Yakima County
Certified Gardens
Take a virtual tour through the Certified Heritage Gardens of Yakima County. These gardeners have worked hard to convert their high water-use landscapes and under utilized spaces into works of native plant art. View their transformations below.
Many of these gardens were certified and photographed while the plants were young. If you see your garden here and would like to submit additional pictures of your established garden, contact your Heritage Garden Representative.
BUCKLEY HERITAGE GARDEN
2024
est 39,302 gal/yr saved
What started as a Covid project has blossomed into a Certified Heritage Garden in this Yakima County yard! Filled with blooms, bees, and other pollinators, Katie's 3 year old garden was a delight to visit. She has plans to continue to add native plants to her garden, and slowly encroach on the grass. And the plants are thriving! Many are happily volunteering throughout her property, much to her delight. Way to go Katie!
HARDING HERITAGE GARDEN
2024
est. 36,996 gal/yr saved
Congrats to Michelle on her newly certified Heritage Garden! Michelle is a Master Gardener in both California and Oregon, and moved to Yakima and immediately started to replace her front lawn with a low-water garden. She heard of the Heritage Garden program two-thirds of the way through her project, and wanted to convert the last third into a low-water landscape using native plants. Her front lawn is a delight, and many passerbys stop to admire her garden. She also loves admiring her garden, and enjoys spotting the many pollinators that stop by to visit!
KIRKPATRICK HERITAGE GARDEN
2024
est 8,091 gal/yr saved
Sharon’s established Heritage Garden is one for the birds. Blue Elderberry, snowberry and serviceberry offer prime snacking for feathered friends while also providing some nest-worthy branches. Even in the midsummer heat, the garden was bursting with life! Blue Flax and penstemons past their prime bloom time added some greenery while bunchgrasses both native and non-native add texture and depth. Congratulations Sharon on creating such a wonderful, waterwise space!
NATESUWON HERITAGE GARDEN
2024
est. 19,499 gal/yr saved
Congratulations to Jann in Yakima on her Heritage Garden Certification! Jann started her Heritage Garden project in 2022, converting a corner in her front lawn and a strip in her backyard to native plants. The backyard strip is still a work in progress after a difficult winter resulting in setbacks, but the show must go on! She's undeterred, and plans to re-plant in the fall. Luckily, her front lawn section is thriving, with many natives happily flowering.
VILLASENOR HERITAGE GARDEN
2024
est. 1,421 gal/yr saved
Anna Villasenor has been hard at work planting two native beds in the front of her property the past year, and her work is paying off! She has a no-grass front surrounding these plants as well! She plans to seed more natives into these beds, and loves watching the plants grow and thrive. They really do sleep, creep, and leap. Way to go Anna!
KERSHAW FRUIT + SUPERFRESH GROWERS
2023
est 197,823 gal/yr saved
Kershaw was seeking plants that would thrive on a harsh, southern facing slope that would also support pollinators. Native + drought tolerant plants fit the bill! Though many of the plants are still in sleep mode year one after planting, a few have already taken off in the space! Hats off to the Superfresh + Kershaw Teams for their hard work prepping and planting this site-- We can't wait to see how this garden creeps, then leaps in the years to come!
OTEY HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est. 15,858 gal/yr saved
Lynda + Robin of Yakima began their Heritage Garden journey back in 2021 and created their own planting plan based on the plant list provided Sourcing all of the plants the first season was a challenge. A fellow Heritage Gardener shared a few seedlings and since installation, Lynda’s also started collecting seeds from established plants to resow in her space. Custom trellis’ and Lynda’s artwork embellish the space as do the pollinator watering stations and rock stacks. There were a few hiccups initially in meeting the water requirements for certification but her determination, creativity and many garden seedling ‘volunteers’ have helped her reach the goal!
