About - Landscaping, Flowers, Irrigation, Compost

Employee owned

Culminating in Full scale Landscape Maintenance and Construction

Whitehead’s Landscaping is a proudly employee-owned and operated business serving the Wood River Valley since 1994. What began with Gunnar and Merri Whitehead mowing lawns after work has grown into a comprehensive landscaping operation—led by the entire Whitehead family. Together, they’ve built a 360° approach to outdoor care: starting from the ground up with nutrient-rich compost from Mountain Valley Compost & Tree Care, flowing into efficient, sustainable watering solutions with Eco Irrigation, flourishing into vibrant, customized gardens through Lily & Fern, and culminating in full-scale construction, snow removal, and a locally grown tree farm. Every branch of the business works together to deliver beautiful, healthy, and sustainable landscapes—designed with care, maintained with passion.

meet the family

How everything started

Whitehead's Landscaping

Gunnar and Merri Whitehead, presidents of Whitehead’s Landscaping, are the heart of the operation and have been serving Blaine County since 1994. What started as a small, after-hours lawn care business has grown into a full-service landscaping company offering everything from custom construction and design to snow removal and year-round maintenance. With a focus on creativity, quality, and professionalism, Gunnar continues to lead the company alongside Merri, who manages office operations and oversees Lily & Fern. Their children—Reide, Colby, Piper, and Gage —now help carry the legacy forward through their own specialized divisions, bringing fresh innovation to this employee owned business.

Mountain Valley Compost & Tree Care

Run by Colby Whitehead, Mountain Valley Compost & Tree Care focuses on sustainable, organic solutions for healthier landscapes. Colby launched this division after becoming passionate about vermicomposting—transforming food waste and natural materials into nutrient-rich vermicast, affectionately called “black gold.” From compost tea to organic fertilizers and expert tree care, Colby’s mission is to restore the health of the soil and provide eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic products. His work supports the larger Whitehead ecosystem, creating the fertile foundation for thriving lawns, gardens, and trees.

Lily & Fern

Lily & Fern was created by Merri Whitehead in 2015 to give flowers and gardens the focused attention they deserve. With personalized garden design, seasonal plantings, hanging baskets, and detailed maintenance programs, Merri and her team—led by flower operations manager Suleima Diaz —bring color and joy to outdoor spaces across the valley. Whether it’s pruning, potting, or planning a whole new layout, Lily & Fern’s services are always rooted in creativity, beauty, and care. This division is a natural extension of the Whitehead Landscaping.

Eco Irrigation

Led by Reide Whitehead, Eco Irrigation brings cutting-edge water management to landscapes across the valley. With a focus on conservation, Reide designs and maintains smart irrigation systems that reduce waste, protect plants, and promote healthier landscapes. From professional irrigation audits and CAD-designed layouts to real-time, weather-based controller systems, Eco Irrigation ensures that every drop counts. As part of Whitehead Landscaping’s full-circle approach to landscaping, Reide’s work helps clients water smarter while preserving the beauty and integrity of their outdoor spaces.