Start With a Garden Consultation
Get clear, personalized guidance for your Michigan garden – by phone or in-person.
Meet Barbara
Barbara Fleury
Michigan Garden Designer
Michigan State University Extension
Advanced Master Gardener
Gardening has been part of my life for decades, and my approach is rooted in creating landscapes that are both beautiful and beneficial. I help homeowners make thoughtful choices about native plants, habitat, and garden design so their outdoor spaces feel welcoming, manageable, and alive with nature.
Choose the Support That Fits Your Garden
Phone Garden Consultation
Personalized guidance from the comfort of home. We’ll talk through your garden, your goals, and practical next steps using the photos and information you provide.
Includes:
• Up to 60 minutes by phone
• Review of photos and basic garden information you submit in advance
• Guidance on priorities, problem areas, native-plant opportunities, and next steps
• General plant suggestions where helpful
• A brief personalized Garden Direction Summary after the consultation call
• Consultation fee credited toward Custom Native Garden Design if booked within 30 days
Does not include: a complete planting plan, exact plant quantities, or detailed plant placement.
$149・60 minutes
In-Person Garden Consultation
On-site guidance for homeowners who want me to walk the property with them and evaluate the garden firsthand.
Includes:
• Up to 60 minutes on your property
• Walk-through of the garden and existing conditions
• Guidance on priorities, layout opportunities, problem areas, and native-plant possibilities
• General plant and design suggestions
• A brief personalized Garden Direction Summary after the consultation visit
• Consultation fee credited toward Custom Native Garden Design if booked within 30 days
Does not include: a complete planting plan, exact plant quantities, or detailed plant placement.
$199・60 minutes
Custom Native Garden Design
A complete garden plan created around your property, priorities, and the Michigan native plants that fit the space.
Includes:
• Personalized garden layout
• Recommended native plant palette
• Plant quantities and placement
• Spacing and structural guidance
• Seasonal-interest planning
• Pollinator and wildlife considerations
• Design notes to help you understand and use the plan
• A clear plan you can install yourself or use with a contractor
Installation is not included.
Starting at $349
How It Works
1. Start With a Consultation
Tell me about your garden, what you’re hoping to change, and what kind of support would be most helpful.
2. Choose Your Next Step
After the consultation, you can move forward with the level of support that fits your garden — from putting the guidance into action yourself to continuing with a Custom Native Garden Design.
3. Move Forward With Confidence
Whether you’re making changes on your own or using a Custom Native Garden Design, you’ll have a clearer path forward and a better understanding of what your garden needs.
What You Can Expect
Thoughtful Guidance
Recommendations shaped around your garden, your goals, and the way you want to live with the space.
Practical Recommendations
Clear, realistic ideas you can actually use — whether you make the changes yourself or decide to move forward with a design plan.
Michigan-Grounded Approach
Garden recommendations and design decisions informed by Michigan conditions, native plants, seasonal change, and the natural character of your property.
What You Receive With a Custom Native Garden Design
Property Overview
A clear summary of your property, existing conditions, and the opportunities identified during the design process.
Garden Layout & Planting Plan
A customized planting layout showing where plants should go, how the garden is organized, and how the design comes together as a whole.
Native Plant List & Quantities
A complete list of recommended Michigan native plants, including suggested quantities to help you confidently source and install your garden.
Installation & Seasonal Guidance
Practical guidance for installing your garden, caring for newly planted natives, and supporting the garden as it becomes established through the seasons.
Service Area
Phone consultations are available wherever you are. In-person consultations are available in select West Michigan locations.
Not sure whether your location is included? Contact us at info@michigangardendesign.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you install gardens?
Michigan Garden Design currently focuses on garden consultations and Custom Native Garden Design and does not provide installation services.
Can you help me choose native plants?
Absolutely. Native plant selection is an important part of both consultations and garden design, and recommendations are tailored to your property, growing conditions, and goals.
What if I already have existing garden beds?
Many projects involve improving and enhancing existing garden beds. I can help identify what is working, what could be changed, and where native plants can strengthen the overall design.
Do I need a large property?
No. Native gardens can be successful in spaces of almost any size, from small garden beds and foundation plantings to larger residential and commercial properties.
What’s the difference between a virtual and an in-person consultation?
Virtual consultations are held by video and are ideal for homeowners who want personalized guidance without an on-site visit. In-person consultations include a walk-through of your property so we can look at existing conditions, opportunities, and challenges together. Both include a brief Garden Direction Summary afterward.
Can my consultation fee be applied toward a Custom Native Garden Design?
Yes. If you move forward with a Custom Native Garden Design within 30 days of your consultation, your consultation fee will be applied toward the design fee.
Ready to Take the Next Step With Your Garden?
Whether you need a little guidance or a complete Custom Native Garden Design, we can begin with a consultation and find the level of support that fits your garden.