About
Sam Harris can’t remember not being in the garden. His earliest memories are permeated with the smell of warm soil and hot tractor oil as he helped his grandfather plant potatoes at the tender age of 4. “My family has lived in the Spottswood area since the 18th century;” Harris said, “it’s part of who I am.” So is the desire to showcase its natural beauty.
From his grandparents, Harris not only learned how to plant and harvest potatoes, but how to propagate boxwood, overwinter ferns and heel roses. He discovered the simple beauty of red geraniums in black urns and stone walkways made from gathered materials, of straight rows of vegetable and beds of flowers overflowing with color. Working alongside his grandparents, he learned that it’s not the money one spends on the garden that makes it beautiful, but the love one pours into it.
Those lessons learned as a child and the knowledge he gained while pursuing his degree are the foundation upon which Harris has built his life and career . Whether he’s drafting a landscape plan, potting a container garden, building walls and walks of stone or on his knees in the dirt caring for the plants that nurture his creativity, Harris strives to create things of beauty that reflect both the seen and unseen wonders of nature.
Today, Harris shares his knowledge through a variety of seminars and workshops while running a fine gardening and landscape design company. Through Sam Harris Designs, he not only helps others discover the beauty in their own landscape, but works with them to create and maintain outdoor spaces that are as functional as they are breathtaking.
True to his upbringing, Harris knows that anything worth doing is worth doing well. It shows in everything he does. His grandparents would expect nothing less.
Education:
B.S. in Studio Art from James Madison University, Harrisonburg
Select studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
Commissioned By:
The University of Virginia
James Madison University
Georgia Pacific
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Tabasco Sauce Company
Marriott Hotels
Atlanta Merchandise Mart
Bassett Furniture Industries
Flint Hill Plantation
Andre Viette Farm & Nursery
Mirador Farm
The Forbes Garden, James Madison University
Maymont Flower Show, main entrance designer
New Jersey Flower Show, main entrance designer
Seminar Specialties:
Learn how you can bring Sam to your business or garden club meeting to discuss any of these topics — or to have him tailor a seminar for your needs. Just drop him a line at sam.harris@samharrisdesigns.com
Container Gardening
Color Theory
Garden Design
Propagation
Dry-Stack Stone Wall Construction
Soil Conditioning
The Fine Art of Watering
Floral Design
Garden Maintenance
