Special
Features / February 2007
The Natural Choice
 Jamie and Scot Witkosky
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By Pat Lawrence
Jamie Witkosky turned an artistic nature into a career of natural artistry-as a landscape architect. She says, “I had an art background, but there didn’t seem to be many opportunities in this area for making a living with art, except by teaching.” Researching the options during her freshman year at WVU, landscape architecture seemed a natural choice.
“I wanted to stay in the Parkersburg area, but as a landscape architect, I could always go south to work if necessary.”
It was never necessary.
Part of the requirements for her degree included an internship, a semester of on- the-job experience working in the field. While working at Scots Landscape Nurseries as a student, she was introduced to her life’s work and her life’s partner.
Scot had started the nursery and landscape business when he was just 17. Jamie says, “He has a degree in landscape horticulture. Before I came along he did all his own design and drafting work. He’s very good, very smart and very talented.”
During Jamie’s internship, “It was all about work, the business and the projects. We became friends, and started dating several years later, after I graduated.” They just celebrated their 20th anniversary. “It helps when your husband is your best friend!”
She says the best part of working together is, “You get to see each other's growth and progress. And, you are both working toward the same goals. Coming home, you don’t have to ask ‘How was your day?’ You know!”
Scots is a local landmark as well as a flourishing enterprise, with over 100 employees during prime season. With the greenhouses, the extensive retail garden center the landscape design division and a group dedicated to hydro-seeding, irrigation and reclamation activities, they are busy year round.
According to Jamie, “It’s full time, all the time. We really only have January a little idle. New construction must be taken care of when it’s done, maintenance is scheduled year round, and lots of people like their design work done early, long before spring.”
They have both residential and commercial clients. Jamie often travels across the state to landscape Wesbanco locations and other commercial sites. She says “Every client is different-the locations, climactic conditions, the needs of the client, the site requirements. Maintenance used to be primarily a commercial concern, but that isn’t true anymore. People are so busy, residential maintenance has become equally important.” She says they go back to about 90 per cent of their clients each year, to treat, mulch and maintain their installations. “Homeowners want to protect their investment, too.”
Since each site is unique, with a different nature, a different purpose and different natural elements, Jamie doesn’t rely on standby or favorite plants. “We design areas to be beautiful as well as compatible with the natural environment so I custom order all the plantings just for that setting. For clients who want big color masses, we use more annuals than perennials. Other clients prefer the low maintenance, more subdued look achieved with perennials.”
While Jamie works mostly with landscape design and installation, Scot oversees the retail garden center, the greenhouse division and the construction crews.
She says, “You have to find a happy medium. Business must remain business and personal must remain personal. There are levels we don’t cross. And, our offices are on opposite sides of the building!” Jamie has been active in the Wood County Society for Crippled Children for sixteen years, serving on the board and, every year, on the telethon. Scot is deeply involved with the Friendship Kitchen sponsored by their church.
The couple live in a home built in 1925 with “a huge yard and assorted gardens, including a small vegetable garden.” Their two teen age daughters give them plenty to talk about outside the business. Jamie says, “I’m a mom when I’m not working. I cook, and use herbs from the garden.” She also does weight training three times a week. She gets up at 5:30am for her work out. “I’m back by seven, time to get the girl’s off to school.” Jamie is going to take advantage of the golf lessons she received as a Christmas present so she can play golf with her daughter. The landscape architect can’t help but appreciate the outdoors, especially where the grass is always mowed, shrubs are already trimmed and the maintenance is always completed by tee time.
For more information, contact Scots Garden Landscape, Vienna WV 304-295-6303.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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