Talking to Jamie Eroncig, founder and owner of Roots Landscaping, it is impossible not to get swept up in the passion that she has for plants.

Jamie Eroncig of Roots Landscaping is pictured in one of her favorite creations — her own backyard.

"I’ve always loved and appreciated nature, ever since I was a kid. I just think that the act of creating, actually putting something into the ground and watching it grow, is such a beautiful and satisfying thing. Landscape design was a natural progression for me," she said.

Soft-spoken Eroncig is one of the most qualified, and talented, landscapers in Miami-Dade County. She went to Colorado State University and earned her degree in Natural Resource Management, and after graduation worked for a year with the Division of Forestry on a special grant replanting in Hurricane Andrew’s aftermath.

Why go all the way west only to return to South Florida? The move made perfect sense to Eroncig.

"Given the variety of plant life that can thrive in our tropical environment here in South Florida and the length of the growing season, it didn’t make sense to be anywhere else. It’s just so much more fun and challenging here."

Indeed, Eroncig’s self-proclaimed specialty is exotic, rare plants. "I love using plants that are a little out of the ordinary, that aren’t on everyone’s lawn. So many landscapers down here have fallen into this cookie cutter mentality that doesn’t utilize all the choices available down here," she said. "These firms just don’t care. It’s not like each plant matters, it’s like they just want to get the job done and get out of there."

Eroncig does most of the work herself.

"Roots is made up of me, and well maybe I’ll hire someone else temporarily, but mostly me."

However, Eroncig sees this as an asset more than anything else. It enables her to give each and every client the individual attention they deserve.

"If I have a larger job, I’ll hire more help. Or if someone wants a waterfall or needs irrigation done, I’ll subcontract that out. But I will do everything else myself for the most part and I prefer it that way. I take such pride in my work that I like to take full responsibility for everything that’s done, including maintenance. I also want your lawn to be my creation, my creative vision."

Eroncig seeks her customer’s input as well.

"The client can be as involved or uninvolved in the selection and design process as they’d like," she said.

Eroncig own roots are here in Miami. She grew up near Matheson Hammock across from the Journey’s End development. She attended area schools such Alexander Montessori, Gulliver Academy, and Palmer, respectively.

"Once you’ve lived here and experienced all this area has to offer, it’s so hard to leave," she said.

To contact Jamie Eroncig about setting up a consultation, call her at 305-667 3507.