US (WA): Kingston nursery supplies demand of native plants

Salish Trees Nursery isn’t your average nursery, as it focuses on native plants. But it will be even more special in the future as it is looking to make its location a destination spot with food trucks, live music, and activities.

Mike Winningham and his wife Patty decided to open Salish Trees Nursery in Kingston to support the high demand for native plants in Kitsap County. “There is a growing demand and not enough nurseries to get native plants. It is not a high-margin business, and it’s an expensive world to be in.” Mike is impressed with landowners Jill and Joe Cabra. “They want a community-style marketplace with businesses that are different but have some synergy and really draw people to the property.”

The Winninghams opened Salish Trees because it is a megatrend, especially with the effects of climate change. “When I was in technology, we talked about megatrends,” Mike said. “A huge one is sustainable living. People are more interested in native plants because habitats are disappearing worldwide, and they want to make a difference. Through this sustainable gardening, you can have an immediate effect.” Salish Trees Nursery has been open since March, and the couple is still making upgrades.

Mike has been around Pacific Northwest native plants since he was a kid. His family has had land in the Northwest since the 1960s and did a lot of gardening and hiking in the woods. “My father was really into gardening and taught me about propagation of plants,” he said. “I developed a high appreciation of the flowers we have. It’s a really unique area of the world.”