Our goal

We want  to make a viable alternative to the water-intensive gardening aesthetic. Organic methods are FANTASTIC, but  they don’t mean much if you are wasting the most precious component which is WATER.  The paradigm in the Pacific Northwest has been to copy other areas  that are lush and green all summer, such as England and New England. In order to achieve this lush look you MUST irrigate in summer.  Instead, we offer many plants that are adapted to dry conditions during the growing season and will actually thrive on little or no irrigation and still provide the components to make a fantastic garden.

Thank you!

Paul Bonine

Greg Shepherd

Brandon Stevens

Ryan Wilson

Adinah Lieberman

Keith Nevison

John Crain

Niki Rondini

Nic Peterson

Larry Oakes

Restore balance understand climate and work with it

There is a perception that our climate is wet year round. It is very wet from October to April. From June to September, the heart of the growing season little rain falls.  In fact, out of an average of 40” rain a year less than 10” falls during our growing season- and if it does it is unpredictable. Add to that  warm temperatures and high sun angles and evaporation quickly  eliminates water. Our proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean and relatively high latitude somewhat mitigates these effects.  We select as many plants as we can that are adapted to our winter wet summer dry regime.

Money down the drain

Water is expensive and it is the most precious resources in the west. Despite our wet winters- water years can be capricious. It’s also important to remember that our population is growing- water is and will become a much more precious commodity.

Reduce runoff be good stewards of the land

It rains for six months in this climate. Why add to water run-off when fertilizers and pesticides are being used the most- during the growing season? In essence we are using a precious resource to flush extra chemicals and  effluents into our ecosystem. It doesn’t really make sense. Even organic fertilizers are a concentrated source of certain elements that are NOT GOOD FOR RIVERS.  Less supplemental water means that less of these pollutants will be flushed into the system.

Xera Plants is a wholesale nursery dedicated to bringing the best quality and most interesting plants to independent garden retailers and designers. We’ve decided that the plants that we produce should be both good garden plants and of a higher quality that retailers and gardeners demand. Our mission is to not only set apart nurseries and garden designers with which we do business but to inspire gardeners and contribute to the great tradition of horticulture in the Pacific Northwest.  Our choice of plants is broad and constantly expanding. If there is something that you are looking for please give us a call or email with a suggestion. That having been said we are a small nursery and we choose what we grow very carefully. Our goal is for gardeners to expand their knowledge of plants and all that is possible in this rich climate while offering an alternative to water intensive gardening.   

Cotinus c. ‘Grace’, Crocosmia masonorum (foliage),  Rosa glauca (center) Romneya coulteri (right) garden of Bruce Wakefield. 

Echinacea ‘Summer Skies’’ (left) Eryngium bourgatii

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Site Index

Low water/No water

Deer resistance

Dry Shade

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Where to buy Xera Plants

Kniphofia ‘Timothy’ with Lobelia ‘Bruce Wakefield’

All contents Copyright 2009 Xera TM Plants Inc. All rights reserved. No content or images may be reproduced in any form (including electronically) without prior written permission. All photographs and graphics are copyright Xera TM Plants Inc.