Celebrating the Season Ahead: Innovation, Advocacy, and the People Growing Washington’s Green Industry
Member Highlight:
Member Highlight:
South Sound’s Walrath Landscape Supply
South Sound’s Walrath Landscape Supply
Grows Community Brand.
Grows Community Brand.
(Above) A simplified palette featuring richly toned hellebores in deep maroons, reds, and pinks anchored the garden’s design, creating a cohesive and moody early-season display.
10 WSNLA Launches Smarter Website
WSNLA’s newly updated website delivers a modern, mobile-friendly experience along with expanded educational resources, improved navigation, and new storytelling features that highlight the people and programs shaping the future of horticulture. 12 Floriferous Awakening
Show garden designer Aya Mizoroki shares how a simplified plant palette, thoughtful structure, texture and collaborative teamwork brought the quiet excitement of early spring to life at the NW Flower & Garden Festival.
Fragrant Narcissus ‘Spring Sunshine’ and winter-blooming Sarcococca added a sensory layer to the garden, capturing the uplifting moment when the first blooms of the season begin to appear. Check out the Q+A with garden designer Aya Mizoroki, CPH, EPC on page 12!
2026 | VOL 78. NO. I
Editor Breanne Chavez
Published Quarterly By: Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association. PO Box 219 Sumner, WA 98390-0040
253.661.6055, info@wsnla.org
Deadlines:
News, Classified ads, Advertising 5pm on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. To place an ad, contact Breanne at (800) 672-7711 or breanne@ wsnla.org. WSNLA reserves the right to refuse any ad which is misleading, unethical, contrary to WSNLA policy, or does not pertain to the industry.
Comments to the Editor:
Interested in sharing your opinions and comments with B&B readers? If you take the time to sharem your thoughtful comments, WSNLA will be sure to share them with B&B readers. Please submit to breanne@wsnla.org.
Marketing Director, Rachel Owens, shares how Walrath Landscape
Executive Director Breanne Chavez e-mail breanne@wsnla.org
Finance & Operations Director Holly Osborne, CPH e-mail holly@wsnla.org
2026, Washington State Nursery and
Association
Serving the green industry since 1937!
Message from the President ] WSNLA
Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association
Bold Energy Activated
When we grow our network, we grow our impact. And when we grow our impact, we grow our industry.
Kirsten LInts, CPH WSNLA President
Gardens ALIVE Design, Duvall Owner + Designer
This year’s WSNLA Annual Meeting theme - Being Bold - honestly couldn’t fit better. Boldness is the whole vibe of the Fire Horse: energetic, unstoppable, fearless. It charges ahead, breaks boundaries, and refuses to blend in.
Sound familiar? That’s basically all of us during spring rush - and honestly, that’s WSNLA in a nutshell. We’re the forward thinking, industry shaping force behind Washington’s green industry.
Uniquely WSNLA
We do things differently here at WSNLA... and that difference is our strength. WSNLA is the only statewide organization that brings together every sector of the green industry: growers, garden centers, educators, students, designers, architects, landscapers, suppliers, public sector pros, and out of state members.
That diversity? It’s our SUPERPOWER! It makes WSNLA the go to hub for advocacy, education, and collaboration - something no other association can match.
And we use that power boldly.
Bold Advocacy Supports Your Business
Boldness shows up in how we advocate for you - keeping you informed, represented, and ahead of legislative changes that affect your business. We’re not just watching policy happenwe’re shaping the conversation.
Because WSNLA represents the entire green industry, our voice carries weight. We are valued for our ideas, respected for our expertise, and strategically positioned to be listened to. We bring a coordinated, authoritative voice that creates a more favorable business environment for YOU
Education That Moves the Needle
Our inclusive membership makes our educational programs stronger. When every part of the industry is at the table, the learning hits different because multiple perspectives are represented and shared.
We’re elevating professionalism through the Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH) and ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professional (EPC) programs. These certifications don’t just raise the barthey define the standards.
This year’s seminars (soil testing, irrigation options, garden tours, supplier visits, etc.) are built to keep YOU ahead of the curve. And yes - we have a full library of past webinars in the ‘PROseries Library’ with a searchable tool
so you can find answers fast. Use the QRcode to the left to access these resources. We’re helping the public understand that landscapes are essential – vital for pollinators, ecological balance, food production, mental health, safety, property value, and so much more!
Planting Seeds for the Future
We’re not waiting for the next generation to find us - we’re actively cultivating it at career fairs across the state and helping students to see that this work is meaningful, creative, and full of opportunity.
