Sara’s interest in horticulture started when she was a teenager growing up in Connecticut. Working as an assistant to a horticulturist on some of the grand New England estates, she developed an eye for perfection. She studied ornamental horticulture at Delaware Valley College, minoring in landscape design. Upon graduation she worked independently as a designer and gardener before taking a position at the U.S.’s largest greenhouse and nursery. She started as a grower and quickly rose in the company to sales and management positions.

A love of being in the garden drew her back to her roots, so she pursued a position at Walter’s Nursery where she could carve out her own niche. Sara’s talents were quickly recognized as she helped develop the Estate Maintenance division at the firm. Attention to detail is paramount to the Walters, and Sara was on the same page. Her love of plants is infectious and she is continually searching for new species that will thrive in our climate. Her plant pallet is ever growing and changing. On a recent study tour in England, Sara had the chance to learn from the experience of Hampton Court Palace’s head gardener as he walked her through the sixty acre formal garden. She also checked out the newest trends in plants and design at the Chelsea Flower Show; just one of many trips she has taken, touring and studying gardens and arboretums in Italy, New England and the Mid-Atlantic.

Sara, her husband Chip (also working at Walter’s Nursery) and their daughter live on a 12 acre property in Tinicum where she has been developing her own pastoral garden for almost a decade. With beds abounding with perennials and long pastoral views across the meadow to the distant wood line, it is a true plantsman’s paradise, where they have all the space they need to grow and experiment.

In addition to gardening, Sara enjoys cooking. She loves skiing New England’s mountain slopes in the Winter, and hiking in the warmer seasons. (Back to STAFF Page)