ABOUT US

Piante Design is a company that was founded on a deep-rooted passion for creating harmonious spaces through the use of plants. The word "piante" itself is an Italian term meaning plants, which perfectly represents our dedication to integrating nature into both interior and exterior spaces for residential and commercial clients. Whether it's designing gardens or arranging plants indoors, we are committed to achieving a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality. While visual appeal is important to us, we firmly believe that a well-designed garden should be much more than just pleasant to the eye. It should also be dynamic, useful, and interactive.

Our retail boutique or as we call it our studio shop is a reflection of our deep love for botanical goods. But it is more than just a shop; it is a haven dedicated to sharing our handmade lifestyle goods, crafted with care in our studio. Our pride lies in offering a thoughtfully curated range of products, including ready-to-go terrariums and exquisitely designed planters. Step into our boutique, and you'll be greeted by our inviting dried floral bar. Here, customers have the opportunity to create their own unique dried floral bouquets or seek assistance from our knowledgeable staff. We believe in sharing the goodness of plants through various plant-based products, such as herbal products, elixirs, loose-leaf teas, and hand-poured scented candles created at our candle bar. Every item in our space is carefully chosen to inspire and bring joy to those who walk through our door.


Our creative studio is intertwined with our retail shop, creating a warm, intimate, and charming atmosphere. This space acts as a perfect venue for hosting a range of workshops and private events. Whether it's pottery, terrarium making, or candle pouring, our weekly workshops cater to both beginners and enthusiasts, offering opportunities to learn new skills. Our team of dedicated artisans and educators are passionate about their craft and are eager to share their knowledge and experiences with anyone eager to learn.


At Piante, we carry the responsibility of bringing the beauty and benefits of plants into people's lives. Through our thoughtful designs, carefully curated products, and engaging workshops, our aim is to create spaces that inspire and nourish the soul.

our team

  • Gary Li BSc, MSc, PgDip - Founder + Creative Director

    Working with flowers and plants has always been a lifelong dream for Gary. After obtaining his B.Sc in Horticultural Science and M.Sc in Crop Science from the University of Guelph, Gary went on to successfully pass the CAFA (Canadian Academy of Floral Arts) and AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers) exams. In addition, Gary had also taken short floral design training classes in Lyons, France and Aalsmeer, the Netherlands. In 2016, Gary completed his post-grad diploma in Garden Design with distinction from the Inchbald School of Design in London, UK.

    In 1997, Gary launched Convallaria Floral Design in Toronto. He has successfully created a brand around his superb design ability, thus establishing himself not only as a well sought after floral designer amongst his clients, but also within the floral industry. His strong design ability as well as his indepth knowledge of indoor and outdoor plants, have given him the opportunity to grow the garden design aspect of the business. Convallaria Floral Design was rebranded to inTuin Design (tuin means garden in Dutch) in 2015 to focus on garden design & events.

    Enticed by the prospect of designing and planting gardens during the winter months, Gary has decided to expand his business to the warmer south and launched his new botanical goods boutique and garden design studio - Piante - in Winter Park, Florida in November 2017.

  • Jessica BLA - Landscape Designer + Garden Projects Coordinator

    Jess is a graduate from the University of Georgia and has her Bachelors of Landscape Architecture. She has 10+ years experience in the landscape architecture profession with a keen eye for design and love for all things planting, sustainability, and conservation. She is excited to join the garden design team to help grow both the residential and commercial portfolios.

    When she isn't designing, she loves to lift weights, walk her dog, paint/ draw/ anything crafty, and hang out with friends.

  • Avery - Garden Design Installation Team Member

    Avery loves the outdoors! He loves plants and greenery, and being part of Piante garden design installation team brings him a sense of pride to see the designs come alive when the projects are completed!

    During his spare time, he loves staying active, listening to music and watching anime!

  • Sue - Retail Team Lead + Floral Bar Liaison

    After a short career in politics and hotel sales, Sue focused on raising her family of three children, volunteering in community, school and church events.

    She has always had a love of floral and garden design as well as photography and travel. Raised in New England, she grew up with a real appreciation for the outdoors and nature. Sue moved to Winter Park in 2018 from Southern California and is excited to join the Piante team and dive into the botanical world.

    When Sue is not at the shop, you can find her on the tennis court or running half marathons with friends and traveling.

  • Rube - Marketing + Graphics Lead

    If you look at Rubes hands, you see green thumbs AND green fingers. Enter his apartment and you’ll be transported to a small jungle. His passion for plants is like no other, with the exception of his art. He’s a master at photoshop and utilizes his graphic knowledge into his own work. He creates detailed self portrait photo manipulations that are very personal and reflects what goes on in his mind and his life.

    During his spare time, he enjoys having having ceremonial tea time out in his patio, surrounded by nature with his cat, Stella.

  • Tori - Ceramics Production + Instructor

    Florida native, Tori, is a lover of art and nature. Before earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography at UCF she studied Fine Art and Photography at Valencia College and Daytona State College. After completing her studies and briefly working in the museum world, she relocated to her home town in Central Florida where she has continued her pursuit of the arts; owning and operating her own photography and videography business while spending her free time on personal creative projects.

    For Tori, working at Piante studio and collaborating Piante’s versatile and talented team has been a delightful creative outlet aside from photography. When she’s not in the studio or at a photoshoot, you can find her curled up on the couch with her cat, crocheting, or playing guitar, or spending time on her patio tending to her plants.

  • Sarah - Ceramics Instructor

    Sarah Johnston is a native from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a second-generation artist that attended precollege courses at Carnegie Mellon University and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in Ceramics from Temple University, Tyler School of Art. She was trained in realistic drawing techniques, printmaking, and ceramics. Sarah has been teaching and creating for over 20 years and loves introducing others to clay and creating of any kind.

    Sarah uses color, pattern, and form to express the joys and challenges of interpersonal relationships and her own mental health through her art. She is passionate about the crucial link between individual expression and mental and physical health and believes that art and expression of any kind has the power to heal. In addition to teaching at Piante Design, she is the Executive Director of Community Clay Connections, which is a nonprofit that teaches clay-based art classes that focus on mindfulness and self-care. She also sells her home décor and handmade tiles online and at various local shops in Central Florida.