How We Work

We start by meeting with you to view your space's existing elements and determine what we can do to accomplish your goals. Size, shape, light, and function are all important factors to consider when designing a garden. We have over 30 years of experience to help you create a plan that will fit within your budget without compromising your personal vision. We work on both residential and commercial projects—so whether you're building a new garden or renovating an old one, we can incorporate everything from hardscape (paving, built-ins, planters) to plants (trees, shrubs, perennials) in order to craft a design that will match your ideal garden.

George Pisegna, Director of Horticulture and Public Programs, is a landscape designer and horticulturist with a background in architecture and design and has worked for nearly 20 years in historic preservation and garden design. Mr. Pisegna has designed and installed private gardens throughout the Northeast with special consideration to native plantings. As former gardener at a Hudson Valley estate, Mr. Pisegna designed, installed and maintained numerous gardens throughout the 153 acre property, as well as maintaining the 14,000 square foot vegetable garden. He also contributed to the concept and design of gardens on the farm that were highlighted on a major lifestyle television series. In his current role at The Horticultural Society of New York, he has transformed the Public Programs into a dynamic and well attended public resource. Mr. Pisegna conducts member and public workshops, forums and talks on urban agriculture, landscape architecture, horticultural therapy, greenroofs, and garden design. He is also the contributing writer to Water Daily, the blog of the Horticultural Society of New York.

John Cannizzo, Director of GreenTeam Projects, has worked in the fields of education, job training, and community development since 1998. John is responsible for managing the GreenTeam’s fees for services contracts in the public and private sectors and teaching gardening and carpentry skills. John has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design from the School of Visual Arts and subsequently took postgraduate courses in Occupational Education and Community Development at Hunter College, Brooklyn College, New York Technical School, and CHP International.  John was a Group Leader for Habitat for Humanity from 1990-1992, served with the U.S. Peace Corps in Rongai, Kenya from 1992-1994, and from 1996-1998 taught at CAMBA, which administers over 40 youth and community development programs in Brooklyn.