Her Story
About Virginia
Virginia Irene is an independent landscape designer who creates custom landscape designs for private clients across the South, from Florida to Texas. She works closely with each client through in-person and virtual consultations to understand their personal style, color preferences, and long-term garden maintenance needs, while overseeing the contractors and arborists who help bring each design to completion.
Her path into horticulture began in high school, and over the years, she built a diverse professional foundation spanning landscape installation, plant production, greenhouse management, and nursery operations. A graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Virginia was an active member of the university community, serving as co-chairman of the 75th Anniversary Horticulture Show and taking part in both the Horticulture Club and the Scuba Diving Club. Her academic excellence earned her induction into Pi Alpha Xi, the National Honor Society for Horticulture. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Life Christian University, reflecting the breadth of her personal and professional interests.
Two distinctive internships — one at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and another at the Land Pavilion at Epcot Center in Lake Buena Vista, Florida — helped launch her career and later led to a role at the Walt Disney World Company, where she started on the large tree moving crew, topiaries, and growing flowering hanging baskets for Hollywood Studios. Serving on the Disney Animal Kingdom project team, she grew exotic plants and managed multiple tree contractors. Promoted to the Opening Team of the Disney Institute Resort, she designed and taught public horticultural programs, created and hosted special gardening events, and starred on the Home and Garden Television show "Way to Grow".
Throughout her career, Virginia has been recognized for balancing professional excellence with community service. Her contributions earned her the "I Have an Idea" Award for enhancing operational efficiency and the prestigious "Ears to You" Award from Walt Disney World, which she received for three consecutive years in honor of her volunteerism. Additionally, she was also named Volunteer of the Year for Leadership by Osceola County 4-H. Beyond her design work, Virginia has dedicated her time to mentoring youth through the Children's Home Society of Central Florida, supporting her church's street ministry, and guiding 4-H members — actions that reflect her deep commitment to inspiring the next generation.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Virginia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, curiosity, and being intentional about the mentors I chose. I've always been willing to learn, take ownership, and do whatever was necessary to ensure the success of those I worked for. By observing experts and learning from their excellence, I turned every position into an opportunity for growth, which naturally led to the next step in my career.
I learned early on that you don't need to know everything; you need to be willing to keep learning, ask questions, and surround yourself with people who challenge you. I didn't just look for jobs; I sought opportunities to learn. I didn't just look for mentors; I sought people of character whose accomplishments I respected. That mindset has been the cornerstone of my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
As my college professor told me, "Although you are graduating with knowledge, the real learning begins now." The degree gets you in the door, but staying current through reading, research, and observation is what builds a lasting career. Treat every job as a continuation of your education.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise anyone entering landscape design and horticulture to adopt a mindset of continuous learning and intentional relationship building.
First, seek out mentors, not just jobs. Don't just look for a paycheck; look for people whose character and work you respect. As I found in my own career, being intentional about who you allow to mentor you is crucial. Industry data confirms that mentorship is often the key to navigating complex career paths and gaining practical wisdom that textbooks can't teach. Whether it's an internship at Longwood Gardens or a local nursery, learn from those who are excellent at what they do.
Second, be willing to start at the bottom and take ownership. You don't need to know everything on day one, but you must be willing to ask questions, get your hands dirty, and do whatever is necessary to make the team successful. Every position, from moving trees to managing contractors, is an opportunity to grow. That growth is what leads to the next opportunity.
Finally, curiosity is your greatest asset. The field is always evolving with new plants, sustainable practices, and new design technologies. Stay curious, keep learning, and surround yourself with people who challenge you to become better. If you focus on learning rather than just working, success will follow.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is designing for a volatile climate - specifically water scarcity, extreme weather, and the pollinator crisis. The greatest opportunity is in transforming every landscape into a resilient, productive ecosystem. I see a critical shift away from purely ornamental designs to regenerative foodscapes. By integrating edible plants, rainwater harvesting, and pollinator habitats, I design beautiful, sustainable landscapes that conserve water, support food production, and benefit the community. Through my designs, I don't just decorate yards; I address food insecurity. My goal is to prove that sustainability and aesthetics are not mutually exclusive, but essential partners in the future of landscaping.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My primary value is stewardship. I believe every landscape should be a functional ecosystem that gives back - producing food, conserving water, and supporting pollinators. This drives my commitment to integrating edible plants, rainwater harvesting, and chemical-free practices into every design, ensuring beauty serves a greater environmental purpose.
I value continuous learning above static expertise. Just as my professor noted, "the real learning begins" after graduation. This curiosity fuels my travel goals: visiting renowned sites like the Redwood National and State Parks, Longwood Gardens, and estate gardens across the United States of America is not just leisure; it is essential research to bring world-class inspiration back to my clients.
Whether working with clients or mentoring youth, I prioritize human connection. I believe in empowering others-helping clients transform their visions into reality and guiding the next generation through 4-H and community service. Success is measured not just by the landscapes I create, but by the people I inspire along the way.
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