Our Q & A with Jared Chieffi
Tell us about yourself (ie: born, raised, family, how long in business, etc.).
My wife, son and I moved to North Carolina from New Jersey in March, 2010. We initially moved for my wife's job and in 2012 I opened my landscaping business here. Previously, I worked under someone in New Jersey and have worked in this business since I was 20 years old, more than half my life time. I have a wife Stephanie, son Ryan who is 14, two dogs Bailey and Jordan and a cat named Kitty. We like to mountain bike on the weekends as a family and are currently camping on the weekends in Banner Elk.
How did you come to pursue horticulture as a career?
I love to be outside and started in tree work and the natural progression was to landscape services.
Do you garden at home?
On a typical year I do, however this year we are busy with a place in the mountains.
What is your personal most favorite plant that you would use in your own yard or house?
Japanese Maples.
What can you tell us about our property just from the plants in the natural area?
On first blush, if I am candid, the property needs to be updated and the place is overgrown.
However, as we work together, over time we can all design a plan that preserves Pebble Creek's original, natural and unique plants, but also modernizes joint public areas whether with mulch, pine straw where allowed, colorful low growing trim shrubbery and perhaps even a stone bench or two-maybe in the center island, for example, on the Constitution Side. American Drive has some public side areas as well that would really pop with a few small additions.
Tell us about any examples of your best work or a job you completed of which you are most proud.
I have completed many jobs that I am most proud of but I really like what I did with my own house. I enjoy working on the landscaping at my house because I can plant what I want and change the landscape each year.
For someone on a fixed income with a very modest budget and thinking of doing a container garden trimmed by either liriope, soft touch holly, obsessive nandina or low growing evergreens, what plants might you recommend that would require low to modest sunshine & low maintenance?
Ferns would be a nice touch.
What would be one or some of the most important things a homeowner should know about you?
I am easy to talk to and if you have any issues, you can bring them to my attention right away. I like meeting new people, however I am extremely busy and find it hard to take on new clients.
Any hobbies or favorite things you enjoy doing when not landscaping?
I enjoy snowboarding, mountain biking, fishing and spending time with my family.
Describe yourself in one word.
Genuine.
Questions: Nancy A. & Jan L.
Answers: Jared & Stephanie
