Meet Colleen
Your Gardening Guide for Central Texas
20+ years of experience. Certified arborist. Landscape consultant for DIYers who want to get it right the first time.
Colleen sharing a laugh with her hilarious friend, Mark Twain.
How it Started
Helping DIY Gardeners Feel Confident in Their Yards
Colleen loves helping do‑it‑yourselfers figure out what to do with their yards. (Even better than driving out to her favorite BBQ joint in Lexington, Texas. YES!! Believe it!!)
Since founding Red Wheelbarrow over twenty years ago, she’s helped transform hundreds of yards across Central Texas, guiding homeowners through decisions that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Her work is rooted in collaboration — helping people understand what they’re working with, what’s possible, and how to move forward with confidence.
Philosophy
Yards Are Extensions of the Home
Colleen believes yards are extensions of homes — financially and emotionally. She takes to heart her role in increasing a property’s value while also enhancing a client’s peace of mind.
Landscaping projects can cause anxiety, and Colleen’s goal is to alleviate that anxiety by providing clear, thoughtful guidance.
She also believes strongly in creating lush, sustainable green spaces that are safer for families, neighbors, pets, and wildlife — landscapes that work with nature, not against it.
Experience & Credentials
A Trusted Voice in Central Texas Gardening
International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist
Certificate in Fruit Tree Care from OrchardPeople.com
Creator and host of the ATXGardens Podcast (available on podcast platforms and YouTube)
Co‑host of the Horticulturati Podcast with landscape designer Leah Churner
Founder of Central Texas Seed Savers, dedicated to preserving local plant genetics
Creator of “Let’s Care for Texas Plants”
Colleen has been featured on and contributed to:
KLRU’s Central Texas Gardener
Garden Journeys on Spectrum News
The Horticulture Hangover call‑in radio show
She is frequently invited to speak at organizations including:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
TreeFolks
Central Texas Seed Savers
Williamson County Master Gardeners
The Natural Gardener
A Few Things You Should Know
Colleen brings humor, warmth, and practicality into everything she does — whether she’s talking soil health, tree care, or native plants. She believes gardening should feel empowering, not intimidating, and that learning should be enjoyable.
(And yes — she really does love that BBQ in Lexington.)
Ready to Feel More Confident in Your Yard?
Whether you want hands‑on guidance, seasonal advice, or to hear Colleen speak at an event, there are plenty of ways to work together.
