About Me

My name is Leslie Finical Halleck. I'm a horticulturist by education and profession. I spent my first couple of college years as an art student. After shifting gears, I received my BS in Biology/Botany from University of North Texas and then my MS in Horticulture from Michigan State.

I started my career in the gardening world in college at a little garden center called the Green Fiddler, Denton, Texas. I also ran my own small gardening business. In 1998 I joined the Dallas Arboretum first as Curator of Plants and then Director of Horticulture Research, a joint position with Texas A&M University. Some of my work at the Dallas Arboretum included starting the Plant Trials Program as well as an All-America Selections Trial Garden, serving as an AAS Judge.

After making the decision to move on from the Arboretum in 2003, I spent 2 years writing and doing garden design/sales full time. For the last 3 years I've been the General Manager for a fabulous garden center. Over the last 12 years I've written for scientific, trade and popular garden publications. I continue to write for regional gardening publications and regularly teach gardening classes.

I grew up as an army brat in Germany and have moved more times than I can count. I currently reside in Dallas Texas. For you plant lovers, that is USDA Hardiness Zone 8.

copyright 2007-2008. All content and images are property of Leslie Finical Halleck.