Tomoko

Tomoko’s passion in gardening was inherited from her mother, Takeko. Even when the family lived in a small apartment, Takeko was always able to maintain flowering plants. Tomoko did not have a chance to do gardening in full scale until Ivan and she moved to San Mateo, California in 1998. Her interest grew into landscaping when the couple moved to Redwood City in 2000. The property was previously neglected and this opportunity presented a blank canvas for her to design a garden from scratch.

Of all the flowering plants, her most favorite are roses. She particularly likes the bi-color ones, such Lynn Andersen. She also belongs to Peninsula Rose Society and shares information with fellow rose gardeners and volunteers to manage their website.

Aside from gardening, Tomoko enjoys photography and Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangements).  She holds Sogestsu teaching credentials.

Tomoko was born and raised in Yokohama and Tokyo areas, Japan. She graduated from University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1995 then moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a video/event producer.