Why I’m All In
I stay deeply involved in WSNLA because of moments like these: talking with a grower about Thujopsis ‘Nana’, learning a new approach to drip irrigation, finding out where to source granite boulders and knowing that WSNLA ‘digs in’ and truly has our backs. This community shows up - and it matters.
Starting 2026 With Bold Energy
Our newest board members - Karissa, Kyle, and Gretchen - didn’t ease in; they jumped in ready to work. Megan, Candice, and Tim continue to bring dedication and organization. Trevor leaves behind a legacy of thoughtful leadership. Committee members like Stacey, Anju, and Jeff brought serious energy. Aya wowed everyone at the NW Flower & Garden Festival with her “Floriferous Awakening” garden. Trillium Nursery made our Annual Meeting shine. And our staff - Breanne and Holly - bring a combined 43 years (!) of unmatched dedication.
These are the people who heard the call for bold leadership and said, “Hand me a shovel - I’m in.”
Your work matters. Your impact is real. And your commitment is what makes the WSNLA community strong.
Why does Boldness Matter for You?
Whether you’re in Washington, Oregon, Canada, or beyond, your WSNLA membership is a tool for growth. Use it boldly and plan to leverage it this year!
• Strengthen your professional skills to better help your clients
• Attend a seminar and ask the questions you’ve been sitting on
• Expand your network and your influence with your involvement
A Bold Challenge
2026 could face more drought declarations, shifting economics, and customers tempted by buying plants online. WSNLA keeps showing up to help - growing, designing, building, innovating. And WSNLA keeps leading.
So here’s my challenge: at every WSNLA event, introduce yourself to one new person. Just one. You never know where that connection will lead.
Invite a colleague or vendor to join you. Forward one WSNLA email to someone who’d benefit. Small actions create big momentum.
Better yet - get involved; join a committee or the board – ask me how – my contact is below
And if you’re not a member yet - join us. There is amazing community spirit here. When we grow our network, we grow our impact- and when we grow our impact, we grow our industry.
Momentum Is Everything — Be Part of It
About 65% of Gen Y and Gen Z plan to invest more in their gardens in 2026 (YAY Y & Z!).
WSNLA strategic planning is underway, and we’ll be asking for your input. Share boldly. Help shape WSNLA’s direction. Your voice matters. We’re a community of doers - creative, energetic, and committed to building something bigger than ourselves. Let’s cultivate a bold path forward in 2026. We are uniquely WSNLA. — Kirsten Lints, C.P.H. WSNLA President + Owner, Gardens ALIVE Design (425) 3182971, kirsten@gardensALIVEdesign.com
Bold Ideas From WSNLA Members
At the WSNLA Annual Meeting, WSNLA members were asked to share their bold ideas for 2026. Here is a list of what they shared!
- Bring community together through agriculture bonding and events
- Preserve acreage from development.
- Nearing age of retirement - I’m trying to discover how to transition my company to another owner.
- Learn more about ecotherapy.
- Community gardens, create a memory based location - multi-generational.
- Coffee/plant shop.
- SmartLink software - professional irrigation management - save water and save money.
- Work on tacking on + $5.00 fee on all nursery licenses in the state to support the association!
- Rent a plant = wedding/staging for homes.
- Design & Install & Educate clients in the community with all principles of horticulture and make home owners stewards of the Earth without adding stress or making it feel like hard work.
- Establishing a youtube presence!
- Focus on education/connection.
- Hosting more keynote speakers this year and establishing ticketed events.
WSNLA Supplier Representative Pacific Stone Company, Everett timg@pacificstoneco.com
Open Positions:
Vice President II
Retail Nursery Representative
Landscape Representative
Member At Large - II
Learn more at WSNLA.org/BoardService
Message from the Director ] WSNLA
If you know a colleague, supplier, or peer who is not yet a member of WSNLA, please encourage them to join. Our ability to advocate, educate, and promote the industry grows stronger with every member.
Breanne Chavez WSNLA Executive Director
The first quarter of the year is always a busy time for the WSNLA office. This year was no different!
While the Annual Membership Meeting may feel like it was ages ago, it remains one of the most important moments of our year. It is the one event that brings us together to celebrate the achievements that serve your businesses and the industry as a whole. It also provides an opportunity to launch into the new year with your input—guiding the work ahead so that our efforts remain strong, efficient, and relevant on behalf of you and your peers.
The NW Flower & Garden Festival reliably builds excitement for the season ahead. This year’s garden, Floriferous Awakening, captured the early energy of the season with vibrant pops of emerging spring color. A special thank you to Aya Mizoraki, CPH, EPC, for leading the design and to the many volunteers who helped bring her vision to life. You can read more about the garden and the inspiration behind it on page 12.
