Teresa Stephens - Co-owner
B.S. - Plant and Soil Science - Texas Tech University
M.S. - Horticulture - University of Tennessee

Each of these experiences has molded me into the passionate plant person I am today. Along the way I have developed my own ideas of how a landscape company can not only perform a quality service, but contribute to the community as well.

Co-owning and operating Pollydog Organic Landscapes in Spicewood, Texas
"After the birth of our daughter, we wanted to be closer to family. So, we have moved PollyDog Organic Landscapes to the Austin Hill Country. It is wonderful to be back home and I am looking forward to diving back into Native Texas plant design and maintenance (and back into Lake Travis!)"

Co-owning and operating Pollydog Organic Landscapes in Nashville, Tennessee
"Sid and I decided it was time we took all of our experiences and branch out on our own. We were the only organic, low-emissions landscape company in Nashville and it took of quite quickly. Our clients were wonderful and when it came time we hated to leave them! But...Texas kept calling us home."

Bates Nursery and Garden Center – Retail/Wholesale – Nashville, Tennessee
“I absolutely loved working at Bates. You couldn’t ask for a better group of people. I worked in inventory control and created a database that relates with their existing database to increase the information available on the Bates website. On the retail end, I became quite familiar with the plants available for use in Nashville (being a native Texan and all.) Julie, the inventory control guru, always managed to bring in some truly unique plants to add to that list.”

University of Tennessee – Master’s Degree in Horticulture – Knoxville, Tennessee
“For my master’s project I developed a relational database and geographical information system for the Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design department's gardens and greenhouses. It was a wonderful learning experience. I studied under Dr. Susan Hamilton and through her I also discovered a passion for perennials.”

Texas Tech University – Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science – Lubbock, Texas
“While at Texas Tech I discovered an affinity for website and database development. I worked on a project with a graduate student creating an online introductory horticulture course for distance education. I taught a lab for introductory horticulture as well.”

Greater Texas Landscapes – Landscape Maintenance – Austin, Texas
“This is a large operation. Greater Texas Landscapes (GTL) does everything imaginable: design, installation, and maintenance of landscapes, hardscapes, interiorscapes, irrigation, and annual color. I was in charge of the annual color design, installation and maintenance. I also presented training lessons to the foremen of the maintenance crews to brush them up on timely topics. Working at GTL was a very educational experience. I had to really kick in my time management skills: balancing paperwork, site visits, client relations, design, installation, maintenance, ordering materials, and much more.”

Gardening Angels – Landscape Maintenance – Santa Fe, New Mexico
“This was by far the most interesting landscaping experience I have had. The Gardening Angels were gardeners more than anything else, but we did mow a lawn here and there. In Santa Fe, there aren’t many lawns. The owners, Connie and Cynthia, taught us to focus on the details and customer service. We never said no to a job. Even if it meant helping to move a couch.”

Plantland Inc. – Wholesale Grower of Annuals – Austin, Texas
“I interned for one full year with Plantland. I absolutely loved it! The weeks were long, the days started early, and the work was hard. I did a little bit of everything, as any good intern should. The owners of the company, Tim and Jackie Roberts, were excellent teachers. I began working with them as they were starting the business and got to see first hand the thrills and struggles of entrepreneurship. The greenhouse manager, Billy Bob, taught me almost everything I know about pest and disease identification as well as chemical application. I must say that chemical application quickly became my least favorite responsibility. After reading the labels and dressing in a suit of armor from head to toe in the heat of summer, I quickly decided there must be a better way!”

…and just a little note-

Sid is my partner in life, love, and business. We have been lucky enough to have worked together for many years in many different places of employment. He is the foundation of PollyDog Landscapes and I thank him for his love and support and especially his incredibly hard work.