Our Story

The genesis of Blooming is rooted in a deep love for nature and its many splendors and delights. It springs from a desire to look at landscapes holistically and acknowledges the interconnectivity of all living things, bringing needed change to the mainstream landscaping practices of heavy chemical use (synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides), water-guzzling lawns and exotic plants.

Local ecology informs our designs.

We strive to use native, perennial plants when possible, harvest rain and stormwater and create gardens that help regenerate the soils, water and ecology they rely on.

We create landscapes that enhance the human experience while restoring health and balance back to the landscape. We delight in the idea of families engaging with their garden and being curious and tickled by the sight of a native bee or insect feeding from a native plant. We feel comforted knowing that people, children and pets can safely engage with their organically-managed landscape.

Our Mission

To create beautiful, functional and regenerative landscapes that bring joy while healing the land.

Our Vision

We envision a world where landscapes serve as a sanctuary for healing, reconnecting with nature and reengaging with joy. We believe that landscapes can enhance the human experience through beauty and play while restoring biodiversity at the same time.

Our Values

Our values guide our decisions and influence our actions. They are: honesty, integrity, reliability, creativity, fun, community and love for people and the planet.

Meet the Team

Brooke Gwendolyn Safford

Owner/Chief Creative Officer

Growing up in beautiful Bozeman, Montana, Brooke has always had a love and kinship for the natural world. This admiration has shaped her life in many positive ways and was what ultimately led her to pursue a career in landscape architecture.

Although she always knew that she wanted to devote her life to caring for the natural world, it wasn’t until she lived in São Paulo, Brazil in the early 2000s that she realized the urgency and need to commit to this path. Every day en route to work, Brooke would pass by the Rio Tietê (Tiete River), – a major tributary that, over time, had been damned, channelized and polluted to the extent that it no longer harbored life or natural vegetation along its banks. Every day, Brooke would imagine restoring that river back to its natural state and converting it into a linear park for São Paulo residents to enjoy and through that enjoyment cultivate a love and appreciation for this ribbon of life meandering through their city.

She was so inspired by these visions, that by 2002 she enrolled into a 4-year Master’s program at the University of New Mexico. In 2006 she graduated with distinction with a Masters in Landscape Architecture and a Graduate Minor in Natural Resource Planning.

As Brooke was finishing up her thesis on Green Roofs, she was granted the opportunity to work for the National Park Service (NPS) in Santa Fe, New Mexico and eventually Great Basin National Park in Baker, Nevada. She worked for the NPS as a Landscape Architect and Outdoor Recreation Planner for 12 years. She also freelanced as a landscape designer on the side creating beautiful landscapes for residents.

She now resides in Durango and works full-time as a landscape designer in the Four Corners Region. When Brooke is not creating beautiful landscapes, you can typically find her enjoying the plethora of outdoor activities that Durango has to offer.

Degrees & Certifications

Masters in Landscape Architecture (MLA) – 2006
Graduate Minor in Natural Resource Planning

Permaculture Design Certification – 2019

Kiss the Ground Soil Advocate Training – 2021

Colorado Master Gardener

Awards

National Park Service Star Award
Sites Southwest Environmental Design Award
New Mexico Planning Association Award

Greg Rathbun

Senior Crew Lead

Greg grew up in Vermont, where time outside was a way of life—gardening with his parents, exploring the woods, and learning to appreciate the natural world from a young age. After moving to Colorado in 1997, he spent many years working as a chef, earning his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University along the way. But his heart was always in the outdoors. That pull eventually led him to environmental landscaping, where he found the perfect blend of hands-on work, creativity, and connection to the land. These days, Greg focuses on building landscapes that feel like a natural extension of their surroundings. When he’s not working, he’s usually out exploring—backpacking in the high country, mountain biking single tracks, paddling quiet waters on his SUP, or skiing fresh lines in the winter.