Behind the scenes, WSNLA.org continues to evolve. Improving your online experience remains a priority, and this year we are focusing on the backend systems that power the member portal. Our goal is simple: make it easier for you to access the many features available to you as a member. Learn more about these updates on page 10.
Promoting careers in horticulture continues to be one of the most rewarding efforts for our volunteer leaders. This quarter, Jeff Mason, CPH represented WSNLA at the WSU Career Fair, while Anju Neilju, CPH and Stacey Vaeth, CPH connected with students at the UW Environmental Career Fair. Thank you also to Cascade Tropicals for their continued commitment to promoting careers in our industry. Their generous plant donation remains a highlight for students and helps WSNLA collect valuable engagement data, such as the information highlighted in the graph featured to the right. We’ll share more about these efforts in the next B&B Magazine.
Education has also been front and center this quarter. ecoPRO, Certified Professional Horticulture, and WSNLA PROseries continue to support professional development for
Congratulations to the following individuals who have earned their ecoPRO Certification demonstrating their firm understanding and commitment of sustainable landscape practices.
1) The WSNLA Annual Membership Meeting was hosted at Trillitum Nursery Farm and gathered members to celebrate, share and
Over 200 students were surveyed at the WSU and UW Career Fairs - gathering input to help guide further outreach. 3) ecoPRO continues to grow - congrats to these new ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professionals..
you and your teams. The spring ecoPRO cohort may have been small, but it was mighty—producing eight new ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Professionals.
WSNLA PROseries is also off to a strong start, with five sessions already hosted this year and new additions now available in the WSNLA Library.
We know that time remains a barrier for many professionals. With that in mind, WSNLA is currently researching learning management systems that will make it easier for you and your teams to access training, earn certification, and grow your knowledge when it works best for your schedules. Expanding on-demand education opportunities will help us better serve our members and support workforce development across the industry.
On the advocacy front, WSNLA Lobbyist Jesse Taylor has been active in Olympia, monitoring legislation with potential impacts to your business. His weekly legislative updates continue to keep members informed on the bills WSNLA is tracking and their progress.
Looking ahead, you will see more advocacy, more education, more storytelling that promotes our industry, and—perhaps most importantly—more opportunities to connect.
WSNLA has been serving Washington’s green industry since 1937. Today, we find ourselves in a transitional time as we
continue bringing people back together. We all know how busy our businesses and lives have become, but now more than ever, personal connections with peers matter. In-person relationships strengthen our industry, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for learning that simply cannot happen in isolation.
That is why growing our member community is so important. A strong association depends on a strong network of engaged professionals.
We need your help! If you know a colleague, supplier, or peer who is not yet a member of WSNLA, please encourage them to join. Our ability to advocate, educate, and promote the industry grows stronger with every member who participates.
At the same time, we continue to look for ways to leverage new technology to improve efficiency and better serve you.
Connecting you with like-minded colleagues, building professional resources, and supporting the growth of your knowledge—and ultimately your business—remains at the heart of WSNLA.
Let’s continue making time to connect. I hope to see many of you at an upcoming WSNLA event in 2026.
have fun! 2)
2026 Career Fairs
WSNLA’s business membership includes a diverse community of large and small growers, garden centers, landscape professionals and suppliers. It is the intent of WSNLA Board of Directors to ensure legislative activities focus in on overarching WSNLA member needs, while effectively balancing the diversity in business scale and location. To that extent, the following priorities have been identified, with member input, to guide and strengthen WSNLA legislative and regulatory activities throughout the State.
WASHINGTON STATE NURSERY & LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Washington Nursery and Landscape Association supports stewardship of the land and the plants and trees that grow upon it.
Our priorities include:
• Promoting a positive business climate for growing and marketing plants and landscape services.
• Protecting our industry from burdensome regulation, taxes and fees.
• Working in a bipartisan manner and focusing on results.
• Ensuring policies are reasonable and based on sound science.
WSNLA will coordinate with other affiliated professional organizations to support our members on agricultural and environmental issues such as:
• Water availability, management & quality
• Urban planning and the inclusion of green spaces
• Pesticide regulation
• Open space taxation
On general business issues, WSNLA will focus on impact to members. Such issues include but are not limited to:
• Labor: availability, training, minimum wage, workers comp, health care, benefits
• Simplifying business regulation including streamlining local jurisdiction business licensing
• Taxes
Legislative Update Protecting & Advocating for Your Business
Jesse Taylor Taylor Consulting, LLC
March 12th marked the 60th day of the supplemental session and Sine Di, as lawmakers put a bow on the 2025-2027 biennium proceedings. This year’s election year session was full of fireworks and controversial bills that we don’t usually see in even year sessions. End of session marks the transition into spring time which, for our industry, is a sign of hope and new a year. While we have looked a lot at what has happened the session and the potential impacts to our producers and stakeholders, lets also look at the year ahead as it pertains to the legislature.
