Whimscapes is rooted in the belief that reclaiming gardens and lawns for the wild things is a step towards environmental justice, as well as the idea that building knowledge and community around this principle is a step toward a more equitable future for all. We tap into creativity and beauty as regenerative tools to curate intricate and ecologically sound gardens. Whimscapes believes in working with the earth, not against it. We use water management techniques and sustainable practices, finishing off with biodiverse selections of native plants, edibles, and pollinator favorites.

Two NOLA-based nature nerds whose hearts are overjoyed when curating whimsical gardens full of plants that wear many hats: native edibles, herbal ornamentals, plants that contribute to rich beauty and a deep ecological resilience.

Founded in 2022, Whimscapes is rooted in the belief that reclaiming gardens and lawns for the wild things is a step towards environmental justice. We aim to source our plants and materials in the most responsible ways possible. We live our values, composting and reusing plant debris in every way we can and avoiding ecologically irresponsible techniques like leaf blowers and chemical ground treatments.

K Schroeder and Mariah Theobald met in 2020 working in the Gardens Department at Longue Vue House & Gardens. A co-working relationship grew into a friendship, and a shared obsession with plants and design began to take over.

The idea of Whimscapes was born along the Wild Azalea Trail outside of Alexandria, Louisiana. After 23 miles with packs on backs and noses in bushes, what felt like a pipedream began to feel like a necessary reality. We felt our passion for plants, our reverence for nature, and our desire for creative independence energizing us through the wooded journey. This was it— wild landscapes and whimsical designs, we were going to bring the woods back to the city.

We’re a New Orleans based company offering garden services, stormwater management solutions, educational programming, and private workshops. We are gardeners by trade and creatives at heart— for when you need a detail-oriented and nurturing presence in your yard or at your event.

K and Mariah are educators as well as gardeners, and have always shared an insatiable itch to guide anyone with curiosity about plants and their potential. We are always seeking to connect with likeminded folks and engage with our community. Whimscapes has been running educational volunteer days with the GNO Native Plant Initiative since 2024, and we have been teaching the Edible Garden Enrichment program at Metairie Park Country Day for the last 3 years.

Who is Whimscapes?

  • Mariah Theobald

    Co-Founder

    Homesteads in Maine. Permaculture in The Gambia. Pot Farms in California. Museum and School Gardens in New Orleans.

    I got certified as a Landscape Horticulturist in 2022, and we set off on a crazy mission to co-create and maintain spaces that meld beauty and purpose.

    After a couple years of hardcore landscaping and entrepreneurial grind, I’ve learned that I have a real passion for water management designs that use grading and storage to keep water where we want it!

    It’s also been a blast to teach the Lower School Garden Club at Country Day— the curiosity and playfulness of children will never stop exciting me.

  • K Schroeder

    Co-Founder

    I love all things plants - food, flowers, gardens, landscapes, medicine, art, etc. I look to plants for grounding and excitement, peace and adventure. I treat those who grow by the side of the road with the same reverence as those who are more formally planted. They slow me down, ask me to stay a while. They whisper to me as I pass by.

    Working at Longue Vue House and Gardens for the past four years has cultivated this mutual respect while refining my skill and knowledge. And now, Whimscapes is the opportunity that I’ve been dreaming of to be able to disperse this love for plants in new ways. I absolutely can not wait to keep growing.