About the Owner
Mary Jo Buza - Landscape Designer
I operate a landscape design business located in Olympia, Washington. My emphasis is right plant, right place. I work with the environment and create healthy landscapes that thrive. I integrate my knowledge of plants, soils, and microclimates to create landscape that fits the individual character of your home and property. With my 25 years of experience, I create unique one of a kind designs for each client.A lot more goes into a superior landscape plan than just simply plants. Hardscape elements such as flagstone, walls, fountains, and arbors, and a functional use of space are all important. But let’s face it, without extensive knowledge of plants and soils, you could end up with the wrong choices for your landscape. I have extensive knowledge of plants, including trees, shrubs, ground covers, ornamental grasses and perennials. Whether you want a lush explosive garden, or a low-maintenance landscape, I will create a landscape design that's sustainable and will provide enjoyment for years.
"We decided to hire a professional and chose Mary Jo Buza. This was one of the best decisions we've ever made."
Traveling Down the Garden Path
I grew up in Ohio where I received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Botany from Ohio University. After graduation from Ohio University I moved to Olympia, Washington and started Gardeners and Growers, a landscape construction and maintenance business. After six years, I sold the business and entered graduate school, and received a Master’s Degree in Environmental Studies from Evergreen State College. My thesis work was on Landscaping with Pacific Northwest Native Plants. While I attended graduate school, I held the position of adjunct faculty in the Horticulture Program at Puget Sound Community College. I taught a variety of courses: Plant Identification I and II, Soils and Plant Nutrition, Integrated Pest Management I and II, Plant Propagation, and Landscape Design.
In 1998, I started my landscape design business full-time and my adventure as a landscape designer. From 1999 to 2009, I wrote a garden column ‘The South Sound Gardener’, which was published in The Olympian in the Saturday’s Home and Garden insert.
In 1998, I started my landscape design business full-time and my adventure as a landscape designer. From 1999 to 2009, I wrote a garden column ‘The South Sound Gardener’, which was published in The Olympian in the Saturday’s Home and Garden insert.
Community Projects
Living Green Expo In 2005 I was selected by the City of Olympia as the designer and consultant for the Living Green Expo. The Living Green Expo was intended to demonstrate construction choices to conserve and protect natural resources. While urban-scale development is destructive to natural systems, homeowners have options to minimize impacts on surface and ground water.The challenge was to create a unique one-of-a-kind landscape design for each of the three demonstration homes using sustainable landscaping priciples such as, water-wise plants, native plants and the use of recycled materials. These green materials included yard waste compost to improve the tilth and crushed recycled brick for pathways.
Water Conservation Contracted by the City of Lacey’s Water Resources as a consultant to write and review text for brochure on the principles of a low-water-use landscape design that included a plant list. In addition, I developed a Water Conservation in the Landscape Workshop using Power Point. In July of 2005, more than 50 residents attended the workshop.
Garfield Trail Overlook In Olympia’s westside neighborhood a woodland trail travels through the ravine between Rogers Street and West Bay Road. As a past resident in the neighborhood, I enjoyed many trips down the neighborhood nature trail. When the Northwest Neighborhood Association asked for my help with the Garfield Trail Overlook project, I was excited about participating. I donated more than half of the time for the project. The project included the use of native plants that integrated with the adjacent native plant community. The landscape plan also addressed the concerns of the immediate neighbors and the requirements of City of Olympia Parks Department.
On This Site
Portfolio of projects
Check some out Mary Jo's design work.
Blog
Keep up with Mary Jo and her projects and tips.
Contact
(360) 923-1733Contact Mary Jo Buza: Landscape Designer
Phone:360-923-1733