The Evolution of Splendid Gardens: Resilience, creativity and teamwork

INSIDE Splendid Gardens

A Modest Start With Big Dreams

Back in 2007, Elizabeth Hark was ready for a change. She was frustrated with her corporate landscape job but in love with landscaping itself. So, she took her husband Phillip Becker’s advice to create a company where she could do things her way. She started Splendid Gardens with one crew and a lot of determination.

The first crew’s trailer parked outside their home garnered more than attention—it drew complaints from the HOA. “We had an email about the trailer within weeks,” Philip shares, laughing. The event didn’t deter them. Instead, it strengthened Elizabeth’s resolve. The next day, she found a small commercial space to house their equipment—solidifying in her mind that Splendid Gardens was a real business—and they were going places.

Creativity in Marketing

In the early days, marketing was as handson as the landscaping. Elizabeth recalls creating elaborate floral arrangements with indoor and outdoor plants. They then spent the day handing these out to potential clients, introducing themselves and hoping for leads.

“It was expensive marketing—three people had to carry them—but it worked,” she says. It’s true that not all 50 recipients became clients immediately. But key projects came in over time. What’s more, this spark of innovative marketing genius set them apart as the “creative” landscaping company in the community.

It got people talking. And that was the point.

Balancing Expertise and Passion

Philip supported the business from the sidelines for years. He lent his expertise in tree management and safety while managing his own demanding career.

But then COVID-19 happened. It led to him joining full-time as the vice-president. He took over operations like maintenance, payroll and equipment management.

“Working together was an adjustment,” Philip admits. “But, over time, we found a rhythm. Between Elizabeth’s quick decision-making and my methodical approach, we balance each other well.”

More than a Reputation in Sustainable Landscape Design

Splendid Gardens has become known for its sustainable landscape design. They incorporate a climate-resilient plant selection and innovative irrigation solutions into every project.

Elizabeth shares that she’s proud she decided early on to focus on water conservation. With Texas’s unpredictable climate, conservation strategies are essential—and a huge selling point.

“We strive to create landscapes that not only look beautiful, but are built to withstand extreme weather conditions,” she says.

They have become known as the company that’s adapting to extreme weather in landscaping. They’ve tested and innovated. They’ve developed plant palettes and designs to endure harsh freezes and summer droughts alike.

Building a Culture of Excellence

Elizabeth and Philip’s teamwork has enabled Splendid Gardens to thrive in a crowded market. Elizabeth’s early days with the company were all about setting up crews before dawn. Their hands-on dedication has built a thriving landscaping business. Their commitment to mentorship and entrepreneurship in landscaping is equally inspiring— and indeed a lesson to learn.

“We want to share what we’ve learned and help others avoid the pitfalls we faced,” Elizabeth says. “Raising industry standards benefits everyone.”

Splendid Gardens Today

Today, Splendid Gardens is a mix of design/ build projects and residential maintenance. The company has grown to six crews, a dedicated office team and a solid reputation for excellence. Of course, their work is about creating beautiful spaces. However, their focus on building lasting relationships with clients and mentoring landscapers in sustainable practices has helped them establish themselves as practical innovators in the design/build world.

Splendid Gardens is a testament to shared vision, hard work and the power of dreaming big even when the HOA tries to shut you down.

GET IN TOUCH WITH Elizabeth Hark