Tena Ehlers
Landscape Designer
Below is an excerpt from our "Behind the Leaf" publication. Enjoy getting to know Tena a little bit more.
More About Tena
Joined the team: March 1994 part-time….September 1999 full-time
On the Job : Coordinate meetings to design, measure to design, design, show and sell designs, estimate the design, schedule installations of designs, repeat. It’s really pretty fun and not as mundane as it sounds.
Favorite plant and why: I can tell you now…it’s not Liatris! My love - any true blue flower, ‘Black and Blue’ Salvia was at the top of my list in 2015.
Where did you get your green thumb: I’m not really sure. I have some fond memories of working with my grandma in her landscape.
Hobbies: Sports…not participating, but trying to be the #1 fan of both my boys is a workout in itself.
Favorite food: Grilled anything, but my favorite would be grilled shrimp.
Favorite TV Show: Fixer Upper. I’m trying to figure out a way to get Chip & Joanna to Waco, Nebraska and out of Waco, Texas.
Most important part of the landscape: The relaxing space. The patio, deck, secret garden space or wherever gives you that “Awe, I’m glad to be home” feeling.
Most rewarding part of your job: Having a client that is 100% “IN” on the overall plan for their landscape, and developing that “plant lover” friendship.
Gardening tool you can’t live without: Being able to use the Multi-Trac to precisely load mulch into a new pickup just to have the owner say, “I didn’t know you would be able to do that!” GIRL POWER!
Favorite thing to do outside of work: Go anywhere with my guys. It’s as if time just stops and you forget about all the responsibilities for a while when you are watching your kids love what they are doing.
Best part of 2017: Watching my boys grow. One more year of awesome accomplishments and maturing through the tough stuff.
Biggest goal for 2018: Be more organized. Everything should be smooth sailing if I can do that…right?!
Favorite childhood memory: Going to a one classroom school.
Favorite snack: Milk Duds
One thing you can’t live without: My boys.
Favorite thing to do at work: Design garden rooms for passionate plant people.
If you were a tree, what would you be and why: A Regal Prince Oak. I live it’s narrow, upright form. It makes a columnar accent in the landscape and has great fall color.
What makes you laugh? Seeing my boys get along so well. It doesn’t always happen, but they can say and do the silliest things.
Hidden talent: Cleaning. When I am in the mood, I really like to clean.
Favorite quote: “Be a Fruit Loop in world full of Cheerios.”
Tena's Educational Background
Bachelor's of Science in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
NCN - Nebraska Certified Nurseryman