STRADER HEDE HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est. 4,248 gal/yr saved
Rob’s love of our native shrub-steppe plants manifested in a front yard full of natives long before the Heritage Garden Program even existed. After crossing paths with us at an event, he and current tenant Sarah decided to certify the well established space! Sagebrush, Showy Daisy, Elderberry, Golden Currant, Idaho Fescue and Basin Wildrye are just a few of the many native species showing off in their front yard and they’re not done yet! Over time, Sarah’s planning to continue the conversion by adding more natives throughout the space. Hat’s off to Rob and Sarah for creating such a beautiful, waterwise garden!
YK MASTER GARDENERS DEMONSTRATION GARDEN
2023
est 2,185 gal/yr saved
Congratulations to the Yakima Master Gardeners for their newly certified Heritage Garden Demonstration Beds! Located in Ahtanum Youth Park in Union Gap, this public garden features three planting beds that highlight the different plant communities found in Yakima County: Montane, Foothills, and Shrub-Steppe . Volunteers in the Master Gardener Program created their own planting plans for the beds using the plant list provided by the Heritage Garden Program. Stop by and visit the garden!
GALBREATH HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est 910 gal/yr saved
The Fall bloomers were popping at certification time in Angela's Heritage Garden. Along the side of the house, this petite garden takes advantage of the roof runoff and overspray to create a cacophany of textures and colors. Western Aster, Goldenrod, Blue Flax, Rabbitbrush and Showy Milkweed are not only providing Fall interest but also supplying pollinators with some late season nectar before Winter!
EL NIDO CABINS HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est 1,011 gal/yr saved
This small but mighty Heritage Garden at El Nido Cabins in Tieton packs a punch of texture, especially in late Fall! Silvery hues with occasional pops of color were favorites and led to a garden featureing Fringed Sagebrush, Gray Rabbitbrush, Green Rabbitbrush, Cushion Buckwheat and Globemallow. Owner Anne has plans to expand her native garden throughout other areas on site. Congratulations, El Nido!
RIESENWEBER HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est 6,068 gal/yr saved
A hummingbird and pollinator garden that would also deter deer nibbles was the goal with this Heritage Garden! The wildlife have certainly loved the tasty new additions in the Heritage Garden but the plants don't seem to mind for the most part!
REED HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est 607 gal/yr saved
A member of the Central Washington Chapter of the WNPS, Cathy has a passion for native flora! Certified in Fall, this Heritage Garden features plants that need no water once established. Snow Buckwheat, Sand Penstemon, Yarrow and Arrowleaf Buckwheat were adding abundant textures that will last through Winter.
KAPHAMMER HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est 5,013 gal/yr saved
Susan has been hard at work for the past couple of years tearing away old plants to turn the dirt on top of a rock wall into a native garden! Already several plants have happily spread. Fringed Sage, Creeping Thyme, and Little Bluestem are absolutely loving their home. She plans to continue her garden along the rock wall and turn the neighboring lawns into a meadowscape and believes "the way to convince people to try native plants is to show them the wonderful possibilities of the gardens!" We (and your plants) love your garden, Susan!
CAVES HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est. 3304 gal/yr saved
This garden created habitat for pollinators and beyond! Lizards have been seen basking on the large rocks and as we certified the garden a Gray Hairstreak butterfly stopped by to say hello. Bluebunch Wheatgrass, Firecracker Penstemon, Blanket Flower, and Snow Buckwheat blend beautifully in the xeric section of the garden while Roundleaf Alumroot, Strawberry and Shrubby Cinquefoil meld nicely into the woodland transition zone near the existing evergreen tree. A shallow dish fed by drip irrigation will help keep thirsty pollinators sated between nectar servings in this lively garden!
