About Us
Sheri, Brock and Neal are dedicated landscaping professionals in the coastal Wilmington, NC area. They work closely with their skilled team of garden and landscape installers to make sure every job is executed to the most exacting standards.
Meet the Team
Sheri Chisholm, Owner
Opening Flora in 2008 was something Sheri had been preparing for most of her life. A fifth generation Wilmingtonian, Sheri began her interest in the landscape in a local garden center, went on to study Horticultural Science at NC State, New Mexico State and received her Master of Science in Horticulture from Virginia Tech in 2002. Now an NC Licensed Landscape Contractor, Sheri’s extensive experience with local landscaping gives her an elevated understanding of coastal challenges and solutions. Joni Appleseed, her latest venture, is a non-profit which encourages the design and implementation of green spaces for community organizations. An avid environmentalist, Sheri is always excited about opportunities to help our planet.
Brock Chisholm, Owner
Growing up in northwest Pennsylvania, Brock remembers spending as much time as possible outdoors. Brock headed to Wilmington as an adult to earn his Associates degree in Horticulture and began working for the Extension Service at the New Hanover County Arboretum. Now a licensed irrigation contractor, licensed landscape contractor, and a licensed pesticide applicator, Brock works with his wife Sheri at Flora. He is devoted to working with clients to develop their landscape to its highest potential, focusing on correct Horticultural practices and a love for the environment.
Neal Taylor, Landscape Architect
Neal has been designing landscapes in southeastern North Carolina since 1994. A graduate of North Carolina State University’s College of Design with a degree in Landscape Architecture, he enjoys working with clients to achieve their goals for both residential and commercial projects. He believes in the mantra of using the right plant in the right place, adding beauty to the client’s landscape, as well as reducing maintenance needs. A Registered Landscape Contractor since 2003, Certified Rain Garden Designer, and licensed NC Landscape Architect, he looks to each individual project for design ideas that work with nature and the client’s goals. Whether your project involves historic gardens, beach side retreats, or anything in between, Neal looks forward to addressing your project’s unique needs with fresh ideas and sustainable solutions.
Jessi Edwards, Landscape Designer
Jessi began her love of the outdoors spending time with family while growing up in Duplin County. She started working in the green industry during high school for a local company doing lawn maintenance and then small installations while attending community college. She decided to further her education at NC State University, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Horticulture. During her time there, she found her love for landscape design which became her primary focus of study. In her free time, she enjoys working in her own yard, spending time with her husband Johnson and her two pups, Bella and Red.
Michael Lockhart, Operations Manager
Michael began his career working at a golf course as a teenager. He found his love of the outdoors and nature and realized confinement to walls on a daily basis was not the life he wanted to live. Michael came to Wilmington and took a job where he operated heavy equipment, running and shooting grades, managing crews, learning blueprints, hardscapes, irrigation, landscape design, layout and function from a hands-on perspective. Michael brings his knowledge and know how to every job we take on, giving our clients peace of mind, knowing their best interest is taken into consideration no matter what scale of work is being performed. Michael continues to live his intention of working outdoors, without walls, to provide others with an outdoor space that brings them happiness, togetherness with family, and closer to nature.
Keana Graham, Install Division Coordinator
Keana Graham, a Wilmington native, has deep roots with family, friends and the environment. In 2015, she graduated from NC Agricultural and Technical State University with a Bachelor in Landscape Architecture. Her hobbies consist of beautifying her yard, designing on her iPad and spending time with family and
friends.
Doug Weeman, Project Manager
Born and raised in New Hampshire, Doug earned a Bachelor of Science in Resource Economics and then began his career in Landscape Management. For over 30 years, he has been working in this industry, and finds his dedication and interest based in his love of plant material. In March of 2019, Doug moved to our area not only to be closer to family, but also to enjoy our beautiful weather and his passion for ocean fishing.
Charlie Phillips, Small Projects Manager
Charlie, a native of Jacksonville NC, relocated to Wilmington in 2001. While here he acquired an Associate’s degree in Landscape Gardening at CFCC. He spent a few years honing his craft at the New Hanover County Arboretum before joining the Flora team. He attributes his love of plants to his grandfather, who was a cooperative extension agent in NC. Charlie enjoys many of the outdoor activities our area has to offer with his wife Alexis and his daughter Chloe.
Claudia Flores, Nursery Manager
In 2006, Claudia began her career as a nursery production assistant in a container plant nursery, managing and supervising the growth of over 100 varieties of plant material. She then expanded into nursery customer service, assisting both retail and wholesale customers with plant selection. Claudia’s close attention to plant selection ensures that our clients receive high quality, healthy plants on every job site. In her spare time, Claudia loves spending time with her family.
Dee Sanders, Maintenance Division Manager
Dee graduated in 1989 from Lake City Community College with a degree in Landscape Technology and then began his horticultural career in Florida, continuing on to California to further his career. He has recently moved back to the southeast to be closer to family. When not working, Dee likes listening to music, going to the beach, boogie boarding and spending time with his family.
Breanna Smith, Maintenance Division Coordinator
After growing up in Winston Salem, NC, Breanna moved to our area to study film and video production at Cape Fear Community College. After her studies, she moved to New York City to work in the restaurant industry and worked her way up until she was in management. Having had enough of the city, she made her way back to Wilmington to be with her family again. When not working she loves hanging out with friends and her dog, Dolly Parton, at the beach or downtown, and spending time with her 5 siblings.
Matthew Gniadek, Maintenance Field Manager
Born in Western Massachusetts and raised in Wilmington, Matthew graduated from Horry-Georgetown Technical College with an Associates Degree in Golf Course Management in 1989. He began his career as a Golf Course Superintendent in Pawley’s Island, SC before moving to Southern California and then to Las Vegas to further his career. Now, Matthew has returned to Wilmington and enjoys spending time with his wife Kim and fun loving family, enjoying food, laughs and good times!
Eric Minter, Account Manager
After 20 years of experience in both the landscape and horticulture industry, Eric joined Flora in 2017. Initially hired as a crew leader, Eric’s customer driven focus, wide range of knowledge, and leadership ability allowed him to move up through the ranks as a valuable member of the team. In his free time, Eric is an avid hunter, and he enjoys exploring our local restaurants and spending time with his family.
Mark Durrett, Irrigation Technician
Growing up on a golf course in Martinsville, VA led Mark to study Agronomy at Virginia Tech and then become the youngest golf course superintendent in the state at the age of 20. From there, Mark went on to run golf courses in Wilmington and Key West before branching out into private landscaping and specialized irrigation work. Mark moved back to Wilmington in 2020 and when he is not working, He and his son enjoy spending time at the beach, playing guitar, or just hanging out in the backyard with their dog Navy.
Contact Us
Let’s get started on creating your dream landscape today! Call or email and our customer service team will schedule a consultation.
910.350.3297