Cheryl Salatino

Some say the family skill set can skip a generation. Cheryl believes that was true in her lineage. Coming from Italian roots, her grandfather was a man of the land. His gardens were buzzing and full of edible produce that found its way onto the family table. Seems somewhere in her genetic code was a seed waiting for germination.

Cheryl is a New England based landscape designer, educator and native plant enthusiast. A bit more than 20 years ago, she started Dancing Shadows Garden Design to offer clients a more thoughtful and purposeful design aesthetic. By integrating native plants into her plans, client conversations moved beyond immediate goals to consider added benefits for the local environment and its wildlife inhabitants. Through collaboration and her ability to stimulate curiosity, native plants are now thriving in home gardens and public landscapes she has had the privilege to impact. What continues to inspire this designer is how the beauty and value of nature endlessly challenges, surprises and teaches us. Her intention is to get people out into the garden – as experience and knowledge come from being present.

You can find Cheryl offering virtual courses at an array of botanic organizations including Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Native Plant Trust, and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.