“You might say that gardening is in my blood.  I grew up learning from my grandfather how to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs organically.  He taught me that no matter what happens, if you take care of the land, the land, unlike most things, will take care of you in return.”

“My grandmother, on the other hand, loves flowers and ornamentals.  I spent most afternoons in her yard learning about conditions and growth habits of landscape plants.”

“In the seventh grade I submitted a research science project that won second place in the US for botany. The next year I won first place in the US and second in the world for my research on the prevention and cure of a botanical cancer called aggrobacterium tumefaciens that’s closely related to several forms of human cancer.”  

“Since then my love of plants and nature has only blossomed more fully.” (Pun intended. Sorry.)

“I spent a number of years as a nurseryman in charge of 35 greenhouses, 10 acres of trees and shrubs along with retail and production. Then I became the lead designer at The Enchanted Forest Nursery, where I was able to apply my skill as an artist to my love of gardening.”

“In short order, I opened my own design business and took over the operations of a 20 year-old landscape company where I managed 2 crews of 10 men, 42 residential properties and 8 large commercial accounts, the gem being a 28-acre luxury apartment complex called Madison Park Apartments.”

“All this has led me to Wizard Academy, a whole new world of opportunity for me to learn and grow as an artist, designer, gardener, and as a person.  I look forward to playing my part in making the academy even more of an amazing place to visit, get married, take a stroll or find inspiration.  I am thankful for the opportunity to work with people who encourage me to be creative and who are open to my ideas. I can’t wait to see where we’ll be ten years from now.” 

Looking forward to meeting you. 

Andy Holland