A nationally recognized landscape designer from Akron has been selected to participate on a panel of experts called the “Ground Crew.” Sabrena Schweyer, APLD, co-owner of the Akron-based firm Salsbury-Schweyer, Inc, has joined six garden authorities to answer questions in a weekly Cleveland Plain Dealer column.

“Ask the Ground Crew” explores community questions about garden and landscape plants, pests and best practices for creating and maintaining outstanding outdoor spaces in the Northeast Ohio region. Sabrena Schweyer, the Ground Crew’s only professional landscape designer, is a recognized expert in sustainable residential landscape design.

“I’m thrilled to be part of the Ground Crew,” said Schweyer. “It’s a great opportunity to share my knowledge and connect with the community about real issues people face in their personal, outdoor spaces.”

Schweyer has been a passionate gardener since childhood. Her talent designing English, European and natural style gardens is complemented by an extensive background in horticulture, which she has studied for nearly 30 years. Schweyer is an authority on perennials and hardy plants. She is a certified landscape designer, permaculture consultant and frequent speaker on issues related to sustainability.

She also has considerable international experience in garden design, including studies at the University of Oxford and work with England’s National Trust. Schweyer was raised in Jeromesville, Ohio, attended The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) in Wooster and graduated from Kent State University.

Schweyer’s Ground Crew columns appear regularly in the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Inside Out section and on Cleveland.com. Her advice for Northeast Ohio gardeners: “Imitate nature’s system. Add compost to create good soil, plant for diversity and remember that water and insects are valuable parts of the ecosystem. So don’t take them for granted.”

Other members of the Ground Crew include Rob McCartney of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Roger Gettig from Holden Arboretum, Ann McCulloh from the Cleveland Botanical Garden, Paul Pfeifer from Kent State University, Pam Donzelli from Gale’s Westlake Garden Center and Alan Hirt from Hirt’s Gardens.

“By participating on the Ground Crew, I hope to inspire more local people to create personal gardens and use nature’s systems to make their spaces more enjoyable and more sustainable," said Schweyer.

Her previous Ground Crew columns can be found online here and here.

Follow Schweyer’s work and get more garden tips at www.facebook.com/salsburyschweyer. For more information, call (330) 375-9600 or visit www.salsbury-schweyer.com.

View Schweyer's personal garden sanctuary in Highland Square here: