Ferns and Fireflies was founded on a simple but powerful idea: that a beautiful garden can also do good. My work blends art and ecology, rooted in deep respect for the natural world and a belief that gardens can be more than decorative. They can support local wildlife, restore ecological relationships, and reconnect us to the living systems we’re part of.

I’m Sara Gilbert, the designer behind Ferns and Fireflies. I hold a Master in Architecture from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and a degree in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design, but it’s my passion for ecology that truly guides the work. Before founding Ferns and Fireflies, I spent years working in architecture, construction management, and design. That background shapes how I approach every project: with attention to scope, sequence, and the details that make the difference. I take a naturalistic approach to garden design, creating spaces that support biodiversity and play a meaningful role in the local environment: providing food and habitat for pollinators, songbirds, and native wildlife, while also being immersive, beautiful places for people to enjoy.

These gardens feel a little wild. A little magical. And they give back to the land.

Since 2019, I’ve been transforming my own landscape, removing invasive species and replacing them with native plants to build habitat and invite biodiversity back in. That work continues to be one of my greatest teachers. I continue to deepen my knowledge through native gardening coursework, certification programs, and active involvement in the native plant community, and I find inspiration in the work of Doug Tallamy, Benjamin Vogt, and Piet Oudolf.

I believe habitat gardens can be both ecologically valuable and visually compelling, whether carefully composed or intentionally wild, and I work to strike that balance in every project. Whether you’re starting with a single bed or reimagining an entire property, every native garden has the potential to restore a piece of the ecosystem, and to reconnect you to it.