Post-Session
Now that the Legislature has adjourned, lawmakers are no longer in active session. This lifts the primary restrictions tied to the legislative period, allowing them to shift focus to campaign activities.
The key change for most legislators involves campaign fundraising and related activities. Washington State’s Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) enforces a “legislative session freeze” on contributions to state or local offices. This freeze prohibits legislators (and other state officials, along with their employees or agents) from soliciting or accepting contributions during the 30 days immediately before a regular session starts, the entire regular session itself, any special session.
For the 2026 short session (January 12 to March 12), the freeze was in effect from roughly mid-December 2025 through March 12; once session ended, the freeze ended. Now legislators can solicit and accept contributions (subject to standard state contribution limits, such as around $1,200–$2,400 per election depending on the office, adjusted for inflation), hold fundraisers, and engage in campaign activities like events, advertising, and outreach.
2026 Elections
This year is an even year which means you will see plenty of yard signs and political ads. All 98 members of the House of Representatives are on the ballot and 24 of our 49 senators are up this year as well. The following is a breakdown of the timeline and deadlines for this year’s elections.
WSNLA Lobbyist
Election Dates
• Primary Election: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (statewide, including federal, state legislative, and local races).
• General Election: Tuesday,
• November 3, 2026 (federal, state, and local races).
Voter Registration
Washington allows same-day registration (in person, including on Election Day).
• Online or by mail (must be received by):
o Primary (Aug 4): July 27, 2026
o General (Nov 3): October 26, 2026
• In person (at county elections office, during business hours, or up to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day):
o Up to and including Election Day for all elections (August 4, November 3).
Ballots Mailed / Voting Period
Washington mails ballots to all registered voters about 18 days before each election. You can return them as soon as you receive them (by mail, official drop box, or in person).
• August 4 Primary: Ballots mailed ~July 17, 2026; voting period starts July 17. (Some counties have ballots available around July 15.)
• November 3 General: Ballots mailed ~October 16, 2026; voting period starts October 16.
Deadline to return ballots: By 8:00 p.m. on Election Day (postmarked by Election Day is not sufficient if received after; it must arrive by 8 p.m. or be in a drop box by then).
Candidate Filing Period (for Primary)
• Declarations of candidacy: Generally May 4–8, 2026
(in-person window; mail may start earlier, around April 20). There is also a special three-day filing period later in July for certain vacancies.
Other Notable Deadlines
• Ballot resolution/measures deadlines (for local/state measures to appear on the ballot): Vary by election (e.g., May 1, 2026 for primary; August 4, 2026 for general).
• Certification of results:
o Primary: County-level ~August 18, 2026; state ~August 21.
o General: County-level ~November 24, 2026; state ~December 3.
While the candidates are out campaigning, I always encourage our members to invite them to our businesses for tours and let them know the policies that are impacting their business and their customers. When legislators see and hear firsthand about real-world impacts of legislative decisions, it makes a great impact. Please reach out to me for assistance or questions regarding having legislators out for visit.
sales@urbanforestnursery.com
Happy Spring!
WSNLA Launches a Smarter, More Accessible Website
New features, improved navigation, and expanded resources make it easier than ever for horticulture professionals to learn, connect, and grow.
A website should do more than simply exist—it should work hard for the people who rely on it. With that goal in mind, the Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association has launched a fully updated version of its website, designed to make it easier for members, students, and industry professionals to access the information, education, and resources they need.
The refreshed site brings together several long-awaited improvements, including mobile responsiveness, clearer navigation, expanded educational resources, and deeper integration of WSNLA programs. The result is a modern, streamlined platform that better reflects the organization’s role as a hub for professional growth and industry connection.
Designed for the Way People Use the Web Today
One of the most noticeable upgrades is the site’s mobile-responsive design. Whether users are in the office, on a jobsite, at a nursery, or attending an event, the site now adapts seamlessly to phones and tablets.
This long-overdue update makes it significantly easier to search for information, register for events, access resources, and stay connected with WSNLA programs—no matter where you are. For members who frequently access materials in the field, the improved mobile experience removes a major barrier to quickly finding what they need.
