Our Mission

Christie's Fine Gardening is committed to developing gardens tailored to your lifestyle and maintenance needs. Our craftsmen create a garden setting as a whole piece, with artistic flair and an understanding of what will connect you with nature, every time you go into your garden.

Our Philosophy

We are passionate about landscapes. We believe that Nature's gardens connect us to the Earth and uplift the human spirit.

We approach your garden with an artistic palette, working with you to develop your domestic escape—customizing it to your natural conditions, style and budget. Each member of our design team of highly-skilled craftsmen is certified by the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

Our passion for landscapes includes a commitment to earth-friendly practices and approaches. In our plans, as we look for ways to uplift the human spirit, while also reducing the carbon footprint.

Christie Barry, owner, VSLD

	Christie Barry

Christie Barry is devoted to uplifting the human spirit as she helps clients create distinctive garden and outdoor living spaces that bring peace, joy and contentment to homes and businesses throughout the metro Richmond area.

Under Christie's leadership, Christie's Fine Gardening offers specialized creative gardening and landscape design services, working in long-term relationships with clients to develop outdoor spaces over time. Christie's is sensitive to the need to "go green" in a responsible manner, taking approaches that are timely, educated and focused.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Christie came to Richmond as a student of the University of Richmond's Westhampton College. She graduated cum laude, concentrating in English and the applied arts, with a minor in art. The Phi Beta Kappa of leadership—ODK—would serve her well at Christie's Fine Gardening.

After college, Christie worked at Elk Hill Farm, where she met her future husband Kevin Barry, and United Methodist Family Services. In these experiences, she learned to motivate and inspire groups of young men, needed skills when she began managing her gardening crews.

At the same time, Christie earned a Masters of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University, in Special Ed., and worked in the Henrico and Hanover county public school systems. In 1984, she transitioned from education to work at Best Products headquarters, as a procedure analyst, reorganizing work flows for many departments.

In 1990, Christie teamed with Martha Gray, a renowned landscape designer in West End Richmond. Martha specialized in residential landscapes with a very hands-on approach. Soon, Martha began diverting accounts to Christie, and Christie's new business grew to 11 workers with as many trucks. Christie was a natural at creative gardening, with a flair for color and design. Clients also love her leadership skills and enthusiasm.

Kevin Barry, co-owner

Kevin Barry develops plans for the maintenance, and pesticide and organic control, of plants and lawns. His practical approaches are on point for handling the basics of ongoing gardening care. Kevin works directly with clients to arrive at, and deliver, their long-term maintenance needs.

Born in Newport, Rhode Island, Kevin grew up in a naval family. The undergraduate courses he took at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in applied arts and art history would serve him well in later years at Christie's. He went on to receive a Master of Science degree in counseling from VCU. Kevin and Christie met at Elk Hill Farm in Goochland County, while working with troubled youth. From Elk Hill Farm and United Methodist Family Services, they moved into the world of business at Best Products Corporate headquarters from 1985 - 1993, where Kevin worked as a buyer. These jobs would later help him assume management and administrative roles at Christie's. As Christie's Fine Gardening grew, Kevin joined the company in 1993.

Kevin Barry and Ric Erickson

Ric Erickson, resident artist, VSLD

Ric Erickson brings to Christie's clients a desire to get the job done perfectly, with a hands-on talent and eye for balance, color and texture. As part of Christie's design team, he oversees installation of the actual plans. Ric's undergraduate studies in the applied arts and art history and his previous experience in landscaping, carpentry and masonry allow him to see gardens, landscapes and outdoor living spaces as a whole piece. He can look at the palette of colors and potential materials in new and refreshing ways.

Ric hails from the Midwest. He attended the landscape architect program at the University of Wisconsin. Within the first semester, he decided that the emphasis on commercial sites, parking lots and sewer systems was not for him. From a young age, Ric worked closely with a landscape architect in Wisconsin and Florida. There he learned technical construction and was often told to "figure it out." From 1992 - 1999, he worked at a number of nurseries in their design and sales departments, from New Jersey to Virginia. In 1999, Ric struck out on his own, then after 4 years teamed with Christie and Kevin to develop residential designs.