Hi and welcome to Idaho Gardener. My name is Mary Ann Newcomer. I also have several nicknames - the printable ones are M. A. , Auntie Mame , Dirt Diva, Princess Dew Sparkle and Duchess of Dirt.

A native daughter of Idaho, I have been gardening since I was a small child. My grandmother and grandfather were avid gardeners and I was given a 3′x3′ plot for starters. I was encouraged to grow radishes, I believe because they came up in just a couple of days (instant gratification for a 5 year old) and because the first sets of leaves were heart shaped (a message from my grandmother).

I served on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Botanical Garden for over a decade and still work with the Lewis and Clark Native Plant Garden committee and the Garden’s committee for Design Review. I have spent a good part of the last 20 years fund raising for, and promoting the programs at the garden. I chaired the committee that built the Contemporary English Garden in 1997.

Largely self taught, I have an insatiable curiousity and thirst for knowledge, especially relating to horticulture and garden design. I make every effort to attend as many educational seminars/workshops/programs/speakers series as time and money will allow.

I find myself focusing a lot on the concept of ‘genus loci’.  It is about honoring the spirit of place.  In my case, that means understanding the lay of the land, the weather that comes with it, how to garden and live in harmony with my surroundings.

I am a scout-in-training with Meredith Corporation (publisher of Better Homes and Gardens and 128 other titles). I do garden design in the Boise Valley, teach classes on garden design, and aspire to write a book on the gardens of the Intermountain West.

All content is copyrighted by me. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed.