Testimonials
Here’s what some other home gardeners have to say about Pretty Purple Door. Whether it’s through the blog or my online garden design courses (Design Your 4-Season Garden or Garden Planning 101), there are lots of testimonials from awesome gardeners around the world! Thank you all for your kind words.
I think my favorite part about sharing my knowledge with others is getting to meet all of you great people!
Here’s what gardeners are saying about Pretty Purple Door
“A MASSIVE transformation took place. I designed a beautiful garden from scratch and planted it. I know all of the steps and considerations needed to design a garden. I loved Amy’s step by step approach. It was so logical, practical and effective.
I always wondered why there wasn’t a course like this, and then I found it!
If you are a gardening novice and are remotely considering this course, take it. You will be happy you did.
This course has changed the way I think about gardening and has inspired and empowered me. I am so grateful that I found Amy and Pretty Purple Door. I have a new hobby I will enjoy for many years as a result!”
Melissa P., Massachusetts (Zone 6)
Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“The planting pyramid made a big difference to how I approached the design. I was basically starting at the wrong end – thinking color, flowers, grasses – like trying to accessorize before I had decided on the dress. The pyramid put everything into perspective for me.”
–Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“Once I opened the first module I couldn’t stop. The amazing information that Amy has simplified and put into a simple way to practice gardening is invaluable. I’ve added ‘before & afters’ of my backyard garden and I can’t wait till this spring to see everything come to life… Now I have to figure out the front!”
JINA JOHNSON-RYAN, Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“Amy has many down-to-earth ideas. She always illustrates beautifully and gives a reason to what and why. She sparks your creative mind, even if you’re not creative.”
– Valarie S.
“Everything Amy presents is ‘doable’ and I am having a wonderful time thanks to her encouragement! Can’t say enough about Pretty Purple Door! Even if you aren’t a gardener and don’t have a green thumb, her enthusiasm and information will excite you into trying something new to spruce up your patio, porch or yard!”
-Annalisa H.
“Finally! A clear, concise and methodical (and friendly) resource for people who love gardening but don’t have landscape design degrees. I spent years searching online for usable information on plant bed design, plant selection, and plant placement. Everything else I’ve encountered has been complicated, confusing and/or incomplete. NOT HELPFUL! By not having a strategy, I not only suffered casualties and wasted money, but I wasted years I could otherwise spend enjoying a maturing landscape. Amy’s “chill” personality and teaching style and tools (clear and user-friendly) are excellent. The money you save by having thriving, healthy plants (instead of casualties) will more than compensate for the cost of tools and/or courses you purchase from Amy. Just remember, a goal without a plan is just a wish!”
–Miyoko Garden Planning 101 Course Student (Washington, Zone 8)
“I’ve tried so hard to beautify my yard with a garden here and a garden there. I have such grand dreams in my mind of what it will all look like when I’m done. I picture myself sitting outside surrounded by gorgeous blooms, but the reality is pretty disappointing. Before this course I felt really overwhelmed with trying to create a cohesive and enjoyable garden. My gardening was very random, which sometimes worked out well (by accident) but oftentimes left me underwhelmed and frustrated with my garden areas. The step-by-step planning of a cohesive well-thought-out garden was exactly what I needed! Everything made sense once I put the knowledge I learned into practice.
This course has given me confidence that I can create a beautiful space in my yard for any season of the year. I would definitely recommend this course to others, particularly those like me who might be struggling with the actual planning aspect of gardening. If you’re tired of wasting time randomly putting plants together in your garden that ultimately do not work or that do not work together, this course will give you tools to coordinate and PLAN your garden space.
If you struggle with being a not-the-best-planner personality like me, if you fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants like me (with often lackluster and frustrating results) and are looking for a “magic formula” for planning a successful garden, I think this course is what you’re looking for! This course teaches some really great basics that you can use to build a uniquely-you garden that works.”
–Jaime T., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (South Carolina, Zone 8)
“Amy is a delite to learn from, in addition to her plethora of knowledge in gardening and design. She makes it fun to learn what to plant where and what to plant next to it. If you are struggling to make your yard “POP” with color all year, then let Amy give you guidance and end up with a real Show Place!!”
Jennifer Smith
“Design Your 4-Season Garden is the perfect course for someone who wants to be an expert on garden landscaping/design. I started as zero knowledge about garden styles, layouts, garden philosophy, garden layering, garden framework, landscape principles, and many more.
This course provided knowledge that gardening and planting is genuinely an art. Professor Amy is helpful and made it simple for me to grasp some of the difficult things for me to understand since English is my Second Language. I highly recommend this course!”
-KJKB Higgins, Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“We moved into our house 3 years ago and I’ve been struggling to get the landscaping to match the vision in my head. One problem is that I’ve been trying to make it work around things that were already there, but I don’t love a lot of them, so I think I’m ready to let them go and start from an almost blank slate. I’ve only gotten through the first few sections of the course, but I already feel like I have a more clear direction, so I’m really excited!”
–April S., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (North Carolina, Zone 8)
“I think so many people just kind of shoot in the dark with gardening and hope it all works out. This course takes away all the guess work. I know that the garden I am creating will be just what I want and I skip so much of the trial and error part!”
-Karen B., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
Amy has truly put together a comprehensive course that anyone can implement. I was particularly impressed with the personal advice and even videos to help answer my complicated questions.
If you are on the fence about starting, don’t hesitate. It was well worth the price.”
AMY S. Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (South Dakota, Zone 5)
“Last week–before I found your course–I was so bored and restless. Now it seems I don’t have enough time in the day to do/think about all the possibilities!”