A More Intuitive Way to Navigate
Alongside the new look, the site has been reorganized to create a more intuitive user experience. Information is now grouped in ways that better reflect how members and visitors actually use the site. Whether someone is looking for professional development opportunities, certification information, scholarships, or industry resources, the new structure helps guide users directly to what they need without unnecessary searching. This reorganization also ensures that key programs and resources are easier to discover for first-time visitors.
Expanding Opportunities to Learn
Education remains a cornerstone of WSNLA’s mission, and the updated website expands access to learning opportunities through the WSNLA PROseries Library.
The PROseries Library now features additional recorded sessions, offering more opportunities for professionals to build their skills and knowledge while earning continuing education units (CEUs). These on-demand sessions allow users to learn at their own pace while staying current on industry trends, best practices, and emerging topics. With new sessions continuing to be added, the library is becoming a valuable resource for ongoing professional development throughout the year.
New Resources for Growers
Another addition to the website is a dedicated Grower Resource Page, created specifically to host videos focused on pollinator
friendly production practices.
These videos, and resources that will be added, are available for growers to stay informed, improve operations, and strengthen their businesses. By bringing these materials together in one place, the site provides a practical learning hub tailored to the needs of growers across the region.
Bringing ecoPRO Under One Roof
The update also integrates ecoPROcertified. org within the WSNLA website. By bringing the ecoPRO certification program under the WSNLA. org umbrella, users can now access certification information, resources, and updates in one centralized location.
This integration simplifies navigation for professionals pursuing certification and helps strengthen the connection between ecoPRO and the broader WSNLA community.
Celebrating Scholarship Legacy
A new page for the Scholarship Research Charitable Fund highlights another important part of WSNLA’s work—investing in the future of horticulture.
The page showcases named scholarship recipients and tells the stories behind the individuals who continue to honor their legacy by supporting the next generation of horticulturists. These stories illustrate the lasting impact of mentorship, generosity, and industry leadership while recognizing the students who are carrying that legacy forward.
New Tools for GardenWashington Visitors
Visitors to GardenWashington.com will also notice new features designed to support gardeners and environmental stewardship.
A new Power Up Your Pollinator resource page provides information and tools for creating pollinator-friendly gardens. The site also now includes blog tags that allow readers to search and explore articles by category, making it easier to find relevant gardening topics and seasonal advice.
A Platform Built for Growth
The updated website represents more than a visual refresh—it is a foundation for the future. By improving accessibility, expanding educational resources, and highlighting the programs and people who shape the industry, the new site strengthens WSNLA’s ability to serve its members and the broader horticulture community.
As new resources, education opportunities, and stories continue to be added, the website will remain a dynamic space that reflects the innovation, collaboration, and growth happening across Washington’s nursery and landscape industry.
Members and visitors are encouraged to explore the new site and discover everything it has to offer—whether it’s learning something new, registering for an upcoming program, or connecting with the people and initiatives driving the industry forward.
Floriferous Awakening: WSNLA
Garden Celebrates Spring’s First Stirring
Inspired by the subtle beauty of Pacific Northwest gardens emerging from winter, Floriferous Awakening captured the anticipation and emotion of early spring. Design Lead Aya Mizoroki created an immersive garden experience using layered plantings, circular raised beds, and a plant palette that highlighted texture, movement, and the first bursts of seasonal color. The result was a space that felt both inspiring and achievable for home gardeners. Aya shares about her experience designing and building this year’s garden.
This is your second year as Design Lead for the show garden at the NW Flower & Garden Festival — how has your vision evolved from year one to year two?
AM: In my first year, my primary focus was educational—I wanted to demonstrate how native and native-adjacent plants could be used in a curated way to create a naturalistic, yet intentional, garden space. This year, my approach shifted toward refinement. I opted for a significantly simplified, cohesive plant palette that relied heavily on the rich, moody tones of hellebores—specifically deep maroons, reds, and pinks.
I also prioritized structural clarity. By using deciduous, multistemmed focal trees, I was able to create a sense of height and texture while maintaining visibility throughout the space. Additionally, by moving to circular beds, I created stronger geometric rhythms, more viewing angles, and multiple paths for visitors to navigate as they walked through the garden.
From a project management perspective, circular beds were also a win for our volunteer team; they are inherently more
efficient to build, which allowed us to be more productive during the installation phase. I’m incredibly grateful to Tim Gray at Pacific Stone Company for his guidance on the bed layout and for overseeing the wall construction.
What was the core inspiration behind this year’s garden, and how did you translate that vision into an immersive indoor experience?
AM: My inspiration is rooted in my years as a professional gardener. I hold fond memories of the many spaces I tended, and for this project, I drew on specific vignettes that have stayed with me.
