Rick Martinson, a horticulturist and former archaeologist, is working to increase awareness and appreciation of native plants adapted to Central Oregon’s arid climate, according to an April 15 article. At his Winter Creek Nursery northeast of Bend, Martinson and his staff at the High Desert Horticultural Center are growing more than 200 plant species specifically suited for dry environments. Many of these plants have been propagated from cuttings or seeds collected by Martinson during hikes.
Martinson said the goal is not only to conserve species that have existed in the region for thousands of years but also to unlock benefits such as water conservation and providing habitat for pollinators. “A lot of these species take very little to no water,” Martinson said in an interview. “One of our biggest issues is people tend to overwater them, and that will kill them.”
The City of Bend has set a target to reduce community-wide water use by nearly eight billion gallons by 2040. To help achieve this, the city now requires native or drought-tolerant plants in planter strips within new developments and offers incentives for residents who replace their lawns with native landscaping. “Our strategy is to help people use water more efficiently, the water that we have, so we don’t have to find new water,” said Dan Denning, Bend’s water conservation program manager. “Incorporating native plants into our landscape is really a sensible strategy.”
Martinson’s nursery supports its nonprofit mission through plant sales and educational programs focused on native flora. Over three decades old, the nursery features demonstration gardens showcasing how different species can thrive even in rocky or challenging terrain.
Reflecting on his approach that blends art with science, Martinson said: “We try to match the ecology with the site and meet that aesthetic objective, which is really a unique way to deal with native species and landscape design and construction.” He has contributed designs across Bend—including award-winning projects like Moda Health’s rooftop garden—and continues advocating for updated state guidelines better suited for high desert conditions.
Looking ahead, one of Martinson’s goals is lobbying lawmakers for landscaping regulations tailored specifically for desert environments east of the Cascades.