–Ginny F., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (Washington, Zone 8)
“Just do it – take the course, and enjoy Amy’s ‘How to’ videos!!! They are great! Even if you think you know everything on this subject you might be surprised what else you can pick up on tips ‘how to’….and people, who have never done it will definitely learn a lot.”
-ANGIE, Garden Style Mood Board Workshop Attendee
“Am taking the class now and absolutely love every minute. Been gardening for years and there is a lot of wisdom here.”
–Joanie B. Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“The course is great. I feel more prepared when I walk into a garden center now. My trips don’t feel as frenzied as they used to. I can pass a pretty flower now if it doesn’t fit into my plan.”
-Cynthia C., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“Fantastic course. No other experience like it. Making these videos makes it so personal and easy for me. Plus… you’ve given me the courage to start! Well worth the money!
-CHRISTINA, Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“The class is great and very informative. I have a property that is a clean slate and I have drawing from a professional company but I think your ideas seem more concrete. I am going to do a lot of planting and it seems overwhelming but I think trying to make a plan will definitely help. I’m in upstate NY so I love your winter garden choices!”
–Jess F., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (New York, Zone 5)
“Thanks so much for this course. Over the years I definitely have made many of the mistakes you mention (buying lots of plants with an inadequate plan in mind, buying individual specimens instead of groups, forgetting about backbone evergreens) so my gardens have looked exuberant but messy.
“Thanks so much for this course. Over the years I definitely have made many of the mistakes you mention (buying lots of plants with an inadequate plan in mind, buying individual specimens instead of groups, forgetting about backbone evergreens) so my gardens have looked exuberant but messy.
I’m excited to revamp my beds and feel I now have the design information I needed to be able to do it with confidence. For me this course was definitely worth the money.”
-Alison S. Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (South Dakota, Zone 5)
I have a degree in Horticulture, worked in the retail wholesale nursery business 10 years. I know a lot of plants. One thing I lack is the (eye for design) many folks this comes naturally. Your course gives me a process to follow.”
-Robert, Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student
“This course is by far the best investment I’ve made so far this year. I’m going slowly because I’m enjoying it so much.
It makes perfect sense and is backed up by historical fact and evolutionary concepts of both gardening and design…
Gardening used to be my passion. My partner now says it is my obsession. I have thrills of pleasure when I think of the adventure of creation.
…I do NOT regret taking this course. It is a wonderful gift to myself for years to come. MERCI BEAUCOUP!”
-Nafee F., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (Zone 6)
“THIS COURSE IS “FANTASTIC, INFORMATIVE, FUN, INTERESTING, SUPPORTIVE, DYNAMIC AND, AND, AND…
I just wanted to drop you a note to say THANK YOU! DANKE SCHOEN! MERCI BEAUCOUP! EFHARISTO (I’m Greek-American and now Swiss)!
I learned so much alongside my Garden Design DIploma – UK – (14 courses with top Garden Designers & Experts i.e., Noel Kinsbury, Piet Oudolf, Michael King, Andy McIndoe, Lead Rosarian at David Austin Roses, Michael Marriot)…
Your course, Amy, brought it ALL together 🙂
Big thanks for your tremendous research and sharing all of your gardening knowledge and for your passion for gardening, Amy!”
Fotene, Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (Garden Designer, UK)
“Hello, I have watched 30% of the videos and I am already seeing some things I can do differently around here… I have big dreams now! Love your course!”
-Cindy O., Design Your 4-Season Garden Course Student (Washington, Zone 8)
“Hi Amy!! I can’t thank you enough for your help, your hints, your hard work and research!! You have hit on every single thing I’ve always questioned but could find no clear answers. You break it down to basics which a newbie to landscaping needs!! I should know more but was busy raising [my] children and working …It’s now time to make it beautiful year round with manageable maintenance. I just want to thank you!!”
–Kaye C.
“I love your site…I’m a (or pretending to be a) Professional Self employed Gardener. I quit my cushy Union job to pursue my passion… Busy ever since!!! Now…I whistle while I work…I’m finally Happy!! I didn’t buy books..I didn’t go to school..I’m a closet artist…focused on manipulated beauty!
You’re site..You..opened a door that I probably wouldn’t have found in a book….Thanks for that!! I look forward to putting you’re ideas into the ground…my clients are already Pleased with my work…I now have another card in my hand..Thanks Amy…Really!!”
-Ron A.
“Amy, Thank you for your email! I enjoyed reading it! It’s amazing because you could have been writing about ME! I felt the same way you did and asked for help from my neighbor. Now, I take great pride in my garden and look forward to each spring when I see my perennials coming up through the dark, desolate dirt to create a colorful array of “art”. Amy, your website inspired me!! Your ideas inspired me! …I am going straight to your design plans to brighten up the front of my house. Thanks for your inspiring ideas, Amy!
-Michele J.
“I am enjoying your site and posts SO MUCH! It’s like ‘finally’! Someone that speaks my language. The first thing I could relate to was the picture of your hands. No professional gardener has a perfect manicure! Your hands look like mine, so instant comradery. LOL …I just want to thank you for your guides, and guidance, I’m avidly following.”
-Janine H.
“Omigoodness! Where to start! First of all thank you so incredibly much for that amazingly helpful video! I am renewed with inspiration on your ideas, and everyone LOVES your fire pit idea! What fantastic ideas, I love all your thoughts on breaking [the yard] into sections – brilliant! Cannot thank you enough for taking time to make that video it was seriously so helpful!!”
-Nicole C.
“I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy your emails. I’ve not been blessed with green thumbs and I’ve learned tons from you! I’m still in the planning process of how I want to construct my garden. Without you, it would fail time and again. So thank you for sharing!”
–Amber D.