What We Grow And Why
The plants we grow fit into one or more of these categories:
Northwest natives
For us, the Northwest begins in northwestern California and extends to southwest Alaska. It extends also east to the Rockies, though the plants of our arid interior don't always adapt to coastal conditions.
Drought-hardy plants
The surprise about the Northwest is its dry summer. Conserving water is important everywhere, so drought-hardy plants are key.
Relatively hardy 'exotic' plants
These splashy garden features are fun. When thoughtfully placed with compatible companions, they add an alluring drama to any garden. We seek out the hardier kinds of palms, bananas, cacti and such.
Rare plants
Collecting plants is a healthy obsession. It brings the world to your garden and connects you to others who share your growing passion. We love to be able to say 'we have it' to someone who has searched everywhere for a special plant.
Why So Many Plants?
- The 2000 or so plants we typically have in stock aren't that many compared to the 250,000 wild species in the world, or the even greater number of hybrids and cultivars. Making available to gardeners and landscapers more of this enormous bounty seems worthwhile.
- More and more plants are going extinct every year. Many of the plants we offer are rare and some are endangered in the wild. Nurseries that sell these plants, and the gardeners who plant them, can contribute to their survival.
- Landscapes today still rely on a relatively tiny number of plants, though things are much better in this regard than two or three decades ago. Variety is good. It is a primary trait of most healthy and productive ecosystems. More choices give the garden designer the freedom to use the best plants for the job.
