Lorax Landscaping LLC, aka Lorax & the Secret Gardener, is the culmination of many years of professional, semi-professional and hobby gardening endeavors by owner and head gardener Patty Laughlin combined with the skills and expertise of Head Gardener Jenny Stuart.
Registered in 2010, Lorax Landscaping was formed with a commitment to provide one of a kind landscaping through creative design, fine craftsmanship, focus on the details and constant attention to customer service.
Patty Laughlin – Manager & Head Gardener
Patty has been practicing ecological landscaping since 1994. She is a New Hampshire Certified Landscape Professional (NHCLP), is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP), has a certificate in Permaculture Design, is a New Hampshire Natural Resources Steward, is a Certified Wildlife Landscaping Professional and holds a degree in Horticulture, with a concentration in Landscape Operations, from the University of New Hampshire Thompson School of Applied Science.
This second career follows stints in corporate America, teaching and a BA in physics from Dartmouth College.
Patty has hands on experience and training in landscape design, installation, renovations and maintenance in residential, commercial and non-profit environments. She also completed internships with two local organic farmers. Patty has additional training in landscaping for water quality and NH invasives species management.
Patty is a member of the New Hampshire Landscape Association, the Ecological Landscape Alliance, Organic Landscape Association, New England Organic Farmers Association-NH, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Native Plant Trust and the National Wildlife Federation.
Patty teaches on various topics in sustainable horticulture, for libraries, garden clubs, conservation commissions, Master Gardeners and Natural Resources Stewards. She now serves as the Chair of the NH Cooperative Extension’s Rockingham Country Advisory Council. She volunteers with the New Hampshire Landscape Association’s Certification Committee, with Maine Adaptive Sports and Training and for the YCFGA’s Women’s Day. She is also a ballot clerk. She fills her “free time” entertaining the cats and with her own gardens, and growing, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables.
Jenny Stuart – Head Gardener
Jenny received her degree in Horticulture from the Thompson School at UNH with a concentration in Ornamental Horticulture in 2010. After a glorious summer interning at Longwood Gardens in PA, she came back to the Seacoast and has worked in the landscape, orchard, and retail nursery sales, before starting The Secret Gardener in 2014.
Jenny is a New Hampshire Certified Landscape Professional (NHCLP) and an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP). Jenny has spent years in design, installation, maintenance, and renovation of residential gardens. Jenny also has hands on experience with greenhouse growing, flower design and house plant care. She also has additional training in landscaping for water quality and invasive plant management.
When she isn’t in the garden, Jenny keeps busy with her two highly energetic toddlers and attempts to play various musical instruments.
Kyle Finnell – Gardener
Kyle’s passion for ecological landscaping and horticulture developed following his college career. Upon completion of a BA in History & Sociology, Kyle served as an Americorps Volunteer. Serving in the Monterey Bay area of California introduced Kyle to a more ecologically minded approach to gardening, with attention paid to water use and retention. Daily gardening tasks exposed Kyle to vegetables, small fruits, fruit trees, grapes, bees, herbs, succulents, and more. Maintenance of ornamental gardens sparked Kyle’s appreciation for landscape design. All tasks during that year followed a biodynamic approach to gardening and introduced Kyle to a holistic view of landscapes and gardens.
Kyle continued his experiential education while working at private and public schools in NH for six years. Hands on experiences include completing his Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014, acting as a farm apprentice on an educational farm for two growing seasons, and continuing personal landscaping and gardening projects during school vacations. After a career in education, Kyle is excited to further develop his landscaping and gardening skillset and practice ecological design with Lorax Landscaping.
Kyle is a nature lover and design thinker. Kyle enjoys practicing tai chi on Mount Monadnock, analyzing rock features while belayed to the side of Mount Oscar, and leisurely floating along the Souhegan River re-designing water access points along the way. Kyle loves to travel into built environments such as downtowns, city parks, theater districts, and botanical gardens.
Larissa Combe – Office Manager
Larissa is an experienced office manager who has overseen operations in numerous professional environments including ophthalmology, computer software training, financial planning services, retail operations and religious non-profits. Larissa has also been active in her community, serving as the director of the Framingham United Soccer Club Memorial Day Soccer Tournament for two years and serving as a town meeting member in Framingham MA for seven years. She received her bachelor’s degree from Framingham State College in Psychology with a minor in sociology. Larissa is married to her husband LJ and has 3 children – Ryan (20), Summer (15) and Reese (13). We are excited to have Larissa working for us as we grow our business.
Having Larissa running the office allows for our Gardeners to be more hands on in the field without worrying about the administrative duties. She is eager to learn the business and meet the clients.
When she isn’t running the office, you can find Larissa at her home in York Maine working on DIY projects, walking with her husband and dog by the ocean, and attending her children’s numerous activities.
Gardening Staff
Patty and Jenny hire assistant gardeners to help deliver services to clients. Employment inquires from skilled or aspiring horticulturalists and gardeners are always welcome.