My goal was to evoke that distinct feeling of euphoria that arrives in late winter and early spring when the first blooms emerge. To capture that moment of seasonal transition, I distilled those memories into a unified, simplified plant palette across the three beds. The inclusion of scented Narcissus ‘Spring Sunshine’ and Sarcococca added another sensory layer. Finally, I opted to omit any garden decor; I wanted the experience to be purely botanical, keeping the focus entirely on the plants and intensifying the visitor’s immersion.
Full of lushness and life (and big boulders, trees, greenhouses and more), the NW Flower + Garden Festival is a testament to talent and grit, and to the power of working in community.
Having volunteered at the show a few years in a row, it never ceases to amaze me how collaborative the process is, with designers and contractors working on their own installations while also supporting the whole. I was very excited to work with Aya, a classmate from Bastyr University, and Cora Morrison, a new friend and colleague I made through WSNLA. And it was lovely to meet and work with Dawson of the People’s Gardening Collective and Grayson and the team at Avid Landscaping to bring together Aya’s abundant design and vision!
- Stacey Vaeth, CPH - Royal Green Designs, 2026 Garden Team Support Member.
Designing an indoor show garden presents unique challenges. What were the biggest creative or logistical hurdles, and how did you overcome them?
AM: The most significant challenge with indoor show gardens is, without a doubt, timing. You are playing a high-stakes game of “horticultural choreography,” ensuring that every plant looks its absolute best at the exact moment the doors open.
Last year, the sourcing process was my biggest hurdle. This year, I was so fortunate to have Trevor Cameron from Sunnyside Nursery on the team. Having a dedicated collaborator who understands the nuance of show-quality sourcing freed me up to focus almost entirely on the design and execution.
Collaboration is key in a project of this scale. How did working with your supporting designers influence or elevate the final design?
AM: Absolutely! I have so much gratitude for my supporting designers, Cora Morrison of Alula Boutique Containers and Stacey Vaeth of Royal Green Designs. Having their eyes on my layout and plant palette gave me the confidence to commit to a simplified design, which felt like a risk at a show often known for its over-thetop, maximalist displays.
While I arrived with a concrete planting plan, the reality of a show garden is that the design must remain fluid. On installation day, once all the material is in the space, the layout inevitably shifts. Cora and Stacey were instrumental during that phase, offering critical feedback on balancing deciduous versus evergreen elements and identifying subtle adjustments for better flow. I’m also deeply
Continued on the next page.
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS & BUSINESSES
We’re grateful to everyone who contributed their time, creativity, and expertise to make this immersive garden experience possible. From plant material to design and build, the garden would not be possible without all of YOU!
Thank you for helping promote the Washington horticulture industry and inspiring the next generation of gardeners and landscape professionals!
Aya Mizoroki, CPH, EPC - Flora Forma
Stacey Vaeth, CPH, Royal Green Designs
Cora Morrison, CPH, Alula Boutique Containers
Grayson Snyder, EPC, Avid Landscape Management
Cecilia Garcia Lopez de Munain
Rob Boyker, EPC, Avid Landscape Management
Tim Gray, Pacific Stone Company
Dawson McGrath, People’s Gardening Collective
Brent Bertolami, EPC, Seattle Public Schools
Trevor Cameron, CPH, Sunnyside Nursery
Connor Alexander, CPH, EPC
Scott Pringle, CPH
T&L Nursery
Sunnyside Nursery
And, the many volunteers who helped staff the garden, handout GardenWashington Guides, answer questions and connect with gardeners and future customers!
grateful to Cora for contributing sphagnum moss from her own property—a small, organic detail that really elevated the final presentation.
What did you hope visitors feel, learn, or take away after walking through this year’s garden?
AM: My goal was to make this garden feel approachable and attainable for the average visitor. I didn’t want to create an untouchable display; I wanted to share the genuine joy I feel when discovering early-blooming flowers just when we—and the pollinators—need them most. By utilizing reliable, high-performance plants that thrive in our region, I hope visitors walked away feeling inspired to try these combinations in their own spaces, rather than simply admiring them from afar.
Tell us about your new business...
AM: I realized that I derive the most joy from hands-on, outdoor work, which is why I’m launching my new business, Flora Forma, with a focus on fine pruning and garden coaching. I want to spend my time where I’m most effective—directly in the landscape.
My goal is to support homeowners who might not have the budget—or the need—for a massive renovation, but who want to maximize the potential of what they already have through hands-on coaching sessions. There is so much beauty hidden in an existing garden that can be unlocked with a fresh perspective. I love pruning for that same reason; it is inherently transformative. With strategic, thoughtful cuts, you can coax out the best form of a plant and revitalize a space without ever needing to start from scratch.
