As the owner of Petrichor Gardens, Claire recognizes the importance of delivering quality service while fostering strong relationships with all the gardens in which her team works. Our mission is not just to improve your home's value but to improve your life's value through plants. Sustainability is a key principle in our day-to-day operations. We prioritize eco-friendly practices, selecting native plants that require less water and maintenance while supporting local ecosystems.

She grew up in the lush wilds of Western Pennsylvania, exploring the fields and forests of her grandparents’ farm in Punxsutawney and paddling the inland waterways with her family. From these roots developed her passion for studying the native flora and fauna of our region’s landscape. Working alongside her mother in the garden, she cultivated a lifelong appreciation for nature’s fascinating cycles. This interest has blossomed into a desire to enrich the lives of others by enhancing their environments with thoughtfully cultivated habitats for both humans and animals.

For the past 15 years, she has woven a tapestry of connection between nature and community. From her beginnings as a kayak instructor, gliding through shimmering waters, to her journey as a landscaper and landscape designer, she has wandered the rivers, creeks, and streams that nourish our delicate riparian ecosystem. Inspired by the beauty of the natural world, she crafts enchanting outdoor spaces that celebrate and harmonize with the earth's splendor.

Petrichor is the pleasant smell accompanying the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. It is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil. The word is derived from the Greek "petra," meaning rock or stone, and "ichor," the fluid that flows in the veins of Greek gods. It also symbolizes a small group of hardworking individuals who love working outdoors, enjoying the sun, and sharing knowledge about the ever-changing world around them.

Claire continues to pursue education opportunities like the ongoing “Sustainable Horticulture, Landscape and Garden Design, and Native Plant Landscapes" programs at Phipps Conservatory. There, she completed the Sustainable Landcare Accreditation and Soil Ecology courses, among others. She has also attended the Three Rivers Urban Soil Symposium and recently earned a dry stack stone wall construction certificate. Petrichor also participates in the Audubon Society’s “Backyard Habitat Certification Program.” These courses have added immeasurable value to her work and the wisdom informing her approach to ecological landscape design.