Ashley Limbaugh

Landscape Designer

Ashley Limbaugh is passionate about combining her passion for sustainability and art at Blooming. She graduated with her degree in Landscape Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Built Environments from the University of Arizona with two ASLA Student Honors awards. Originally from Phoenix, she had a dream of moving to Colorado after she graduated for love of nature, the outdoors, and seasonal changes. At Blooming, she enjoys bringing clients' visions to life with artful perspectives and plans. When she is not designing outdoor spaces, she is in them and enjoys mountain biking, photography, and plein-air painting.

Alissa Boyack

Landscape Designer

Alissa Boyack grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, surrounded by the mountains that inspired her love for the outdoors and landscape design. She enjoys incorporating native plants and natural elements into her designs to bring the beauty of the mountains into people’s everyday spaces.

Alissa graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Landscape Architecture and a minor in Droning. She currently works remotely for Blooming Landscape Design in St. George, Utah, where she is surrounded by the area’s stunning red rock landscapes. Her designs combine functionality with creativity, and she loves finding ways to bring a little fun and personality into each client’s landscape.

Alissa’s favorite part of landscape design is helping clients create spaces that reflect their lifestyle and encourage them to spend more time outside connecting with nature. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, sewing, making sourdough, hiking, and spending time with her dog, Daisy.

Abigail Hopcia

Crew Member

Abby grew up near Mancos, Colorado. In her free time, she enjoys baking, listening to stand-up comedy, and working in the garden. She is passionate about native plants, drought-resilient farming, and food forests. Through Blooming, she can continue to work with nature and learn more about planting and design in high desert landscapes.

Skyler Young

Crew Leader/Colorado Master Gardener

Skyler Young is a beacon of passion for everything that grows, flows, and thrives outdoors. Alongside his wife Jessi, and their son Xander, Skyler has woven the love for the natural world into the very fabric of their lives. Whether it’s the tranquility of kayaking through serene waters, the challenge of a rugged hiking trail, or the delicate care of nurturing plants, Skyler embraces each aspect with enthusiasm and dedication.
His love for botany isn’t just a hobby; it’s a profound connection to the earth that has recently culminated in him becoming a proud graduate of the Colorado Master Gardeners program. This achievement isn’t just a personal milestone for Skyler; it’s a stepping stone towards enriching his community, sharing his knowledge, and inspiring others to cultivate their own love for gardening.
Skyler’s life story is a testament to the belief that our passions can not only shape our lives but also contribute to the world around us. With Jessi, Xander, and a garden full of life by his side, Skyler Young is truly sowing seeds of joy and sustainability for the future.

Patti Salomon

Administrative Assistant

After three decades of visiting Durango, Patti made her dream of living here a reality in 2017. She brought with her extensive leadership experience from St. Louis, where she spent over 20 years as General Manager of an educational publishing company, successfully navigating its sale before heading west to be closer to family.

Patti’s entrepreneurial drive continued locally as the founder and owner of Salt 360 Float Studio from 2018 until its sale in 2024. Today, her business acumen and appreciation for the outdoors seamlessly align with her administrative role at Blooming Landscape & Design.

Deeply invested in the Durango community, Patti channels her passion into local empowerment and mentorship. She serves as a Board Member at Large for the Women's Resource Center and dedicates time as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado.

When she's not working or volunteering, Patti loves experimenting in the kitchen, exploring local trails with friends, and visiting her daughter in Seattle.

Sage Kooi

Administrative Assistant/Field Crew Leader

Sage or as the crew likes to call her, Lady Sage, is a born and raised Colorado Native. Originally from Loveland, Colorado, Sage moved to Durango in 2018 to follow her passion for the outdoors and the mountains. As an avid outdoor enthusiast, Sage has a strong dedication for helping protect the outdoor environments by spreading the word about Leave No Trace Principles and helping educate others on how we can help heal our environment. Sage began her career in the tourism industry but recently switched over to the landscaping industry with a dedication to learn more about regenerative landscaping practices and how she can help make an impact in our local community. You can often find her out on the local rivers or lakes fly fishing or somewhere in the forest enjoying the pristine wilderness areas watching wildlife.