About Us

Joseph Smith, Founder & Owner

Joseph has been working as a professional landscaper in western North Carolina since 2015.  He worked at Reems Creek Valley Nursery for several seasons, eventually managing crews in their landscape department.  When Reems Creek decided to dissolve their landscaping division, Joseph saw an opportunity and started working for himself with the support of many of his long-term clients through the nursery.  After a couple years of working on his own successfully, he officially formed Blackbird Landscapes LLC with co-founder Emily Driskill in February 2019.  Joseph’s long-term clients appreciate his holistic approach, keen observation skills, and in-depth knowledge of horticulture, hardscape installation, and drainage systems.  He has an eye for pest identification and strives to care for landscapes by dealing with potential problems preventatively, rather than reacting once they get out of hand.  The vibrant properties he has had the opportunity to care for over a span of time are living proof that holistic management and timely seasonal maintenance are the key to outdoor spaces that are beautiful and functional not only for humans, but also the birds, pollinators, and other wildlife that we are intrinsically linked with.  Joseph is a North Carolina Certified Plant Professional, holds a Turf and Ornamental pesticide applicator’s license in NC, is certified as a Stormwater SCM Inspection and Maintenance Professional, and holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. 

Emily Driskill, Co-Founder and Landscape Designer

Emily Driskill is an alumna of The Evergreen State College in Washington state, and holds dual B.A./ B.S. degrees with concentrations in Botany, Sustainable Agriculture, and visual arts.  Her background in field botany took her to many backcountry landscapes to observe wild plants and plant communities across the USA, which has been a huge influence on her approach to landscape design.  In 2015, she transitioned her skills and knowledge into professional horticulture, becoming the Nursery Manager at Carolina Native Nursery in Burnsville, NC.  Through this line of work, she became deeply familiar with the attributes, care, and uses for many eastern North American native shrubs and perennials.  After three seasons in that job, she once again made a transition to join Joseph in setting up and running his landscape business.  Currently, Emily works as the resident Landscape Designer and plant purchaser for Blackbird.  In the meantime, she has founded and is currently growing her own nursery business, Tanager Plants, which grows native trees, shrubs, vines. perennials, and grasses.  Emily is a North Carolina Certified Plant Professional.

Tammy Kindle, Office Manager

Tammy has been working with Blackbird since spring of 2020; she came to us after running her own lawn care company for several years prior.  Tammy's landscape knowledge paired with her communication skills and fabulous personality make her an indispensable part of the Blackbird team.  Tammy keeps the company operations moving smoothly by maintaining contact with clients, vendors, and staff.  She is in charge of scheduling and logistics for consultations and landscape installations, as well as an array of administrative tasks. 

Manny Sereno, Field Supervisor

Manny is our most senior employee; he started with the company in April of 2019!  With so many seasons of experience under his belt, Manny is the natural choice to oversee daily operations for the Blackbird crew.  He manages projects to make sure they are being implemented not only efficiently and on time, but up to our standards of quality as well.  His expertise, sense of humor, and endless curiosity about native plants and wildlife make Manny a vital member of the team!   Manny also spearheads our ecologically-based Integrated Pest Management efforts, which include installing habitat and nesting boxes for beneficial creatures such as bats and owls.