I have been gardening and landscaping on Cortes Island in the Desolation Sound for over 25 years. After studying botany in university, I moved to the family farm on Cortes in 1994 where I started my study of horticulture, worked as an organic orchardist, market and home gardener and developed my love of both farming and ornamental gardening. In 2000 my husband, children and I moved to our own farm (Fairhaven Farm) a gem, a massive restoration project and a slate for our own creativity and passion. Mine as a plant enthusiast and avid gardener and my husband as a woodworker and homebuilder. During our first years we restored the aging farm, previously a sheep farm and 90 year old heritage property, and over the past 20 years, have designed and built our gardens, orchards, farm, and home. 

I spent much of our first ten years on our farm creating extensive organic ornamental and food gardens. For the past 17 years I have been designing and landscaping on Cortes and Hernando Islands, creating beautiful edible and ornamental landscapes for others. In 2009 I bought a small Cortes Island nursery (which has grown considerably) from a couple ready to retire and moved it to Fairhaven Farm. The nursery, Fairhaven Gardens, now surrounds our home and is integrated into the surrounding gardens. As a landscaper and plant lover I try to carry some of everything; perennials, grasses, roses, climbers, deciduous and evergreen shrubs, conifers, berries and fruit trees, and vegetable starts, so that whatever a person’s plant need may be, we will have something that is healthy and beautiful to fit the spot.

Visit our nursery and gardens for local knowledge, inspiration, plants, and supplies.

For landscape design, consultation and installations of ornamental and edible gardens please call or email Laura Ellingsen @ 250.935.6559, 

laura.fairhaven@gmail.com