| photography by anna chandler |
“Rooted in Beauty” is a celebration of the quiet magic that happens when people tend to the things they love - gardens, flowers, and the spaces that grow around them. In this series, we’re sharing the stories of three women who inspire us deeply: dear friends of Elsie Green whose lives are intertwined with soil, stems, and seasons.
Each comes to gardening in her own way - one a member of our team, one a familiar face from our shop’s past, and one the steward of a beloved local nursery - but all share a thoughtful, intuitive approach to cultivating beauty. We asked them to reflect on their gardens, their rituals, and what draws them back, again and again, to the work of growing.
Alongside their words, they’ve each curated a selection of favorite pieces from our new garden collection - tools and objects they reach for in their own spaces.
This series is an invitation to slow down, step outside, and see what takes root.
Meet Anna Chandler, one of our EG shopgirls who we love dearly. She has been part of our team since 2020, and is responsible for the beautiful product photos you see every week. Anna is a mother, a gardener, a photographer, and a flower enthusiast, and we know you'll love her as much as we do.
Do you remember the first plant or flower you ever fell in love with?
I’ve always loved wildflowers. It’s hard to say what my first love was, but currently my favorite flowers are Matilija poppies, Japanese anemones, butterfly ranunculus and all of the blooming spring trees.
Is there a particular moment each spring that feels magical to you?
I love watching all of the buds starting to form and bloom. The transformation happens quickly (and kind of slowly) at the same time and it’s all about catching it. You witness magic in such a short period of time.
Are there any new varieties or plants you’re experimenting with right now?
My husband and I just planted a Mt. Fuji Flowering Cherry Tree in our front yard this spring. It should blossom into beautiful white and pale pink flowers. It’s been a dream of ours to have a blooming tree and with some research, we were able to find one that should work with our sun exposure and climate.
What makes an outdoor space feel truly inviting to you?
Comfortable and adequate outdoor seating immediately makes me feel relaxed. There’s nothing better than joining a long table with all of your friends and family to enjoy a meal or drink where everyone has enough space. It feels abundant. We use seat cushions and throw pillows for each dining chair to make it feel extra cozy. After dinner, our family likes to spend time on our outdoor sofa and occasionally we fight over the egg chair. We also have a built-in wrap around bench on our patio, which creates a nice flow for entertaining and enjoying the space with a group.
What’s your best advice for someone starting a garden from scratch?
Embrace the slowness and process of trial and error. We’ve had things thrive and also completely fail in our garden. There are a lot of factors at play (sun, temperature, water, acidity of soil, plant preferences) so truly - there has to be some harmony at play for plants to flourish. Some things are easier to grow than others. I would recommend starting with something that is less “particular” and finicky. We use Sunset’s Western Garden book as a guidebook. It helps you determine your “zone” and what plants are ideal for your area.
Is there a flower or plant that feels deeply personal to you?
We named our daughter Magnolia, so definitely Magnolia trees. I notice them everywhere I go and it’s fun to point them out to her.
Loving all the natural beauty? Explore our other garden posts >
