About Us
At Alterniflora, we offer a refreshing alternative to traditional landscaping services. Our approach is plant-driven and rooted in professional horticultural experience, ensuring that our designs are not only beautiful, but thrive for many years to come. We specialize in naturalistic planting schemes that emulate the beauty and harmony found in natural landscapes. Our approach to garden design goes beyond traditional landscaping practices to create gardens that are dynamic, layered, and ecologically vibrant. Here’s what sets us apart:
Embracing Nature’s Aesthetic
Naturalistic planting schemes aim to replicate the spontaneous beauty of nature. We carefully select plants that mimic the diverse textures, colors, and seasonal changes found in natural ecosystems.
Plant-Driven Design
Unlike traditional landscaping services that may prioritize hardscaping and generic planting schemes, our focus is on the plants. We believe that the heart of a stunning garden lies in the careful selection and arrangement of plants that complement and enhance each other. Specializing in perennial plants, we create gardens that offer enduring beauty. Our designs focus on plants that return year after year, providing a reliable, cost-effective, and eco friendly option for our clients.
Year-Round Interest
A garden should be a source of enjoyment in every season. We carefully select plants that provide visual interest throughout the year, ensuring that your garden remains vibrant and engaging from spring through winter.
Informed Plant Selection
With years of hands-on professional experience in public horticulture, we possess a level of knowledge that is unique. Working with a wide variety of plants has allowed us to understand their characteristics, behavior, and how they act and look together in a community. With this information, we are able to make informed choices about plant selection. We consider factors such as soil type, light conditions, and local climate to ensure that every plant in your garden thrives.
Biodiversity and Sustainability
We understand the importance of a diverse ecosystem. Our planting schemes promote biodiversity by incorporating a wide variety of plants that support local wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies. Naturalistic planting schemes are also inherently sustainable, requiring less maintenance and resources over time.
Beauty and Joy
Our ultimate goal is to bring beauty and joy to your landscape. We combine aesthetic principles with practical design to create gardens that are not only visually pleasing but also uplifting and inspiring. By choosing Alterniflora, you are opting for a garden that is meticulously crafted, ecologically sound, and uniquely yours. Let us transform your landscape into a vibrant, plant-driven oasis that you can enjoy for years to come.
Photo: Reiley Drew
Kristian Brooks
Horticulturist | Plantswoman | Garden Designer
About Me
With a lifelong love for nature and an extensive background in public horticulture, I bring a unique blend of experience and creativity to garden care and design. Currently serving as the Assistant Horticulturist for Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, I have the privilege of working in one of the most renowned urban gardens in the world.
Growing up in my family’s nursery in Corunna, Michigan, I developed a deep appreciation for the joy plants can bring to our lives. My journey in horticulture has taken me from these roots to prestigious positions, including roles at the Chicago Botanic Garden. There, I gained diverse experience in various gardens such as the Krasberg Rose Garden, Heritage Garden, Regenstein Learning Campus, and plant production.
Mentorship and Learning
I have been fortunate to learn from some of the most influential figures in modern horticulture, including Roy Diblik, Piet Oudolf, and Austin Eischeid. Their guidance has profoundly shaped my approach to garden design. Additionally, my travels across Europe and England, visiting and studying famous gardens, have enriched my perspective and inspired my work.
Design Philosophy
My design philosophy centers on the belief that landscaping should be plant-driven and full of year-round delight. My mission is to bring beauty and joy to client’s landscapes through vibrant and biodiverse plant communities. I believe in creating harmonious and sustainable perennial gardens that showcase and amplify nature’s inherent beauty.