YOUNG HERITAGE GARDEN
2023
est. 3,236 gal/yr saved
Heather’s been busy removing the outdated and fire hazard junipers that had been planted up against her house leaving a blank slate to be filled with natives! The Fall planted south facing garden features Fringed Sagebrush, Firecracker Penstemon, Rock Buckwheat, Palmer’s Penstemon and Blue Flax just to name a few along with some non-native phlox repurposed from elsewhere on site. By opting out of mulch, a flush of Fringed Sage and Penstemon seedlings are volunteering to fill the space. Showy Milkweed and Coneflower will take advantage of water runoff from the roof and provide a burst of summer color and nectar for the bees. We can’t wait to watch this garden continue to transform!
SQUEOCHS HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 18,933 gal/yr saved
Richardson's Penstemon really shows off in this Heritage Garden strip. This patch comes complete with a watering station for the local pollinators and birds to cool off and relax in the heat of summer. What a wonderful space!
SEAMAN HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 69,642 gal/yr saved
A bare patch of dirt with places to go! After years of preparations and addressing the return of undesirable plants, Linda was finally able to install drip irrigation and get her native plants in the ground this spring. Though many of these plants are starting out small this year, they will be quick to establish and fill in this newly certified Heritage Garden. Congratulations Linda! We can’t wait to see your Garden grow!
SELAH VISTA HOMES HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 656,241 gal/yr saved
As a Net-Zero community, Selah Vista Homes not only has plans to create a formal Heritage Garden in their community area, but they have taken landscaping with native plants to another level. By seeding and planting their communal areas with native grasses, forbs, trees, and shrubs, this community is able to save more than 600,000 gallons of water every year compared to conventional lawns and plantings–and that is only accounting for what was installed at the time of certification! Modern architecture has been paired with the plants of our intermountain deserts and foothills to create a sense of place unique to our region. Well done to the Selah Vista Community!
RICE HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 24,556 gal/yr saved
From Weeds to Wild! With help from a friend, Doug worked hard to convert this weedy and grassy patch to a (nearly) native Heritage Garden. With a long-term weed control strategy in place and plans to expand the Garden across his property’s frontage, Doug hopes to grow appreciation and support for native species among those visitors to his unique and cozy vacation rental. From the patio and drive in Tieton, the hills north of Naches provide a serene backdrop for this Heritage Garden. Congratulations Doug!
After
WEISE HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 9,042 gal/yr saved
Congratulations, Stephanie! Beginning their native planting project in 2019, the Weise’s weren’t sure if there would be a year the elk would take it easy on this garden. With reduced hoof-traffic (and hungry browsers) paired with the above normal rainfall this spring, this Heritage Garden has finally flourished. The pictures speak for themselves!
BUSH HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 1,517 gal/yr saved
Hidden Gems! When Jacqui called us out for a site visit this summer looking for native plant recommendations for her pollinator patches, we had no idea we would come upon a garden ready for Certification (and neither did she!). Recently cleared of this summer’s wild lupin skeletons, the Bush Heritage Garden features many ornaments, mostly native plants, and does not require ANY irrigation in Selah. Buckwheats, purple sage, Indian ricegrass, fringed sage, and more! Who would have thought this pile of gravel they did not want to move anymore would become such a highlight?
BELLEFLOWER FARM HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 4,045 gal/yr saved
This garden features ‘upcycled’ yard art, water features, and many rocks from around our region, as well as some other long inherited pieces from generations of ‘rock hounds’. While the desert bluebells were fairly dominant at the time of Certification, this garden experiences many different flushes of color over the growing season. But don’t ask us… Belleflower Farm hosts public events–be sure to check out this beauty for yourself! Congratulations Knox Family!
Before
ROBERTS HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 67,292 gal/yr saved
Janet has been working on this area (and the rest of her yard) since moving in, and quite the undertaking it has been to make her property more ‘fire-wise’, increase the biodiversity, and restore her slice of shrub steppe. She has done a lot of the planning and plant community assembly through her own research.
WEEBER HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 9,042 gal/yr saved
Oh, what a month will do! Megan’s newly Certified Heritage Garden has quite the variety of plants. Megan and her family did an excellent job incorporating plants native to our region into an existing planting. Many homeowners are removing those large shrubby junipers from their beds, which leaves some intriguing deadwood behind. Paired with cobble stone mulch, this deadwood helps the Weeber Heritage Garden achieve that coveted riverbed aesthetic.
