About Karen

I’ve been gardening for over two decades and writing for even longer. Plants are my passion and words are the tools I use to sing their praises. I write regularly for The Washington Post, Shondaland, Wired, and other media outlets. I’ve appeared on numerous podcasts and been featured as a guest on video, television, and radio. Check out my Articles and Interviews page for more information.

Nonfiction

In nonfiction, I write about how plants can help us heal from the stresses of daily life. Science tells us the green world relaxes our minds and bodies and I aim to explore how we can live more happily through our innate connection with nature. My book, Leaf Your Troubles Behind: How to Destress and Grow Happiness Through Plants, melds my personal experience as a long time professional gardener with the latest science and practical activities to help readers heal through plants. For more, visit my Nonfiction page.

Fiction

In fiction, my stories launch from “what if” questions. Some say they’re science fiction, some say fantasy. It depends on how you look at it. Regardless, my aim is to entertain readers through well written, compelling literary mysteries and thrillers. I’m the author of Harvesting the Sky, The Forgetting Flower, Song of the Tree Hollow, and The Dark Petals of Provence. To learn more, visit my Fiction page.

My Story

I was born into a Polish family and raised in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago. After I finished graduate school, I visited the Pacific Northwest and encountered the giant trees here. I was enchanted by their majesty and power. For several years, I worked as an editor at tech places like Amazon and Microsoft. The highlight of that time was working and living in Paris while helping to launch Amazon.fr.

After a while, I burned out and had to reexamine my life. This led me to horticulture school where I fell in love with the beauty (and silence) of plants. Meanwhile, my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and our lives turned upside down. Thankfully, after about 14 months of treatment and two surgeries, he recovered. Somehow during that time I earned my certificate in ornamental horticulture. I opened a small gardening business and helped clients transform and maintain their yards. Later, I became a Master Pruner. In my spare time, I wrote articles and reviews about gardening. I went to Goddard College and earned an MFA.

Current

Now, when not writing or gardening, I make art. I love adding a fancy sparkle to the rustic imagery of plants. With a husband, two dogs, and only one of three children at home, I’m almost an empty nester!

Fun fact: My name is pronounced “Hewg” like Huguenot and not “Hug” as in Big Hugs (though I do like hugs).

To stay in touch, connect with me on Threads or Instagram. If you need to send a digital mail, I’m at kjk hugg at g mail dot com.

Cheers,