Our Founder

​When Julie Udani graduated from UVA with a Master’s degree in History, she was lucky to find a job at a nonprofit group that worked to preserve Civil War battlefields. She worked there for more than a decade and came to realize that history was not her true calling. Many of her co-workers were deeply passionate about their work and she became jealous. She decided to find her own passion. She loved plants and beautiful gardens but she needed something more. Working at a nonprofit for so long had changed her. She needed to feel as if she were giving something back.

She stumbled across the George Washington University’s sustainable design program, where students learn to create gorgeous landscapes that also provide healing to the earth; places that please the eye, but also provide habitat for native birds and insects. She knew it had to be her true passion because it sounded so corny, but felt so right. It took her about eight years to earn her Master’s Degree in Sustainable Landscape Design, because she attended part time, while increasing her family by two beautiful daughters. That experience changed her perspective, too, and she decided to specialize in family-friendly designs.

​After graduation in 2011, she formed Greener Gardens, LLC. Now she focuses on creating beautiful and sustainable landscapes that are easy to live with. She does it passionately. 

Julie Udani - Principal