Before
SHEEHAN HERITAGE GARDEN
2022
est. 1,659 gal/yr saved
While many opt for landscape fabric and rock mulch to control weeds and plant spread, Lindy wants to encourage her plants to reseed into the open spaces. More Oregon sunshine, Munro’s globemallow, bigleaf lupine? Don’t mind if we do! With goals to transform her entire yard into a native plant, pollinator, and avian paradise, we are sure she will soon be on to her next project—but for now she can sit back and watch her plants grow and dance in the gentle summer breeze.
KAPLAN HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 50,649 gal/yr saved
Lisbeth transformed her yard by removing grass and installing pathways and garden beds layered with native and drought tolerant plants. She created a seating area so she could enjoy the beautiful garden she created.
McSLOY HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 2,710 gal/yr saved
Pam layered her planting beds with native and low water-use plants creating a pollinators paradise.
NOB HILL WATER
ASSOCIATION
HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 18,366 gal/yr saved
The Nob Hill Water Association wanted to create a Heritage Garden to promote low water-use gardening. A committee worked up the design and they selected the native plants to be planted. All the plants require less than 10 inches of water.
STEVENS HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 28,804 gal/yr saved
Lucy's big goal was to provide plants that support wildlife that visit her yard: insects, birds and mammals. She took out nearly all plants that didn't benefit wildlife.
TIERNEY HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 19,398 gal/yr saved
In her front yard Kathy wanted to incorporate native and drought-tolerant plants, raised beds for vegetable gardening and she wanted to add privacy.
VAIL HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 72,434 gal/yr saved
During construction of their new home the Vail’s took the opportunity to install native and low water-use plants in their planting beds.
ROBERTS HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 46,523 gal/yr saved
The Roberts moved into a new housing development in Selah where conservation is valued and is evident in the housing construction and landscaping. Debbie embraces using native and drought tolerant wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs to attract pollinators, hummingbirds and other wildlife.
SKOVRON HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 19,782 gal/yr saved
Joe’s goal was to beautify a sloped retaining wall area by planting it with native and low water-use plants.
STEPNIEWSKI HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est.94,947 gal/yr saved
Andy and Ellen are bird enthusiasts who set out to turn their whole yard into a bird sanctuary.
HOHMAN HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 2,589 gal/yr saved
Eric and Lauren converted a water hungry area of lawn into a gem of a Heritage Garden. We can’t wait to see this garden grow.
COONROD HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 31,635 gal/yr saved
Brittany and her husband wanted to select plants that would not need any supplemental irrigation. They also preferred the formal garden style.
HALVORSON-MILLER HERITAGE GARDEN
2021
est. 9,527 gal/yr saved
Amy transformed her front yard garden beds into a low water-use haven for birds, butterflies and bees.
BREWER-MAIN HERITAGE GARDEN
2019
est. 199,320 gal/yr saved
Kim and Rick have taken great care to preserve and restore native flora around their home. They have used native plants to create sitting areas where they enjoy views of the Yakima Valley, Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier!
HOMER HERITAGE GARDEN
2019
est. 800 gal/yr saved
Donna’s newly planted garden features numerous native plants along with a water feature and bird house to provide a welcoming retreat for wildlife.
LUST HERITAGE GARDEN
2019
est. 8,799 gal/yr saved
Nancy's garden is brand new this spring with many of the plants having been purchased from the North Yakima CD native plant sale in May. Nancy's garden features a unique border of recycled wine bottles.
VINING HERITAGE GARDEN
2019
est. 32,950 gal/yr saved
Karen and Ray have the special distinction of being our first certified garden in Yakima County! They started their journey in 2016 with help from members of the Columbia Basin Chapter of the WNPS.