About Us

Our Story

Our backyards used to be rolling prairies.

They used to be aspen groves and horizonless deserts. Picture the soaring peaks, the expansive plains, and the rocky coastal bluffs—there is no place quite as captivating as the American West. But millions now call this landscape home, and with each passing year, the wild beauty of the West disappears under the bulldozer’s blade.

Rapid development is at odds with a sustainable tomorrow.

As we populate the landscapes that enchanted us, we alter the balance of nature. Each new house, road, and parking lot strains healthy ecosystems and diminishes natural resources, compounded by the effects of climate disruption. Wells are dug deeper to compensate for drying rivers. Migration paths shift. Plant, animal, and insect species disappear along with lost habitat.

When our founder, David Salman, was a boy in the Southwest, the mountains and arroyos were his playground. Fascinated by insects and the native plants that sustain them, he watched relentless growth challenge the balance between progress and preservation. David set out to make a difference.

Our gardens must be more than just beautiful.

To co‑exist with land and wildlife, we must value plants not only for beauty, but for their ability to preserve the environment. With a degree in horticulture, a shovel, a greenhouse, and a spirit of adventure, David explored mountains, plains, forests, and canyons in search of plants that thrive in the West. Gardeners soon flocked to Santa Fe to discover High Country Gardens—home to expert advice, a passionate community, and plants that are beautiful, resilient, sustainable, and suited to the conditions from which they evolved.

Together we can make a difference, one garden at a time.

Decades later, our mission is as important as ever: doing good through sustainable gardening. We continue to offer a diverse, ever‑expanding selection of plants for the unique challenges of Western gardens—and for gardeners everywhere who believe their gardens can be more than beautiful. With inspiration and advice, we can each help solve environmental challenges today while planting the seeds for a better tomorrow.

Sustainability Begins In Your Backyard