HELPING YOU SAVE WATER in the garden, using WATER-WISE PLANTS!
Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's dry in the summer. I have the plants you're looking for that can tough it out through our summers, and always look great! Are you ready to plant a garden that doesn't require the hassle and expense of constant irrigation?

LOCATED IN SEQUIM, WASHINGTON, in the Olympic Rainshadow
Also, large orders can be delivered to any destination in Western Washington!

UNIQUE SELECTION of plants you WON'T find elsewhere!
I maintain my commitment to operating one of the few remaining retail nurseries that propagates and finishes all plants on-site, rather than buying them in. This keeps my selection truly unique and independent of what wholesale growers make available.

NATIONWIDE SHIPPING IS AVAILABLE!
I am happy to ship your order to virtually any destination within the USA.*

Winter 2026 News!

  • Yes, it's technically still fall, but it's a great time to plant! Due to sustained interest this year, the nursery will open one day each month through the winter. Please visit the OPEN DAYS page for a complete schedule and directions to the nursery. If you need to schedule an appintment at any other time, just e-mail me at mail@desertnorthwest.com.

  • Look out for a final update to the retail list sometime in November. In the meantime, the current list is still reasonably up-to-date. Go to the retail list to see the full selection of plants both unusual and practical.

  • The Mail-order list is fully up-to-date as of September, and will also be updated again soon.*
  • Welcome to THE DESERT NORTHWEST!

    "It is hard for people to accept the idea that a garden does not have to be watered."
    - Robert Nold, High and Dry

    The Desert Northwest is a specialty nursery located in Sequim, Washington, dedicated to the production and promotion of noteworthy water-wise plants! Here you can find a wide range of interesting and hard to find treasures, such as cold-hardy desert plants, plants from the Southern Hemisphere, Mediterranean plants, dryland native plants, and more. Founded in 2005, the aim of my nursery is to show Northwest gardeners how to make plant selections that require little or no summer water once established. Both local and mail-order sales are available. I propagate and produce all nursery stock here on-site in beautiful Clallam County, Washington, without the use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

    The Desert Northwest web site is also intended as an informative resource for those who wish to learn how to grow various kinds of unusual plants, especially xeric plants and others adapted to our summer-dry climate. Please enjoy the photo galleries, blog, and plant articles on the site! I hope you learn something interesting while browsing the site, whether it be about rare plants, gardening, or our climate.

    Read more about the nursery here.

     
    AVAILABLE NOW!*

    Rare and Unusual Plants >>

    Trees >>

    Native plants >>

    Cacti and Succulents >>

    P.O. Box 3475, Sequim, WA 98382 · email: mail@desertnorthwest.com
    Follow The Desert Northwest on Instagram.
    Page design and artwork by Ian Barclay. All text, images and art copyright © 2000 - 2026, Ian Barclay.

    *Some restrictions apply, such as certain species being disallowed entry into certain states; however, with my selection, this is uncommon. Larger nursery stock is not available for mail-order; consult the mail-order list. Availability is subject to change, like if I sell out and don't update the website fast enough. Or if I kill them by accident.