About Us

Mark Reaves – President

Mark Reaves studied Landscape Architecture at the University of Florida. In 1993, he created a company called Mark of Excellence (MOE) in Atlanta, Georgia. Mark of Excellence became Grounds Guys of Atlanta in 2019 and has continued to show Mark’s vision of the outside living area as an extension of the home. This award-winning company specializes in high-end residential landscape design, installation, maintenance, landscaping lighting, seasonal installation, and full Christmas Design. Mark believes that outside living areas should reflect the elegance and tranquility of the home.

Mark’s vision for Outstanding Gardens has brought about some of the most interesting, lovely, and creative outside landscapes in the Industry. He believes that each garden should have function, form and be a retreat for the homeowner.

In 2008, Mark realized that in an economy that was spiraling downward, he was no longer able to find unique and interesting plant material for his designs. Thus, he began a company called Topiary Courtyard. He knew that he was not the only designer looking for specimen plant material. Mark did his research and opened Topiary Courtyard as a West Coast (Oregon) wholesaler. Specimen Topiaries, Japanese Maples, Conifers and Unique Plant material which are hand-selected are made available to the Atlanta and surrounding markets at Topiary Courtyard. Now in 2020, Topiary Courtyard can be considered to truly be Atlanta’s premier source for specimen plants.  

Diane Berger – Marketing and Sales

Diane comes to Topiary Courtyard from the wholesale side of the Green Industry. She managed the Kennesaw and Woodstock Home Depot Landscape stores, then later missing the customer side of wholesale became a Sales Representative for those stores. Diane is Pro Certified by GGIA and has over 25 years’ experience in the “Green Industry.” Although her bachelor’s degree is not in Horticulture she grew up with a love of the nursery business and keeps returning to her passion for the plants she sells.

Diane was working with Skinner Nurseries when she first met Mark Reaves and saw his vision for Topiary Courtyard. In 2009 she began her new life selling Oregon material to landscapers and designers. As the Marketing and Sales Representative for Topiary Courtyard, she has found her niche. Being able to go to Oregon and hand-select the material to enhance and inspire some of the best gardens in Atlanta, plus enjoying the customer service side of wholesale with the most creative and talented minds in the business.