten years ago with her husband Brian and their two children, Judith stepped into the opportunity to work with a local landscaper, tending and learning from some of the island’s beautiful gardens. This marked the beginning of a path that grew into Twinflower Gardening & Design – an evolving vision shaped by a lifetime of interests, experience, and education, and grounded in a deep love for nature, harmony and beauty.
And, of course...
At Twinflower, we garden with intention. Every choice we make — from selecting plants to shaping paths and patios — reflects our commitment to creating landscapes that thrive over time.
We believe that a garden is more than beauty; it’s a living system that supports people, wildlife, and the land itself.
Our work is guided by a few core values:
Ecology: We honor the natural rhythms of Lopez Island, choosing plants and designs that sustain local habitats and wildlife.
Listening: Every garden begins with a conversation. We listen carefully to your vision, your needs, and the character of the land.
Community: Gardens are meant to be shared. We cultivate spaces that connect neighbors, families, and friends to one another and to the environment.
Longevity: We design for the long term, creating landscapes that evolve gracefully and endure through the seasons, years, and decades.
What Sets Us Apart
Gardening on Lopez Island comes with its own set of joys and challenges. From salty winds to microclimates, deer and other wildlife, and a short growing season, each property has unique conditions that influence what will (and won’t) thrive.
After seven years designing and tending gardens here, we know the land intimately. We understand how light, soil, and water interact across the seasons, and which plants will flourish under island conditions. We also have trusted relationships with local contractors, nurseries, and suppliers, so every element — from stone paths to irrigation systems — is sourced and installed with care.
Working with a local team means your garden is designed to thrive here, not just look beautiful on paper. Every decision we make is informed by experience, observation, and a deep respect for the island’s ecology and rhythm of life.
Our Collective Experience
Our work is informed by ongoing study in horticulture, ecological gardening, and landscape design, alongside years of hands-on experience creating gardens on Lopez Island. We are Licensed, bonded, and insured contractors, license#: TWINFGL766D8
Taught by Rachel Mathews
With Twinflower, you gain partners who are as invested in your garden’s success as you are. Together, we’ll cultivate beauty, connection, and resilience that lasts for seasons to come. Book a consult today!
Every landscape begins with a conversation.
If you’re ready to explore what’s possible for your property, we’d love to walk the land with you and begin shaping a design that will grow and evolve for years to come.