A simplified palette featuring richly toned hellebores in deep maroons, reds, and pinks anchored the garden’s design, creating a cohesive and moody early-season display. Circular raised beds created dynamic viewing angles and smooth visitor flow, allowing guests at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival to experience the garden from multiple perspectives while showcasing layered plantings and early spring color.
Choose Your Path
Garden creator: Fancy Plant Gardens + Susan Brown Landscape Design
Take-home ideas: Adapt a core preference of Northwest-friendly plants, hardscapes, and artwork to create a multitude of styles that reflect your personal vision and space.
Awarded: Best Use of Hardscapes, presented by Mutual Materials
The Knowledge of Place & Time
Garden creator: Puyallup Tribe of Indians
Garden designer: Sue Goetz, CPH, EPC
Take-home ideas: Incorporate native plants with purpose, learn the cultural stories behind landscapes, and design gardens that educate as much as they inspire.
The Dye Garden
Garden creator: Lacewing Fine Gardening + Botanical Designs
Take-home ideas: Use natural materials, ancient building techniques, and plants as tools for creativity in home garden design.
Awarded: Best Use of Color
Where Stories Take Root
Garden creator: West Seattle Nursery
Take-home ideas: Design cozy garden “rooms,” layer plants for immersive greenery, and add sensory elements like sound and texture to enrich small spaces.
Awarded: Founder’s Cup (Best in Show) + Garden Creator’s Award
Rooted in the South Sound: Growing Community with Walrath Landscape Supply
A family legacy of quality products, knowledgeable service, and a passion for helping customers create beautiful outdoor spaces.
For more than five decades, the Walrath family of companies has been helping shape landscapes and gardens across the South Sound. What began in 1968 has grown into a trusted network of bulk material yards and garden centers dedicated to providing quality products, knowledgeable service, and inspiration for outdoor spaces. With a focus on helping customers beautify their homes and gardens, Walrath Landscape Supply continues to evolve — from launching convenient online ordering to expanding educational workshops — while staying rooted in the same commitment to community, expertise, and a love of plants and landscapes.
Q+A with Rebecca Owens, Marketing Manager, Walrath Landscape Supply
1. Tell us about your business. How did it get started, and what passion for plants, design or outdoor spaces drives/impacts your work?
RO: The Walrath family of companies has been operating in the South Sound since 1968. In 2000, we acquired our first retail location and launched Walrath Landscape Supply, starting our journey in bulk landscape materials and, later, garden centers. This has been especially fulfilling, and truly allows us to enhance lives by helping people beautify their homes and gardens.
2. What products or services do you offer?
RO: We have three bulk yards, providing delivery or pickup of materials such as soil, aggregates, and mulch. We also have three garden centers, with a mixture of sought after plants and native favorites. Our Gig Harbor location also sells hardscape materials and pond supply, making it a fullservice landscape supply center.
3. What makes your business stand out in the green industry?
RO: Our commitment to offering quality products and friendly service makes us
stand out. Our retail teams stand behind our products, are knowledgeable about how to properly use them, and are always willing to try and source specialty materials.
4. What recent changes or improvements have you made?
RO: We’re excited to introduce online ordering for Bulk Material Delivery! It’s a fast and easy process, and has streamlined getting products delivered right to your yard. The ability to order anytime from your own device makes last-minute projects possible in the rare sunbreaks we get this time of year.
Are you implementing any bold or innovative ideas right now?
RO: In 2026, we are expanding our offerings of educational workshops. We have some exciting events planned and look forward to offering our customers informative and fun experiences!
What’s one challenge you’ve faced recently in the nursery or landscape world, and how have you adapted?
RO: In both nursery and landscape supply, demand for greener products, native focus, and low-impact amendments is always present. We are always looking for ways to provide the best products that work, so our customers have a choice.
What’s next for your business? What upcoming projects, seasonal goals, expansions, or long-term visions are you looking forward to?
RO: Our locations are currently undergoing a refresh ahead of the spring season. We are always looking to improve the layout and flow of the nurseries and create a welcoming and intuitive garden center.
How to Get Involved: WSNLA Leadership & Volunteer Opportunities
Plant a Career in Horticulture Task Force
Help inspire the next generation of horticulturist, by identifying, building & strengthening relationships with colleges, universities, technical schools, high school and career development organizations throughout Washington. Guide development of resources and build career pathways for emerging professionals. Help identify strategies for promoting horticulture careers.
PlantSomething Task Force
Help guide grant industry marketing that aims at educating and consumers about the benefits and of plants, trees and value of landscapes. This task force will generate ideas to get our message out to consumers, identify advertising opportunities and strategies to increase consumer awareness and engage the future gardener.
WSNLA Industry Advancement Committee
Do you have a strong belief in continuing education and ongoing training in the field of horticulture? Help others stay informed on relevant issues and best practices of current concern pertaining to the horticulture industrry. Identify speakers and topics that support educational activities with WSNLA Staff.
Join The Board of Directors
Help Shape Your Industry. The WSNLA Board of Directors meets quarterly throughout the year and is responsible for setting policy, providing strategic direction and fiscal soundness of WSNLA. Current open positions include: Retail Nursery Representative, Landscape Representative, Grower Representative, Supplier Representation and Member At Large II. Learn more about these roles at wsnla. org/Governance.
Benefits of Board, Committee & Volunteer Service:
- Develop and enhance your leadership skills
- Share your business insight and skills
- Create a voice for your interests and passions
- Gain strategic knowledge and broaden your business skills
- Receive a deep sense of accomplishment & pride in results
- Influence senior decision-makers and work as a team toward a common goal.
Ready to get involved? or Breanne at breanne@wsnla.org.
Rants From The Retailer...
Trevor Cameron Sunnyside Nursery, Marysville General Manager
WSNLA Past President
Happy spring to all! The sun has been out a bit more (what winter?) and it has been as mild as I can recall in Western Washington. I am sure (like us at Sunnyside Nursery) all the retailers are preparing for the chaotic crescendo coming this spring. I don’t need to tell you all there is to do. It is always a challenge, but that is why we love what we do!
Hopefully with some great planning over the winter, meaningful future buys and key staff all returning it is success (or at least survival) on the horizon. The 2026 version of our mission can commence: Turning those black thumbs green by educating folks on proper gardening techniques and helping them select the right plant for the right place. It is our job to sell success and spread the word about the goodness of working in the garden. Try and remember to embrace this with fervor, keep smiling, have fun and share your love of plants with your customers. Before you know it, Mother’s Day will be upon us, and soon after the dog days of summer.
Then we will all long for the never-ending line of eager shoppers at the cash register once again.
Remember that WSNLA is here to support all its members, including retailers in our shared industry. We can all share success and occasional failures and help one another towards success.
Anything less would be uncivilized! Wishing everyone a profitable and meaningful spring season.
LEGACY OF SCIENTIFIC, LOCALLY RELEVANT RESEARCH
INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF HORTICULTURE
Dr. Gary Chastagner Plant
Nursery, landscape and Christmas tree professionals want to celebrate the career of Dr. Gary Chastagner for his contributions that have helped their industries—and beyond— by creating the Dr. Gary Chastagner Endowed Chair.
Your donation to the Dr. Gary Chastagner Endowed Chair will honor Dr. Chastagner’s nearly 50 years of contributions to the nursery, landscape and Christmas tree industries and ensure perennial funding for research capacity to address the priorities of industry stakeholders.
Pathologist Washington State University
www.BIRINGERNURSERY.com
MARKETPLANT
Specimen Street and landscape Trees in large Root Control Bags. Year around availability, easier shipping, handling and establishment. Mount Vernon. (360) 428-5810. Fax (360) 428-1822. www.urbanforestnursery.com.
WSNLA MEMBER. WSNLA MARKETPLACE posts begin at $30. Contact breanne@wsnla.org.
April 2 | PROseries: From Soil Test to Strategy: Building Healthier, More Resilient Landscapes
April 14 | PROseries: Drip Irrigation: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
April 16 | PROseries: Plant Diagnostics for Perennial Edibles: Spring Strategies for Berries & Fruit Trees
June 2026 | Power Up Your Pollinators - Download your marketing tools!
June TBD | Landscape Learning Lab: WA Capitol Campus Pollinator Garden + Tree Care
July 14 | WSNLA Summer Social @ JB Lavender Farm + Flower Market, Woodinville
August 21 | CPH Plant Identification Exam. Location: Redmond
October TBD | CPH Plant Identification Exam. Location: TBD
October 13 | WSNLA Fall Social @ JB Pumpkin Farm + Puzzle Path, Woodinville
November 2 - 5 | ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Training & Certification
November 6 | ecoPRO Certified Sustainable Landscape Exam
Find out more & learn about upcoming WSNLA PROseries sessions @ WSNLA.org/events
CAREER CENTER
Advertise
Post Your Internships
Internships are an opportunity to gain practical experience in the field. Share your internship opportunities on the WSNLA Career Center and connect with students and emerging professionals.
